The UEFA Champions League group phase continues this week, so take a look at our tips and predictions for the Group E matches. With plenty of picks and markets to choose from, don’t waste your time and join the action at Get More Sports.
Spartak Moscow (Rus) vs. Sevilla (Spa)
Three-Way: 1: Spartak Moscow +390; X: +286 Draw; 2: Sevilla -116
Spread +0.5: Spartak Moscow +117; Sevilla -120
Total +2.5: Over -108; Under +100
SPARTAK MOSCOW
The Red-Whites are in a fine form as they are unbeaten in the last nine matches and a 2:3 loss to city rivals Lokomotiv Moscow. Spartak avoided defeat against Liverpool at Otkrytie Arena in the previous round of the Champions League thanks to Fernando’s free-kick goal and heroics of their goalkeepers Artem Rebrov and Aleksandr Selikhov. Although they had a 1:0 lead, Spartak was very lucky to snatch a draw, and now they have two points out of the first two games, the same amount as Liverpool. The reigning Russian champions are in a two-win run in the league as they beat Ural and then Akhmat Grozny last Friday. The captain Denis Glushakov and substitute Lorenzo Melgarejo scored goals and secured a 2:1 victory at Grozny.
Spartak has played 17 games so far in the 2017/18 campaign, recording seven victories, seven draws, and three defeats, with a goal difference of 26:21, which is a bit over 2.75 goals per contest on average. When it comes to home games, the Red-Whites have five wins, a pair of draws, and suffered only one loss, scoring 15 and conceding eight goals in the process.
Quincy Promes is the team’s top scorer with nine goals, and he also added four assists to his name, the same number as Lorenzo Melgarejo. Luiz Adriano has four goals, while Glushakov, Pasalic, Melgarejo, Samedov, and Fernando scored two goals each. Promes and Adriano will represent the biggest threat to Sevilla’s defense, so the visitors must pay special attention to the pair. The forward Ze Luis is still sidelined with an abdominal muscle injury and will be out until the end of October, while Artem Rebrov (knee), Roman Zobnin, Artem Timofeev, Georgi Tigiev ( all out with ruptured cruciate ligaments), and Jano Ananidze (foot) are all long-term absentees.
SEVILLA
Los Rojiblancos lost two out of the last three games in La Liga, including the one to Athletic Bilbao on Saturday, in which they failed to score. Despite a weaker form in the league, Sevilla is at the top of their Champions League group with four points and are considered as favorites for the clash in Moscow. The Spaniards missed plenty of goal-scoring opportunities at Bilbao but will have a decent chance to bounce back on Tuesday and collect three points that would put them in an excellent position for the remainder of the UCL group phase.
Sevilla played 12 games in the 2017/18 season so far, recording seven wins, three draws, and two losses, with a goal difference of 18:9, which is 2.25 goals per contest on average. Their away form is not perfect as both defeats came away from Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, while they drew a match at Anfield against Liverpool when it was 2:2. Failing to score in the previous two away matches is undoubtedly concerning for Eduardo Berizzo, but I think they will snap that negative run at Moscow.
Wissam Ben Yedder is Sevilla’s leading scorer with seven goals to his name, while Luis Muriel, Sergio Escudero, and Ganso recorded a pair of goals each. Joaquin Correa and Franco Vasquez are the most creative with three assists, while Jesus Navas, Sebastien Corchia, and Nolito contributed with a couple of dishes. The midfielder Steven N’Zonzi sustained an ankle injury against Bilbao and is not available for this clash, as well as Nico Pareja (osteitis pubis) and Daniel Carrico (muscle).
Spartak Moscow (Rus) vs. Sevilla (Spa) – Match Prediction
Spartak is playing well at the moment and they could be closer to the victory in this Champions League matchup than the bookies think, so I am sure they will find the way to the net, but I believe Sevilla is good enough to score as well.
MY PICK: Both teams to score YES (-115)
Maribor (Slo) vs. Liverpool (Eng)
Three-Way: 1: Maribor +2200; X: +725 Draw; 2: Liverpool -370
Spread +2: Maribor +108; Liverpool -110
Total +3: Over +102; Under +104
MARIBOR
The Purples are currently in the 2nd position in their domestic league with two points behind Olimpija Ljubljana, and the reigning champions are without a loss in the Prva Liga. It’s not that great for Maribor in the Champions League, but on the other hand, nobody expects them to qualify for the knockout phase. They drew the opening match with Spartak Moscow but suffered a 0-3 defeat to Sevilla in Spain. Liverpool is a big favorite on Tuesday night, but Maribor should not be underestimated when playing at beautiful Ljudski Vrt.
Maribor have played 21 games this season, recording 13 victories, six draws, and two losses, both in the Champions League. They scored 32 and conceded 16 goals, which is almost 2.3 goals per contest on average. The Purples are undefeated at home in this campaign, where they allowed only four in ten outings, so Liverpool has the chance to become the first team who beat Maribor at Ljudski Vrt.
Jasmin Mesanovic and Marcos Tavares are the team’s leading scorers with six goals each, while Damjan Bohar and Aleks Pihler are following them with four, and three, respectively. Mesanovic is also the biggest threat when not on the score-sheet as he recorded five assists as well, and with Tavares in tandem, he can potentially hurt Simon Mignolet and Liverpool defense. The centre-backs Denis Sme and Marko Suler cannot help their teammates due to injuries, but the rest of the team is healthy and ready to go.
LIVERPOOL
The Reds had a chance to end a poor form with a North-West Derby victory over Man United, but David de Gea’s heroics prevented them, so Mourinho and the Red Devils held Liverpool scoreless at Anfield for the second straight year. Liverpool must win in Maribor or their situation in the Champions League will become quite awkward, and the five-time champions are huge favorites on Tuesday night. Jurgen Klopp’s side has only one win in last eight matches, so getting three points here is imperative for them.
Liverpool played 13 games in the 2017/18 season, recording five wins, six draws, and two defeats, with a goal difference of 22:20, which is just over 3.20 goals per contest on average. With so many draws already, the potential stalemate here will additionally frustrate the fans, as Liverpool drew the first two matches in the group and they need a victory here. The Reds are also in a hot and cold form away from Anfield, and even though the bookies are giving them excellent chances to take all three points in Maribor, it’s not going to be that easy.
Mohamed Salah is the team’s top scorer with six goals to his name, while Roberto Firmino with four, and Philippe Coutinho and Sadio Mane with three each are behind the Egyptian at the moment. Bobby Firmino has three assists to his name, but he’s not in good form of late and is struggling in front of the goal, so it is unknown whether Klopp will stick with him or opts for Daniel Sturridge. Adam Lallana (hamstring), Nathaniel Clyne (back), and Sadio Mane (hamstring) are all out and unavailable for this encounter.
Maribor (Slo) vs. Liverpool (Eng) – Match Prediction
Liverpool was unlucky when it comes to scoring goals recently, but I think they will score at least a pair on this one, so I am backing them to win and score a couple in the process.
MY PICK: Liverpool AH +2 (-110)
