Champions League Football: Wednesday

Liverpool face Dutch side PSV Eindhoven at Anfield on Wednesday night in a battle of the top two in group C. Both sides have amassed ten points from four games and are through to the next stage but whoever wins tonight will guarantee themselves the top spot. It was a goalless draw last time these two teams met on the opening Champions League match day. PSV haven't won in their last seven meetings with English teams so initially the signs look good for Rafa Benitez's Liverpool side. However, PSV are the form side in Holland at the moment, they have won their last two league titles, made the semi finals of the Champions League in 2005 and haven't lost for a total of 17 matches so it won't be easy for the Merseysiders.

Rafa the Gaffer has does have Spanish winger Louis Garcia fit again and available for selection though following his recent hamstring injury; this does mean that Jermaine Pennant or Mark Gonzalez will have to settle for a place on the bench. Sami Hyypia may also have to settle for a place on the sidelines as fellow defender Daniel Agger is likely to get the nod at the back and Craig Bellamy is likely to start up front.

The betting for this tie sees Liverpool as fairly strong favourites at a best available 8/11 with Bet365 and Premier Bet, whilst PSV are decent value at 5/1 with Paddy Power, although most firms do go 9/2 or 4/1 on the Dutch side. The draw is priced at 5/2 through Sky Bet.

Chelsea travel to Germany to face Werder Bremen and they must do so without key defender Ricardo Carvalho who picked up a knock to the ankle at the weekend. Salomon Kalou is also missing as he has a ligament injury but German superstar Michael Ballack is fit to play and will feature in Chelsea's midfield. For the home side World Cup star Miroslav Klose will likely lead the line and provide the firepower that the Germans will need if they are to overcome Chelsea in this incredibly close to call encounter. However it has been summer signing Diego that has been scoring all the goals for Bremen of late so Chelsea will have to keep an eye on him as well.

The form book shows that Bremen haven't been at their best just recently; they have just lost their top spot in the Bundesliga after taking just one point in their last two games, however if you look at their form from their last dozen games then it tells a different story as they were unbeaten in the 10 games prior to that. In the corresponding fixture at Stamford Bridge earlier this season, Chelsea were the 2-0 victors with Michael Essien and Michael Ballack the goal scorers.

The overall match betting is very tight; Werder Bremen are the narrow favourites at 6/4 with Bet365 and Bluesq, whereas Chelsea are just behind them at 2/1 with Coral and Premier Bet. The draw is probably a sensible option and is well priced at 2/1 through Coral and expect.com.

There are 8 fixtures in total being played this Wednesday night; they are listed below along with the best available prices and kick off times.

Bordeaux (1/1) v Galatasaray (38/11) Draw (23/10) 19:45
Inter Milan (4/9) v Sporting (17/2) Draw (10/3) 19:45
Levski Sofia (20/1) v Barcelona (1/6) Draw (13/2) 19:45
Liverpool (8/11) v PSV (5/1) Draw (5/2) 19:45
Shakhtar Donetsk (13/5) v Roma (5/4) Draw (9/4) 19:45
Spartak Moscow (11/4) v Bayern Munich (11/10) Draw (23/10) 17:30
Valencia (5/11) v Olympiacos (8/1) Draw (10/3) 19:45
Werder Bremen (6/4) v Chelsea (2/1) Draw (9/4) 19:45

Good luck with your selections!

Ed note: Make your Champions League bets at Blue Square for the very best prices

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