CHAMPIONS LEAGUE LATEST FOR WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 20

Champions League Matchday 3 kicks off in few hours and there are a number of interesting fixtures set to unfold. Many groups are already starting to look extremely lopsided but the few dogfights that remain should fascinate until the round of 16 is ultimately decided. In fact, several of these groups could wind up being decided by goal difference.
FC Twente host Werder Bremen and it’s a must-win fixture for both sides as they are both deadlocked on a single point behind Spurs and group leaders Inter. They’ll likely be hoping that Spurs drop all the points today as a victory by either Twente or Bremen would put them level on points with a losing Spurs team. Twente are the slim favourites at 7/5 while Werder Bremen remain in with a shout at 15/8.
Inter Milan vs Tottenham is going to be Spurs biggest European test in many years as Rafa Benitez’s team of world-beaters hosts Harry Redknapp’s side. Inter are the odds-on favourites for this one with Spurs paying out at a lengthy 9/2 with most major bookmakers. It will be an achievement if Spurs can take anything from this one.
Schalke vs Hapoel Tel Aviv is looking like a lopsided contest in favour of the German side. The Israeli side need a win if they’re going to have any hope of getting out of this group. Schalke could definitely use the points and, being at home, they should stroll to victory.
Lyon vs Benfica looks a tight affair with the French side getting a slim edge at just over even-money. The Portuguese could join Lyon atop the group if they pulled off a victory and Schalke somehow drop points to Hapoel Tel Aviv. This one could very well go down as a draw and the odds on that are quite competitive at 23/10.
Valencia visit Rangers and they boast a rather short price to pull off a much-needed Champions League victory. With United solid favourites to dispose of Bursaspor, this could be a crucial match-up that could very well determine who finishes second in Group C. Look for Valencia to attack early and get behind the Rangers defense. The Glaswegians are priced at a lengthy 5/2 which should see a fair amount of volume in the betting shops.
Manchester United vs Bursaspor is tilted sharply in favour of the host side, but you just never know what you’ll get from Manchester United these days. This one will be watched more to see how the crowd reacts to the Wayne Rooney situation than anything else and Wazza is not scheduled to play having been on the receiving end of a Paul Scholes tackle in training. Look for United at 1/4 to be a popular accumulator selection today.
Barcelona are the biggest favourites of the day in their quest to topple FC Copenhagen. Lionel Messi & Co. should stroll to victory at home here and you can expect this fixture to see plenty of goalscorer betting. Pep Guardiola’s side are available at a 1/7 price so you can see why punters will have to get creative here. Copenhagen top the group at the moment though, having taken maximum points from their two previous matches. If you think the Danes can get a result, you’re looking at a hefty 18/1.
Panathinaikos vs Rubin Kazan looks like a real toss-up but the Greek hosts are getting a slim edge from the bookmakers. Both sides need a victory here as Copenhagen and Barcelona look to have the group sown up. To progress to the next stage, one of these sides needs to win all of their remaining games to have any shot. Tricky one, this, and a draw is an absolute disaster for both sides.