Champions League soccer odds are now available as we are back with our favorite European soccer expert advice and free betting predictions. Read on for this week’s Champions League Matchday 5 betting tips, soccer analysis and free UCL picks for the fixtures on Wednesday, November 24th.
Inter Milan vs. FC Shakhtar Donetsk
Wednesday, November 24, 2021 – 12:45 PM EST at Giuseppe Meazza
Form, Mentality, Champions League Odds and Trends
- Inter Milan are undefeated in five of their previous six UCL fixtures.
- Inter concede an average of 0.75 goals during their UCL games.
- Shakhtar has won only one of their last six UCL appearances.
Inter Set Their Sights on The Final 16
Serie A champions Inter Milan have the opportunity to secure their position in the Champions League final-16 if they can defeat the already-eliminated Shakhtar Donetsk during their penultimate Group D clash on Wednesday night.
Elsewhere in Group D, top placed Real Madrid will take on Sheriff Tiraspol and are expected to take all three points. Should Inter and Real both claim victory, Inter will join the already-qualified Real Madrid in the UCL playoffs.
Inter will enter their matchday 5 meeting with Shakhtar following a string of positive results, a well-deserved point from the Milan derby and the bragging rights of becoming the first team to hand Napoli their first defeat of the domestic season.
What was a slow start for Simone Inzaghi’s European tenure, the Nerazzurri went on to claim maximum points from Sheriff Tiraspol to steal their Moldovan counterparts qualification spot, a position they will want to hold onto with just two fixtures remaining.
Final Thoughts | UCL Matchday 5 Betting Pick
The 13-time Ukrainian champions have already been eliminated from the tournament with a mere point claimed, as they’ll travel to Italy with nothing but pride on the line. This factor will undoubtedly affect their temperament, and risking injury to potentially damage their domestic run will also be conscious.
Inter won’t be relying on Real Madrid to assist their qualification by defeating Sheriff, so we should expect a fully-fledged run for success by the home side.
Shakhtar’s domestic run is impressive, and their UCL goal shooting ability is averaging 13 shots per game; however, they’ve managed to score just one goal in four games which is a cause for concern.
A straightforward moneyline bet on Inter isn’t providing the value we want, but having played Shakhtar five times since August 2020, there’s been a common occurrence – a lack of goals. Inter to claim all three points with under 3.5 goals scored offers plus money odds, and I like it.
Score Prediction: Inter 3 – Shakhtar 0
UCL Pick: Inter win + Under 3.5 goals (+120) - [1.75] [1u wager returns 1.20u] at Intertops (visit our Intertops Review)
Besiktas JK vs. Ajax Amsterdam
Wednesday, November 24, 2021 - 12:45 PM EST at Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan
Form, Mentality, Champions League Odds and Trends
- Ajax has won their last four UCL games by two or more goals.
- Ajax are averaging 3.50 goals during their UCL fixtures.
- Besiktas has lost by two or more goals in their previous three UCL games.
- Besiktas has lost at halftime/fulltime in five consecutive UCL fixtures.
History to Repeat Itself on Turkish Soil
When reviewing the previous clashes between home side Besiktas and their visitors Ajax, one particular statistic sticks out like a sore thumb. In the eleven historical conflicts between the two sides, Besiktas has walked away winless, and this run includes five European wins for the Dutch squad.
Ajax has dominated their Champions League outings thus far, and when you factor in a Besiktas side who’re conceding an average of 3.00 goals per game, this Wednesday’s meeting doesn’t bode well for the Turks. In addition, the Black Eagles are one of two teams in this year’s competition who’ve lost all four group-stage meetings, and they’ve conceded the second-highest number of goals (12).
Ajax is enjoying a blissful run in their UCL campaign, accumulating all 12 points from their 4 group stage clashes. Of course, backing a team whose already qualified can be risky, but we’d expect Erik ten Hag’s well-oiled machine to deliver another three points to secure his team’s top position.
Final Thoughts | UCL Matchday 5 Betting Pick
Naturally, we have to hunt out the value in the UCL odds to find a respectful return in our investment on the heavily favored Ajax. With such a prolific goal-scoring UCL tenure thus far, the -1 handicap seems like a viable position to place ourselves in.
Score Prediction: Besiktas 1 – Ajax 3
UCL Pick: Ajax -1 Handicap (-105) - [1.95] [1.05u wager returns 1u of profit] at Intertops
*The line and/or odds on picks in this article might have moved since the content was commissioned. For updated line movements, visit BMR’s free betting odds product.
