The 2021-22 Champions League will close out the group stages this week with a big 16 game slate across Wednesday and Thursday morning. As always, the Sunday League Shark is back with previews for the key matchups as well as betting tips for every game below.
Remember, the EPL, Champions League and A-League are now in full swing to be sure to head to our Soccer Tips page for regular updates and betting tips.
Champions League Matchday 6 Betting Tips
FC Porto vs Atletico Madrid
Wednesday 8th December, 7am (AEDT)
One of the bigger games of the week in terms of qualifying implications sees FC Porto squaring off against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday morning. These two teams along with AC Milan are currently fighting for the 2nd qualifying spot in Group B behind Liverpool, with FC Porto holding a slight one point advantage over the other two sides. AC Milan will have the tough prospect of facing Liverpool though, so if trends go to form and the English side win or even draw that game, the winner of this clash between Porto and Madrid will decide who goes through to the knockout phase.
Atletico have lost their last three Champions League games in a row, so it’s a miracle that they even have an opportunity to qualify here. They are also coming off a home loss to Mallorca in the La Liga on the weekend. It’s been a tough season to date for Atletico, who sit in fourth place with a 8-5-2 record, well down on their recent form in the La Liga. A loss here would see them miss the knockout stage of the Champions League for just the 2nd time since 2010.
Porto are a powerhouse in the Primeira Liga, having racked up an 11-2-0 record to sit atop the table so far this season. However, playing in Europe is a different kettle of fish and it has shown for Porto through the Champions League so far, winning just one of their 5 group stage games so far, over AC Milan. Madrid are just a different calibre team and should step up here. Like the value of them to get the job done on the road.
Atletico Madrid H2H
$2.50
Bayern Munich vs Barcelona
Thursday 9th December, 7am (AEDT)
The game of the week sees Bayern Munich going up against Barcelona on Thursday morning from 7.00am. It’s a huge game for the Spanish side, who face missing the knockout stage of the Champions League for the first time since all the way back in the 2000-01 season. They currently sit just two points ahead of Benfica and have the same goal difference as the trailing side, so just one point against Bayern Munich here might still not be enough for them to qualify.
It’s an extremely tough prospect for Barcelona, who come up against a rampant Bayern Munich side who have won all five of their Champions League games to date with a dominant 19-3 goal difference. They have the best striker in the world in Robert Lewondowski and have been near unstoppable in the Bundesliga, racking up a 11-1-2 record with a ridiculous 45 goals already scored.
Incredibly tough to look past Bayern Munich at home but the one thing that is trending in Barcelona’s favour here is the fact that the German side doesn’t really have much to play for. With an eight point lead in the group, they will likely be in cruise control for this match, and on the contrary, Barcelona have so much to play for with a 20+ year streak of knockout stage appearances to defend. Back the Spanish outfit to secure at least a point here.
Barcelona Double Chance
$2.10
Atalanta vs Villareal
Thursday 9th December, 7am (AEDT)
Group F is the final group where there is a lot at stake for the competing teams. Thursday morning sees Atalanta face off against Villareal in a game where the winner will advance to the knockout stage. They are currently separated by just one point in favour of the Spanish side, so a draw would see Villareal carry on in the tournament.
Atalanta have been consistent if not a little boring in the Champions League to date, drawing three of their five games and having a perfect 10:10 goal aggregate so far. They currently sit in fourth place in the Serie A, having recorded a 10-4-2 record.
Villareal haven’t had as much success in their respective domestic competition, currently sitting in 13th place in the La Liga with a 3-7-5 record. The last time these two teams met, they played out a high scoring 2-2 draw. Given Atalanta will need to win this one to advance, I can see them being ultra aggressive early, which should result in plenty of goal scoring opportunities for both sides. Back the overs here.
Other Tips
RB Leipzig v Man City - Manchester City H2H ($1.90 at Sportsbet)
Paris St-G v Club Brugge - PSG H2H + Over 2.5 Goals ($1.66 at Sportsbet)
Shakhtar v Sheriff Tiraspol - Shakhtar H2H + BTTS ($3.10 at Sportsbet)
Ajax v Sporting Lisbon - Ajax H2H ($1.44 at Sportsbet)
Real Madrid v Inter - Real Madrid H2H ($2.05 at Sportsbet)
Porto v Atletico Madrid - Atletico Madrid H2H ($2.50 at Sportsbet)
AC Milan v Liverpool - Liverpool Double Chance ($1.72 at Sportsbet)
Dortmund v Besiktas - Dortmund + Over 2.5 Goals ($1.65 at Sportsbet)
Zenit St Petersburg v Chelsea - Chelsea Win to Nil ($2.50 at Sportsbet)
Juventus v Malmo FF - No Bet
Bayern Munich v Barcelona - Barcelona Double Chance ($2.10 at Sportsbet)
Benfica v Dynamo Kiev - Benfica -1 ($1.91 at Sportsbet)
Atalanta v Villarreal - Over 3.5 Goals ($2.45 at Ladbrokes)
Wolfsburg v Lille - Under 2.5 Goals ($1.86 at Sportsbet)
Red Bull Salzburg v Sevilla - Sevilla H2H ($2.40 at Sportsbet)
Man Utd v Young Boys - Man U + Over 2.5 Goals ($1.95 at Sportsbet)
