Group G: Auxerre (Bettorlogic ranking 58) v Ajax (19) (Weds, 19:45)
This is only Auxerre’s third-ever Champions League campaign and their first since 2002/03 when all three of their home matches were goalless at the interval and contained fewer than two goals. Although eight years have passed, it seems Auxerre remain a similar side. The have scored just one goal en route to losing all three of their group games so far, two of which were 0-0 at half-time. Ajax’s win in the reverse of this fixture on Matchday 3 has moved them level on points with AC Milan and another victory here would put them in a strong position to progress to the knockout stage. The visitors have won just 2/16 away group matches this century, but this is, surprisingly, their first appearance since 2005/06. Other Dutch sides have been equally poor on the road. Since 2006/07, they have lost 10/14 away group fixtures which has included seven L/Ls and eight defeats by two clear goals.
Recommendation: No bet
Group G: AC Milan (12) v Real Madrid (3) (Weds, 19:45)
AC Milan have won 8/13 home group games since 2005/06, but their only game against a team with a Bettorlogic rank of 1-10 was their 1-1 draw with Real Madrid last season. Interestingly, all of their last five home group matches have settled the -2.5 goals market and four of the games have been all-square after 45 minutes. Madrid are one of five teams who still have a 100% record intact after three games. The visitors have won 7/16 away group games since 2005/06 but they have picked up just one point from their four trips to sides ranked 11-20. Since 1998/99, Italian teams have drawn 12/28 group games hosting Spanish opposition and they have been level at the break 16 times.
Recommendation: HT draw 2.20, Bet365 / Extrabet
Group H: Shakhtar Donetsk (13) v Arsenal (6) (Weds, 19:45)
Shakhtar Donetsk won their opening two Champions League games before they were thrashed 5-1 at the Emirates in the reverse of this fixture. The hosts have won 6/13 home group games since 2004/05, but they have suffered defeats in three of their four games hosting top-10 ranked opposition. Interestingly, they have kept a first-half clean sheet in all four of these matches and they have led at the break on two occasions. Over the past five seasons, Arsenal have won half (8/16) of their away group fixtures with 10 -2.5 and six -1.5 goals games. Since 1999/00, Arsenal have won only 1/9 trips to sides with a Bettorlogic rank of 11-20 but six of the matches have seen fewer than three goals while seven have been all-square at half-time.
Recommendation: -2.5 goals 2.00, Bet365 / Paddy Power
Group H: Partizan Belgrade (77) v Sp Braga (50) (Weds, 19:45)
Partizan Belgrade’s only previous Champions League appearance was in 2003/04 and the Serbian’s are still searching for their first victory after nine games. All of their three draws came from their three home matches in 2003/04, but they were bean 3-1 by Arsenal in their opening home fixture this season. Braga gained their first ever points in this tournament by beating Partizan 2-0 last time out, but they will need to win here if they are to push Shakhtar for the second qualifying spot. Teams ranked 51-100 have gone W6-D5-L4 hosting teams ranked 31-70 since 2005/06 and both teams have scored in 13 of the games.
Recommendation: No bet