Key stats of the day

PSG are undefeated in 21 of their last 23 matches in the Champions League.

Maribor have failed to win their last 5 matches in the Champions League.

Chelsea are undefeated in their last 5 matches in the Champions League.

Porto have scored at least 2 goals in their last 6 matches in the CL.

Man City have conceded at least 2 goals in 8 of their last 10 matches in the CL.

Barcelona have scored at least 2 goals in their last 4 matches in the CL.

There have been over 2.5 goals scored in BATE's last 6 games in the CL.

Roma v Man City Betting Tips and Prediction

Roma vs Manchester City predictions and football betting tips for tonight’s Champions League match where Man City need to win to have any chance of qualifying.

The busy festive period doesn’t let up this time of year as both Manchester City and Roma come together in Wednesday night’s Champions League clash. With Bayern Munich already qualifying as the clear group winners with 12 points, Man City, Roma and CSKA Moscow all have a chance of making it through to the knock-out stages, with the winner of this fixture in particular looking likely to go through.

Roma v Man City Prediction: Manuel Pellegrini’s star-studded side have once again been a disappointment in Europe this season. Five points from five games is simply not good enough for a side as good as City, but they can nevertheless make it through if they turn up on Wednesday night. If Premier League form is anything to go by, Manchester City have been strong domestically, winning on their last four outings. A mid-week victory against group leaders Bayern was also a promising result that could put Pellegrini’s side in good stead as they travel to Rome this week.

Rudi Garcia’s Roma have also been experiencing some strong league form, as they have now pretty much asserted themselves as the second best team in Italy, behind Juventus and ahead of the failing Milan sides. With Kevin Strootman returning to the side after a long spell on the side-lines, Garcia now has a chance to line the Dutchman up alongside the likes of Miralem Pjanic, Juan Iturbe and Mattia Destro in a strong looking attack. Roma will however likely be without Brazilian international Maicon, so the Greek pairing of Kostas Manolas and Jose Holebas will continue their roles at full back. Newcastle’s on loan centre back, Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa, may also be a doubt despite starting last time out against Sassuolo.

For Manchester City, the worst news of all hit them last time out against Everton, with star-man Sergio Aguero being ruled out with a worrying knee ligament injury. His goals against Bayern were priceless and simply couldn’t be replicated by anyone else. The influential David Silva will also be out for Pellegrini, so a forward trio of Samir Nasri, Edin Dzeko and Stefan Jovetic may be on the cards for the Citizens. As Manchester City struggled against Roma when they came to the Etihad, largely through the efforts of a 38 year old Francesco Totti, expect home advantage for the Romans to prove too much for Manuel Pellegrini’s floundering Champions League side.

Roma vs Manchester City Betting Tips:

Francesco Totti to score first Totti to score and Roma to win.

See more at: http://www.thatsagoal.com/roma-v-man-city-betting-tips-prediction/#sthash.9vGlwYLB.dpuf

Barcelona vs PSG betting tips by Isaiah

Despite conceding early goal in 13th minute and losing till the very end of the first halftime, Barcelona managed to get a 5:1 victory in local derby over Espanyol at home, mostly thanks to a great night from Messi who scored three out of five goals for the hosts. The team is now on a run of seven consecutive victories in all competitions, working especially well in attack – they have scored nine goals in last two matches. Tonight, they need a victory over the French side in order to get the first position, while any other result would leave them at the second position – progressing ticket for next stage is already secured almost a month ago. Home side will miss right back Dani Alves (16/0) and offensive midfielder Rafinha (10/0) who are both suspended for this game. Defender Thomas Vermaelen is injured and a long term absentee, who probably won’t be playing for Barcelona this season.

PSG had many problems last weekend in a home game against Nantes, but still managed to get a precious 2:1 three pointer. Visitors took the lead in eight minute, while the hosts replied with two quick goals from Ibrahimovic in 34th and 48th minute. With this victory they continued their title race with Marseille, still being a point below their biggest rival this season. As said, the team currently stands at first position and can’t afford to lose tonight in case they want to remain at the first position. Edison Cavani started from the bench last weekend, but will probably be employed here from the first minute. Marco Verratti is also expected to start here, while the visitors only have substitute forward Jean-Christophe Bahebeck (12/2) as absentee here.

Barcelona will surely enter the game strongly in order to win. Quality difference should be seen on the field, as the players of Barca look much more creative and concrete in the offense than the French side which generally struggled in attack in recent weeks, with or without Ibrahimovic.
Bet: Barcelona -1.25 Asian handicap

Porto vs Shakhtar betting tips by Isaiah

With impressive performance in Belarus, Porto secured their first position in the Champions League group, taking a victory in a very professional way. Final score was 3:0, as the Portuguese side scored goals via Herrera, Martinez and Tello, all three in the second half. After five rounds played, team has 4-1-0 record and has already secured the first position as the Ukrainian side has five points less and can’t catch them. Team is in a very good period, having also five victories in last six matches in domestic league, while they meet Benfica next weekend, so the team will be more focused on that game. Porto has no injury or suspension worries in front of this game.

Having in mind current situation of Portuguese side in their group and with derby game coming for them, the side is expected to rotate few players here and give a chance to some youngsters.

Shakhtar surprisingly lost to Atheletic Bilbao two weeks ago at home with a narrow 0:1 result, but still already have secure the ticket for the next phase and won’t be too worried with that defeat. Only goal was scored by San Jose in 58th minute, even though the teams generally shared impressions. As for the domestic league, Shakhtar currently has three victories in a row, but also are five points behind Dinamo Kiev – position that they are surely not satisfied with. Ukrainian side will have to play here without three key players, as they can’t count at right back and team captain Darijo Srna (5/1 in CL), striker Luiz Adriano (5/9 in CL) and central defender Olexandr Kucher (4/0), all three being suspended. Left back Marcio Avezedo (2/0 in CL) is doubtful for tonight’s game. They are also expected to name a few players that didn’t play so much this season.

Porto have scored at least 2 goals in their last 3 matches against Shakhtar. Open game is expected here, as both teams are coming here without much pressure, with few younger players in their squad that are surely aiming to impress here. Betting on goals is worth a shot here, as I reckon chances for three or more goals are well over 50%.

Bet: Over 2.5 goals

Maribor vs Schalke betting tips by Isaiah

Despite now victory in first five rounds in Champions League, Maribor still has a chance of getting the third position, but only in case they get a victory tonight over Schalke. Slovenians didn’t manage to surprise Sporting away from home suffering 3:1 defeat.

As for the domestic league, they are doing quite well at the moment coming from a 4:1 victory at home against Radomlje. They already had 4:0 lead after sixty minutes, showing complete dominance over much weaker side. They do play well in domestic competitions, but are still only second at the table, having three points less than first placed Domzale. Target is surely to get a victory here, however that’s a bit unrealistic – but, no doubt that the team will try. Maribor could be without right back Petar Stojanovic (4/0) and left back Ales Mejac (3/0) for this game, but the second one is expected to recover in time.

Schalke completely collapsed two weeks ago in the fifth round of Champions League at home against Chelsea, suffering 0:5 defeat. Very little positive things were seen from the German side who had one of the worst performances this season. With a 1-2-2 record so far, Schalke now has to get a victory here in order to keep the chances of progressing alive and hope that Sporing won’t get a victory in London against Chelsea. Coach Roberto Di Matteo still has a long injury list in front of a must win situation. Central defender Joel Matip (7/1), left back Sead Kolasinac (1/0), offensive midfielders Jefferson Farfan (no performance yet), Julian Draxler (11/2) are all already injured for longer period. Offensive midfielders Kevin-Prince Boateng (11/0), Chinedu Obasi (11/1) and Sidney Sam (10/0) and central defender Felipe Santana (3/0) are all suffering from some injuries and their participation will be decided in last moments.

This game now comes as the most important one for Schalke in the season. Disregarding which players will be ready, the Germans have all the chances to walk away with a three pointer as the individual difference between two sides is surely huge.

Bet: Schalke Wins

KEY STATS OF THE DAY

There have been under 2.5 goals scored in 5 of Juventus's last 6 games in the CL.

Olympiakos have conceded at least 2 goals in 5 of their last 6 matches in the CL.

Atletico have kept a clean sheet in their last 4 matches in the Champions League.

There have been under 2.5 goals scored in 8 of Monaco's last 9 games in the CL.

There have been under 2.5 goals scored in 8 of Basel's last 10 games in the CL.

Real have been winning at both half time and full time in 6 of their last 8 matches.

Galatasaray have lost their last 4 matches in the Champions League.

Benfica vs Leverkusen betting tips by Gustav

With a narrow 1:0 defeat away against Zenit two weeks ago, Benfica unfortunately lost all the competitive motives in the group having nothing to play for in the last round. Five matches in Champions League, they got one victory, a draw and two defeats, which won’t be enough even for a Europa League ticket race.

As for domestic league, things are looking much better, with the team having four victories in a row, improved morale and first position with three points more than their biggest rival from Porto. Home side will be without suspended Benfica will be without the suspended central defender Luisao (5/0) who was sent off against Zenit in last round and defensive midfielder Andreas Samaris (5/0) as he picked up third yellow card in the competition. Left back Eliseu (3/0) and defender Silvio (no appearance this season) both remain absent with injuries. With nothing to play for, Benfica is almost sure to give some playing time to youngsters in order to get much needed experience.

Leverkusen, on the other hand, might feel like robbed in the previous Champions League game, as the team had more of the ball possession and much more chances created, but still suffered a narrow 1:0 home defeat against Monaco, French side that actually had only two good chances in the match.

Even so, Germans remained at the first position in the group and in case of a victory here, they have a chance to secure
the first position disregarding the outcome of other match. In any case, they also can’t end up third and playing in Europa League. Generally, in domestic league they aren't showing their full potential, with the team being currently only fourth, behind Bayern, Wolfsburg and Augsburg. Right back Giulio Donati (11/) is doubtful, while Roberto Hilbert could again start at his position. Castro will play in midfield with Stefan Reinartz (12/0) still injured. Central defender and sometimes defensive midfielder, Kyriakos Papadopoulos (5/1) is still out injured as well.

There have been under 2.5 goals scored in Benfica’s last 3 games in the Champions League. If Benfica had something to play for here, they would probably be close favorites, but in this case, they will probably end up with with a negative result. Leverkusen has much bigger motivation in this one and is now much closer to get the victory, even though the draw still can’t be excluded.

Bet: Leverkusen 0 Asian handicap