TheSpecialists

Andy Gray has been the UK's leading football pundit for more than 20 years. An international footballer who won trophies with Aston Villa, Everton and Wolves, Andy is now a lead commentator on Sky Sports and a widely-respected voice within the game. Here he previews the key Champions League games on Wednesday night...

Rangers v Man Utd

That remarkable draw away at Old Trafford seems a distant memory for Rangers fans who find themselves playing catch up to Manchester United and Valencia now.

They've had their chances, most notably their match at home to Valencia which they really should have won, but that's all in the past and anything other than a win at home to Sir Alex Ferguson's boys means their Champions League campaign is effectively over. Even if they do win, they still need Valencia to slip up against Bursaspor, but Walter Smith won't be worrying about that just now.

Sir Alex has promised to start Wayne Rooney in this match after his cameo against Wigan at the weekend and the Manchester United boss will want to put on a good performance in Glasgow against his old pal Smith, but the truth is that they don't really need a result here and may be guilty of taking their eye off the ball.

It's not inconceivable that a pumped up Rangers could put in their best performance of the season in a match where they're under pressure to get a result and know they need to go for broke. If the crowd really get going and Rangers have the rub of the green, they might just nick this one and keep their qualification hopes alive. At such a big price, it may be worth showing a little faith in them doing just that.

Elsewhere, Tottenham play hosts to Werder Bremen in a match that should they win, would almost certainly put them through to the next round. Given the performances they've put in so far in this competition and their result against Arsenal at the weekend, there's no reason why they shouldn't beat the German outfit in front of their own fans.

Their Group A rivals Inter Milan meanwhile are at home to FC Twente and should pick up three points of their own. Inter and Spurs are both odds-on shots so I'm putting them in a multiple using the Betfair Coupon which pays 2.3.

Andy's tips:
Back Rangers to beat Manchester United at 5.1
Back Tottenham and Inter in a double using Betfair Multiples at 2.3

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Andy Gray has been the UK's leading football pundit for more than 20 years. An international footballer who won trophies with Aston Villa, Everton and Wolves, Andy is now a lead commentator on Sky Sports and a widely-respected voice within the game. Here he previews the key Champions League games on Tuesday night...

Chelsea v MSK Zilina
Roma v Bayern Munich

It's pretty obvious that Chelsea are going through a bad patch right now. Three losses in four Premier League matches would have been unthinkable towards the start of the season when they were racking up cricket scores against all-comers but a combination of injuries and a dip in form amongst those players who have remained fit has seriously dented their chances of retaining their Premier League crown.

What Chelsea need right now is a home tie against weaker opposition than they've been facing over the past few weeks just so they can finally score a few goals and get some of that early season confidence back. Zilina are therefore almost the perfect opponents for them to be facing. They haven't picked up a single point so far in this year's Champions League campaign and have conceded 15 goals, scoring just once.

Michael Essien will be back for this one after being suspended in the league and his return will make a huge difference to their midfield, providing endless energy and drive. The goals have dried up in recent weeks for the likes of Didier Drogba and Florent Malouda but that's not to say they haven't been playing well, and this match will provide them with a great chance to find their shooting boots once again in a match I expect Chelsea to win easily.

Over in Group E, Roma play Bayern Munich in a tie that' s very hard to call in terms of predicting the end result but one which should provide plenty of goals. Fourteen goals have been scored in each of the two sides' four matches and with more attacking talent on show than defensive stability on either side, I think it will be a case of more of the same.

Over 2.5 goals should pay out but it may be worth pushing the boat out a little more and having a punt on the over 3.5 goals barrier being broken.

Andy's tips:
Back Chelsea to win 3-0 at 8.6 and any unquoted at 3.45
Back over 3.5 goals in Roma v Bayern Munich at 2.96

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Maldini is considered one of the leading international football experts in Spain. After years in the media, he now covers the biggest games across Europe for television, radio and via newspaper columns. Here he looks ahead to some of the biggest games of matchday five...

Partizan Belgrade v Shakhtar
Shakhtar play a very aggressive game and show great quality from midfield upwards. They are the league leaders in Ukraine and, except for the bad result away to Arsenal, they've won almost every game this season. They have exceptional players like Jadson, Eduardo and Luiz Adriano, and they play to a very high level. This time, they are playing for second place against a rival without much to play for.
Maldini's tip: Back Shakhtar at 1.78

Ajax v Real Madrid
Ajax are a powerful team, with Luis Suarez and Miralem Sulejmani, but in the Champions League they seem to have a weak defence. It won't be easy for them to handle the strength that Real have in attack. Jose Mourinho's men are getting stronger and more motivated, and they are aiming to confirm top spot. Their players are quick and aggressive, but they might lose some of their power if Ajax manage to block Xabi Alonso.
Maldini's tip: Lay Ajax at 3.35

Tottenham v Werder Bremen
Werder have been very inconsistent in their play and have been taking too many risks in defence, which is already having a negative effect both in the Bundesliga and the Champions League. On the other hand, Tottenham have extra motivation as this is their first taste of the Champions League. After their great match against Inter, they should be able to win easily.
Maldini's tip: Back Tottenham at 1.51

Rubin Kazan v FC Copenhagen
The Danish team are doing well in the Champions League and they seem to have a very good strategy. However, I think their previous victory against Rubin was somewhat fortunate since it was the Russian team that dominated the whole game.
Maldini's tip: Back Rubin Kazan at 1.97

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Jonas Dahlquist is widely recognised in Sweden as the leading expert in European football. Host of one of the most popular football TV shows in his homeland, Jonas is loved for his modest and unique style of football punditry. Here he gives his views on the big Champions League game on Wednesday...

AC Milan v Real Madrid

When they met at the Santiago Bernabeu last time around, most people were convinced it would be a pretty easy win for Jose Mourinho and his expensive bunch. Now, when they meet in Milan, they are not such big favourites, but still, they are Real Madrid.

Since Mourinho's arrival, they have played 13 competitive games - enjoying ten wins and three draws - and that tells you that this is a good team.

When you add the general verdict in Spain on Real Madrid so far (they don't think they're even close to their best yet), something tells you that they just won't lose, anywhere, against anyone.

Jonas' tips:
Back Real Madrid to win at 2.4
Back Real Madrid to win 2-1 at 10.0

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Vasily Utkin is known as the voice of European football in his homeland, Russia. A TV show host and highly-acclaimed commentator, he writes daily blogs and records popular radio podcasts. Here he runs the rule over several big Champions League games this week...


Valencia v Rangers

Valencia were very poor in the first half of the game at Ibrox, and were it not for keeper Cesar Sanchez, they would have been two or three goals down. But I think we will see a different approach from the Scottish team now they are the away side - they won't attack as much and their main target will be not to concede.

Rangers managed to get a goalless draw at Old Trafford earlier in the group stage, but I don't think they can do that again. They have generally found it hard at this stage of the competition.

In addition, they have already achieved one of their main aims for this stage of the season, winning at Celtic, and that may have taken a lot out of them.

Vasily's tips:
Back Valencia to win at 1.4
Back under 2.5 goals at 2.06


FC Copenhagen v Barcelona

The Danes managed to organise themselves well enough to offer a decent level of resistance at the Nou Camp, and had their own chances particularly in the second half.

I don't think Pep Guardiola is quite getting the best out of his side, and he also has a tough schedule coming up with some very difficult matches in La Liga. He will need to balance his resources.

However, Barcelona can afford to go to the Danish capital and look for a draw as I believe they will take maximum points from their final two group games. Copenhagen are looking like one of the surprises of the Champions League - they showed in the game in Barcelona that they are capable of playing in a way that will get them into the knockout phase. I don't think they would be disappointed with a draw in this game either.

Vasily's tips:
Lay Barcelona at 1.43
Back under 2.5 goals at 2.12
Back the 1-1 draw at 10.0


CFR Cluj v Bayern Munich

It's one of those 'strange but true' stories - CFR Cluj scored four goals in the Allianz Arena in the away group game with Bayern Munich, but ended up beaten. Two of them were own goals!

Bayern Munich are not the 'machine' they have been, and that has been shown by their results this season in the Bundesliga. But they are still tough opponents for anyone in the Champions League, and have a perfect group record so far.

Cluj cannot be as unlucky as they were in Munich, and I think they will take a point out of this one at least.

Utkin's tips:
Lay Bayern Munich at 1.9
Back both teams to score at 1.8


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Jonas Dahlquist is widely recognised in Sweden as the leading expert in European football. Host of one of the most popular football TV shows in his homeland, Jonas is loved for his modest and unique style of football punditry. Here he gives his views on the big Champions League game on Tuesday...

Tottenham v Inter Milan

The last meeting between these two was complete mayhem - Inter went 4-0 up and still Spurs only lost by one goal.

There is a lot that says there will be plenty of goals at White Hart Lane as well. Spurs change their back four ahead of every game, so they lack consistency, Inter will score goals, because they have Samuel Eto'o and Spurs will score goals too because they have five or six players who will give you goals on a regular basis.

Inter are more or less already into the next round, and the second spot will be a contest between Spurs and Werder Bremen, if you ask me. My guess is that both Inter and Tottenham will be happy with a draw, because it gives them a good position. They can't play 0-0, though. Neither can they play 1-1. Shall we say 2-2? At least?

Jonas' tips:
Back the draw at 3.4
Back over 3.5 goals at 3.35

For more great football content, visit www.betfairfootball.com

Specialist Andy Gray offers his views on some of this week's most intriguing Champions League games, including Chelsea's return to the stadium where they suffered arguably their most painful ever defeat and Tottenham's tip to Milan to face reigning champions Inter...

Tuesday's matches

It's not often you can get 1.75 or bigger about Arsenal at home in the Champions League. And it's not like they're up against perennial Champions League quarter-finalists either. Shakhtar Donetsk have started remarkably well, that much is true, but those wins were against Sporting Braga and Partizan Belgrade; two matches in which they made use of the experience that saw them win the UEFA Cup back in 2009 against two pretty inexperienced sides at this level.

Arsenal are a different kettle of fish though and that aberration against West Brom aside, they've gone about their business without too much fuss this season despite injury blows to key players such as Robin van Persie and Cesc Fabregas. History shows that the Gunners tend to win these sort of matches at home, although I'd be amazed if it was by the sort of margin that they beat Braga by in week one. The home win is a solid bet, though I'm also interested in the 2-0 correct score.

It's a bit of a cliché to say that it's never easy travelling to Russia at this time of year, but that doesn't stop it being true. Cold conditions, difficult pitches and partisan crowds make it difficult for any club but I still feel Chelsea should have enough about them to come back from their trip to Spartak Moscow with three points.

They're nothing if not difficult to break down these days and you can't see players like Michael Essien hiding in their shells just because conditions are tough and the crowd is getting hostile. It won't be easy but in my mind there's enough about them to make the trip a successful one.

Andy's tips:
Back Arsenal to win at 1.75
Back Arsenal to win 2-0 at 10.0
Back Chelsea to win at 2.24

Maldini is considered one of the leading international football experts in Spain. After years in the media, he now covers the biggest games across Europe for television, radio and via newspaper columns. Here he gives us his opinion on the biggest Champions League match on Wednesday...

Lyon v Benfica

In my opinion, this is one of the most attractive matches of the week.

Benfica are very offensive and will not play defensively - they will attack from the first minute. Lyon are weaker than last season, when they became famous as the executioners of Real Madrid. Benfica lost Angel di Maria, but Javier Saviola is capable of damaging the French team.

It will be a nice game to watch and very open - I dare not say who will win because even though Lyon are not the same side as last season, from my point of view, they still play attacking football and will score goals.

Benfica have damaged pride after losing 2-0 against Schalke and I think they need goals. I cannot predict a winner, despite Lyon being 2.22 favourites.

Maldini's tip:
Back over 2.5 goals at 2.24

Maldini is considered one of the leading international football experts in Spain. After years in the media, he now covers the biggest games across Europe for television, radio and via newspaper columns. Here he gives us his opinion on the biggest Champions League match on Tuesday...

Real Madrid v AC Milan

Real Madrid have started the season playing as was expected: they are more direct in attack and have developed their defensive skills. Apart from the game they played against Real Sociedad, Real Madrid are not leaving spaces for opponents to create danger. Although Real Madrid's game is not spectacular, their performance has improved and that is undeniable.

I think backing Real Madrid is a good option. Last year, AC Milan won at the Bernabeu because the game's rhythm was very slow, which affected Madrid and benefited the Italian team. This time, Madrid will not give them the chance to slow down the tempo and this will impact on the Italians' game.

Milan have slightly changed their strategy and I think they will use the same one they used against Parma, with two strikers (Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Alexandre Pato) and with Ronaldinho a little behind to reach Andrea Pirlo. This approach worked and they will probably repeat it.

Milan have proved they have great players to play in a big game like this, with the likes of Pirlo, Clarence Seedorf, etc. Despite this, I think Real Madrid will win, but we probably won't see too many goals.

Maldini's tips:
Back Real Madrid at 1.63
Back under 2.5 goals at 2.02