Tuesday's Champions League predictions: Xavi taking Barca to last 16

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Tuesday's group matches in the Uefa Champions League.

Young Boys v Atalanta

Where to watch

BT Sport Extra 2, 8pm Tuesday

Best bet

Atalanta
1pt 4-5 Betfred, Boyles, Hills

Preview

Since their eye-catching win over Manchester United on matchday one, Young Boys have lost three games on the spin in the Champions League and that run could be extended to four by Atalanta.

The Italian visitors have stabilised after a rocky start in Serie A this campaign and are on a six-game unbeaten run in all competitions.

They are still in contention for a top-two berth in Group F in the Champions League and will leapfrog either United or Villarreal or both with victory in Switzerland.

Hosts Young Boys are not helped by a lengthy injury list including key wide player Christian Fassnacht, talented striker Jean-Pierre Nsame and reliable midfielder Mohamed Ali Camara among others.

They lost the reverse fixture and are worth opposing against the club from Bergamo, who are a solid bet at a shade of odds-on.

Key stats

• Atalanta are unbeaten in their last six games, having won three of their previous five
• Both teams have scored in each of Atalanta's last nine assignments
• Four of Young Boys's last six games have featured over 2.5 goals

Sevilla v Wolfsburg

Where to watch

BT Sport Extra 3, 8pm Tuesday

Best bet

Wolfsburg
1pt 4-1 general

Preview

Bookmakers fancy Sevilla to get the better of Wolfsburg this week but the Andalusian club are rooted to the foot of Group G without a victory in this season's Champions League.

They have managed only two wins in their previous five assignments in all competitions, failing to put any of Mallorca, Lille or Alaves to the sword, and visitors Wolfsburg look a juicy price.

The Wolves are not exactly having an unforgettable season but they have recently moved back into top-four contention in the Bundesliga with two wins in their last three league matches.

Lukas Nmecha is starting to look a serious threat in the final third along with the ever-reliable Wout Weghorst but Sevilla will have to make do without main marksman Youssef En-Nesyri, who is injured, for this contest.

The La Liga club came close to losing the reverse fixture in September and are not as assured a selection as the prices may suggest.

Key stats

• Wolfsburg have won three of their last four matches
• Four of Sevilla's last five contests have featured under 3.5 goals
• Both teams have scored in only two of Wolfsburg's last five competitive games

Malmo v Zenit

Where to watch

BT Sport Extra 5, 8pm Tuesday

Best bet

Zenit to win to nil
1pt 11-4 general

Preview

Malmo are one of only two teams - along with Dynamo Kiev - yet to score in this season's Champions League group stage and they could once again be shut out by a robust Zenit side this week.

The Swedish side have drawn blanks in each of their first four games, shipping 12 goals in the process, and simply look out of their depth in Group H.

Zenit, meanwhile, look set to finish third behind Juventus and Chelsea and book a Europa League knockout phase berth in the process.

But they will not want to take their foot off the pedal and should be in good spirits, having established themselves as leaders in the Russian Premier League this season.

With 18 goals in their last five games, they are certainly proficient in the final third but they also have enough experience at the back to keep tabs on a Malmo team who could be lacking motivation for this contest.

Key stats

• Zenit have won three of their last five games
• Malmo are yet to score in the Champions League this season
• Three of Malmo's last five assignments have featured under 2.5 goals

Lille v Salzburg

Where to watch

BT Sport Extra 4, 8pm Tuesday

Best bet

Salzburg
1pt 2-1 Betfred

Preview

In what was expected to be an open Champions League section, Salzburg have taken the initiative and they can book their place in the knockout stage with victory over Lille this week.

Salzburg have taken seven points from four group matches, juggling continental duties with a superb start to the season in the Austrian Bundesliga.

They have won 12 of their 15 league fixtures this term, drawing the other three, and although the level of competition is arguably much lower than their Champions League group, having a winning mentality is clearly helping.

Lille claimed a big win over Sevilla last time out and are also in contention to progress from the group but the way they relinquished their two-goal lead over Monaco to draw 2-2 at the weekend shows they are too unreliable to back.

Take Salzburg to win for the fifth time in eight matches.

Key stats

• Lille have managed only one win in their last seven matches
• Four of Salzburg's last five games have featured under 3.5 goals
• Both teams have scored in only two of Lille's last five matches

Barcelona v Benfica

Where to watch

BT Sport ESPN, 8pm Tuesday

Best bet

Barcelona
1pt 4-6 Betfair, Betfred

Preview

Barcelona legend Xavi started his tenure as manager with a 1-0 win over city rivals Espanyol at the weekend and the legendary midfielder could still save the club's Champions League campaign.

Bayern Munich have dominated Group E but second spot is up for grabs with Barca currently second on six points and able to confirm their place in the last 16 with victory over third-placed Benfica.

The win against Espanyol means the Catalan club have now gone four games unbeaten in all competitions and they should fancy their chances at home to Benfica.

Their Portuguese opponents lost their two fixtures with Bayern by an aggregate scoreline of 9-2 and will be weakened at the back by the likely absence of starting defender Lucas Verissimo for this contest.

Back Barca to win their first European contest under Xavi's stewardship against a Benfica side who are without a clean sheet in each of their last five matches.

Key stats

• Barcelona have lost only two of their last eight matches in all competitions
• Four of Benfica's last five games have featured over 2.5 goals
• Barcelona have kept clean sheets in each of their last three games

Dynamo Kiev v Bayern Munich

Where to watch

BT Sport ESPN, 5.45pm Tuesday

Best bet

Bayern Munich to win & both teams to score
1pt 13-8 Betfred

Preview

Looking to recover from Friday night's Bundesliga loss to Bavarian rivals Augsburg, Bayern Munich can extend their perfect record in the Champions League group stage this season away to Dynamo Kiev.

Bayern have won all four of their matches in Group E, scoring 17 times and shipping only twice in the process, and they have already booked their spot in the knockout stage.

But that Augsburg defeat will have acted as a wake-up call for Julian Nagelsmann's side and they are unlikely to show complacency again.

They could, however, concede against Kiev, having shipped goals in each of their last five matches.

Dayot Upamecano is suspended for this contest and although Kiev are yet to score in the competition this season, they possess quality in the final third and can get on the scoresheet.

Key stats

• Bayern Munich have won six of their last eight games
• Four of Dynamo Kiev's last five matches in all competitions have featured over 2.5 goals
• Both teams have scored in each of Bayern's last four fixtures

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