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A hectic winter football schedule continues in midweek with matchday five from the UEFA Champions League. Followers of the beautiful game enjoy 18 fixtures split evenly across Tuesday and Wednesday. There's action from iconic venues, including the Emirates Stadium, Parc des Princes, and the Johan Cruyff Arena. Which teams will collect a valuable three points?
The leading online bookmakers featured at Flashscore offer over 100 pre-match and live betting markets on every game, including Chelsea v Barcelona on Tuesday, and PSG v Tottenham 24 hours later. Experienced football betting writer Frank Monkhouse has already led readers to strong profits this season and aims to boost your balance with his six best bets.
Chelsea v Barcelona, Tuesday, 20:00 GMT
What a game we have in store here as two famous names from European football collide in England's Chelsea and Spain's Barcelona. Some of the biggest and best players in the world will be on show in a match that's good enough to be a final. Chelsea start down in 12th place after losing their opening match, but went unbeaten in their next three. Will the scalp Barca?
Barcelona jet to London sitting level on seven points with their hosts, but the visitors are one place higher in the ladder thanks to goal difference. They've won two, drawn one, and lost one, scoring a dozen goals, but conceding seven. Victory on the road would go some way to securing Barcelona's place in the knockout stages, but winning at the Bridge is no mean feat.
With two mammoth teams going head-to-head, fireworks are guaranteed in the UK capital. Both managers know the value of a win and three points at this stage of the competition, but neither will throw caution to the wind, realising the damage a defeat would do. Each of the previous four meetings here have produced fewer than three goals. That's a strong trend.
Tip: Under 3.5 goals @ 4/5 (bet365)
Bet explanation: If this match ends with fewer than four goals from both teams combined, your bet lands.
Man City v Bayer Leverkusen, Tuesday, 20:00 GMT
Another star from the Premier League faces another big-name opponent in a glamour tie in England. Manchester City enjoy home advantage when Bayer Leverkusen arrive from the German Bundesliga. The Cityzens sit fourth in the Champions League with ten points on the board following three wins and a draw. They're one of only five unbeaten teams left.
Bayer Leverkusen don't boast the same strong record as their hosts. The visitors arrive at the Etihad Stadium 21st in the table, with their form showing one win, two draws, and a defeat, scoring six goals, but conceding ten. The Germans failed to win their first three UCL games, but did score a vital three points when beating Benfica 1-0 on the road on matchday four.
Manchester City are the pre-match betting favourites at all major bookmakers to defeat Bayer Leverkusen. Pep Guardiola's side have started this competition well, and are improving in the Premier League. They've scored 10 UCL goals, and their attack will make light work of a Bayer defence that has already conceded 10. Keep it simple and back a home win on Tuesday.
Tip: Man City win @ 2/9 (bet365)
Bet explanation: If Man City better Bayer Leverkusen, you'll better the bookies.
Marseille v Newcastle, Tuesday, 20:00 GMT
Our third pick from Tuesday’s games pairs France and England, with Marseille welcoming Newcastle United to Stade Vélodrome. The Ligue 1 runners-up have had a difficult start to their European campaign, winning just one match with three losses so far. The Olympians are currently outside of the playoff places, with time running out. Marseille know this is a must-win match.
Newcastle were a surprise addition to this season’s Champions League. The Magpies finished fifth in last year’s Premier League to secure their seat at the top table. Eddie Howe’s ambitious squad sit among the early leaders, with three wins and a defeat, placing them sixth in the league. Despite their form, the visitors are three points ahead of Atlético Madrid in 17th.
Marseille and Newcastle United have met only twice before, during the 2004 UEFA Cup group stage. The two teams drew 0–0 in England, and Marseille won 2–1 at home. With so much time having passed since then, there’s little to conclude from their head-to-head. Marseille have scored six and conceded five, while Newcastle have scored ten and conceded just two. We avoid picking sides and take both teams to score.
Tip: Both teams to score @ 8/13 (bet365)
Bet explanation: Both Marseille and Newcastle must find the net at least once each.
Arsenal v Bayern Munich, Wednesday, 20:00 GMT
Moving to Wednesday's games, we have another blockbuster featuring two big guns who believe they have a real chance of winning this season's Champions League. A full-house at the Emirates will roar on Arsenal as the Gunners aim to build on their impressive 100% record, taking four wins and a dozen points from four games. Will Arteta and co make it a high five?
Bayern Munich, like their hosts, haven't put a foot wrong so far. The Germans are one of only three sides with a dozen points on the board. Munich is at the top of the league thanks to goal difference, scoring 14 and conceding only three. They beat PSG in Paris last time, meaning Vincent Kompany's team arrive in London full of confidence, but they are the underdogs.
I was surprised to see Bayern Munich at a decent price, as you won't see that happen too often in any competition. They are on top of the UCL table on merit and can tighten their grip with an away win. Having already beaten PSG, Brugge, Pafos, and Chelsea, I'm happy to stick with the Germans. Harry Kane is on a scoring streak and would love a goal against Arsenal in London.
Tip: Harry Kane to score @ 13/8 (bet365)
Bet explanation: Harry Kane must get on the scoresheet anytime in this match.
Atletico Madrid v Inter Milan, Wednesday, 20:00 GMT
The third-best team in the Spanish La Liga play the 2024/25 Serie A runners-up in a match you can follow live on television from Metropolitano Stadium. Atletico Madrid enter matchday five playing catch-up on the leaders after winning two and losing two of their first four starts. They have six points on the board, which is three behind Liverpool and a spot in the top eight.
Inter Milan finished second behind Napoli in Serie A last term, just a point off the pace. They were also the best of the rest in this competition, suffering a heavy defeat to PSG in the final. This term, Cristian Chivu's team are third in the UCL with four wins from four. They've already scored 11 goals and conceded only one. Victory in Spain would be a real show of strength.
Madrid and Milan met at this venue last year, with the home team fighting back from a goal down to win 2-1. Memphis Depay scored in the 87th minute to snatch a late winner for the La Liga side, but I don't expect a repeat performance. Milan may be on the road, but they are the form team here, and I'm expecting a fast start. Back Inter on the double chance market.
Tip: Inter Milan or draw @ 4/7 (bet365)
Bet explanation: If Wednesday's match ends in a draw or an away win, you will profit.
PSG v Tottenham, Wednesday, 20:00 GMT
Our final pick from UEFA Champions League matchday five comes from the French capital, where defending champions PSG host last season's Europa League winners, Tottenham. PSG have already beaten Spurs this season, winning the Super Cup. The cash-rich Parisians needed extra time and penalties to get over the line, finishing 2-2 before winning 4-3 in a shootout.
Tottenham travel to the Parc des Princes looking for revenge, and the Londoners already know they can match their big-name opponents. Beating the European champions on their patch certainly won't be easy, but Spurs fans take confidence from an unbeaten start, having won two and drawn two of their previous four UCL games. Can Spurs send shockwaves across Europe?
It wouldn't be difficult to make a strong case for either team winning here. The locals sit higher in the division with a point more than the visitors. Spurs haven't tasted defeat in their previous four, and will fight to defend that. I expect PSG to show why they're the best team in Europe by pulling rank over Spurs, cheered on by a huge crowd. Back the home win in your accumulators.
Bet explanation: You need a home win on Wednesday evening to secure a return.
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The odds, correct at the time of publication, are subject to change.