The Champions League group stages have now reached match-day four and both Manchester clubs are in action on Wednesday as they seek to secure a spot in the knock-out stages of Europe’s elite club competition (Champions League match-day four).
Manchester United are currently second in the Group C table, after one win and two draws from their opening three fixtures. The Reds host Romanian minnows Otelul Galati on Wednesday night and are heavy favourites to secure the victory at 1/10, the visitors are a massive 25/1 to record a shock win at Old Trafford and the draw is 9/1.
United should have no problems in seeing off their Romanian opponents and in the half-time/full-time market a Manchester United/Manchester United result pays out at 1/4. Boss Sir Alex Ferguson is set to name a strong side as although Otelul shouldn’t represent a massive test United need to secure the victory to bolster their chances of reaching the latter stages and Javier Hernandez can be backed at 5/2 to open the scoring.
Manchester City desperately need to secure three points in their trip to Villarreal. The Premier League leaders have impressed domestically but have struggled in Europe and have won one, drawn one and lost one so far, leaving them third in the Group A table.
A loss for Villarreal would be catastrophic as they are yet to register a single point in Europe after three games. It promises to be a hard-fought game at El Madrigal on Wednesday but City should have the quality to secure the win against Villarreal, who are also struggling for form in La Liga, and City are 8/13 to come away as winners, while the hosts are 5/1 and the draw is 11/4.
Boss Roberto Mancini is expected to include Manchester derby hero Mario Balotelli in his Champions League squad for the first time this season. The temperamental Italian has missed the first three games of the campaign due to a suspension that has been hanging over him since last season but Balotelli has plenty of Champions League experience, having been a member of the Inter Milan squad that secured the title in 2010. Balotelli is priced at evens to score at any time and considering his form of late it could be worth backing the 21-year-old to hit the target in Spain on Wednesday.
The pick of Wednesday night’s ties is arguably Real Madrid’s trip to Lyon, in what could well be an entertaining contest. The Spanish giants have picked up maximum points in their three fixtures to date, while Lyon are level on points with Ajax in the Group D table. A win for Real would see them qualify for the next round and the La Liga league-leaders should be able to get the better of the French outfit, with a Madrid victory priced at 8/13.
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