Wednesday's Champions League predictions: Barca could come up short in Bavaria

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

Bayern Munich v Barcelona

Where to watch

BT Sport 3, 8pm

Best bet

Bayern Munich to win & over 3.5 goals
1pt 2-1 general

Preview

Xavi suffered his first defeat as Barcelona boss at the weekend and he could be made acutely aware of just how much work he has to do at Camp Nou when Barca visit Bayern Munich.

Barca were beaten 1-0 by Real Betis on Saturday which is far from ideal preparation for a midweek contest with a Bayern team who have tormented them in recent years.

The Bavarians have won five of their last six meetings with Barcelona, prevailing 3-0 at Camp Nou in September and winning 8-2 at the same venue in August 2020.

Fresh from victory in Der Klassiker at the weekend, Bayern should be full of confidence and can complete a perfect group campaign.

However, they have kept only one clean sheet in their last eight matches so this could be a high-scoring affair. Back Bayern to win a match containing at least four goals.

Key stats

• Bayern Munich have won six of their last seven matches
• Both teams have scored in six of Bayern's last seven games
• Barcelona have managed only two wins in their last five

Benfica v Dynamo Kiev

Where to watch

BT Sport Extra 2, 8pm

Best bet

Benfica to win to nil
1pt 21-20 general

Preview

Benfica have the opportunity to leapfrog Barcelona into second spot in Group E should they beat strugglers Dynamo Kiev and the Catalans lose at Bayern Munich.

And Kiev, who will finish bottom of the section no matter what happens in Lisbon, seem unlikely to put up much of a fight.

Dynamo have lost four of their five group games, netting only one goal in the process, and a Benfica win to nil looks a decent bet at odds-against.

The Portuguese outfit will be missing key defender Lucas Verissimo and while that would be a problem against superior opposition, it may not cost them as dearly against the shot-shy Ukrainians.

Benfica have won three of their last five games in all competitions and can be expected to give themselves a shot at last-16 qualification.

Key stats

• Dynamo Kiev have lost four of their five group games in this season's Champions League
• Three of Benfica's five Champions League group games have featured over 2.5 goals
• Dynamo Kiev have drawn blanks in four of their five matches in this term's Champions League group stage

Atalanta v Villarreal

Where to watch

BT Sport ESPN, 8pm

Best bet

Atalanta
2pts 3-4 Betfred, Coral, Hills

Preview

Villarreal are on course to progress to the knockout stage of the Champions League but could drop into the Europa League if they lose at Atalanta on Wednesday.

And based on their recent form, that looks a real possibility. The Yellow Submarine have sunk into the bottom half of La Liga with only one win in their last eight matches in Spain's top flight.

And although their performances in Europe have been a little better, they travel to Bergamo low on confidence.

Hosts Atalanta, meanwhile, are fresh from a huge win over Serie A pacesetters Napoli at the weekend and have also seen off Juventus as part of a five-game winning run in the league.

Robin Gosens is their only key absentee and they have been typically free-flowing of late, scoring at least three goals in four of their last five matches. Back the Italians to take maximum points.

Key stats

• Villarreal have lost three of their last four games
• Four of Atalanta's last five games have featured over 3.5 goals
• Both teams have scored in 11 of Atalanta's last 13 matches

Salzburg v Sevilla

Where to watch

BT Sport Extra 3, 8pm

Best bet

Sevilla
1pt 7-5 Hills

Preview

Sevilla have begun to emerge as Real Madrid's closest title competitors in La Liga but the Andalusians will have to put domestic duties to one side on their trip to Salzburg.

The Spaniards are at risk of missing out on a place in the last 16 but can move into the top two with victory over the Austrians, who have suffered a dip in form of late.

Salzburg have won only one of their previous four games, losing to Lille and Austria Klagenfurt in that time, and they also have a lengthy injury list to contend with.

Attacking starlet Karim Adeyemi is available but forward Noah Okafor is out and at the back Salzburg are missing Max Wober, Bernardo and Kamil Piatkowski.

That will not help their cause and they could struggle to keep Sevilla at bay.

Key stats

• Sevilla have won four of their last six matches
• Salzburg have won only one of their last four games
• Three of Sevilla's last four games have featured under 2.5 goals

Wolfsburg v Lille

Where to watch

BT Sport Extra 4, 8pm

Best bet

Lille
2pts 9-4 bet365

Preview

Despite making a feeble defence of their Ligue 1 title, French champions Lille have looked right at home in this season's Champions League and can secure top spot in their group by beating Wolfsburg.

Jocelyn Gourvennec's side are mired in mid-table obscurity in Ligue 1 but have looked the likeliest side to rise to the top of a wide-open Group G.

Lille have beaten Sevilla and Salzburg in their last two group contests, contributing to a seven-match unbeaten run in all competitions.

Wolfsburg, meanwhile, have crumbled both in the Bundesliga and in Europe, having lost 3-0 to Mainz at the weekend to extend their winless streak to four matches.

Key forward Lukas Nmecha is suspended for Wednesday's final group fixture, reducing their attacking threat, and visitors Lille look worth chancing at a nice price to win at the Volkswagen Arena.

Key stats

• Wolfsburg have lost their last three games
• Lille are on a seven-game unbeaten run in all competitions
• Three of Lille's last five contests have featured over 2.5 goals

Juventus v Malmo

Where to watch

BT Sport 1, 5.45pm

Best bet

Paulo Dybala to score two or more goals
1pt 4-1 general

Preview

Malmo have inevitably struggled to land a blow in Group H and their final group clash at Juventus, who are chasing top spot, looks destined to end only one way.

The Swedes have been particularly poor at the back, conceding at least three goals in three of their five group matches, and one Juve forward in particular could capitalise in Turin.

Argentinian Paulo Dybala has struck three times in this season's Champions League and has netted in each of his side's last two Serie A matches.

He also got on the scoresheet in the reverse of this fixture, having managed three shots in a 3-0 victory in Sweden.

Also on penalty duty for Juventus, Dybala looks a good bet to not only score but potentially help himself to a couple of goals on Wednesday.

With top spot still a possibility, Juve will be pushing hard from the first whistle and the 28-year-old remains his team's most proficient attacking threat.

Key stats

• Juventus have won four of their five group matches
• Paulo Dybala has scored eight goals in 15 games in all competitions this season
• Malmo have leaked 13 games in this season's Champions League

Not got a Paddy Power account? Sign up and get up to £50 in free sports bets

Place a single £10 Sportsbook bet and get money back as a free bet if it loses. There are x5 Free Bets available. Max refund per qualifying bet is £10. Only deposits made via Credit/Debit Card will be eligible for the promotion. Paddy's Rewards Club: Get a £10 free bet when you place 5x bets of £10+. T&Cs apply 18+ begambleaware.org

MORE FREE BETS

Today's top sports betting stories

Follow us on Twitter @racingpostsport