Embattled Bayern Munich may not blow away AEK Athens

BT Sport, Wednesday

Bayern Munich v AEK Athens

BT Sport Extra, 8pm

Bayern Munich have been unconvincing since Niko Kovac took charge but it will still come as a huge surprise if the German giants are unable to claim three points when AEK Athens visit the Allianz Arena.

Kovac’s future in Munich is under scrutiny after a run of average results over the last few weeks – at least by Bayern’s high standards.

They could only draw with Freiburg on Saturday but should still return to winning ways against a weak opponent.

AEK have shipped eight goals in losing all three of their Group E matches and were outclassed when these teams met two weeks ago, although Bayern needed over an hour to break the deadlock in Athens.

Kovac’s men possess the firepower to record a comfortable victory but current form is a concern and, as was the case in the previous fixture, Bayern may not blow away the Greek outfit.

Recommendation
Under 3.5 goals
1pt 68-67 188Bet

Key stat
Bayern have failed to win any of their last four home matches.

Bet on this game at soccerbase.com

Benfica v Ajax

BT Sport Extra, 8pm

Ajax are fighting Bayern Munich for top spot in Group E and can remain in the hunt for an advantageous knockout-stage draw by causing a minor shock against Benfica.

Erik ten Hag’s exciting team defeated the Portuguese club in Amsterdam and were good value for the 1-0 scoreline, winning the shots-on-target count 10-3 and controlling possession throughout before Noussair Mazraoui won the game in the 90th minute.

Mazraoui is one of a number of young prospects making a name for themselves at Ajax with Matthijs de Ligt, Frenkie de Jong and Donny van de Beek all being courted by Europe’s top clubs.

They can take their chances against a Benfica side who are finding life tougher than expected in the usually uncompetitive Portuguese Liga, losing 2-0 to Belenenses before going down 3-1 at home to Moreirense on Friday.

Recommendation
Ajax
1pt 21-10 Betfair

Key stat
Ajax have kept a clean sheet in each of their last six matches.

Bet on this game at soccerbase.com

Lyon v Hoffenheim

BT Sport Extra, 8pm

Lyon caused a stir when they beat Manchester City at the Etihad in September and the French club, who host Hoffenheim, are handily placed at the halfway stage in Group F.

A victory would take Bruno Genesio’s unbeaten team to eight points and will see them forge six points clear of third place should City justify short odds to beat Shakhtar.

There has been plenty of goals in this group, including a 3-3 draw between these teams two weeks ago and bookmakers expect more action with over 3.5 goals no bigger than a 10-9 shot.

Lyon and Hoffenheim combined for 15 shots on target at the Rhein-Neckar-Arena while there were 14 attempts on goal when Shakhtar visited Parc Olympique Lyonnais.

The recent return of Nabil Fekir adds cutting edge to Lyon’s attack so they may edge an entertaining clash.

Recommendation
Lyon to win & both teams to score
1pt 21-10 general

Key stat
Lyon have lost just one of their eight home matches so far this season.

Bet on this game at soccerbase.com

Viktoria Plzen v Real Madrid

BT Sport ESPN, 8pm

Reigning European champions Real Madrid made hard work of their Bernabeu meeting with Viktoria Plzen but should still expect to ease to three points in the return fixture in the Czech Republic.

Santiago Solari has won both games since taking over as interim manager, although Real had to wait until the 83rd minute before opening the scoring against Valladolid on Saturday.

Solari’s bigger problem, however, is a rickety defence which is currently lacking the class of injured trio Marcelo, Raphael Varane and Dani Carvajal.

Los Blancos have conceded in all but one away match this season, against lowly Melilla in the Copa del Rey, and Plzen could prove capable of breaching their leaky line.

The hosts do not have the class to live with Real at their best but it’s worth chancing them finding the net.

Recommendation
Real Madrid to win & both teams to score
1pt 17-10 general

Key stat
Viktoria Plzen have conceded nine goals in three European games.

Bet on this game at soccerbase.com

CSKA Moscow v Roma

BT Sport ESPN, 5.55pm

Roma were soundly beaten in their Champions League opener against Real Madrid but last season’s semi-finalists have responded well with comfortable Stadio Olimpico victories over Viktoria Plzen and CSKA Moscow.

But Eusebio di Francesco’s team haven’t always been convincing away from home in Europe. They have lost each of their last five Champions League away matches and have won just once in 15 road outings since the beginning of the 2014-15 season.

That spells trouble against the Army Men, who are tough to beat at home, as they proved by defeating reigning champions Real Madrid at the Luzhniki Stadium last month.

CSKA held out for 90 minutes after Nikola Vlasic fired them into an early lead against Real and a similar performance could see them frustrate Roma, who have won just two of seven away games this season.

Recommendation
CSKA or draw double chance
1pt 11-12 188Bet

Key stat
CSKA have lost two of their last eight Champions League home games.

Bet on this game at soccerbase.com

Valencia v Young Boys

BT Sport 1, 5.55pm

Valencia have become Spanish football’s draw specialists, featuring in eight La Liga stalemates, and they are hard to trust at short prices hosting Young Boys.

Los Che, who are yet to win at home this season, also drew in Switzerland and registered just two shots on goal despite starting Michy Batshuayi and Rodrigo in attack.

Saturday’s 1-0 domestic defeat against Girona will not have helped morale around the Mestalla and manager Marcelino knows his team are up against it with the visit of Manchester United and a trip to Juventus still to come.

Young Boys’ defence was exposed by those European giants but Valencia do not appear to be playing well enough to punish them on a regular basis.

The visitors have also been blunt in attack among better company so goals may come at a premium.

Recommendation
Under 2.5 goals
1pt 5-4 Betfair

Key stat
Valencia have won just two of 15 matches in all competitions this season.

Bet on this game at soccerbase.com

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