After a couple of weeks away, the Champions League returns on Tuesday and Wednesday for more of their league phase. Three matchdays are in the books and we’re set up for Champions League: Matchday 4. The halfway point is where teams start to separate themselves from the pack. With first round byes in the knockout stage still within reach for virtually everyone, now is the time to make a move.
We’ve dug through all of the action for both days to find you the best Champions League bets. Come check out what we cooked up for the occasion.
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Champions League: Matchday 4 – Picks, Predictions, and Best Bets
Galatasaray (+110) over Ajax
Perhaps my favorite spot on the whole matchday is this match for Galatasaray. They have been in fine form as late in both Champions League and in the Turkish Super Lig. They’ve picked up points in 12 of the 13 matches that they’ve played in this campaign, which includes a 1-0 home win over Liverpool. While they have to travel to Amsterdam for this one, Ajax has just been so bad. They are one of just two teams that haven’t got a point from the first three matchdays, and they’re staring down a -10 goal differential.
Chelsea (-275) over FK Qarabağ
While this play is a bit chalky, I did expect the line to be a bit wider than this. The Azerbaijani club has actually looked quite good, but this is a substantial step up in competition for them. While they have picked up a pair of wins, they’re really high up the table for a team that has given up that many goals. With the pressure that Marc Guiu and Jamie Gittens have been creating up front, that’s likely going to result in a gaudy number of goals for Chelsea.
Club Brugge Draws Barcelona (+400)
This one is a bit of a longshot, but I’m higher on Club Brugge than most people. Their defense in particular has looked excellent in the Belgian Pro League – allowing just two goals in their last four games. Brandon Mechele has been a big part of that, anchoring the centerback spot in all 10 of their games this campaign. Knowing that they likely aren’t going to beat the Spanish powerhouse, look for Brugge to pack it in and play solid defense en route to a draw.
Paris Saint-Germain draws Bayern Munich (+300)
These two teams are likely on a knockout stage collision course again. They are currently ranked 1-2 in the table and have both picked up a +10 goal differential on the year. Although the goals have been flowing lately, it’s the keeper play that has me thinking draw here. Lucas Chevalier has posted clean sheets in over half of his Ligue 1 games this year and in two of his last three. Manuel Neuer certainly isn’t what he once was, but good enough to keep this one close.
AS Monaco (+200) over FK Bodo/Glimt
FK Bodo/Glimt, similarly to FK Qarabağ, has posted better results that we would have expected in Champions League. They’ve managed to grab a couple of draws, including a surprising one against Tottenham. However, I’m not sure I would favor them against Monaco. Even with Ansu Fati out on Tuesday, Monaco should have the firepower to get after it. The youngster Mika Biereth should be a big part of it. He’s looked solid up front in the minutes he’s logged and should tear this defense apart with a full game to do so.
If you’d like even more Champions League: Matchday 4 bets, be sure to check out the Soccer Gambling Podcast. The guys are dropping weekly episodes to make you the smartest guy at the bar.
