Some would argue that this final round of games in Europe are the tastiest for Goals Galore. A fair amount of teams still have plenty to play for and that is exactly what we are taking advantage of here, with our both teams to score treble below.
Benfica v Paris Saint Germain – 7.45pm Tuesday
BTTS odds – 8/11 Betfred
Benfica face the already qualified PSG on Tuesday night with their own fate out of their hands. The Portuguese outfit need to better the result of Olympiakos to ensure qualification. The Greek champions face a far more attractive tie, with Anderlecht visiting who will finish last regardless of results. Benfica are going to go all out for goals here against a PSG side who quite clearly know the directions to the back of the net. Perfect.
Benfica need to concentrate on their game regardless of what is going on in Greece, and there is even more incentive for success this year knowing that the final will be at their home ground, Estadio da Luz. Nothing but three points will be enough and I expect Benfica to go all out for goals galore from the start, you just cannot see them not getting at least two goals.
In the reverse fixture, PSG controlled the game from start to finish, winning 3-0, with that man Zlatan Ibrahimovic registering a brace. The Swede however is likely to be rested in what is a “dead rubber” for the away side. The French side have scored 15 goals in just five games during the group stages which is the second best in the competition With a record like that you would expect them to score here against a side who will concentrating far more on attacking than defending.
Galatasaray v Juventus – 7.45pm Tuesday
BTTS odds – 8/13 Betfred
Juventus are currently the side in the hot seat as Galatasaray look to upset the party on the final day. Juve are in second place with a two point lead over their opponents and on Tuesday night a draw will be enough to confirm their place in the knockout stages. If the Turkish side can spring an upset and take three points though, it will be them who replace the Italian giants in the next round. What a game we have in store!
Galatasaray will be confident knowing home advantage may give them the edge in this “all or nothing” match. Roberto Mancini and his side know nothing but a win will be failure which means a very open game should be on the menu and we know what that means here. Goals! The Turk Telecom Arena will conjure up an electric atmosphere and those fans expect a win. There isn’t a chance this will finish 0-0 and once one goes in, it could be goal pandemonium.
Juventus have it all to lose on Tuesday but will be confident, knowing they have the players to get the job done in Turkey. The Serie A champions have won seven league ties in a row and couldn’t be coming into the game on better form. An array of talent will be on show with including Vidal, Lloriente and Pogba, and you can see Juventus scoring at some point whether it be the opener or an equaliser.
Bayern v Manchester City – 7.45pm Tuesday
BTTS odds – 8/13 Betfred
Group D is done and dusted with nothing but pride to play for. In the final tie in our coupon, mini league winners Bayern host Manchester City who have qualified via second place. Bayern come into the fixture wanting to come out of initial stages with a 100% record after winning their opening five fixtures. City will be looking to avenge their only defeat of the campaign when the German side came to the Etihad and turned over The Citizens, 3-1.
Nobody will be betting against a home win here, at the Allianz Arena Bayern have won their previous 18 fixtures in all competitions and will want to make yet another statement against one of the biggest clubs in the competition. Interestingly their last defeat at home was to another English side in Arsenal last March, but I cannot see this being anything but a comfortable 3-1 or 4-1.
Manchester City are under no illusions that Bayern are the deserved favourites in the Champions League this year and will be fully aware of what they’re capable of, however manager Manuel Pellegrini is expected to make a whole host of changes for the tie. Despite the expected adjustments to the line up, I believe there will many a player with a point to prove without the pressure, which should ensure we have an open game with City getting at least one goal.
