18.10.2017.

PICK OF THE DAY

CSKA - Basel

Tip : GG (both to score)

Odd : 1.80
FT : 0:2 Lost

CSKA Moscow came into this group stage expecting a tough battle against Benfica and Manchester United for the top two spots, with the Russian outfit widely considered underdogs in this race. As it happens, after two rounds of matches, Basel are turning out to be their biggest challenge for 2nd place, so this clash could be crucial in the grand scheme of things.

The weekend saw CSKA Moscow pick up a great domestic win away to Krasnodar, but prior to that they were winless in four matches in all competitions. This includes their 4-1 thrashing at home to Manchester United, although their 2-1 win at Benfica in round one proves that they do have the quality to succeed at this level.

Basel have defied the odds as well though. The Swiss outsiders predictably lost 3-0 at Old Trafford in their first Champions League match, but they bounced back fantastically at the end of September with a stunning 5-0 win at home to Benfica.

Since then they have won one and drawn one in the league, making it three wins from their last four games in all competitions and putting them in fine spirits ahead of such a crucial match.

Basel will be relying on their attacking talents for the most part. They have scored in eight of their last 12 Champions League matches but have conceded in nine of them, and this season they have found the net in 12 of their 15 competitive matches.

CSKA Moscow have a more than respectable scoring record in the Champions League as well though. They haven’t failed to find the net in any of their last eight games in the competition, but have conceded in a huge 35 of their last 38 games in the competition. Both sides’ attacking qualities make odds of 1.80 for Both Teams to Score look great value, so we’re backing that for our main predictions.

INFORMATION

Benfica - Man Utd

It is not fresh news but just to mention that Man Utd will do it without Carrick, Pogba, Fellaini, Ibrahimovic and Bailly

DID YOU KNOW

*Atletico have won only 3 of their last 10 games away from home in the CL (W3, D3, L4)

* PSG’s biggest win in a European competition was back in August 2001 against a Belgian team, when they beat Gent 7-1 in the semi-final of the Intertoto Cup.

*  PSG are unbeaten in 9 of their last 10 CL matches and there have been over 2.5 goals scored in their last 9 CL games.

* Olympiakos have never won in 14 previous away games against Spanish sides (D2, L12).

* United have lost to Benfica only once in the 9 meetings to date - a 2-1 defeat at Benfica in the CL group stage of ‘05/’06. (W6, D2, L1). United won their 1st ever European Cup by beating Eusébio’s Benfica in 1968.

* Benfica scored at least 1 goal at home in last 25 competetive matches

* Juventus have kept a clean sheet in 8 of their last 12 home games in the Champions League, while Sporting Lisbon have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last 12 away games in the competition.

TIPS FOR COMBO

Benfica - Man Utd Tip GG (1.90)

Bayern - Celtic Tip 7+ (over 6.5) (7.50)