Champions League Preview: Spotlight on English Clubs
Published October 30, 2017 by Sol FH
With 15 wins and no losses, could the UK be a contender in the UEFA Champions League?
We have reached the halfway point of the Champions League group stage and what a wild tournament it has been so far. Each of the remaining teams has played 3 matches and there are only 3 to go before the knockout round begins. Teams from the Premier League constitute for five entrants this year, but each of the five teams leads their respective groups. Although the competition is still relatively in its early stages, we have seen Tottenham visit Bernabeu and Chelsea take on both Atletico Madrid and Roma without a loss.
Out of the 15 total matches that English clubs have played in, they have won 11 and drawn four times. That is not saying that a draw is an outcome that the teams have wanted, but in comparison to teams from La Liga, the UK is winning.
Teams based in Spain have played 12 matches so far. They have won six, drawn four times, and have been beaten twice. The story is even worse for the usually strong German teams, who have lost more matches than they have won. The three German squads in the tournament have only won 3 matches, drawn twice and have lost four. Borussia Dortmund does not look like they will be advancing anywhere, while Bayern Munich has gone as far as changing their coach.
The real action starts in the knockout stages, but these early signs should be encouraging to fans from the UK. Teams like Tottenham, who last year did not make the knockout rounds, are now considering themselves quite unlucky after returning home from their Real Madrid fixture with a draw. In fact, the Spurs are neck and neck with Real, both with two wins and a draw, and exactly equal number of goals for and against. The Spurs lead the group because of the away goal that they scored in Spain.
UK Champions League Matches
This week, all five of the UK-based teams are in action and we will take a quick look at the odds that each one has prior to the first touch.
Tuesday Night Matches
Roma vs Chelsea
The Blues will have a very tough matchup tonight, as they travel to face Roma. The Italian side scored 3 goals in the match at Stamford Bridge, but so did the home team. The odds could not be closer, as 888sport posted virtually the same odds for both teams with Roma at 2.60 and Chelsea at 2.63.
Manchester United vs Benfica
The Red Devils were the last UK team to qualify for the Champions League after they won the Europa League last season. Tonight, United are big favorites to win, as they host Benfica. Betfair sportsbook posted odds in favor of United at 1.30, and for Benefica at 10.00.
Wednesday Night Action
Napoli vs Manchester City
City won the first leg against Napoli at home, 2-1. This will be a big test for City, as Napoli is a hard venue to win for any team. 888sport seems to agree, posting odds that are very close at 2.65 for the Italians and 2.40 for City.
Tottenham vs Real Madrid
Easily the biggest draw for Wednesday night matches. The Spurs try to beat Real Madrid, but it will be hard going. Betfair does not think that the Spurs will leave their own venue as winners tonight, posting odds in favor of the Blancos at 2.10 and for Tottenham at 3.25.
Liverpool vs Maribor
This is the chance for Liverpool to state its claim on the knockout rounds with a home match against Maribor. The Reds are huge favorites with odds at 888 Sport in its favor at 1.02. Maribor is so far behind that making a bet on them would net amazing profits with odds of 1.02 for Liverpool and 36.00 for Maribor.
