While Leicester City’s defence of their Premier League title can be described as stuttering at best, there’s no denying that the Foxes are flying in the UEFA Champions League.
Handed a relatively favourable group on their European debut, Claudio Ranieri’s men have taken to the competition like ducks to water and are remarkably one of only three teams to boast a 100% record after their opening trio of matches. As such, Leicester travels to the Danish capital on Wednesday knowing that even a point against FC Copenhagen will guarantee their progress into the round of 16.
That being said, the bookmakers certainly aren’t expecting an easy night for the visitors, with Copenhagen rated as 13/10 favourites and Leicester coming in slightly behind at 5/2 with Bet365. It is worth noting that Ståle Solbakken’s team are unbeaten at Telia Park this season and were also fairly unfortunate not to come away with something in the reverse fixture, so steaming into the away side may be foolhardy here.
Given Ranieri’s team are yet to concede a goal in this season’s Champions League, the 15/2 offered by Sky Bet on the game finishing 0-0 should perhaps be of more interest. Obviously the Italian will want to have qualification from Group G wrapped up on the night, but when an unstoppable force like Leicester’s perfect record meets an immovable object like Copenhagen’s home form, it is often best to back the stalemate.
Ronaldo To Run Riot
Things are unlikely to be so tentative over in Group F where Real Madrid make the trip to Poland to face a Legia Warsaw side that they thrashed 5-1 a fortnight ago. The hosts are without a point in the Champions League so far and have conceded a staggering 13 goals in their previous three matches, making Bet365’s quote of 28/1 on them causing an upset look anything but wide of the mark.
Despite his team’s comfortable victory, Cristiano Ronaldo cut a frustrated figure in the reverse fixture as he failed to find the net, but it certainly wasn’t for want of trying. The Portuguese fired nine attempts at goal – finding the target twice – and is unlikely to be in such a charitable mood as he closes in on a century of European strikes on Wednesday. Indeed, BetVictor has Madrid’s star man down at odds as short as 2/1 to score two or more goals in Warsaw, but it remains an attractive price given the host’s defensive woes.
While a best price of 1/8 from BetFred on Zinedine Zidane’s side emerging with all three points in the game is unlikely to get the blood pumping, the winning margin market may yet prove a more viable option. With Legia shipping six goals to Borussia Dortmund without response in their previous Champions League home fixture, you can get a decent price of 15/8 on the visitors winning by four goals or more with PaddyPower.
Do Or Die For Spurs
With Tottenham full-back Danny Rose describing his side’s upcoming games against Bayer Leverkusen and Arsenal as ones that could “make or break” Spurs’ season, Mauricio Pochettino will be eager to see his team send out the right message as they host the Germans at Wembley Stadium.
Unbeaten in the Premier League, it’s been a mixed bag of results for the North London side in Europe, with a loss, a win and a draw leaving them precariously placed in a tight Group E. Having failed to find the net more than once in any of their Champions League fixtures this season, it looks likely to be another nervy night for Spurs and Bet365 currently have them down at evens to secure victory with the visitors at 13/5.
Given Roger Schmidt’s side have been similarly shy in front of goal in the competition so far, the over/under market may be the way to go and 888sport are offering 29/10 that the game is decided by a single strike. Those wishing to boost their odds will find better value in William Hill’s 15/2 quote that the hosts win the game 1-0, but whichever way you cut it, it looks like anything but a comfortable evening for the home team.
Betfair:
Bet on Henrik Stenson to become the BMW PGA Championship Winner.
Paddypower:
Back Australia to take the Ashes home with them.
Betway:
Back Rafael Nadal to become the Mens French Open Winner.
Coral:
Back One For Arthur to win the Grand National.
Bet365:
Back Mexico to win the Confederations Cup.
