Champions League Group B Betting preview

Group B of this year’s UEFA Champions League should prove to be one of the most open and exciting groups of the competition. It could also turn out to be one of the trickiest for punters; Arsenal, Schalke 04 , Olympiakos and Montpellier were drawn together in Monaco on 30th August and we are likely to see some very tight and interesting encounters between the sides. Check out all the free bets available for this Group.

Arsenal (ENG)

Appearing in Europe’s premier competition for the eleventh time in succession, Arsenal go into Matchday 1 on 18th September as favourites to top the group and are best price to achieve this at 1.75 with BetVictor. Although Arsene Wenger’s men finished third in last season’s Premier League , a massive 19 points behind 2nd placed Manchester United; they have started the new campaign in steady fashion, yet to concede a goal in three games having gained a respectable 5 points along the way. Their 2 – 0 win away at Liverpool last Sunday was achieved through slick, intelligent and assured football although in the two previous matches  Arsenal failed to find the back of the net as they begin to adapt to life without the prolific Robin van Persie. However, if Arsenal’s new signings Olivier Giroud, Lukas Podolski and Santi Cazorla can begin to fire they could well find themselves at the top of Group B come December 4th. 

Schalke 04 (GER)

Schalke are considered second favourites to finish Group B as winners, best priced at 4.0 with bet365, although not usually recognised as one of the bigger teams in the competition Schalke regularly attract some of the highest crowds in Europe to the Veltins-Arena in Gelsenkirchen and this will prove a tough away trip for any side. Much like Arsenal there is always huge pressure on Schalke to succeed, again like Arsenal they also finished 3rd in their domestic league last term, 17 points off eventual Bundesliga champions Borussia Dortmund. Schalke will be confident of their ability to score goals in the competition thanks to keeping hold of their top marksman Klaas-Jan Huntelaar who finished last season as the Bundesliga Golden Boot winner with a impressive haul of 29 goals and have also been able to retain the services of highly rated Greek centre back Kyriakos Papadopoulos.

Olympiakos (GRE)

Olympiakos are once again paired with Arsenal in the group stages, the Greek champions faced the North London side  last season and in 2009/10 . Arsenal know only too well how difficult a trip to the Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium can be after their 3 – 1 defeat there last season in a hostile atmosphere, Olympiakos unlike Arsenal have been able to keep their best players since then and with the likes of Ariel Ibagaza and David Fuster being retained  and the recently signed Paulo Machado from Toulouse in midfield added to the squad, Olympiakos should provide a stern test for their Group B opponents, especially at home.  However they are arguably the weakest team in the group and this is reflected with the 15.0 that totesport are offering for them to finish top.

Montpellier (FRA)

Montpellier come into the Champions League after finishing as surprise Ligue 1 champions last season, the first time they have won France’s top division. Having lost joint top Ligue 1 goal scorer Oliver Giroud to Arsenal over the summer, Montpellier are hoping Emanuel Herrera signed from Primera División de Chile side Unión Española can be a adequate replacement for their departed top marksman. Despite this loss, La Paillade still have the nucleus of their title winning side, this can only give them confidence, the excellent Younes Belhanda has recently come back into the side and despite a relatively poor start to the domestic season Montpellier will play without fear in the Champions League after last season’s heroics and could spring a surprise in Group B. Montpellier  are best priced at 7.0 with Coral to finish as group winners.

Champions League Group B betting tips

Arsenal / Montpellier straight forecast pays a enticing 10.0with BetVictor

Schalke not to qualify is also worth a look at 2.38 , again with BetVictor

Check out our full range of Champions League betting previews here. If you fancy a free bet for any Champions League match, visit Betfred who are offering new customers a free £50 bet on any event!