Football Picks – Champions League – City on the hun

Manchester City – Villarreal
Both sides are looking to get going properly in this group as neither have yet tasted victory. Well, with the game played in Manchester, there’s no way one can vote for Villarreal.

The Spanish side has a poor away-record of late. Being league football or this competition, they have not won an away-match since April, or in 11 matches.

Only this season they have 6 away-matches to their name and has picked up only 2 points. In these 6 matches they have managed 1 goal.

Compare that to Manchester City who has won 13 of their last 14 home matches. 11 of these without conceding a goal. And therefore I find it worth pursuing this bet where City not only has to win but also keeping a clean sheet on the way.

Basel – Benfica
When you consider the fact that these 2 are level on points after the first 2 matches, and how Basel almost managed to escape from Old Trafford the last time around with 3 points in their hands, I find it strange to see Benfica as such big favourites.

Basel are unbeaten in 9 matches, and have lost just once in 15 home matches. Benfica is not a poor side of course but has never the less only managed 1 awaywin in their last 6 attempts in this tournament.

That came in the last round against Otelul Galati, the side Basel beat at home in the first round. I think Basel will be much more of a test to Benfica that these odds suggest.