Today’s Champions League betting parlay looks like an absolute lock and should quadruple our bank. Two big games await us fans and betting punters worldwide, and we should be in for some good show. Arsenal travel to Porto to try and break from their Champions League hoodoo, while in Italy, Napoli will take on Barcelona in what promises to be a thrilling match. Let’s dig into these two games and see how we can make a solid profit with our top betting analysis and picks.
Napoli v Barcelona Prediction
Just a couple of days ago, news broke out that Napoli have sacked their manager once again this season. Tonight, as Napoli hosts Barcelona at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona for the Champions League match, they will introduce yet another new coach – Francesco Calzona, who steps in as their third manager of the season.
Napoli’s collapse from Seria A champs to an absolute mess this season has been spectacular and obviously not in a good way. We’ve witnessed the complete desctruction of what was an attacking playing style and identity and absolute lack of effort and determination from the players.
What Pep Guardiola described as the “strongest team in Europe” last year, is now a complete mess. At the moment, Napoli are ninth in the Seria A, 27 points behind league leaders Inter! Last year, they had Spalletti in charge and he took them to glory but they parted ways in the summer, perhaps down to his own decision an will, but there are reports or rift between him and club owner De Laurentiis. Thus, they started the season with newly appointed Rudy Garcia only to dismiss him after 16 matches. The replacement Walter Mazzari last just 17 matches. Neither of them got remotely close to replicating the team’s championship-winnning performances from last season.
Players that last year looked wordclass now appear slow, weak, and confused. Of course, the prolonged absence of Victor Osimhen due to injuries and Afcon participation did not help. Last year’s Seria A MVP Kvaratskhelia has also been a shadow of his former self.
With all that being said, Barcelona could not have asked for a better time to face Napoli. Of course, the Spaniards are not exactly breaking records this year and have their own issues to deal with, but they look like strong favorites going into this tie.
I believe we should see an open game with a decent amount of goalscroing chances. Napoli will be eager to get a new start under yet another head coach and the Champions League could provide an escape for their domestic struggles. Having a packed Maradona stadium and an opponent of Barcelona’s caliber should help motivate the players and bring the best out of them. That’s why I expect Napoli to score in this game, while Blaugarana should also get amongst the goals.
Bet On Both Teams to Score And Over 2.5 Goals @ 2.20
Porto v Arsenal Prediction
Arsenal have not made it past this stage of the Champions League since 2010! You can bet your bottom dollar that they will break that hoodoo this year and finally reach the quarter finals. Porto is not an easy opponent, but given how the Gunners have been playing this season, I’m certain they (Arsenal) will be the team to proceed from this tie.
You are all familiar with Arsenal’s players, how good they are, Arteta’s attacking style of play, so there is no point in getting into all that. Traditionally, Porto have always been strong at home, not just domestically but also in the Champions League. Having said that, Arsenal might not win the first game, but they should put themselves in a position for success in the return leg.
In terms of the top Champions League bets, there is something interesting about the odds in the Goals market on this Porto v Arsenal game. As we’ve pointed out in our eBook , which is an absolute gem for bettors, you should always look for such strange odds. Well, the one I’m referring to is the Over 2.5 goals market, and the odds are quite lucractive at 2.05. That’s rare given that Arsenal are playing and their games typically produce loads of goals. But, given that the bookies have the inside scoop, we might be in for a more cautios affair that’s not your typical Gunners goal fest. That’s why I’m going with the 2-3 goals market at the odds of 1.95.
