Are there many sweeter sounds in life than the Champions League anthem booming around a floodlit stadium on a freezing midweek night?
Didn’t think so.
As the opening phase of the Champions League comes to a close, football fans are being treated to an absolute banquet of European action. A staggering 18 fixtures take place across the continent.
Which is great news for supporters, and even better news for punters who fancy having a pop at the bookies – and hopefully winning.
And because generosity is clearly the theme of the evening, Transfer News Blitz writer Taylor Stephenson has stepped forward with a handful of his favourite selections.
He has, however, issued a warning: if his 18-fold accumulator somehow lands, expect radio silence. He’ll either be on a beach somewhere or hiding from the taxman.
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Tonight’s Accumulator (Hold Onto Your Seat)
Chelsea vs Napoli – Both Teams To Score & Over 2.5 Goals
PSG vs Newcastle – Both Teams To Score, PSG to Win
Borussia Dortmund vs Inter Milan – Both Teams To Score
Bayer Leverkusen vs Villarreal – Leverkusen to Win
Man City vs Galatasaray – Man City to Win
Odds: A tasty 22/1 (via Betway)
The Logic (Yes, There Is Some)
Some of these picks practically select themselves – notably Leverkusen and Man City, who would need to try very hard to mess this up.
Leverkusen can’t sneak into the top eight anymore, but they still need a win to stay inside the top 24. Thankfully for them, Villarreal have managed just one point so far, which suggests they’re treating this competition more like a sightseeing tour.
City, meanwhile, arrive off the back of a shock defeat to Bodø/Glimt, a result that had football Twitter checking Google Maps.
If Pep Guardiola wants a top-eight finish (and his sanity intact), this one simply has to be three points.
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The Game You Should Actually Watch
PSG vs Newcastle has “entertainment” written all over it.
Both sides need a win to keep themselves comfortable inside the top eight, and both love attacking far more than defending.
PSG have already smashed in 20 goals – joint-highest in the competition – while also generously conceding 10. Newcastle aren’t exactly shy either, with 16 goals of their own.
Goals are coming. Probably plenty of them. But with home advantage and a galaxy of attacking talent, I’m backing PSG to outscore rather than outdefend the Magpies.
Goals, Goals, Goals at Stamford Bridge
Chelsea may currently sit inside the top eight, but they’re being hunted down like the last packet of crisps at a party.
Goal difference could be crucial, meaning a cagey 1–0 won’t cut it.
Napoli, sitting down in 25th, are in full desperation mode. They must win, and ideally by a few.
Expect both sides to throw caution to the wind, and the kitchen sink after it, and go all-in. BTTS and goals feels nailed on.
Dortmund vs Inter: No Stress, Just Vibes
Finally, Dortmund vs Inter. Two evenly matched sides, both likely to be in the next round, and neither with a huge amount to lose.
This usually results in one thing: defences relaxing and attackers having fun.
You could talk yourself into a score draw all day long, but Both Teams To Score is the sensible – and far less stressful option.
Specials & Price Boosts (Because Why Not)
I’ve also done the hard work and dug out some of the best non–new customer specials on offer – no forms, no emails, no pretending your nan’s never had an account before.
Betfred – At least one goal in all UCL games – Evens
Sky Bet – Each team to have 2+ shots on target in UCL games – 16/1 (boosted)
Sky Bet – Bayern Munich, Man City, PSG & Real Madrid to win & BTTS in each game – 50/1
Paddy Power – One goal and one card in each UCL game – 4/1
Paddy Power – Juventus, Athletic Bilbao & Leverkusen all to win – 15/2
Best of luck, enjoy the chaos, and remember: if this lands, it was always a banker. If it doesn’t… we go again tomorrow.
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