UEFA Champions League Preview: Manchester City Out To Ensure Top Spot Against Hoffenheim
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UEFA Champions League Preview: Manchester City Out To Ensure Top Spot Against Hoffenheim
Meanwhile, Bayern Munich are at Ajax while Manchester United face a tricky trip to Valencia
The group stages of the UEFA Champions League draws to a close this coming Wednesday night (12 December) and with most groups already decided all that is left to decide is who finishes first and second. Manchester City host German outfit Hoffenheim and Bayern head to Ajax both looking to cement their place as leaders, while Manchester United head to Valencia with an outside chance of finishing above Juventus.
Before you go any further, head on over to the Oddsshark website, find your favourite betting site and get your own account up and running using your credit card. As a new customer and with the Champions League group stages set to draw to a close, there should be a wide range of promotions and special offers available to you.
First up, Manchester City host Hoffenheim looking for a further three points. City sit top of the group with 10 points from five outings, while the Germans are rock bottom, with no wins and just three points to their name so far.
And Hoffenheim’s malaise is spreading to their domestic form. The club is without a win in four games across all competitions, while City are second in the Premier League, just a point behind Liverpool, having suffered their first defeat of the campaign this past weekend.
It is therefore of little surprise to see that it is City who come into the match as the overwhelming favourites to pick up the win. You can back the English side to take all three points at just 1.20, while Hoffenheim are all the way out at 15.00 to record their first win in the continental competition – a draw is priced in the middle at 8.00, according to Oddsshark.
And City should have no problems in seeing off their opponents. A comprehensive, 3-0 win for the hosts is priced at 8.50, meaning that a US$5 bet would lead to a US$42.50 pay out, while you could more than double your money by backing a combo bet of a City win and a “No” to both teams scoring, which comes in at 2.10.
Ajax out to best Bayern
On the same night, Dutch giants Ajax host German league champions Bayern Munich looking to knock them off top spot with a win. Ajax sit two points behind Bayern and come into this match brimming with confidence – they have won five games in a row across all competitions.
Bayern’s struggles have been well documented so far this season, but they still top this group and sit third in the Bundesliga. There have been recent signs that they are beginning to turn the corner, with three wins on the bounce across all competitions.
And it is Bayern who come in as the favourites to win again. You can doubler your money by backing the visitors to make it four wins in a row at 2.00 while Ajax, despite home advantage, are out at 3.80 to take the points – the same price as a draw.
But with both teams in such good form, this could well end honours even. A 1-1 draw is priced at 7.00, meaning that a US$5 bet would lead to a US$35 pay out, while you can more than double your money by backing under 2.5 goals in the game at 2.37.
United out for three points at Valencia
And finally, Manchester United will be out for all three points when they take on Valencia. United are currently two points behind Juventus in the group, and could in theory still finish above them, if the Old Lady lose to Young Boys.
United have hardly been in scintillating form this season, although they are unbeaten in their last five across all competitions. They are down in sixth in the Premier League and may well turn their attention towards winning the Champions League.
Valencia, meanwhile, are having a torrid time of it. They are languishing in 15th place in La Liga and have already been eliminated from the Champions League.
And while the betting is tight, it is Valencia who come in as the slight favourites to end their time in Europe on a high. You can more than double your money by backing Valencia to win at 2.60, with United only slightly higher at 2.90 – a draw would appear to be the least likely outcome and is priced accordingly at 3.40.
And we are expecting United to sneak this. A narrow, 2-1 win for the visitors is priced at 10.00, thereby offering a ten-fold return on any investment, while a combo bet of a United win and both teams to score is at 5.50.
UEFA Champions League fixtures:
Wednesday, 12 December
(1.22) Real Madrid x CSKA Moscow (13.00); draw (7.50)
(2.62) Viktoria Plzen x AS Roma (2.70); draw (3.60)
(3.80) Ajax x Bayern Munich (2.00); draw (3.80)
(1.40) Benfica x AEK (10.00); draw (4.75)
(1.20) Manchester City x Hoffenheim (15.00); draw (8.00)
(2.30) Shakhtar Donetsk x Lyon (3.00); draw (3.90)
(2.60) Valencia x Manchester United (2.90); draw (3.40)
(8.00) Young Boys x Juventus (1.44); draw (4.75)