Safe bets and best value from UEFA Champions League tips

Juventus vs Tottenham - Tuesday 13th, 19:45 KO - Match Preview

Tottenham may have picked up seven points in the league from meetings with Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal but a trip to Turin promises to be their toughest test yet this year. Pochettino’s men have struggled away from home recently, winning just three of their last 12 on the road, and often have difficulty breaking stronger sides down on the road.

They don’t come much stronger than Juventus right now, who are on a 16-game unbeaten streak having conceded just one goal in that time! With eight consecutive clean sheets at home, this could be a very big ask for Harry Kane and co, and a game of few goals in turn.

Safe bet: Under 2.5 goals - Best price @1.64 (with Marathon Bet)
Best value: Juventus win to nil - Best price @3.40 (with Unibet)

FC Basel vs Manchester City - Tuesday 13th, 19:45 KO - Match Preview

The outstanding favourites in this time, Manchester City travel to Basel off the back of a morale boosting 5-1 win over Leicester. The Swiss champions are perennial over-achievers at this level but always find it hard to go further into the knockout stages, in part due to an extended winter break. The hosts have played just one competitive game this year - losing at home to Lugano - and will need to be up to speed physically to cope.

Their main task may be to keep Sergio Aguero quiet after he hit four at the weekend and has begun the calendar year in scintillating form, having scored in all three away games during the group stages. Basel, though, have been underestimated many a time and only two of City’s last 11 away games have been separated by more than a single goal.

Safe bet: Aguero to score - Best price @1.84 (with Unibet)
Best value: Draw (Basel +1) - Best price @4.00 (with Stan James)

FC Porto vs Liverpool - Wednesday 14th, 19:45 KO - Match Preview

With 54 goals between the sides in the group stages, averaging out at 4.5 per game, this clash promises to be among the most entertaining, even if it can’t stand up to some of the glamour ties of the round. Porto certainly shouldn’t be discounted, particularly at home, having not lost in Liga NOS all season, and they carry a real threat down the flanks through overlapping full-backs and boast two powerful strikers to occupy a suspect Reds defence.

At their best, however, Jurgen Klopp’s side can compete with the very elite going forwards, with Mo Salah and Roberto Firmino in superb form having lit up the group stages with five and six goals respectively. It would be a surprise to see this one go under 3.5 goals, let alone 2.5.

Safe bet: Over 2.5 goals - Best price @1.80 (with Betfair)
Best value: Over 3.5 goals - Best price @3.00 (with William Hill / Betfair)

Real Madrid vs Paris Saint Germain - Wednesday 14th, 19:45 KO - Match Preview

Without wanting to jinx proceedings, Wednesday’s clash between the reigning European champions and the side many expect to take their crown should be the whole package. Two titans of modern football going head-to-head and approaching the game in free-scoring form but with some obvious defensive frailties.

The key to this first leg could well be the absence of Dani Carvajal through suspension, meaning that makeshift replacement Nacho will likely face the unenviable task of keeping Neymar in check. The Brazilian has been in sparkling form since a move to Paris and will be keen to make an early case for the Ballon d’Or with a memorable display in what should be a memorable fixture but with Cristiano Ronaldo jostling for the spotlight, fresh from a hat-trick at the weekend, we should be guaranteed goals.

Safe bet: Over 2.5 goals & BTTS - Best price @1.67 (with Sky Bet)
Best value: PSG to win & BTTS - Best price @4.33 (with Bet Stars)

Safe bet accumulator - Best price (via Oddschecker Bet Basket) @8.14 with 188Bet
Best value accumulator - Best price (via Oddschecker Bet Basket) @148.44 with 888sport