The first batch of games in the second round-robin of group play didn't create much clarity for Champions League betting – at least, when it comes to which teams will finish atop their divisions.
Seven of the eight groups are still up for grabs as we enter the fifth game week in the 32-team group stage. Soccer fans and bettors should soon have a much better idea of where the rest of the tournament's marquee teams stand, with several involved in pivotal head-to-head clashes that should help decide top spot in their groups.
Here are our top Champions League tips and predictions for December 1-2 :
Champions League Predictions for December 1-2
FC Porto vs Manchester City
FC Porto and Man City have already secured spots in the elimination round – but first place is technically still undecided as the teams clash Tuesday at Estádio do Dragão. City (-167) have torn through Group C, winning each of their first four games while outscoring the competition by a 10-1 margin. That includes an impressive 3-1 home triumph over Porto (+425) on Oct. 21.
Porto might be major underdogs, but we expect a much tougher fight from the Portuguese powerhouse this time around. They've won their other three group matches by a combined 7-0 score, and own a plus-9 goal differential through their first eight league games. Man City should still prevail here, but we're much more confident in the one-goal margin this time around.
TIP: Manchester City 1-Goal Margin (+260)
Atalanta vs FC Midtjylland
Atalanta haven't quite been the toast of the Italian League, as they were last season, but they're still a formidable foe – and FC Midtjylland found that out the hard way the last time these teams met. The Danish upstarts were throttled 4-0 in a game that might have been even more one-sided than the score, and Atalanta are massive favorites for the return engagement in Italy.
Atalanta are riding high from a 2-0 win over Liverpool in their previous Champions League match, and are level on points with Ajax in the race for second place. That puts goal differential squarely in play, and with Atalanta enjoying home-field advantage against a clearly-overmatched Midtjylland team, you can expect the hosts to hit the scoresheet early and often.
TIP: Atalanta Over 3.5 Goals (+162)
Borussia Dortmund vs Lazio
Wednesday's tilt between Dortmund and visiting Lazio will likely decide which of the teams will finish atop Group F. The German side holds a one-point lead over its Italian counterpart, but Lazio have an edge of their own after upending Dortmund 3-1 in their previous meeting. A Lazio victory in Wednesday's game would put them in prime position to finish atop the group.
The focus for both teams will be Dortmund superstar Erling Haaland. The 20-year-old phenom has scored 10 goals in eight league games, and added six in his four Champions League appearances. He had the lone goal for Dortmund in that earlier loss to Lazio and will be looking to help his side earn three critical points. Look for him to score at least twice in this one.
TIP: Erling Haaland 2+ Goals (+160)
Sevilla vs Chelsea
Neither Sevilla nor Chelsea need to worry about the rest of their Champions League round-robin. Both teams have earned 10 points from their first four matches and are already through to the Round of 16. But with top spot in Group E up for grabs, you can expect a competitive affair Wednesday between two sides that played to a hard-fought scoreless draw in their first go-around.
Both sides bring serious defensive chops into their Champions League rematch, having combined to allow just four goals in their eight group matches. Chelsea have surrendered a paltry 10 goals in 10 English Premier League games, while Sevilla have limited foes to eight goals in nine matches. The U2.5 is a great price here, so we're rolling with it.
TIP: Under 2.5 (-110)
Champions League Betting Card for December 1-2
- Manchester City 1-Goal Margin (+260)
- Atalanta Over 3.5 Goals (+162)
- Erling Haaland 2+ Goals (+160)
- Sevilla-Chelsea Under 2.5 (-110)
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