Football: Champions League Group Stage

This week sees the commencement of the group stage of the Champions League and the British clubs will all be looking to start with convincing wins in their matches this week. Chelsea are rated at 1/6 with VC Bet to overpower Anderlecht (11-1) at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday with the draw offered at 9/2 and Rangers (6/5) will be looking to get over the disappointment of dropping points in the SPL last Saturday with a win over Porto (7/4) at Ibrox on the same night. Holders Liverpool have a tough task when travelling to Spain to take on Real Betis also on Tuesday evening and will do well to take something from that away tie. They are offered at 17/10 with VC Bet with Betis at 11/8 and the draw is priced at 2/1. Manchester United are also Iberian visitors and will be looking to get a result against Villarreal on Wednesday. VC Bet rate them a 11/8 chance with the home side at 13/8 and the draw at 21/10. On the same night Arsenal play hosts at Highbury to the Swiss runners-up Thun and will be anxious to get over Saturday's defeat against Middlesborough and the injury setback over Thierry Henry. They are 1/5 with VC Bet to start their European campaign on the right note. The Swiss minnows are available at 11-1 and the draw is rated a 4/1 chance. VC Bet's Neal Wilkins commented "Both Chelsea and Arsenal look virtual penalty kicks in their ties although the opposition will no doubt throw ten men behind the ball. Rangers were unimpressive in their 1-1 draw with Falkirk at the week-end and will be looking to improve on that performance. You would imagine that both Liverpool and Manchester United would be happy to settle for a draw in their respective away ties". VC Bet Champions League 5/1 Chelsea 11/2 Barcelona 7/1 Real Madrid 7/1 AC Milan 9/1 Juventus 10/1 Manchester United 10/1 Arsenal 12/1 Inter Milan 14/1 Bayern Munich 25/1 Liverpool 25/1 Lyon 33/1 Villarreal 50/1 Schalke 50/1 Udinese 50/1 Real Betis 50/1 Werder Bremen 50/1 Ajax 66/1 PSV Eindhoven