2011/12 Champions League Betting Preview - Week 1 | Match Day 1

The draw for the 2011-12 UEFA Champions League Group stages has now been made and the action gets underway on Tuesday September 13^th. Here is our preview of week one, match day 1 and match day 2 which includes tips on each game and where you can get the best odds on each match.

Match Day 1 – Tuesday 13^th September 2011

APOEL Nicosia v Zenit St Petersburg

This Group G match sees Russian side Zenit St Petersburg travel to Cyprus to face APOEL Nicosia. Both sides are regulars in European competition and Zenit actually won both the UEFA Cup and UEFA Super Cup in 2008. Group G looks like it could be tough for either of these teams to get out of with both Porto and Shakhtar Donetsk going to prove strong opponents. It is therefore vital for them to get something for this game and you’d have to say that Zenit are the ones with the most realistic chance of qualifying for the next stage. I fancy the Russian side to pick up the three points.

Best Bet – Away win at 6/5 with bet365

FC Barcelona v AC Milan

Certainly the biggest game of the first week but according to the bookmakers, it’s likely to be a straightforward affair for the unstaoppable Spanish giants. Both teams look likely to cruise through to the next stage with Bate Borisov and Viktoria Pizen making up Group H so whichever side can take the most points from their two games are likely to be group winners. Milan looked distinctly average in last season’s Champions League and will do well to get anything at the Nou Camp.

Best Bet – Barcelona to win 3-0 at 9/1 with William Hill.

Borussia Dortmund v Arsenal

This looks like a tough start for the Gunners, especially on the back of their heavy defeat at the hands of Manchester United in the Premier League. Current Bundesliga Champions Borussia Dortmund are quietly fancied to do well in this season’s Champions League following some excellent performances in their domestic league last season. The group would appear to be between these two teams but Marseille may have something to say about that and Olympiakos will not be an easy place for any of the teams to go.

Best Bet – Home win at Evens with bet365

Chelsea v Bayer Leverkusen

It is Roman Abramovich’s dream for Chelsea to win the Champions League but the dream is yet to be fulfilled. They have come relatively close on a few occasions but are yet to capture Europe’s biggest prize. On the evidence of what we have seen so far this season, it is likely they will come up short again. They could improve throughout the season under new manager André Villas-Boas but they will need to do something about the shaky defence. Bayer Leverkusen are no mugs and will present a tough challenge for the Blues, but I fancy Chelsea to win by the odd goal.

Best Bet – Chelsea to win 2-1 at 15/2 with William Hill

FC Porto v Shakhtar Donetsk

Both these sides are well fancied to progressed from Group G, but with Zenit St Petersburg likely to prove formidable opponents, it’s important for both teams to get off to a good start. Shakhtar proved themselves in last season’s Champions League by reaching the Quarter Finals before going down at the hands of Barcelona. Their home form is particularly impressive but that is where they are most likely to gain victories and Porto should probably have too much for the Ukrainian side in Portugal.

Best Bet – Home win at 4/6 with Victor Chandler

Genk v Valencia

Group E is going to see a big side eliminated at an early stage with Chelsea, Valencia and Bayer Leverkusen battling it out to reach the knockout stage. It will take a few really serious upsets for Genk to make the next round. The fact the group is going to be so competitive means that victory of Genk for all three of the other sides is going to prove crucial, and goal difference could also be important come the end of this stage. Valencia will have to travel to Belgian in positive mood and I expect them to do so and come away comfortable winners.

Best Bet – Away win at 8/11 with bet365

Olympiakos v Marseille

The bookmakers have this match priced up fairly closely with home advantage being a real leveller for Olympiakos. The current Greek Champions are the most successful club in Greek football history and are regulars in this competition. Although they will need to perform extremely will to qualify from a group consisting of Marseille, Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund, Olympiakos’ home form means they are capable of getting a result against any of these sides. I will go for a Greek win and Marseille’s route to the last 16 to be made more difficult.

Best Bet – Home win at 8/5 with William Hill

Plzen v Bate Borizov

Possibly not the glamour tie of the round but certainly a battle of the minnows that will interest most European football fans. FC Viktoria Plzeň won the Czech League for the first time last season and as a result, qualified for the UEFA Champions League. They definitely seem to be a team on the up, having also briefly had a taste of European action in last season’s Europa League. Bate Borizov are a Belarusian side who are no strangers to European action having previously competed in both the Europa League and the Champions League. You’d have to say it will take a miracle for either sides to qualify from Group H with Barcelona and AC Milan to contend with, but it will be a good experience for them both.

Best Bet – The draw at 11/5 with Victor Chandler

You may be interested in:

2011/12 UEFA Champions League Preview

2011/12 UEFA Champions League Group Stage Draw

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