Wednesday’s Champions League action might not be as exciting as Tuesday’s as there is just one remaining spot in the knockout rounds up for grabs. However, there are two matches that are going to be very intriguing as the first will be for first place in the group and the second will determine the final Champions League spot.
In Group E, Ajax and Bayern Munich are fighting for first place and a preferential draw five days later. Ajax are currently two points back of the German juggernauts, and only a win would give them first place. The other important match is in Group F where Olympique Lyon and Shakhtar Donetsk are fighting for the last available spot. Lyon have a two point lead over Shakhtar for the spot, but the match is in the Ukraine and strange things happen in Eastern Europe.
On December 17, 2018, the draw for the knockout round of the Champions League will be announced. Shortly after we discover which clubs will be squaring off, BookMaker will release Champions League Round of 16 betting odds. Make sure to log-in to see the lines not long after the draw.
UEFA Champions League Group Stage Betting at BookMaker.eu
Ajax +236
Bayern Munich +103
Draw +270
Over/Under 3
In the previous match between these two teams, Ajax won a point off of Bayern in Munich. It was an impressive performance and showed the rest of the teams in the group that the Dutch side was a force to be reckoned with.
Bayern Munich have certainly been impressed with the play of Ajax. According to reports, Bayern are set to bid 150 million Euros for Matthijs de Ligt and Frenkie de Jong. The two youngsters have been an exciting tandem during their time in Amsterdam, and they have revived the fortunes of the most prestigious Dutch club.
This is not the same unbeatable Bayern Munich we have seen in the past. Bayern are in fourth place in the Bundesliga and their aging lineup desperately seems to need a youth infusion. Robert Lewandowski has not performed like the player we saw last year, and the inexperienced back line has had some trouble stopping foes.
There is some good value in Ajax at this price. They have one of the better homefield advantages you will find, especially for a club that has not had recent Champions League success, and their young guns can carry the day.
Shakhtar Donetsk +125
Lyon +188
Draw +272
Over/Under 3 and 3.5
Lyon still have a chance to win first place in the group if Manchester City somehow fail to get a result against 1899 Hoffenheim, but they could have assured themselves of a spot in the Champions League with a little more offense. The French side have yet to lose a match, but they have notched draws in four of their five games, and that has them needing one more result here. Interestingly enough, their one win came against Manchester City in Manchester.
Fans of Shakhtar Donetsk have to be encouraged by the team’s performance on the road against Lyon earlier in the year. Junior Moraes notched a brace, and they had a two-goal lead on the hosts until the 70th minute mark. Then, Moussa Dembele and Leo Dubois each scored in a two-minute span to knot the match at two and Lyon held on for a point.
It’s worth noting that this match will not be played in either Donetsk or Kharkiv due to the political situation in Ukraine. Instead, the match will be played in Kiev, and that could lead to a depressed turnout.
Moraes has been incredible for the hosts this season, and he will be the player they pin their hopes on. He has scored 16 goals in 23 matches in all competitions since joining, and Lyon know him well. Dubois will miss the match for Lyon due to a lingering thigh injury, and Donetsk have a great chance of picking up the win to advance to the knockout rounds for the second straight season.
UEFA Champions League Odds
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