Wednesday's Champions League predictions: Leipzig can scupper Shakhtar's hopes

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

Shakhtar Donetsk v RB Leipzig

Where to watch

BT Sport 1, 5.45pm Wednesday

Best bet

RB Leipzig
1pt 8-13 general

Preview

RB Leipzig need just a draw from their away game against Shakhtar Donetsk to guarantee safe passage to the round of 16 but they are more likely to claim all three points.

Shakhtar were expected to struggle after losing the bulk of their foreign players but they began the campaign with a stunning 4-1 victory away to RB Leipzig, and have been competitive in every game.

However, the Ukrainians had to settle for a pair of 1-1 draws against group basement boys Celtic, and those results may end up costing them.

Despite having to play their home games in Warsaw, Shakhtar have performed to a decent standard and claimed a 1-1 draw against Real Madrid on matchday three.

However, they are in the position of needing a victory to progress and, if they chase the game, they are likely to leave themselves exposed against a high-quality Leipzig attack.

Milan v Salzburg

Where to watch

BT Sport 5, 8pm Wednesday

Best bet

Both teams to score
1pt 3-4 bet365

Preview

Salzburg head to San Siro knowing that only a victory will be enough to secure knockout stage qualification and they can play their part in an exciting, high-scoring encounter.

A nervy matchday six could be in store for Milan, who would have expected to seal a last-16 place before their final game.

However, the Rossoneri were impressive 4-0 winners away to Dinamo Zagreb on matchday five and they have been generally strong on home soil, winning six of eight matches this season.

Salzburg are dangerous opponents and may continue their trend of scoring in each Champions League fixture but they are far less certain to keep a talented Milan attack under control.

Milan are used to having to force the pace in home games. This time the Italians can play a little more on the counter-attack and they should add a few goals to their tally.

FC Copenhagen v Borussia Dortmund

Where to watch

BT Sport 7, 8pm Wednesday

Best bet

FC Copenhagen or draw double chance
1pt 23-20 BoyleSports, Hills

Preview

FC Copenhagen have been the weakest link in Group G but they have achieved goalless draws in home games against Sevilla and Manchester City and look decent value to avoid defeat against Borussia Dortmund in the Danish capital.

The target for Copenhagen will be to score a first goal and register a first victory.

The Danes are guaranteed to finish bottom of the section but they consider any Champions League group-stage fixture to be a big occasion and should be fully committed.

Dortmund are unlikely to be equally motivated having already clinched second place.

Alen Terzic's side are in the thick of the Bundesliga title race – just four points behind leaders Union Berlin – and their main focus for the week will be Saturday's clash at home to Bochum.

Terzic may choose to rest a few of his key men and that should increase Copenhagen's chances of getting a result.

Juventus v Paris St-Germain

Where to watch

BT Sport 6, 8pm Wednesday

Best bet

PSG
1pt 4-6 Betfred, Coral

Preview

Paris St-Germain are determined to retain top spot in Group H and can give themselves the best chance by beating Juventus in Turin.

The French outfit are guaranteed a place in the round of 16 and are level on points with second-placed Benfica, who have an inferior goal difference (plus four as opposed to plus eight).

Any victory should seal the deal for PSG and they are likely to prove too strong for Juve, who are languishing at the foot of the section after four defeats in five games.

Juventus have been reduced to scrapping it out with Maccabi Haifa in the battle for third place and need to secure a better matchday six result than the Israeli side, who finish off at home to Benfica.

However, the Old Lady have multiple injuries to contend with and might be more concerned about keeping key men fresh for Sunday's Serie A clash at home to Inter.

Maccabi Haifa v Benfica

Where to watch

BT Sport 8, 8pm Wednesday

Best bet

Draw
1pt 16-5 general

Preview

Maccabi Haifa were expected to be the weakest side in Group H but they can give themselves every chance of a third-place finish by drawing at home to Benfica.

Despite losing four of their five matches, Maccabi are above Juventus by virtue of a better head-to-head record and they need to match or better the Italian side's result to ensure qualification for the Europa League knockout stages.

There is plenty riding on the match for Benfica, who are battling it out with Paris St-Germain to finish in first place.

But Benfica have done the hard work by ensuring a place in the round of 16 and they are assured of a tough match against Maccabi, who they defeated 2-0 in Lisbon on matchday one.

Maccabi are a tougher proposition in front of their home fans, as they showed in last month's 2-0 success over Juventus.

Hosting Benfica might be more difficult but they can dig out a valuable point.

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