If Tottenham can secure a victory over Werder Bremen at White Hart Lane on Wednesday night the north Londoners will guarantee their spot in the knock-out stages of the Champions League (check out Champions League outright and match markets on totesport.com).
There is still everything to play for in Group A, with all four teams still in with a mathematical chance of qualifying for the next round. However, Bremen have managed to score just three times in their four fixtures to date, conceding nine in the process, and two of their three strikes came in their opening game – a 2-2 draw with Spurs on September 14.
The German outfit are enduring a difficult campaign, they’ve managed just one win on the road in the Bundesliga and have conceded an astonishing 21 goals in just seven games. Spurs are priced at 4/9 to win the fixture outright, but considering Bremen’s obvious defensive frailties it might be worth considering Spurs to be winning at half-time/full-time, which pays out at evens.
Gareth Bale has been in fine form in Europe and his pace caused havoc amongst the Inter Milan defenders in their last two Champions League fixtures. The Wales international has managed to score three times in his last two appearances and is a very inviting 9/4 to score at anytime on Wednesday night.
When Rangers made the trip to Old Trafford in mid-September the contest was dubbed the ‘Battle of Britain’ but the two sides could only manage to play out a fairly dire goalless draw. Manchester United travel to Ibrox on Wednesday needing just a point to ensure their progression to the knock-out stages, but boss Sir Alex Ferguson has decided to rest key defensive duo Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic and neither will play any part on Wednesday.
However, striker Wayne Rooney is expected to make his first start in over a month and fans may be treated to a few goals in this encounter after a disappointing stalemate in the reverse of this fixture. Rangers have managed to find the target 34 times in just 14 SPL games to date, while United have averaged two goals a game in the Premier League so far. With United resting some key players and Rooney back in action there is a decent chance this game could provide a better spectacle than the meeting between these two at Old Trafford, especially as Rangers need to take something from the game to keep their European dream alive, and over 2.5 goals pays out at 11/10, under 2.5 goals is priced at 4/6.
Schalke 04 host a resurgent Lyon in Group B and both teams are well placed to progress to the knock-out stages. Lyon top the group with nine points, Schalke are second with seven points and Benfica remain in contention to make it through to the next round with six points. A win for Lyon would guarantee their spot in the knock-out stages but the trip to Germany will be tough, with Spanish legend Raul now plying his trade for the Bundesliga side.
The former Real Madrid striker helped himself to his first hat-trick for his new employers in their 4-0 demolition of Werder Bremen at the weekend and he can be backed at 11/8 to score anytime against Lyon. However, Lyon have enjoyed an upturn in fortunes of late and came back from a goal down to seal a 3-1 victory at Lens on Sunday, with qualification within their reach the French side could well emerge from this tie victorious and Lyon are priced at a very attractive 11/5 to win the contest outright.
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