Champions League: Round 5 (Wednesday)
Tottenham play at home in the Champions League on Wednesday so that means one thing - goals.
The fans at White Hart Lane have been treated to a 4-0 win over Young Boys, a 4-1 victory over FC Twente and a stunning 3-1 success over reigning champions Inter in Europe this season. And with Werder Bremen rolling into town, things don't look likely to change any time soon. The Germans have conceded 31 goals in 13 games in the Bundesliga - only bottom side Borussia Monchengladbach have conceded more - and they've shipped nine in four games in Group A of the Champions League. Spurs shared the spoils with Werder in Bremen after throwing away a two-goal lead so we know the Germans are dangerous going forward even if they are suspect at the back. But odds of 1.45 (Betsson) are more than fair about Tottenham as they have the ammunition to tear a dodgy defence apart. Clearly we've been drawn to the goal markets and a solid bet looks to be the 6/5 on offer about over 3.5 goals in the game. This bet would have been landed in four of Spurs' last five games and ALL of their Champions League fixtures. With that in mind we'll also plump for a couple of spectacular correct scores - 4-1 (20.00) and 4-2 (55.00) appeal the most given we can see Werder getting on the scoresheet. Also in Group A Inter take on FC Twente and I can't help but think the 6.50 about the Dutch outfit is a touch too big. They drew 2-2 with Inter in Holland and Rafael Benitez's side have taken an alarming dip in form since then. The Nerazzurri haven't won since the end of October - a run that includes defeat at Spurs in the Champions League and four games without a win in Serie A. Twente have lost two in a row themselves in the Dutch Eredivisie but they remain in touch at the top of the league and all the pressure is on Inter here. They'll be all too aware that a Twente win will see the Dutch outfit leapfrog them in Group A and they could be vulnerable coming into this off a winless run. Twente look to be worth a small bet at 6.50 - and I'd definitely avoid 1.57 Inter in any multiple bets. Up in Scotland, Manchester United are odds-on to beat Rangers in Group C but despite winning away at Bursaspor and Valencia such odds don't appeal. Six draws in seven away games in the Premier League is a much more relevant stat given that 'Rangers away' is likely to be more like a domestic match than a European fixture. Rangers set their stall out well when holding United at Old Trafford and though they should be expected to be a bit more adventurous at Ibrox I don't imagine they'll be leaving too many gaps at the back. Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand are out for United but Chris Smalling looks an able replacement for one of the duo and Jonny Evans has plenty of big-game experience. Crucially, United can qualify if they get a point and they'll be in pole position to finish top if they draw in Scotland - even a Valencia win over Bursaspor would see Sir Alex Ferguson's team one point ahead with the Spaniards set to visit Old Trafford in the final group game. The draw is attractively priced at 3.60 and we're more than happy to have a play at those odds. PICKS:
Over 3.5 goals in Spurs v Werder Bremen at 2.25 at Betsson.
Spurs to beat Werder 4-1 at 20.00 at Betsson, or Spurs to win 4-2 at 55.00 at Betsson.
Twente to beat Inter at 6.50 at Bet365.
Rangers and Man Utd to draw at 3.60 at Bwin.