The Champions League Group Stage is only one game old, but we've already seen some big-time soccer betting shockers.
The one that stands out most: Shakhtar Donetsk upending defending Spanish League champions Real Madrid to send shockwaves through Group B. And while there's no guarantee that this week's schedule will produce a similar upset, there are plenty of opportunities for big underdogs to cash in on long odds, with several mismatches on the docket.
Here are our top Champions League betting plays for October 27-28.
Champions League Predictions for October 27-28
Borussia Monchengladbach vs Real Madrid (Tuesday, 4 pm ET)
What happened last week to the La Liga champs can only be described as stunning, with Real Madrid falling behind 3-0 just 42 minutes into the match and ultimately coming up short, despite scoring two second-half goals. And it didn't take long for Madrid to erase the sting of that defeat, as they rolled to an equally surprising 3-1 road victory over Barcelona to improve to 4-1-1 in league play. Monchengladbach had to settle for a single point in its Champions League opener, drawing 2-2 with Inter Milan.
Madrid are -110 favorites in what is already a must-win game—but we aren't feeling overly confident given how they fared in their group stage opener. Monchengladbach are no pushovers, either, having gone unbeaten in their last four Bundesliga matches. One thing we do know: there should be plenty of scoring opportunities at both ends of the field, and that makes us feel much better about a totals pick. While it's a bold recommendation, the O3.5 is squarely in play here.
TIP: Monchengladbach-Real Madrid Over 3.5 (+120)
Liverpool vs Midtjylland (Tuesday, 4 pm ET)
Ah, Liverpool. There are few teams more frustrating to bet on in all of European soccer, even in situations like this. The reigning Premier League champions opened their Champions League group stage play with an uninspiring 1-0 win over host Ajax, while fans and bettors are still feeling the sting of that stunning 7-2 loss to Aston Villa in league play earlier this month. Still, they're heavy favorites against Danish upstarts Midtjylland, who fell 4-0 to Atalanta in their tournament opener.
But here's the thing about Liverpool: they often play down to inferior competition, which is one of the reasons why they're so infuriating from a betting perspective. And while Midtjylland are clearly overmatched here, they're off to a strong start in Danish Superliga play and have scored eight goals in their previous three league matches. Liverpool should romp despite their struggles versus big underdogs, but we feel confident that both teams will find paydirt in this one.
TIP: Both Teams to Score: Yes (-125)
Krasnodar vs Chelsea (Wednesday, 1:55 pm ET)
Blues fans and bettors might not like Chelsea's one-point-at-a-time approach to its recent matches, but both groups have to love what they're seeing from the Chelsea back end. They've drawn five of their previous six matches across all competitions, including back-to-back scoreless ties against Sevilla and Manchester United. And they're comfortable favorites Wednesday against an FC Krasnodar side coming off a demoralizing 3-1 home defeat to Spartak Moscow.
Krasnodar have been one of the most prolific teams in the Russian Premier League to date with 22 goals through 12 games, but the rise in competition level this week is a steep one. Not only have Chelsea managed to add to their Premier League point total despite wide-scale offensive struggles, but they've also been one of the most defensively sound teams in all of European soccer over the past several weeks. The Chelsea clean sheet is a great option here, and the payout is surprisingly strong.
TIP: Chelsea clean sheet (+100)
Manchester United vs RB Leipzig (Wednesday, 4 pm ET)
Leipzig are off to a sensational start to their German League schedule, racking up four victories and a draw while allowing just three goals over that span. They're 6-0-2 in eight games across all competitions and kicked off their Champions League group stage competition with an impressive 2-0 win over Istanbul Basaksehir. But oddsmakers still have Leipzig as modest underdogs against host Manchester United, who have just two wins over their first six Premier League matches.
It has been a strangely difficult start to the 2020-21 campaign for Man United, who have yet to win at Old Trafford and have been outscored by a startling 9-2 margin in three games there this season. Leipzig, on the flip side, have fared rather well away from Red Bull Arena, going 2-0-1 with a plus-four goal differential. This might be the game where Man United turn things around at home, but given the odds you're getting on the superior team, it's hard to pass up Leipzig in this spot.
TIP: RB Leipzig (+200)
Champions League Betting Card for October 27-28
- Monchengladbach-Real Madrid Over 3.5 (+120)
- Both Teams to Score: Yes (-125)
- Chelsea clean sheet (+100)
- RB Leipzig (+200)
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