Champions League Betting Tips: Can Man Utd secure qualification as Messi & Ronaldo go head-to-head?
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Odds and preview for tonight’s European clashes
After pushing each other to extraordinary heights, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo could face each other for the last time tonight as Barcelona host Juventus.
Between them they’ve racked up well over 1,000 goals, 17 league titles, nine Champions League titles and 11 Ballons d’Or. They’re still at the very top of the game despite heading towards the end of their careers – and both will be determined to get another victory over their old rival.
We’ve previewed the pick of tonight’s action right here, including Manchester United’s crucial game against RB Leipzig, while Chelsea are at home to Krasnodar.
After losing to Paris Saint-Germain last time out, Man Utd need at least a point away at RB Leipzig to confirm their place in the knockout stages.
They beat the Bundesliga side 5-0 at Old Trafford, but they’re a different proposition on their own patch – Leipzig have won all seven of their home games so far this term, though they’ll be without the suspended Dayot Upamecano in defence.
The hosts are 11/8 favourites, with United at 9/5. The draw is going for 27/10.
Three of the last four games at the Red Bull Arena have finished 2-1 to the hosts. We go 8/1 that it happens again. However, United have come from behind to win each of their previous five away league games. The Red Devils are 15/2 to win from behind again.
Yussuf Poulsen is 5/1 to open the scoring for Leipzig or 7/4 anytime, with Alexander Sorloth 9/5 to score after his late winner against Istanbul Basaksehir.
Marcus Rashford is the joint top scorer in the competition with six goals so far. He’s 2/1 to add to his tally, with Bruno Fernandes 9/5 to get on the scoresheet. With Anthony Martial and Edinson Cavani both out, Odion Ighalo could also feature at some point – he’s 15/8 to net.
With Barcelona and Juventus both assured of a place in the last 16, all eyes will be on Messi and Ronaldo. Who’ll come out on top?
Ronald Koeman’s side are ninth in La Liga, but for all their domestic struggles, Barcelona could finish the group with a perfect record if they win tonight. They’re 11/10 favourites to do just that. Juventus are back at 23/10, while there’s 14/5 about the draw.
The last meeting between these sides saw Barcelona win 2-0 at the Allianz Stadium in October, while Juve haven’t scored against the Catalan club in the previous four clashes. Barca are 18/5 to win to nil, while 12/1 says they win 2-0 again.
But Ronaldo would love nothing more than to score here – he’s 7/2 to score first or 23/20 anytime.
Messi is 10/3 as First Goalscorer or 21/20 to net at any point.
Chelsea wrapped up top spot in Group E after beating Sevilla last week, which means Frank Lampard is set to rotate heavily here.
The likes of Jorginho, Cesar Azpilicueta and Emerson should all get a run-out here. Tammy Abraham will also look to impress and regain his spot as first-choice striker after Olivier Giroud’s recent heroics.
Even with so many changes expected, Chelsea are 1/4 favourites. Krasnodar are out at 12/1, while 5/1 says it finishes level.
The Blues won the reverse fixture 4-0 in Russia. They’re 11/10 to win to nil again this time.
Abraham is 3/1 to get the first goal or 10/11 as an anytime scorer. After getting a late goal against Leeds, Christian Pulisic is 23/20 to strike again here.
Krasnodar’s likeliest scorer is Markus Berg – the Swedish veteran is 16/5 to score his third goal of the group stage.
All odds and markets correct as of date of publication.
