It was another fantastic week of Champions League action, as game week 3 delivered plenty of quality action and a few surprise results that have really shaken up some of the groups.
So who are the winners and losers at the halfway mark of the group stages?
Group A
Real Madrid and PSG played out a 0-0 draw and that cemented their respective positions at the top of the group.
Malmo’s 1-0 win over Shakhtar gave them a sniff of qualification, and should Real beat PSG in a fortnight’s time – and Malmo win in Donetsk – then the pressure will be on the French side.
Real’s price of 1.58 to top Group A looks a good one, as they have home advantage against PSG in their next fixture.
Group B
Wolfsburg’s 2-0 win over PSV has put them in prime position to qualify from Group B, whilst Manchester United will have been reasonably happy with their point from a CSKA side who are unbeaten in 11 games on home soil.
Now is the time to back Wolfsburg and Man United (both 1.33) to qualify from the group: the Red Devils should have too much for their Russian opponents at Old Trafford, whilst even a point for the Germans in Eindhoven will be a positive outcome for their qualification hopes.
Group C
Benfica’s surprise defeat at Galatasaray has opened up Group C somewhat, with Atletico Madrid – comfortable 4-0 winners at home against Astana – now fancying their chances with the reverse fixture to come in a fortnight’s time.
The Spanish side then host Galatasaray, and so their final group game against Benfica will probably determine who wins the group. Take them at 1.91 to top the pile.
Group D
The point that Juventus picked up against Borussia M’gladbach ensures that they only need a draw in Germany to realistically seal their place in the last 16.
Kevin De Bruyne’s 91st minute winner for Man City against Sevilla was a huge moment, and they know they need to simply avoid defeat in Spain to progress. Back the Blues to finish second in the group from 2.00.
Group E
Barcelona marched on with a 2-0 triumph in Borisov, and now they just need to beat BATE at home to seal their expected spot in the next phase of the competition.
That will leave Roma and Bayer Leverkusen to battle it out for second spot, and you would suggest that the Germans have an easier run in and a two point advantage. Their price of 1.91 to qualify in second place looks strong.
Group F
Arsenal looked dead and buried prior to their game against Bayern Munich on Tuesday, but following that fantastic win if they can pick up a point in Germany then they stand a chance of progressing.
But Olympiakos’ win in Zagreb has put them on six points, and if they beat them in the home tie then they will all but seal their place in the knockout stage. Back the Greeks to finish second from 1.61.
Group G
FC Porto are odds on now to win Group G after beating Maccabi Tel Aviv 2-0, and victory in Israel will seal the deal.
The Chelsea vs Dynamo Kiev game looks set to determine the runners up spot in the group, and Jose Mourinho’s men will be favourites from 2.1 to finish second in the table.
Group H
It’s three wins from three now for Zenit St Petersburg, and with a game to come against Gent they should romp home as group winners. Their price of 1.29 offers value for an accumulator.
Valencia have a five point cushion from the other two teams in second, and their price of 1.40 to finish in the runners up spot looks curiously long.
By: Craig Simpkin