Champions League Matchday 6 Odds, Picks & Predictions (2024)
The UEFA Champions League (UCL) race is intensifying as we enter the final three matchdays of the league phase. All 36 teams will hit the pitch over the next two days. I've narrowed in on three of the games from a betting perspective. Here are my three favorite bets across Europe for Matchday 6 in the UEFA Champions League.
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Champions League Matchday 6 Best Bets (2024)
(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)
Bayer Leverkusen (+120) vs. Inter Milan (+220), DRAW (+240) | O/U 2.5 (-120/-102)
A couple of contenders square off in Germany on Tuesday afternoon, as Bayer Leverkusen (3-1-1) hosts unbeaten Inter Milan (4-1-0). Kickoff is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. ET from BayArena in Leverkusen, Germany.
While the Leverkusen offense has a high ceiling, I don't think they'll reach their full scoring potential in this match. They're tasked with trying to score on an Internazionale side that has yet to concede a goal through five UCL matches. Inter goalkeeper Yann Sommer enters this match with a league-leading five clean sheets. The Italian squad has seen one or fewer goals in four out of their five Champions League matches this term.
As for Leverkusen, they're sound defensively as well. They've allowed only five goals through five games. Their 6.3 expected goals against (xGA) is a respectable 13th in the UCL. I expect both defenses to hold up in this high-leverage matchup and anticipate a 1-0 or 1-1 score. I'm taking the under.
Bet: Under 2.5 Goals (-102)
Borussia Dortmund (+220) vs. Barcelona (+105), DRAW (+300) | O/U 3.5 (-102/-122)
One of Wednesday's marquee matchups features a top-five clash between Borussia Dortmund (4-0-1) and Barcelona (4-0-1). The BVB's lone loss this season came at the hands of Real Madrid (5-2) on the road, while the visitors dropped their opener on the road to AS Monaco (2-1). This contest kicks off at 3:00 p.m. ET from Signal Iduna Park in Dortmund, Germany.
These are the top two offenses in the Champions League this year, with Barcelona leading the way (18 goals) and Borussia Dortmund sitting right below them (16 goals). However, I think this is a great time to buy back on the under at an inflated number of 3.5 goals.
While both offenses have been spectacular, so have the defenses. Barcelona has given up only five goals this year (1.0 goals against per game), while the German side has conceded six times (1.2 goals against per game).
In Borussia Dortmund’s two home matches, Nuri Sahin's men have allowed just one combined goal. Their last two matches in the UCL have each stayed under this threshold of 3.5 goals. These are two top-tier teams, so I don't think we'll see any crazy blowouts or explosive offensive performances. Look for the defenses to lock in and turn in solid outings. Give me the under.
Bet: Under 3.5 Goals (-122)
VfB Stuttgart (-310) vs. Young Boys (+700), DRAW (+490) | O/U 3.5 (-112/-108)
Let's keep with the theme and stay in Germany, where VfB Stuttgart (1-1-3) hosts Young Boys (0-0-5) in a bottom-of-the-table battle. Kickoff is scheduled for Wednesday at 3:00 p.m. ET from MHPArena in Stuttgart, Germany.
VfB Stuttgart (4 points, 26th) has some work to do if they want to advance to the knockout round (final 24 teams), but luckily they have two winnable games on the horizon. They'll host Young Boys (0 points, 36th) on Wednesday and take on Slovan Bratislava (0 points, 35th) when the UCL action returns on January 21st. I preface with all of this because I expect to see a highly motivated Die Roten bunch against an inferior opponent in this match. I'm going to lay the 1.5 goals against the visiting Swiss side.
Young Boys have been the punching bag in the Champions League this year, going winless (0-0-5) while getting out-scored 17-2. They're 35th in goals against (17) and sit dead last in xGA (13.1). Circling back to VfB Stuttgart, I believe they have the offensive firepower to stretch out a multi-goal victory. They've scored two or more goals in five out of their last six matches across all competitions, which includes racking up eight goals in their last three games. I think we're in for a rout in Stuttgart on Wednesday. Let's ride with the hosts -1.5.
Bet: VfB Stuttgart -1.5 (-108)