MARK O’Haire (@MarkOHaire) pocketed four winners from his five Champions League selections on Tuesday. Can he repeat the feat on Wednesday night?
Roma v Bayer Leverkusen | Wednesday 19.45 | BT Sport Extra
I was privileged to be in the BayArena for Leverkusen’s see-saw 4-4 draw with Roma a fortnight ago and another high-scoring, ding-dong battle could be on the cards again this midweek. Roma rallied from 2-0 down to lead 4-2 going into the closing 10 minutes but somehow managed to surrender their advantage and go inches away from even losing the fixture.
Bayer’s Bernd Leno was the busier of the two keepers and he’ll have his work cut on on Wednesday evening with the Italians knowing they probably need to win if they wish to claim the second spot in Group E. That should ensure Rudi Garcia’s attack-minded side continue their offensive approach and reward goal-hungry punters.
The Giallorossi were beaten 1-0 by Serie A rivals Inter at the weekend – their first defeat since the end of September – but Roma did fire in 17 attempts at goal and wasted a couple of decent goalscoring opportunities. However, the Wolves have notched 16 goals in their six home games this season, albeit while failing to keep a clean sheet.
The Italians have failed to record a shutout in their last 25 European matches now and their sole clean sheet in domestic action this season came against lowly Frosinone. In all, their past 10 in all competitions have produced 44 goals with Both Teams To Score and Over 2.5 Goals being recorded in all bar their weekend reverse.
Leverkusen have struck just once in four (W0-D1-L3) away Champions League ties but they were the top scoring side heading into matchday four of the competition. All the German side’s group-games have beaten the Over 2.5 Goals mark whilst their previous four in all competitions have featured 24 goals and six of their last seven away games have also rewarded Over 2.5 Goals backers.
Bet365 are offering 10/11 that this fixture features Over 2.5 Goals and Both Teams To Score and that’s a good enough price for me to get involved.
Olympiakos v Dinamo Zagreb | Wednesday 19.45 | BT Sport Extra
Olympiakos have started 2015/16 in typically domineering fashion domestically. But the Greeks have also made progress in the Champions League. In all, the Reds have won all bar one of their 12 matches this term – a defeat to Bayern Munich the only blemish on the copybook.
We’ve known for a few years about the hosts’ excellent record when playing in Piraeus but away successes at Arsenal and Wednesday night’s visitors Dinamo have opened the door to Last 16 qualification. And we’re right to expect Olympiakos to get the job done at the Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium.
The hosts have won 12 of their past 16 Champions League group-games in Piraeus including six victories on the spin before Bayern arrived earlier this campaign. In league action, the Legend have won all nine Super League games this season, scoring 15 goals in their four home with each win arriving by a margin of at least two goals.
Dinamo have dropped to third in the Croatian league and hopes of progressing from Group F have all but evaporated despite their shock three-pointer against Arsenal. The travellers have scored just once in their past three and are looking to enhance one of the worst road records in the Champions League
The Croatian capital team have W0-D2-L8 in their past 10 away days in this competition, failing to score in eight of those matches. Take out qualifying fixtures and Dinamo have been defeated in their last 14 away European matches, conceding 42 and scoring just five.
Indeed, include home results and Zagreb have still failed to keep a clean sheet in 18 Champions League ties, losing on 15 occasions.
I expect Olympiakos to prove too strong and backing them with a -1.5 Asian Handicap at 11/8 (BetVictor) sees us paid out should the Greeks win by two or more goals.
Best Bets
Roma v Bayer Leverkusen – Over 2.5 Goals and Both Teams To Score (10/11 Bet365)
Olympiakos v Dinamo Zagreb – Olympiakos -1.5 Asian Handicap (11/8 BetVictor)
10/1 Bayern Munich, Barcelona + Chelsea Treble
Another quality new customer offer from the kind chaps at Coral, folks.
If you're new to Coral, join via any of the links on this page and you'll be offered 10/1 on Bayern, Barcelona and Chelsea all winning on Wednesday night.
If you do decide to get involved, sign up via this page and drop us an email at hello@welovebetting.co.uk and we'll give you the chance to earn free cash on top of your outstanding new customer offer.
