In this double matchup, we preview the two matches in a highly-competitive group G of this year’s Champions League. Firstly, Besiktas will host Monaco, with their last fixture against each other two weeks ago resulting in a surprise Besiktas win. The other match will see Leipzig visit Porto, with Leipzig winning the last battle between the two sides in a closely-fought battle that should be repeated this Wednesday.
Besiktas (Tur) vs. Monaco (Fra)
Three-Way: 1: Besiktas +140; X: +275 Draw; 2: Monaco +231 at BetDSI Sportsbook
Spread -0.5: Besiktas +127; Monaco -133
Total +3: Over +110; Under -119
Besiktas
Besiktas’ start to the Turkish Super Lig has been mixed, although their recent win over Alanyaspor has elevated the defending champions to third in the league table. For a team that has been the Turkish champions for the last two seasons, their current position will be extremely disappointing, but it is also a sign of a Turkish league that has become increasingly competitive in recent times.
Thankfully for Besiktas, their continental form has been much better than their form domestically, being top of their group with a 100% record. Their record was maintained after a 2:1 win over Monaco in their last win, with two goals from Cenk Tosun turning the game on its head to bring the three points home. Besiktas are now top of the table by five points, and are the only side to have already guaranteed a top-three place in the Champions League. Qualifying would be particularly special for this Besiktas side as they have never done so before, but they will still not be expected to make a huge impact on this year’s competition.
Unfortunately for Besiktas and manager Senol Gunes they will be without one of his key players, winger Gokhan Tore who is out with a knee injury, while defender Atinc Nukan with a cruciate ligament rupture.
Monaco
After a tough few results for Monaco, they have seemingly recovered, at least domestically, with two 2:0 wins over Caen and Bordeaux. Although Monaco’s recent results have consolidated their second-place position, they are still four points off of league leaders Paris Saint Germain who look like they will not be letting up their lead easily. Despite being some way off the top, Monaco have shown some very good potential, in particular, going forward, with attacker Radamel Falcao having already scored thirteen goals in the league.
Monaco’s last European fixture was a disastrous event for their hopes of progression in the Champions League, having lost their last match to Besiktas 2:1 after Falcao’s first-half goal was overturned by two goals from opposition forward Cenk Tosun. The loss was Monaco’s second of this year’s Champions League, the other game resulting in a draw, meaning that Monaco is bottom of their group with just one point to their name. To have any chance of progression, the French side will have to win or face an early exit from a competition in which they reached the semi-finals last year.
Manager Leonardo Jardim will have a fully fit squad other that forward Stevan Jovetic who is out with a wound.
Besiktas (Tur) vs. Monaco (Fra) – Match Prediction:
Besiktas has done very well to get three wins from three, and that is enough to say that they will win at home. However, Monaco was hitting a bad patch of form when they played Besiktas which they have now thankfully recovered from, and I think that they have the quality to beat Besiktas despite the previous loss.
MY PICK: Monaco to WIN (+231)
FC Porto (Por) vs. RB Leipzig (Ger)
Three-Way: 1: Porto +127; X: +260 Draw; 2: Leipzig +252 at BetDSI Sportsbook
Spread -0.5: Porto +123; Leipzig -127
Total +2.5: Over -114; Under +110
FC Porto
Porto’s form in their domestic league has been stellar, not losing a single game, drawing once and winning every other match. Furthermore, Porto has scored 28 goals in ten league games, averaging 2.8 goals per game.Although their domestic start has been excellent, Sporting Lisbon is trailing close behind and will look to deny Porto from winning their first league title since 2012-13.
The one-time Champions League winners have not been in such good form in Europe, having lost two of their three fixtures. Their last fixture was an entertaining 3:2 loss to RB Leipzig, with all of the goals coming in the first half. Although the score-line was close, Leipzig deserved the win as they dominated for large spells in the match. Furthermore, the loss leaves Porto in the third position and they have a difficult task ahead of them if they wish to qualify for the next round as they did last season, but a win against RB Leipzig may make their chances seem a little brighter.
Manager Sergio Conceiçao will be without keeper Fabiano after he suffered a cruciate ligament rupture last season, while attacker Tiquinho Soares is out with a wound injury.
RB Leipzig
RB Leipzig’s domestic form was decent until they recently had to face Bayern Munich twice within four days. The first match against Bayern came in a domestic cup competition, which Leipzig lost on penalties, while the other fixture came in the league which they lost 2:0. Despite the loss, RB Leipzig still remains in third position, a Champions League qualification position, which would be another good achievement for this side if they were still there by the end of the season.
The German’s side most recent European result was a positive one, beating Porto 3:2 at home for their first ever Champions League win. Furthermore, the win and three goals were achieved with top scorer Timo Werner who has scored six goals in nine appearances this season so far. RB Leipzig is now second place in group G of the Champions League, and win in their next fixture against Porto would put them in a great position for qualification.
Manager Ralph Hasenhuttl will be without defensive midfielder Stefan Ilsanker (toe) and central midfielder Naby Keita (shin bone bruise) through injury.
FC Porto (Por) vs. RB Leipzig (Ger)– Match Prediction:
Just like in their first fixture, this match should prove to be another exciting game as both teams will need to go for the win to increase their chances of getting to the next round. Both attacks are very strong, so just like in the last game I think there is going to be a lot of goals, but it’s too difficult to pick out a winner.
MY PICK: Over 2.5 goals (-114)
