Champions League Tips

This is a dead-rubber for already eliminated Nice and they may field a weakened team, while a lack of motivation is also likely to be an issue. GA Eagles are still in the mix for a play-off spot and arrive in good form as they’re unbeaten in five. The Dutch outfit have wins over Aston Villa and Panathinaikos in the league phase and they can pull off another shock in the south of France.

Ferencvaros remain unbeaten in the league phase with four wins from their six games. With home advantage, the Hungarian side can see off Panathinaikos but they ma concede in victory. Both teams have scored in each of the hosts’ last four games, while Panathinaikos have hit a respectable nine goals across their six games in this competition.

Celta Vigo have been in good form lately winning their last three, and come up against an out of form Lillie side. With home advantage on their side the Spanish outfit can extend their winning streak to four games.

Utrecht have just one point on the board after six rounds of fixtures, although admittedly they have had a particularly tough draw. The Dutch side are in poor form in general with three consecutive losses, and Genk can take advantage as they target the top eight. Genk have won at Rangers and Braga already in the league phase and they can boost their automatic last 16 chances with victory in the Netherlands.

Charlotte is playing on a 2nd night of a back-to-back after scoring just 87 points in a 7-point home loss to the Cavs. They face a well rested Orlando team that just got Franz Wagner back from injury. Orlando has the 10th best defensive efficiency in their last 5 outings, they are 5-1 ATS/SU in 6 meetings and can cover the spread here.

The two teams split the first two meetings with the home side coming out on top by double-digits each time. Injuries will play a huge part in the outcome of Thursday’s game, especially if the Clippers are without Kawhi. The Lakers have looked solid in back-to-back wins over the Raptors and Nuggets and can pick up a win here.

The two teams split the first two meetings with the home side coming out on top by double-digits each time. Injuries will play a huge part in the outcome of Thursday’s game, especially if the Clippers are without Kawhi. The Lakers have looked solid in back-to-back wins over the Raptors and Nuggets and can pick up a win here.

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.

Aryna Sabalanka has reached each of the last six Grand Slam finals played on hardcourts and has won four of those. The Belarusian has won two of the last three editions of the Australian Open and can respond to the disappointment of losing last year’s final by taking the trophy in 2026.

Fenerbahce have lost just one of their six league phase games and have seven points from three home games. The Turkish side can at least avoid defeat against Villa, who have failed to score in two of their last three matches.

Bologna have seen both teams score in five of their last six starts, while the Italian side are without a clean sheet across their last 14 fixtures. The Rossoblu have conceded in five of their six Europa League games, while Celtic have generated 7.5 xG across their last four European matches, with eight goals being shared across O’Neill’s two games in charge in this competition.

Porto are on a nine-game winning run across all competitions and they can end Plzen’s unbeaten record in the league phase. The hosts had to cling on for a goalless draw against Panathinaikos in their last European game and Porto have enough quality in attack to grind out a win in the Czech Republic.

Malmo have looked out of their depth in this competition with just one point to show from six games, conceding 12 goals and scoring just three themselves in the process. Red Star have won their last three European games against a higher standard of opponent and can claim the spoils in Sweden.

Bologna have seen both teams score in five of their last six starts, while the Italian side are without a clean sheet across their last 14 fixtures. The Rossoblu have conceded in five of their six Europa League games, while Celtic have generated 7.5 xG across their last four European matches, with eight goals being shared across O’Neill’s two games in charge in this competition.

Feyenoord have gone 15 games without keeping a clean sheet but they have only failed to score themselves in two of those games. Sturm Graz have also struggled for shut-outs with just one in their last eight competitive games, but they have scored themselves in seven of those fixtures. This is also a must-win game for both sides so an early goal could open this clash up.

Both teams posses plenty of attacking talent and have no shortage of goals. It’s likely this game will end with both teams scoring. Roma have scored eight goals in their last five games, while Stuttgart have scored in each of their eight away matches.

Ferencvaros have scored 11 goals across their six Europa League games and both teams have scored in each of their last four European outings. Panathinaikos have hit a respectable nine goals across their six games in this competition, so both of these attacks look capable of finding a way through.

Ferencvaros remain unbeaten in the league phase with four wins from their six games. With home advantage, the Hungarian side can see off Panathinaikos but they ma concede in victory. Both teams have scored in each of the hosts’ last four games, while Panathinaikos have hit a respectable nine goals across their six games in this competition.

Promotion hopefuls Lincoln are on a nine-game unbeaten run and they should have too much for relegation-threatened Burton. The Imps have struggled for clean sheets of late, however, as they have conceded in seven of their last eight games. Burton have found a bit of form in front of goal of late and they can strike in defeat.

Roma have won six of their last eight home games and can make the most of home advantage, but Stuttgart carry enough attacking threat to get on the scoresheet as they have scored in each of their eight away matches.

Only a win will do for Salzburg if they are to stand any chance of progressing beyond the league phase but they could come unstuck against Basel. The visitors are also in desperate need of points and they arrive in form with just one defeat in their last eight competitive games. Salzburg have lost five of their six league phase games and Basel look well placed to leave with maximum points.

Only a win will do for Salzburg if they are to stand any chance of progressing beyond the league phase but they could come unstuck against Basel. The visitors are also in desperate need of points and they arrive in form with just one defeat in their last eight competitive games. Salzburg have lost five of their six league phase games and Basel look well placed to leave with maximum points.

Seven of Ludogorets’ eight Europa League games, including qualifying, have gone over 2.5 goals and this could be another entertaining affair. Rangers are a team on the up after winning six on the bounce and they will be desperate to get a first European success, take the overs.

Both teams posses plenty of attacking talent and have no shortage of goals. It’s likely this game will end with both teams scoring. Roma have scored eight goals in their last five games, while Stuttgart have scored in each of their eight away matches.

Celta Vigo have been in good form lately winning their last three, and come up against an out of form Lillie side. With home advantage on their side the Spanish outfit can extend their winning streak to four games.

Petar Stanic has starred for Ludogorets in this competition and is the Europa League’s top scorer with six goals. The Serbian has either scored or assisted, or both, in four of his side’s six games and he can get on the scoresheet at Ibrox.

Visiting forward Milan Smit has three goals to his name in the league phase and heads to Nice after scoring in back-to-back domestic fixtures. The 22-year-old can add to his tally for GA Eagles on Thursday.

Burton have hit a bit of form in front of goal with eight goals scored across their last two games, while over 2.5 goals has landed in each of their last three games, Lincoln have seen at least three goals scored in six of their last eight games – seven of which have seen both teams score – so these sides can combine for at least three goals in total.

Seven of Ludogorets’ eight Europa League games, including qualifying, have gone over 2.5 goals and this could be another entertaining affair. Rangers are a team on the up after winning six on the bounce and they will be desperate to get a first European success, take the overs.

Five of Braga’s six Europa League games have gone under 2.5 goals and Nottingham Forest have hardly been prolific as of late so this could be another low-scoring affair. Take the unders in this European clash.

Rangers have endured a miserable European campaign but they’ve hit some form domestically with six straight wins and can make it seven in a row against Ludogorets. Both teams have scored in seven of Ludogrets’ last eight European games and a repeat of that could be on the cards in this one, we fancy a 2-1 win for the hosts.

Five of Braga’s six Europa League games have gone under 2.5 goals and Nottingham Forest have hardly been prolific as of late so this could be another low-scoring affair. Nottingham Forest have drawn back-to-back games and could have to settle for another in this game, a 1-1 draw is the correct score selection in this clash.

Velez Sarsfield finished 10 points ahead of Instituto in the Clausura last season and have won three of the last five head-to-head meetings. The visitors can kick off their Apertura bid with three points.

Backing goals at both ends looks the standout bet here. Both teams scored in four of Banfield’s final five games last season and they went six games without keeping a clean sheet, while Huracan signed off last term by conceding in each of their final five games.

Union Santa Fe finished second in the Clausura last season and look well placed to open the new campaign with a win. Visitors Platense ended last term with a 10-game winless run – losing their final six away assignments.

Union Santa Fe finished second in the Clausura last season and look well placed to open the new campaign with a win. Visitors Platense ended last term with a 10-game winless run – losing their final six away assignments.

Wellington look worth the risk as underdogs when they head to New South Wales on Friday. The Phoenix won at Sydney last time out and have now managed back-to-back away wins, while they have 10 points to show from the last 15 available. Newcastle sit third overall but have the second worst home record in the division, losing four of their six games at this venue, so Wellington may be able to pull off a minor upset.

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.