The 2019-20 UEFA Champions League continues this week as we head into matchday four of the group stage. Teams have now played everyone in their respective groups once and will kick off the return leg of each fixture this week.
We have a full preview and betting tips for some of the key matchups in the Champions League this week below.
Champions League Matchday 4 Betting Tips
Chelsea vs Ajax
Wednesday 7am AEDT
The Blues currently sit on top of Group H with a 2-0-1 record through the opening three games. Their only loss came at the hands of Valencia back in Matchday 1, and they have since gone on to win their next two against Ajax and Lille. They will face off against Ajax again, this week in the familiar surroundings of Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea come into the game in some solid form both in all competitions. Dating back to the back to back losses to Valencia in the Champions League and Liverpool in the EPL in September, the Blues went on to rack up a 8-0-1 record over their next nine games in all competitions.
Interestingly, Ajax have never lost an away fixture in England in the Champions League, having played four games there in the past for a 1-3-0 record. Chelsea have been in fantastic form of late, however, and should be taking this UCL matchup extremely seriously with theirEPL title chances dwindling with the dominance of Liverpool. We think $1.83 for Chelsea to win at home is great value here.
Liverpool vs KRC Genk
Wednesday 7am AEDT
Liverpool hasn’t been as dominant in the Champions League as they have been in the domestic competition to start the season. They currently sit in second place in Group E with a 2-0-1 record, having lost to Napoli back in Italy back on Matchday 1. They bounced back to defeat the two weaker teams in the group in FC Red Bull Salzburg and KRC Genk in the next two games.
Liverpool won’t need to beat Napoli in the return leg to ensure their path into the knockout stage, but they will need to take care of business against both of the weaker teams. An upset loss to one of those teams could see them bounced from the tournament, so they’ll be taking this home fixture against Genk very seriously.
The Reds start as unbackable $1.08 favourites at home, however, we think there is some value in the ‘both teams to score’ market. The Reds have no doubt been dominant in the EPL this season, racking up a 10-1-0 record through their first 11 games, however, they have allowed a goal in 9 of those 11 games. They were also 4-1 winners over Genk in Matchday 3.
Both teams to score
$2.25
Atalanta vs Manchester City
Thursday 7am AEDT
Manchester City will travel to Italy to take on Atalanta on Thursday morning. The Citizens were blessed in the group draw, being randomly drawn alongside Dinamo Zagreb, Shakhtar Donetsk and Atalanta and have taken advantage of the weaker opponents, starting the group stage with a 3-0-0 record.
Their path to the knockout stage is all but secure, but they’ll be wanting to ensure they finish on top of the group to give themselves an easier first round matchup. In Matchday 3, they were big 5-1 winners over Atalanta at home, and despite their dominance, they start as just $1.45 favourites on the road this week.
Love the look of Manchester City here. The Italian side has started the Champions League with an 0-0-3 record and the Citizens should be keen to put them to bed here. Back Manchester City to win this one comfortably.
