The UEFA Champions League group phase continues this week, so take a look at our tips and predictions for the Group G matches. With plenty of picks and markets to choose from, don’t waste your time and join the action at Get More Sports.
Besiktas (Tur) vs. Porto (Por)
Three-Way: 1: Besiktas +225; X: +229 Draw; 2: Porto +165 at BetDSI Sportsbook
Spread 0: Besiktas +125; Porto -125
Total +2.5: Over +116; Under -116
BESIKTAS
The Black Eagles are in a fine form of six matches without a defeat, and although they don’t have the best of times in the Turkish Super Lig, they are at the top of the group G in the Champions League. Besiktas collected ten points in four games, and they need just a point to secure the place in the knockout stage, and not only that; the reigning Turkish champions will be the first in the group, which will give them a relatively weaker opponent in the 1/8 finals. ŞenolGüneş’ squad drew the latest match in the domestic championship with Akhisar as Ricardo Quaresma missed the penalty in the 11th minute, so the clash ended in a scoreless stalemate.
Besiktas played 17 games so far in the 2017/18, recording nine victories, five draws, and three losses, with a goal difference of 28:17, which is 2.65 goals per contest on average. The Black Eagles suffered just one defeat at home this year, but they drew the previous five at Vodafone Park, conceding in four, so it will be surprising to see them keeping the clean sheet against Porto who is in an excellent form.
Cenk Tosun is the team’s top scorer with ten goals in 16 appearances, while Ryan Babel with six, and Talisca with five are following Tosun on a goal-scoring chart. The Portuguese veteran Ricardo Quaresma is the most creative individual with six assists to his name; the left-back Caner Erkin added five, while Babel has three dishes at the moment. ŞenolGüneş will miss the centre-back Pepe who is sidelined with an injury, while AtincNukan, Denys Boyko, and Gokhan Tore are also forced to miss this tilt.
PORTO
The Dragons are playing well lately as they won the previous four matches, scoring 11 goals in that span, and are at the top of the Portuguese Primeira Liga with four points ahead of Sporting Lisbon. Porto collected six points in four games in the Champions League, and with two points more than Leipzig, SérgioConceição’s side is in a solid position to continue their participation in the next phase. Porto was 1:2 down in the last minute in the Portuguese Cup tilt with Portimonense, but Vincent Aboubakar and Yacine Brahimi scored in a comeback win.
Porto played 18 games in this campaign, recording 14 victories, two draws, and two losses, with a goal difference of 48:13, which is 3.38 goals per contest on average. The Dragons allowed only three goals in the previous five road matches, all thee in Germany against Leipzig, and already beat Besiktas in Turkey on two occasions – in the Europa League in 2010, and in the Champions League in 2007.
The Cameroonian striker Vincent Aboubakar is the team’s leading scorer with 15 goals in 17 appearances, while Moussa Marega contributed with eight goals thus far. The Brazilian left-back Alex Teles is the best assist-maker with seven dishes to his name; Oliver Torres has five, while Marega and Yacine Brahimi added four assists apiece. Sérgio Conceição is without the forward Tiquinho Soares, Marega, and the midfielder Otavio as they are all injured and unable to help their teammates on this one.
Besiktas (Tur) vs. Porto (Por) – Match Prediction
The hosts need a point here, but that doesn’t mean they will play defensive football and leave the space to Porto to attack. In fact, I believe Besiktas will play as usual in front of their own fans, but I think the visitors are good enough to score, so I am backing goals on both ends.
MY PICK: Both teams to score YES (-110)
Monaco (Fra) vs. Leipzig (Ger)
Three-Way: 1: Monaco +145; X: +280 Draw; 2: Leipzig +210 at BetDSI Sportsbook
Spread 0: Monaco -128; Leipzig +129
Total +3: Over +110; Under -108
MONACO
The Monégasques are without a loss in the last five matches, but they failed to beat Amiens in the French Ligue 1, and are now in the second place on the standings with six points behind PSG. Monaco is not in the best position in the group G of the Champions League with just two points in four games four points fewer than Porto who is in the 2nd spot in the group. Only a victory here will keep Monaco alive, while a draw or defeat will definitely knock them out.
Monaco played 18 games in this season, recording nine wins, four draws, and five losses, with a goal difference of 39:22, which is 3.38 goals per contest on average. The Red and Whites won the last two home matches, scoring eight goals and allowing none in return, so that is a bit encouraging sign for Leonardo Jardim and fans.
Radamel Falcao s the team’s top scorer with 14 goals in 14 appearances, and the Colombian returned to the pitch at Amiens, and there is no doubt El Tigre will pose the greatest threat to Leipzig’s defense as Monaco looks more dangerous with him in the squad. Rony Lopes, Keita Balde, and Adama Traore chipped in with three goals, while Joao Moutinho and Lopes are the most creative individuals with five assists apiece. Leonardo Jardim cannot count on the left winger Thomas Lemar who is sidelined with a shoulder injury and will not be back before December, while the right-back Djibril Sidibe is out with osteitis pubis.
RED BULL LEIPZIG
The Red Bulls are not playing well at the moment as they won only one match in the previous five, and are currently in the third position in the Bundesliga with six points behind Bayern Munich. Timo Werner and Emil Forsberg scored from the penalty spot against Bayer in Leverkusen, but the hosts managed to snatch a 2:2 draw despite having ten men on the pitch since the 52nd minute. Leipzig has four points in the group G of the Champions League, and although they are in a slightly better situation than Monaco, the Germans also need three points here or else their Champions League campaign could be over.
Leipzig played 18 games in the 201718 so far, recording nine victories, three draws, and six losses, with a goal difference 31:25, which is 3.11 goals per contest on average. The Red Bulls failed to win in the last three away matches, conceding seven goals in the process, so it would be a miracle if they keep the clean sheet on this one. The first duel between these rivals ended 1:1, and goals on both ends here should not be missed as well.
Timo Werner is the team’s leading scorer with nine goals in 16 appearances, while Marcel Sabitzer, Yussuf Poulsen, Emil Forsberg, and Jean-Kevin Augustin scored four goals each. Sabitzer is the best assist-maker with six dishes to his name, while the Danish international Poulsen recorded five assists. Ralph Hasenhüttl will be without Stefan Ilsanker (toe), Dayot Upamecano (knee), Diego Demme (knock), while Naby Keita is doubtful as he suffered a slight injury against Leverkusen.
Monaco (Fra) vs. Leipzig (Ger) – Match Prediction
Both teams are desperate for a win here, and I can only imagine that they will play without thinking about defense, so expect plenty of goals on each side. My pick here is to go with the over.
MY PICK: Over 3 goals (+110)
