Champions League Tips

RB Leipzig have won just one of their last four Bundesliga games and have dropped points in four of their last five home matches. They could come unstuck against a Dortmund side on a six‑game winning run in the Bundesliga and with proven ability to deliver after European games.

Brentford have seven points to show from the last nine available and have the European spots in sight. The Bees held Arsenal to a 1-1 draw in their last home game and look good value to see off Brighton, who have lost their last three games without scoring.

This is a massive game in the battle to stay in League One with the teams currently either side of the relegation line. Northampton were poor at highflying Lincoln on Tuesday but Leyton Orient have lost nine of their last 11 away league matches and have taken only one point from their last five.

Grimsby Town have only lost one of their last eight League Two away games and have been winners on three of their last four. The Gas have failed to keep a clean sheet in six of their last eight league games and the visitors can take full advantage.

Atletico Madrid have scored over 2.5 goals in three of their last five games and can be irresistible when they play on the front foot. Expect a few changes for this gamwe but they have enough quality to grab the win. Meanwhile, both teams have scored in Espanyol’s last four away matches with the visitors losing the last two.

Spartans have sliped to second thanks to their cup commitments, but they return to league action aiming for an eighth win on the road this term. The visitors have kept only two clean sheets on their travels despite performing well, while Stranraer have scored 12 goals in 11 home matches.

Falkirk should struggle here after a 3-2 loss last weekend. Hearts should be itching to bounce back from a 4-2 loss at Rangers, and a Falkirk side who struggle on the road could be on the wrong side of a big scoreline.

Ajax have won one of their six meetings with their fellow top-six sides, and they trail NEC Nijmege in the standings. The visitors have won at Feyenoord already this term, and they’ve won two of their last three on the road, going six away games without defeat.

Seven of Harrogate’s 12 home defeats have come by a two-goal margin, and leaders Bromley can add to that after a fine run on the road. The hosts have rallied in recent weeks, but the visitors have won eight of 10 trips to teams outside the top 10.

A pair of promotion rivals meet at the Racecourse Ground and the away side may walk away with the points. Ipswich lost 1-0 to Wrexham in the FA Cup last Friday but are going really well in the Championship. Wrexham have failed to win at home in three consecutive league games and appear vulnerable.

A late equaliser against Wycombe gave Exeter their fourth draw in their last five games on Tuesday but they had failed to score in their previous three games and hosts Peterborough should have too much firepower for them despite losing their last two fixtures.

FEBRUARY –  The Texans’ suffocating defence has been the key to their eight-game winning run and with the AFC looking the less competitive conference this season after the demise of the Kansas City Chiefs, they have the talent to go a long way. Quarterback CJ Stroud is fully fit again and can look for an elite wide receiver in Nico Collins while former first-round picks Will Anderson Jr. and Derek Stingley Jr. are just two of their many defensive stars.

JULY – Elena Rybakina looks a bet in her bid to repeat her 2022 triumph at the All England Club. The Kazakhstani has had a tough couple of years, due in the main to off-court issues, but she finished last year on a high with victory at the WTA Finals. She’s a superb grass-court player who is as good as Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek when she’s on her game.

JULY – Alex Noren enjoyed a resurgence in his career in 2025, winning twice on the DP World Tour, and 2026 could finally be the year he ends his long wait for a maiden Major. The Swede has an affinity for links golf, evidenced by his victory at the 2016 Scottish Open and his two top-10 Open finishes, he could go all the way and land the Claret Jug in 2026.

DECEMBER – Mercedes may have botched the ground-effect era, but the Silver Arrows have a strong record of responding well to rule changes, and the sweeping regulation shift coming in 2026 should bring the title back into play. Their power unit has already come under, and been cleared, of scrutiny, suggesting it is likely to be among the strongest engines on the grid, and they have the driver lineup to win the consistent points necessary to land the constructor crown.

Stevenage have emerged from a poor run with two home wins in the last week, but their last five away games have all ended in defeat. That trend could continue when they visit a Wycombe side who have won three of their last four home fixtures by at least two goals while keeping clean sheets.

Fleetwood returned to winning ways with a 1-0 victory over Crewe on Tuesday and they can follow up with another success when hosting struggling Barrow, who have lost five of their last six League Two games away from home and are embroiled in a relegation battle.

Swindon are on course for promotion to League One and they can aid their cause with a victory against Crewe, who have won just two of their last 10 away games in the league. The Robins have won five of their last six home assignments and can add three more points to their tally.

Hull look the better bet at the MKM Stadium. They sit fifth, ten points clear of 13th-placed QPR with a game in hand, and have 16 wins to QPR’s 12. The visitors are out of form, winless in seven away league games and short on goals.

Coventry have won three of their last six league games and should be full of confidence after Monday’s win over Middlesbrough. They can secure a win to nil at West Brom, who have failed to score in four of five Championship games under Eric Ramsay.

A Morgan Rogers’ brace sealed a 2-1 win for Villa at Elland Road in November and, with eight goals and five assists this term, he remains Villa’s greatest threat.

Brentford have seven points to show from the last nine available and have the European spots in sight. The Bees held Arsenal to a 1-1 draw in their last home game and look good value to see off Brighton, who have lost their last three games without scoring.

Chelsea have scored at least three goals in five of their last seven games and face the second-worst defence in the Premier League, with the Clarets conceding 11 times in their last five matches.

Manchester City can narrow the gap between them and Premier League leaders Arsenal to just two points, so expect them to come out on top against Newcastle, even though the Magpies should be taken to find the net at the Etihad.

West Ham are yet to keep a clean sheet at home this season, but the Hammers have seen both teams score in each of their last five here and the same looks likely against a Bournemouth side that have scored in 13 of their 14 away games this season, conceding in 12 of them.

Brentford have seven points to show from the last nine available and have the European spots in sight. The Bees held Arsenal to a 1-1 draw in their last home game and look good value to see off Brighton, who have lost their last three games without scoring.

Chelsea have scored at least three goals in five of their last seven games and face the second-worst defence in the Premier League, with the Clarets conceding 11 times in their last five matches.

Manchester City can narrow the gap between them and Premier League leaders Arsenal to just two points, so expect them to come out on top against Newcastle, even though the Magpies should be taken to find the net at the Etihad.

Brentford have seven points to show from the last nine available and have the European spots in sight. The Bees held Arsenal to a 1-1 draw in their last home game and look good value to see off Brighton, who have lost their last three games without scoring.

A pair of promotion rivals meet at the Racecourse Ground and the away side may walk away with the points. Ipswich lost 1-0 to Wrexham in the FA Cup last Friday but are going really well in the Championship. Wrexham have failed to win at home in three consecutive league games and appear vulnerable.

Lincoln look the bet away at Mansfield. They are second, 26 points clear, and are unbeaten in six away trips, winning four of the last five on the road. Mansfield are winless in six league games and have struggled for goals, failing to score in three of the last four. Lincoln’s 15-game unbeaten run makes them hard to oppose.

Cambridge have been winners on four of their last five League Two away days, and while Cambridge have won six, drawn five and lost five on the road overall, they face a Newport side who have been poor at home, winning just two of their 15 games.

West Ham are yet to keep a clean sheet at home this season, but the Hammers have seen both teams score in each of their last five here and the same looks likely against a Bournemouth side that have scored in 13 of their 14 away games this season, conceding in 12 of them.

Back both teams to score when Watford F.C. host Derby County. Watford drew 2-2 with Preston North End last week and their meetings with Derby regularly deliver goals at both ends. BTTS has landed in ten of the last 12 H2Hs, and in 20 of Watford’s 32 games.

Back both teams to score when AFC Wimbledon host Bradford City. Wimbledon have scored in four straight games, including a 3-3 draw with Barnsley F.C., and Bradford have also netted in four in a row. Neither defence looks solid, with Wimbledon conceding in three straight and Bradford without an away clean sheet in six.

Bayern Munich and Eintracht Frankfurt are both in strong attacking form, suggesting an open, high-scoring game. Bayern top the league with an impressive record and have been prolific in front of goal, while Frankfurt have also scored consistently but struggled defensively away from home.

Chelsea have scored at least three goals in five of their last seven games and face the second-worst defence in the Premier League, with the Clarets conceding 11 times in their last five matches.

Bromley are in good form on the road, having gone unbeaten on eight of their last nine away trips in the league, with over 2.5 goals being a winning bet in 18 of Bromley’s 32 League Two games this season.

Over 2.5 goals is the play when PSG host Metz at Parc des Princes. PSG have scored in 18 of their last 20 league games and this matchup is open, with five of the last six meetings clearing the line. Metz leak 2.23 goals per game and sit miles adrift.

Benfica, who are unbeaten in the Primeira Liga this season, have a home game against bottom-of-the-table AVS, who have won just once all season, so it is difficult to see anything other than a home win. There have been four goals or more in 11 of AVS’s 22 matches, so back Benfica to rack up plenty of goals.

Brentford have seven points to show from the last nine available and have the European spots in sight. The Bees held Arsenal to a 1-1 draw in their last home game and look good value to see off Brighton, who have lost their last three games without scoring.

Norwich are worth backing at Carrow Road after a confident 3-0 win at Oxford United, where they allowed just one shot on target. They have won five of their last seven home league games and have scored two or more in six of the last eight. Birmingham concede regularly away.

Bolton look the best bet at home to Blackpool. They are third and 21 points clear, unbeaten in eight league games and strong at home with five wins in the last seven. They are scoring regularly too. Blackpool are wobbling on the road, losing three of the last four away league matches and winless in four away.

Cambridge have been winners on four of their last five League Two away days, and while Cambridge have won six, drawn five and lost five on the road overall, they face a Newport side who have been poor at home, winning just two of their 15 games.

Real Madrid are in strong form and should beat Osasuna away on Saturday. They sit top of the league with 19 wins from 24 games, while Osasuna are ninth with an inconsistent record. Madrid are unbeaten in their last eight away league games and have won nine of their last ten overall.

RB Leipzig have won just one of their last four Bundesliga games and have dropped points in four of their last five home matches. They could come unstuck against a Dortmund side on a six‑game winning run in the Bundesliga and with proven ability to deliver after European games.

Inter have won four of their last six Serie A games without conceding and that trend should continue this week. Lecce have only won one of their last nine in the Italian top flight and should struggle once again.

Lens have won 16 of their last 20 Ligue 1 matches and have won 13 of their previous 16 games on home soil. The visitors have struggled for consistency, having failed to win any of their last five away matches.

Four wins in their last five league matches have helped push Braga to fifth in the Portuguese table and they should be able to boost their position further on Saturday. Vitoria Guimaraes have conceded seven goals in their last two away games against Arouca and Estoril and look vulnerable.

Motherwell are enjoying an excellent season and should be able to escape from St Mirren with the points with a minimum of fuss. Take a chance that the Well can claim a clean sheet too as St Mirren have failed to score in three of their last four home games.

RB Leipzig have won just one of their last four Bundesliga games and have dropped points in four of their last five home matches. They could come unstuck against a Dortmund side on a six‑game winning run in the Bundesliga and with proven ability to deliver after European games.

Each of the last three meetings between these sides have ended as score draws and West Ham played out a 1-1 draw in their last Premier League affair, while Bournemouth have drawn 1-1 twice in their last five fixtures.

Newcastle won the reverse league fixture 2-1, but City have the bit between their teeth and can repeat the 3-1 success they posted against the Magpies in the second leg of their recent Carabao Cup semi-final.

Serhou Guirassy has scored six goals in his last four appearances for Dortmund, finding the net at least once in each game.

It is hard to oppose a Sporting side who have lost just one league game this season, but both teams have scored in eight of their last ten games on the road. Moreirense, who have been blowing hot and cold of late, are still capable, so go for an away win with both teams finding the net.

Atletico Madrid have scored over 2.5 goals in three of their last five games and can be irresistible when they play on the front foot. Expect a few changes for this gamwe but they have enough quality to grab the win. Meanwhile, both teams have scored in Espanyol’s last four away matches with the visitors losing the last two.

Manchester City can narrow the gap between them and Premier League leaders Arsenal to just two points, so expect them to come out on top against Newcastle, even though the Magpies should be taken to find the net at the Etihad.

Manchester City can narrow the gap between them and Premier League leaders Arsenal to just two points, so expect them to come out on top against Newcastle, even though the Magpies should be taken to find the net at the Etihad.

Over 2.5 goals is the play when PSG host Metz at Parc des Princes. PSG have scored in 18 of their last 20 league games and this matchup is open, with five of the last six meetings clearing the line. Metz leak 2.23 goals per game and sit miles adrift.

Cagliari have only won four of their 12 home games this season and Lazio look primed to make things worse. Lazio are unbeaten in 24 of the last 25 Serie A head-to-head meetings with Cagliari and a narrow away victory looks likely.

Four wins in their last five league matches have helped push Braga to fifth in the Portuguese table and they should be able to boost their position further on Saturday. Vitoria Guimaraes have conceded seven goals in their last two away games against Arouca and Estoril and look vulnerable.

Liverpool look like the best value pick, with the Reds putting their struggles behind them with an eight-game unbeaten run. The Reds have the fourth-best Expected Goals record across the first six Champions League gameweeks, while they’ve recorded back-to-back 1-0 wins over Real Madrid and Inter Milan in Europe. Arne Slot’s side have a kind double-header in January, leaving them primed for a top-eight finish. With the Premier League coasting towards a fifth Champions League berth, the Reds should be in a good position to focus on European success in the spring.

Spain have some incredibly talented individuals, Lamine Yamal being the prime example, but are strong in all areas and don’t have any particular weaknesses. They won Euro 2024 with relative ease and they should be too good for their continental rivals at the World Cup. They also look a level above South American heavyweights Argentina and Brazil, suggesting they will be the team to beat at the World Cup this summer.

Athletic Bilbao have won three of their last four games with both teams scoring in each win. Meanwhile, Elche have lost three of their last four games with both teams scoring in each defeat. Athletic Bilbao have not kept a clean sheet in La Liga since December 6th but they have beaten the bottom two, clubs not far behind Elche in the table, recently.

Four of Nordsjaelland’s last five competitive games have featured goals at both ends and underdogs Vejle have scored in nine of their last 11 away fixtures.

Both teams to score has landed in four of Annecy’s last five home games and Red Star have scored five and conceded seven in their last four fixtures, with both teams scoring in three of these.

Only four points separate these sides, but Clermont are in torrid form right now and head to Boulogne having lost each of their last five games. They haven’t won away from home since October, while Boulogne have taken ten points from the last 15 on offer.

Blackburn have won only one of their last five home league games while Preston have lost only two of their last 10 away Championship matches. Only Sheffield Wednesday have taken fewer home points than Rovers, so it is hard to see them taking all three points here.

Rodez are unbeaten in nine Ligue 2 matches and have won three of their last four. They can upset the odds against Montpellier, who have lost three of their last four on the road.

Only four points separate these sides, but Clermont are in torrid form right now and head to Boulogne having lost each of their last five games. They haven’t won away from home since October, while Boulogne have taken ten points from the last 15 on offer.

Cercle Brugge have won 17 of their 24 points away from home and head to Gent having earned 11 points from the last 15 available on their travels, while slight favourites Gent have lost three of their last five at home and have failed to win their last four home meetings with Cercle Brugge.

At least four goals have been scored in three of Mainz’s last seven matches and also in four of Hamburg’s last seven games. Meanwhile, three of the last five head-to-head meetings have featured four or more goals – making the generous odds-against price about more than three goals very tempting here.

Athletic Bilbao have won three of their last four games with both teams scoring in each win. Meanwhile, Elche have lost three of their last four games with both teams scoring in each defeat. Athletic Bilbao have not kept a clean sheet in La Liga since December 6th but they have beaten the bottom two, clubs not far behind Elche in the table, recently.

Blackburn have won only one of their last five home league games while Preston have lost only two of their last 10 away Championship matches. Only Sheffield Wednesday have taken fewer home points than Rovers, so it is hard to see them taking all three points here.

Both teams to score has landed in four of Annecy’s last five home games and Red Star have scored five and conceded seven in their last four fixtures, with both teams scoring in three of these.

Each of Fortuna Sittard’s last eight games have featured at least three goals, with a total of 34 goals being scored in this period, while five of Excelsior’s last eight outings have gone over 2.5 goals.

Frosinone can go top of the Serie B table with a win on Friday and they have won four of their last five home matches, while Empoli have lost three of their last five away games.

Cercle Brugge have won 17 of their 24 points away from home and head to Gent having earned 11 points from the last 15 available on their travels, while slight favourites Gent have lost three of their last five at home and have failed to win their last four home meetings with Cercle Brugge.

Rodez are unbeaten in nine Ligue 2 matches and have won three of their last four. They can upset the odds against Montpellier, who have lost three of their last four on the road.

Athletic Bilbao have won three of their last four games with both teams scoring in each win. Meanwhile, Elche have lost three of their last four games with both teams scoring in each defeat. Athletic Bilbao have not kept a clean sheet in La Liga since December 6th but they have beaten the bottom two, clubs not far behind Elche in the table, recently.

Rodez are unbeaten in nine Ligue 2 matches and have won three of their last four. They can upset the odds against Montpellier, who have lost three of their last four on the road.

Only four points separate these sides, but Clermont are in torrid form right now and head to Boulogne having lost each of their last five games. They haven’t won away from home since October, while Boulogne have taken ten points from the last 15 on offer.

Frosinone can go top of the Serie B table with a win on Friday and they have won four of their last five home matches, while Empoli have lost three of their last five away games.

At least four goals have been scored in three of Mainz’s last seven matches and also in four of Hamburg’s last seven games. Meanwhile, three of the last five head-to-head meetings have featured four or more goals – making the generous odds-against price about more than three goals very tempting here.

At least three goals have been scored in four of Brest’s last eight matches and also in eight consecutive Marseille away trips.

Each of Fortuna Sittard’s last eight games have featured at least three goals, with a total of 34 goals being scored in this period, while five of Excelsior’s last eight outings have gone over 2.5 goals.

Nadiem Amiri has scored seven goals in his last eight appearances for Mainz. He scored his sixth and seventh spot-kicks of the Bundesliga season, and eighth and ninth in all competitions, against Augsburg a fortnight ago.

Remy Labeau Lascary scored for the second successive game against Lille last time out, taking the left-winger’s tally to four for the season. He can strike against a Marseille side that have been leaky at the back of late.

Mainz have scored exactly two goals in two of their last three games while Hamburg have scored two or more goals in each of their last three. HSV have also shipped exactly twice in two of their last three games, so a 2-2 could be on the cards.

Sassuolo have been finding it hard to break opponents down at Mapei Stadium of late and may struggle to open up a Verona side likely to set up defensively. Three of Verona’a last 10 awaty league games have finished goalless so take a punt on another 0-0 here.

Athletic Bilbao have won three of their last four games with both teams scoring in each win. Meanwhile, Elche have lost three of their last four games with both teams scoring in each defeat. Athletic Bilbao have not kept a clean sheet in La Liga since December 6th but they have beaten the bottom two, clubs not far behind Elche in the table, recently.