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Welcome to round eight of what has been a sensational UEFA Champions League so far. Arsenal start in pole position with a 100% record. The Gunners have Bayern Munich for company, with the Germans just three points off the pace. In the battle for the top eight and a spot in the finals, three points separate Chelsea in eighth and Qarabag, 10 places below.
Further down the pecking order, we expect a grandstand finish as several hopefuls battle to secure a place in the top 24. Ending ninth to 24th secures teams a spot in the playoffs, ensuring at least two more games in this season's tournament. Olympiakos have eight points in 24th, two more than Ajax, down in 32nd. Things are about to get very interesting.
Which teams will secure an important three points before a global audience? The leading online bookmakers offer more than 100 pre-match betting markets on every midweek game from the Champions League. If you could do with a little help spotting the value, trusted betting writer Frank Monkhouse shares his UCL matchday eight predictions and best bets.
Arsenal v Kairat, Wednesday, 20:00 GMT
Arsenal will finish the week top of the Champions League table, and they've been dominant from the early weeks. Mikel Arteta's side have played seven, won seven, scored 20 goals, and conceded just two. They have the joint-best attack in the competition and the strongest defence. Another win would see them cross the line in style, making it eight from eight.
Kairat arrive in London as the underdogs, but we've seen many shock results and upsets in this season's Champions League already. Can the visitors claim victory and all three points on a famous night at the Emirates Stadium? They can. Will they? Well, that's another question. Kairat arrive bottom of the league with no wins, one draw, and six defeats.
Arsenal don't need to win on Wednesday. The locals have already achieved what they set out to do, much easier than many expected. The Gunners can play with freedom and won't be at full strength, but they won't need to be against such low-ranking opposition. Top v bottom, and a firing attack v a fragile defence, point us towards a bet on a strong home win.
Tip: Arsenal win to nil @ 8/15 (bet365)
Bet explanation: You need Arsenal to win and keep a clean sheet.
Barcelona v Copenhagen, Wednesday, 20:00 GMT
Switching to Spain, where Barcelona line up against Denmark's Copenhagen. The home team start ninth in the ladder, behind Chelsea and the top eight on goal difference. At present, eight teams are locked on 13 points, guaranteeing a stunning climax. Barca need results to go their way, but must focus on winning at the Camp Nou on matchday eight.
Copenhagen face a trip to Spain and the unenviable task of stopping Barcelona. The visitors are in 26th place, level on points with the top 24 and spot in the playoffs. Wednesday's game against Barca is a must-win for the Danes, but they're hitting form at the right time. Copenhagen are unbeaten in their last three at this level, taking seven of nine points.
With both clubs needing to win, this match will be one of the most interesting from round eight. Barca are higher in the league table, boast the better squad, hold the home advantage, and are favourites with all major online bookmakers. Gamblers can keep it simple and add a home win to accas or take Barca to win both halves at better odds.
Tip: Barcelona to win both halves @ 1/1 (bet365)
Bet explanation: You need Barcelona to out-score Copenhagen in the first half and then again in the second 45 minutes.
Man City v Galatasaray, Wednesday, 20:00 GMT
We're returning to England for game three of our six predictions, focusing on Manchester City v Galatasaray. The Citizens enjoy the backing of the crowd, and Pep Guardiola's side need it after losing two of their previous three. The locals were last seen in action stumbling to a 3-1 loss at Bodo / Glimt, a result very few Champions League fans saw coming.
Galatasaray know wins don't come easily in this corner of Planet Football, but no wins in their last three attempts make the Turks difficult to trust. Galatasaray are 17th in the table with ten points to show for their efforts. They've scored and conceded nine goals, compared to the 13 and nine of their hosts. Wednesday is a win-at-all-costs scenario for the Lions in Britain.
Tensions will be running high at the Etihad Stadium, and nerves will play an important role in the outcome of the match. Sticking to the stats that matter most at this stage, Man City have won more games and scored more goals so far in this competition. Side with Man City in the match-winner market. They'll do a job in midweek accumulators and similar multiples.
Tip: Man City win @ 1/4 (bet365)
Bet explanation: If Man City beat Galatasaray, you beat the bookies.
Liverpool v Qarabag, Wednesday, 20:00 GMT
Anfield provides the setting for Liverpool v Qarabag, and we're backing Arne Slot's team to add all three points. The Reds start fourth in the Champions League after five wins and two defeats. They've scored 14 and conceded eight, taking confidence from notching back-to-back wins. Finishing with nine points from nine would ease them safely through.
Critics expected Qarabag to be the UCL whipping boys this season, but that hasn't been the case. The visitors bagged an overdue win last time, which lifted them into 18th place. Qarabag now have a fighting chance of sneaking through to the playoffs and extending their adventure. Victory at Anfield would make Qarabag deserving of a place in the next round.
I fully expect Liverpool to finish on a high and sail through to the next round. The odds on the home win are too short for us, even in accumulators, with 1/8 trading in most places. Instead, we take a chance on the specials. Szoboszlai has scored four goals in his last five games in this competition. Backing him to find the net again seems a great approach.
Tip: Szoboszlai to score @ 13/8 (bet365)
Bet explanation: If Szoboszlai scores anytime during this match, you'll beat the bookies.
PSV v Bayern Munich, Wednesday, 20:00 GMT
Philips Stadion in Eindhoven gives us PSV v Bayern Munich, with the home team written off as massive underdogs by all respected betting apps. Why are oddsmakers in such a rush to oppose the locals? PSV losing their last two games and conceding 14 goals so far gives us a strong idea. PSV are 22nd in the league and face elimination before the next phase.
Bayern Munich lost to Arsenal earlier in this competition. That result surprised many football fans, and is why the Londoners will finish top. Munich have won six of seven matches, and will finish as best of the rest in second place. They'll have one eye on the next round and may opt to rest some of their usual starters. The form makes an away win very likely here.
PSV know they require all three points to keep them in the running for a spot in the playoffs. Bayern Munich can afford to lose, and it won't change their finishing position. Will that show in the result? Bayern Munich should have enough quality to better an opponent that lost 3-0 at St James' Park on matchday six. With the pressure on the locals, we're backing Bayern.
Tip: Bayern Munich win @ 8/15 (bet365)
Bet explanation: Bayern Munich must leave the Netherlands with all three points to make your bet a winner.
PSG v Newcastle, Wednesday, 20:00 GMT
We round things up in the famous footballing city of Paris. French Ligue 1 rulers and Champions League holders PSG welcome Newcastle, with armchair fans hoping for a few goals. The home team has scored 20 so far, while their opponents have notched 16. It's worth noting that Newcastle has the better defensive record at this point of the campaign.
Few expected to see Newcastle United rubbing shoulders with Europe's elite. Even fewer football fans predicted the Magpies would be sitting pretty in the top eight and closing in on a space in the finals. The visitors are seventh, level on points with their hosts. Despite their current position, a loss would likely drag Newcastle down the list and into the playoff places.
Fireworks are guaranteed at the Parc des Princes on Wednesday evening. The loser of this match will likely face the lottery of playoff football, while the winner will power through to the finals. I expect the cream to rise to the top, taking Ousmane Dembele to score or assist. The PSG favourite has been involved in nine goals in ten Champions League games.
Tip: Dembele to score or assist @ 1/2 (bet365)
Bet explanation: Dembele must score or provide an assist for a teammate to score.
Borussia Dortmund v Inter Milan, Wednesday 20:00 GMT
Borussia Dortmund hold the home advantage over Inter Milan in a must-win for both teams. The German Bundesliga club starts in 16th, with just one win in their previous four UCL starts. Last season's runners-up, Inter Milan, are two places higher but have lost their last three in this competition. Those stats do little to inspire confidence in either team ahead of kick-off.
The head-to-head available at Flashscore show Dortmund have hosted Milan only twice before. The first match ended in a 2-2 draw, before Borussia Dortmund battled to a stunning 3-2 win here in November 2019. With that in mind, we'll bet on Wednesday's renewal following the form. Back over 2.5 goals as a single or add it to your midweek accas.
Tip: Over 2.5 goals @ 8/11 (bet365)
Bet explanation: You need Dortmund v Milan to produce three or more goals.
Napoli v Chelsea, Wednesday, 20:00 GMT
The Italian Serie A plays the English Premier League in Naples as Napoli welcome Chelsea. The locals start down in 25th, outside of the playoff places. That means failure to win on Wednesday would likely send Napoli spinning out of the competition. Chelsea are eighth in the Champions League, but are just three points better than Qarabag down in 18th.
Chelsea are the away team, but the Blues have won four and drawn one of their last six, and know another win would secure their place in the finals. Chelsea won last time, while Napoli have claimed only one of the last six points available. We'll keep it simple, follow the Champions League form, and back Chelsea to take all three points back to London.
Tip: Chelsea win @ 31/20 (bet365)
Bet explanation: If Chelsea beat Napoli on Wednesday, you'll make a profit.
Monaco v Juventus, Wednesday, 20:00 GMT
Two huge names from European football collide when Monaco play Juventus. The home team are 21st in the table, with their stats showing two wins, three draws, and two defeats. Monaco have scored eight goals, but conceded 14, explaining why their future hangs in the balance. Monaco know they must win, but are in control of their destiny at this stage.
Juventus are one of the most famous teams in Champions League history, but the Italians face a fight to progress. The Old Lady suffered a slow start, but a draw followed by three wins lifted them to 15th. Juventus are safely through to the next round, having secured a playoff spot. A win would give them a chance of reaching the top eight and the finals. With everything to play for, both teams to score looks a great bet.
Tip: Both teams to score @ 4/7 (bet365)
Bet explanation: Monaco and Juventus must score at least one goal each.
Athletic Bilbao v Sporting, Wednesday, 20:00 GMT
Athletic Bilbao are 23rd in the Champions League, meaning they are in the running for a spot in the playoffs. The locals can't relax, as they are level on points with Copenhagen down in 26th. Bilbao are another side in control of their fate, and followers take confidence from a three-match unbeaten run. Bilbao have a fighting chance, but will they finish the job?
Sporting are much higher in the table, sitting in 10th with a real chance of making it to the finals. A top-eight finish ensures teams avoid the playoffs, with ninth to 24th forced to play a two-legged playoff. Sporting know victory is a must here, but three wins in five mean they travel with confidence. It's another tense match where I expect plenty of goals.
Tip: Over 2.5 goals @ 4/5 (bet365)
Bet explanation: You need Bilbao v Sporting to produce three or more goals from both teams combined.
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The odds, correct at the time of publication, are subject to change.