Champions League Betting Tips: Crunch time for Newcastle United and Manchester City seek respite

The fat lady is about to sing in the Champions League group stages, and while Manchester City know where they’re at there is a crunch mate on hand or Newcastle United.

City have already qualified, they’ve already won their group, but for the Toon Army it’s out of their own hands as they head into their game with AC Milan knowing that even a victory may not be enough. 

We’ve picked out a game from each of the groups in action on Wednesday night as this year’s group stages come to an end, and we’ll soon find out who’s progressing and who will have to make do with a spot in the Europa League.

Group E

Celtic v Feyenoord

Kick off: 8pm Wednesday

There’s nothing but pride to play for as the Bhoys play host to Feyenoord in Glasgow, and they’ll be desperate to try and go out with a bang by getting their first CL win since 2020. They’re not the favourites (at 3.2 to win), but with the visitors finishing third regardless of the result they may be able to come out on top.

Arne Slot’s side have been hit and miss on the road of late, losing three of their last six, however have only failed to score in one away game throughout the whole of 2023. You can get them to win and both teams to score at 4, which wouldn’t be a huge shock given Celtic’s sketchy current form under Brendan Rodgers.

Prediction: Both teams to score and over 2.5 goals @ 1.96

Group F

Newcastle United v AC Milan

Kick off: 8pm Wednesday

It’s quite possibly the biggest game of the evening as Eddie Howe and his troops welcome European royalty to St. James Park. They’re at 1.92 for victory, however injuries and recent results will give the Italians hope of getting something from this one. 

Both sides still have a chance of reaching the knockout stages should Paris Saint-Germain, however while Newcastle need them to just drop points against Borussia Dortmund, Milan need them to lose. Stefano Pioli has injury worries of his own, leaving his defence vulnerable, and with the host’s backline leaky of late it’s a game that could have goals in it. Both teams to score is at 1.71.

Prediction: Newcastle to win and over 1.5 goals @ 2.40

Group G

Red Star Belgrade v Manchester City

Kick off: 5.45pm Wednesday

It’s not often these days that you talk about a rough spell for the Cityzens, but with just two wins in their last six and no clean sheet in over a month it’s safe to say that Pep Guardiola’s men are up against it.

This game, at least, will offer a bit of respite. The hosts may be at 8.8 to come out on top, but with City already knowing that the job is done there is a chance that they’re not exactly peddle to the metal in Serbia. They’re also without top scorer, Erling Haaland.

But even if Guardiola was to make numerous changes, bringing in players looking to stake a claim for more game time, you’d expect them to be too strong for their opponents – though recent form suggests that the hosts could get on the scoresheet (an away clean sheet is at 1.76).

Prediction: Manchester City to win and both teams to score @ 3.10

Group H

Royal Antwerp v Barcelona

Kick off: 8pm Wednesday

Barca are through, but need a result of some sort in Belgium if they’re to make sure that they group their group ahead of the knockout stages. Antwerp (5.9 to win) are obvious outsiders, but will have seen the Spaniards’ defeat to Girona at the weekend and seen some weaknesses to exploit.

It was a 5-0 demolition the last time the two teams met, but Mark van Bommel’s outfit go into this game on the back of three straight victories and will take heart from a strong home record that has seen them lose just three times in 2023. Xavi and Co. should get the job done, though, and it could be a case of how many they win by rather than whether they do.

Prediction: Goal range of two to three goals @ 2.16

Recommended Bets

Back BTTS and over 2.5 goals in Celtic v Feyenoord @ 1.96
Back Newcastle to win and over 1.5 goals @ 2.40 
Back Man City to beat Red Star and BTTS @ 3.10
Back Goal range of two to three goals in Royal Antwerp v Barcelona @ 2.16