Champions League Tips

Cheltenham are showing no sign of downing tools for the season and they can make it four wins in a row at home to Tranmere. Rovers are in a five-team fight for survival in League Two but have taken only two points from their last 12 matches.

Plymouth are making a strong late charge towards the playoff places with six wins in their last nine games and they have won three of their last four on the road. Bradford failed to beat 10-man Barnsley on Saturday and lost their last home match to Stevenage, so they look vulnerable.

Toulouse have conceded 10 goals across three defeats ahead of this game, and each of those losses came against the three top sides in Ligue 1. In fact, the visitors have lost all six clashes with the top three, including Friday’s 3-2 defeat at second-placed Lens. The hosts have made the semis of the cup in high-scoring fashion, scoring 12 times in four games while keeping only one clean sheet.

Brighton have taken 10 points from their last four Premier League games and look good value to win a fourth successive meeting with Chelsea, who head to the Amex Stadium having lost six of their last seven games.

Inter Milan have scored eight goals against Como in Serie A this season, including a 4-3 win earlier this month. The Nerazzurri have returned from the international break with three wins from three, scoring 12 times. The Serie A leaders have scored 2.76 goals per game at home in the league this season, with 71% of their home matches featuring three or more goals.

The Raptors lost by 13 points in Cleveland, continuing their abysmal record against the best sides in the NBA. The line has barely moved for Game 2, with Toronto aiming to keep things closer. However, the Raptors were fortunate to be that close in their opener, as Scottie Barnes and Jamal Shead combined to make eight of their 10 three-point attempts. Given the pair shoot around 30% from deep, this could easily have been a 30-point blow-out.

The Raptors lost by 13 points in Cleveland, continuing their abysmal record against the best sides in the NBA. The line has barely moved for Game 2, with Toronto aiming to keep things closer. However, the Raptors were fortunate to be that close in their opener, as Scottie Barnes and Jamal Shead combined to make eight of their 10 three-point attempts. Given the pair shoot around 30% from deep, this could easily have been a 30-point blow-out.

Atlanta will make all the necessary adjustments going into Game 2. There were some positives to take away from the opener despite an 11-point loss. Johnson and Alexander-Walker both struggled offensively. That duo can adjust and bounce back, pushing the Hawks closer at least. Atlanta also won once already at MSG this season, while their final regular-season meeting earlier this month was decided by three points. Three of the Knicks’ four wins at this stage last season came by three points or fewer, which suggests Atlanta can keep this competitive.

There were 221 points in Game 1, with the injuries that the Timberwolves are carrying impacting their scoring ability. That final number was boosted by the Nuggets getting to the free throw line 33 times and making 30 of those. Denver also looks stronger defensively than in the regular season, where their injury issues saw them struggle to keep scores down. The under landed in 55.4% of Minnesota’s regular-season games, and both sides are capable of restricting their opponent’s opportunities.

Wrexham have conceded in seven of their last nine Championship trips, and they’ve conceded 25 times across their 21 trips in this campaign. Oxford have yet to lose at home to a side in the top eight, with six of those seven encounters seeing both teams score.

With promotion confirmed, the nerves which saw Coventry draw three straight games should be lifted. The Sky Blues can play with a swagger as they look to secure the title. Portsmouth have won three straight to secure their second-tier status, and they can build on scoring in seven consecutive away games.

Alaves have seen both teams score in seven of their last eight games, which includes netting three goals against seventh-placed Real Sociedad and four at sixth-placed Celta Vigo. They can trouble a Real side that has conceded in eight straight La Liga matches.

Toulouse have conceded 21 goals across their six defeats to the top three in Ligue 1, but they’ve got solid underlying numbers going forward. The visitors have seen BTTS land in all of their visits to Ligue 1’s top five.

Inter Milan scored four times in both league meetings between the sides this season, and they’ve won four of their last five encounters with Como. The visitors have suffered back-to-back Serie A defeats, but they can score a consolation goal against an Inter side that has seen BTTS land in four of their last five.

Alaves are unbeaten in four, drawing three of those, while they’ve netted at least twice in four of their last five matches. Real have dropped points in consecutive La Liga matches, and they could fall short with their title hopes looking remote.

Welbeck has six career goals against Chelsea, boosted by a brace in Brighton’s win in September. The forward has scored seven of his 12 goals this term at the Amex, and he has found the net in two of his last three appearances at home.

Windass has scored a team-high seven away goals this season, and he can continue his fine form on Tuesday. Windass has scored in four of his last five games for Wrexham, and he’s backed to find the net at Oxford.

Valverde has scored in his previous four league games for Real, while he scored a hat-trick against Man City last month, along with netting for Uruguay at Wembley.

Marcus Thuram scored for France in the international break, and since then, he’s scored in three straight appearances for Inter. That includes a brace against Como, and the striker has struck in both Serie A meetings between the sides this term. Thuram also found the net in last season’s home win over Como, so back him to continue his fine recent run.

Marcus Thuram scored for France in the international break, and since then, he’s scored in three straight appearances for Inter. That includes a brace against Como, and the striker has struck in both Serie A meetings between the sides this term. Thuram also found the net in last season’s home win over Como, so back him to continue his fine recent run.

Oxford are unbeaten at home to the Championship’s top eight, and they have drawn four of those seven meetings. Both teams have scored in each of those draws, including two which finished 1-1. No top-half side has shared more draws than Wrexham (13), and seven of those have finished 1-1.

Chelsea have failed to score in five of their last seven games, losing each of them, and they face a Brighton side that have scored exactly two goals in each of their last three fixtures.

Inter Milan have scored eight goals against Como in Serie A this season, including a 4-3 win earlier this month. The Nerazzurri have returned from the international break with three wins from three, scoring 12 times. The Serie A leaders have scored 2.76 goals per game at home in the league this season, with 71% of their home matches featuring three or more goals.

This is a big game for third-placed Cambridge and Grimsby, who are just outside the playoff places, and it could be an entertaining contest. There have been over 2.5 goals in five of the Mariners’ last six matches and this fixture could follow suit with both sides pressing for the three points.

Barnsley have improved in recent weeks to achieve a safe mid-table position but they still find wins hard to come by with only one victory in their last nine games. Stevenage have taken 10 points from their last four home games and can boost their playoff hopes by grinding out a win.

Stockport conceded a costly late equaliser at Exeter on Saturday but they have won four home league games in a row and can see off Mansfield, who are now safe from the threat of relegation. The Stags have not won any of their last four matches.

Southampton are in excellent form and have won their last five games at St Mary’s. Bristol City lost at home to Norwich on Saturday and the Saints can march into their FA Cup semi-final on the back of another victory.

Just a point separates Queens Park Rangers and Swansea in the standings, but Tuesday’s visitors are poor on the road. The visitors have won just six times away from home this season, while QPR have won ten out of 21 at home, and are unbeaten in three at Loftus Road.

This is a big game for third-placed Cambridge and Grimsby, who are just outside the playoff places, and it could be an entertaining contest. There have been over 2.5 goals in five of the Mariners’ last six matches and this fixture could follow suit with both sides pressing for the three points.

Brighton have taken 10 points from their last four Premier League games and look good value to win a fourth successive meeting with Chelsea, who head to the Amex Stadium having lost six of their last seven games.

Wrexham have conceded in seven of their last nine Championship trips, and they’ve conceded 25 times across their 21 trips in this campaign. Oxford have yet to lose at home to a side in the top eight, with six of those seven encounters seeing both teams score.

Alaves have seen both teams score in seven of their last eight games, which includes netting three goals against seventh-placed Real Sociedad and four at sixth-placed Celta Vigo. They can trouble a Real side that has conceded in eight straight La Liga matches.

Lincoln City are honing in on the League One title, and they head to a Doncaster side that has conceded 10 goals across their three meetings with the top two. That includes a 4-0 home defeat to Cardiff, but Donny are usually good for a goal at home, so they can contribute to a high-scoring game.

Alaves have seen both teams score in seven of their last eight games, which includes netting three goals against seventh-placed Real Sociedad and four at sixth-placed Celta Vigo. They can trouble a Real side that has conceded in eight straight La Liga matches.

Toulouse have conceded 10 goals across three defeats ahead of this game, and each of those losses came against the three top sides in Ligue 1. In fact, the visitors have lost all six clashes with the top three, including Friday’s 3-2 defeat at second-placed Lens. The hosts have made the semis of the cup in high-scoring fashion, scoring 12 times in four games while keeping only one clean sheet.

Man City know a win will see them replace Arsenal at the top of the pile and they have been have been in strong scoring form with 11 goals across their last four games. City hammered the Clarets 5-1 in the reverse fixture and look capable of covering a -2 handicap on Wednesday.

Barcelona have celebrated their return to the Nou Camp with 16 wins from 16 home games this term. They’re expected to complete a double over Celta Vigo, following a 4-2 away win in November. Celta have suffered four defeats in five across all competitions, but they’ve scored in 13 of their 15 league trips.

Sevilla’s win over Atletico Madrid ended a three-game losing streak, but they remain only two points above the drop zone. Levante have won all three of their home meetings with the bottom six this season. They were also 3-0 winners in their visit to Sevilla earlier this term. 

Stuttgart’s two home defeats have come against Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund, winning 11 of 13 matches outside of that. They’ve conceded just 14 goals, half of which came in those two defeats. Visitors Freiburg have lost all of their six visits to the Bundesliga’s top eight, failing to score in five of those.

RB Leipzig have strengthened their grip on a Champions League spot with six wins from seven. The visitors have lost five of their last seven, and nine of their 14 defeats this term have come by a two-goal margin or greater. Seven of Leipzig’s 10 home wins have been by two goals or more.

Southampton have been in brilliant form since the FA Cup third round, scoring in every game since their 3-2 win over Doncaster. City have hit top gear in recent weeks, and they are worthy favourites to make it to the FA Cup final for the fourth season running. However, the Saints have proven capable of causing problems going forward, so back them to score in a defeat.

Daniele De Rossi has made Genoa into a more open side, and his side have scored at least twice in six of their last seven home games. Cesc Fabregas has made Como into one of Serie A’s most progressive sides. His team have netted 15 goals across their visits to teams in the bottom half, but they’ve lost 4-3 to Inter and 2-1 to Sassuolo in their last two league games.

Chelsea’s loss to Manchester United was their sixth defeat in seven, and the Blues have failed to score in five of their last six. Leeds have had the Blues’ number this season, beating them 3-1 at Elland Road, before fighting back from 2-0 down to draw at Stamford Bridge.

Toulouse have conceded 10 goals across three defeats ahead of this game, and each of those losses came against the three top sides in Ligue 1. In fact, the visitors have lost all six clashes with the top three, including Friday’s 3-2 defeat at second-placed Lens. The hosts have made the semis of the cup in high-scoring fashion, scoring 12 times in four games while keeping only one clean sheet.

Inter Milan scored four times in both league meetings between the sides this season, and they’ve won four of their last five encounters with Como. The visitors have suffered back-to-back Serie A defeats, but they can score a consolation goal against an Inter side that has seen BTTS land in four of their last five.

Alaves have seen both teams score in seven of their last eight games, which includes netting three goals against seventh-placed Real Sociedad and four at sixth-placed Celta Vigo. They can trouble a Real side that has conceded in eight straight La Liga matches.

Nuno hasn’t quite lived up to his tag as a defensive specialist at West Ham, with the Hammers conceding in four of their last five, and 12 of their 14 league trips. However, West Ham have scored in 10 of 12 away games against teams outside the top six, and they can score and concede against a Palace side that has returned from a trip to Italy, with their focus switched towards their prospects in Europe.

Both teams have scored in each of Barracas Central’s last three home league games, netting a total of five goals and conceding four, while Belgrano have scored in three of their last four away games but have only kept one clean sheet in this sequence.

Both teams have scored in each of AGF Aarhus’ last seven away games and in three of Midtjylland’s last four at home, while there have been goals at both ends in the last three meetings between these sides in Midtjylland.

Mirandes are five points adrift of safety in the Spanish Segunda Division and have lost five of their last eight away games. They have scored in six of these eight trips, though, and could find a consolation against a Deportivo La Coruna that have conceded in four of their last six home games, winning four of them.

AGF Aarhus lead the way in the Danish Superliga and are unbeaten in their last eight games, including an away draw at Midtjylland in the Danish Cup. Monday’s hosts are winless in their last five home matches.

Barracas Central have only lost one of their last nine games and one of their last seven at home, while favourites Belgrano have only won two of their last six on the road and have failed to win their last three trips to Barracas Central.

At least three goals have been scored in five of Moreirense’s last 10 home games and also in seven of Estoril’s last eight away matches.

Nuno hasn’t quite lived up to his tag as a defensive specialist at West Ham, with the Hammers conceding in four of their last five, and 12 of their 14 league trips. However, West Ham have scored in 10 of 12 away games against teams outside the top six, and they can score and concede against a Palace side that has returned from a trip to Italy, with their focus switched towards their prospects in Europe.

Lecce have lost their last four league games and lost five of their last eight at home. They look vulnerable to another defeat against a Fiorentina side that have won three of their last four away Serie A matches and beat Crystal Palace 2-1 on Thursday.

Both teams have scored in each of Barracas Central’s last three home league games, netting a total of five goals and conceding four, while Belgrano have scored in three of their last four away games but have only kept one clean sheet in this sequence.

Mirandes are five points adrift of safety in the Spanish Segunda Division and have lost five of their last eight away games. They have scored in six of these eight trips, though, and could find a consolation against a Deportivo La Coruna that have conceded in four of their last six home games, winning four of them.

AGF Aarhus lead the way in the Danish Superliga and are unbeaten in their last eight games, including an away draw at Midtjylland in the Danish Cup. Monday’s hosts are winless in their last five home matches.

At least three goals have been scored in five of Moreirense’s last 10 home games and also in seven of Estoril’s last eight away matches.

Nuno hasn’t quite lived up to his tag as a defensive specialist at West Ham, with the Hammers conceding in four of their last five, and 12 of their 14 league trips. However, West Ham have scored in 10 of 12 away games against teams outside the top six, and they can score and concede against a Palace side that has returned from a trip to Italy, with their focus switched towards their prospects in Europe.

Lecce have lost their last four league games and lost five of their last eight at home. They look vulnerable to another defeat against a Fiorentina side that have won three of their last four away Serie A matches and beat Crystal Palace 2-1 on Thursday.

Barracas Central have only lost one of their last nine games and one of their last seven at home, while favourites Belgrano have only won two of their last six on the road and have failed to win their last three trips to Barracas Central.

Mirandes are five points adrift of safety in the Spanish Segunda Division and have lost five of their last eight away games. They have scored in six of these eight trips, though, and could find a consolation against a Deportivo La Coruna that have conceded in four of their last six home games, winning four of them.

Lecce have lost their last four league games and lost five of their last eight at home. They look vulnerable to another defeat against a Fiorentina side that have won three of their last four away Serie A matches and beat Crystal Palace 2-1 on Thursday.

West Ham have suffered nine of their 16 defeats against the top seven, and they can pick up another point against a Palace side that have won only four times at home in the league this season. The Eagles have picked up seven draws at their own ground, so back this to finish 1-1.

Back the visitors to pick up a fourth away league win in five and potentially by the minimum scoreline of 1-0, which has occurred most frequently among their recent successes.

Summerville is back in the West Ham side, and he can find some more joy away from home. Four of his five Premier League goals have been scored away from the London Stadium, and Summerville has scored in five of his last six away appearances across all competitions.

At least three goals have been scored in five of Moreirense’s last 10 home games and also in seven of Estoril’s last eight away matches.