The Champions League knockout round is slowly taking shape. Some of the European giants, like Barcelona and Bayern Munich, have all but secured their place in the last 16 with two games to spare. However, there are still more than a few places up for grabs, and those still in contention will continue battling for those places in Matchday 5 of the group stage.
Let’s preview all eight matches on Tuesday’s schedule and make a quick case for why either team can come away with three valuable points. Meanwhile, don’t forget to check out the great action from that other football on Thursday, with the Eagles vs. Lions, Panthers vs. Cowboys and Bears vs. Packers.
(Note: records displayed are arranged in terms of wins-draws-losses)
[sc:Soccer ]2015 UEFA Champions League Preview – November 24
BATE Borisov (1-0-3) vs. Bayer Leverkusen (1-1-2) (12:00 PM ET)
Line: BATE +365 vs. Bayer Leverkusen -174, tie +285; total 2.5 – view all Champions League lines
[sc:Soccer240banner ]Why BATE will win: BATE is pretty dangerous at home. After all, they took down Roma 3-2 and now face a Leverkusen team that has gone winless in two away matches thus far.
Why Leverkusen will win: Leverkusen’s 11 goals trail only Bayern Munich for the most in the tournament thus far. Chicharito Hernandez has four goals in four Champions League starts, and is coming off another two-goal performance in the Bundesliga over the weekend.
Writer’s Prediction: Leverkusen take it, 3-1
Zenit St. Petersburg (4-0-0) vs. Valencia (2-0-2) (12:00 PM ET)
Line: Zenit –106 vs. Valencia +260, tie +215; total 2.5 – view all Champions League lines
Why Zenit will win: Zenit have put their best foot forward in the Champions League this season. They’ve won all four games thus far, while scoring at least two goals in those four games. A win would also cement their status as Group H winners.
Why Valencia will win: Zenit might have their foot off the gas due to their six-point advantage at the top of the group, and Valencia have the talent to capitalize. Valencia scored five goals in their last away match in La Liga against fourth-place Celta Vigo.
Writer’s Prediction: Zenit remain unbeaten, but lose their winning run in a 1-1 draw.
Barcelona (3-1-0) vs. AS Roma (1-2-1) (2:45 PM ET)
Line: Barcelona -520 vs. AS Roma +1,050, tie +440; total 3.5 – view all Champions League lines
Why Barcelona will win: Barca just blasted Real Madrid 4-0 in El Clasico, and Lionel Messi wasn’t even prominently involved. Messi will be looking to get back on the scoresheet after a long layoff, and he can do just that against a very open Roma team that has already allowed 10 goals.
Why Roma will win: Even with the spate of injuries that has hit the team, Roma will go forward and have the talent to make the most of their opportunities. Miralem Pjanic is one of the deadliest set-piece artists around, and once again got on the scoresheet over the weekend.
Writer’s Prediction: Barca blow Roma away, 3-1.
Bayern Munich (3-0-1) vs. Olympiakos (3-0-1) (2:45 PM ET)
Line: Bayern Munich -1,275 vs. Olympiakos +1,425, tie +750; total 3.5 – view all Champions League lines
Why Bayern will win: Bayern have scored 10 goals and have conceded just one in two home matches thus far. Bayern also don’t have any reason to let up, since they have to beat Olympiakos to secure their place as group winners.
Why Olympiakos will win: Olympiakos have been one of the biggest surprises in the tournament thus far, and have won both of their away games. With qualification to the next round essentially secured, they have nothing to lose and can play with no pressure.
Writer’s Prediction: Bayern blow by Olympiakos, 3-0 at home.
Arsenal (1-0-3) vs. Dinamo Zagreb (1-0-3) (2:45 PM ET)
Line: Arsenal -625 vs. Dinamo Zagreb +1,225, tie +480; total 3.5 – view all Champions League lines
Why Arsenal will win: Qualification may now be a long shot, but Arsenal still needs a good performance after a host of disappointing results during the month of November. With world-class talents like Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil on show, they definitely have the tools to produce a much-needed result.
Why Dinamo Zagreb will win: Arsenal’s morale will be very low after three consecutive winless matches. The Gunners won’t have too many options due to injuries, which Dinamo can capitalize upon. They’ve already shocked Arsenal once, too, and another upset is well within the realm of possibility.
Writer’s Prediction: Arsenal get a much-needed 2-0 win.
FC Porto (3-1-0) vs. Dynamo Kiev (1-2-1) (2:45 PM ET)
Line: Porto -186 vs. Dynamo Kiev +390, tie +290; total 2.5 – view all Champions League lines
Why Porto will win: Porto are pretty good. They’re still undefeated in all competitions this season, and should look to come out strong at home and secure top spot in the group.
Why Dynamo Kiev will win: Dynamo Kiev are just about assured third spot and still have a shot at qualification, so they essentially have nothing to lose and everything to gain.
Writer’s Prediction: Porto gets past Kiev, 2-1.
Maccabi Tel-Aviv (0-0-4) vs. Chelsea (2-1-1) (2:45 PM ET)
Line: Maccabi Tel-Aviv +770 vs. Chelsea -369, tie +360; total 2.5 – view all Champions League lines
Why Maccabi will win: With Chelsea’s very unstable form for most of the season, nothing is completely out of the realm of possibility. Maccabi will have home field advantage, and could likely see a somewhat weakened Chelsea team that still hasn’t won away from home in this season’s Champions League.
Why Chelsea will win: Chelsea are the vastly superior side in terms of talent, and have the opportunity to record back-to-back wins for the first time since September.
Writer’s Prediction: Chelsea finally go on a winning streak with a narrow 1-0 away win.
Lyon (0-1-3) vs. Gent (1-1-1) (2:45 PM ET)
Line: Lyon -171 vs. Gent +380, tie +270; total 2.5 – view all Champions League lines
Why Lyon will win: All that talent Lyon possess should come out and produce at some point in this Champions League campaign, and they won’t have a better chance to do so than against the weakest team in the group.
Why Gent will win: Gent are feisty. They still haven’t lost at home, and shocked another out-of-sorts team in Valencia at home. Lyon is underperforming, and with qualification to the knockout round still in sight, Gent should be going all out for victory.
Writer’s Prediction: Lyon get their first win of the campaign, 2-1.
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