Champions League 
/ James Eastham / 26 March 2012 / Leave a Comment 
Didier Drogba has been in excellent form in the tournament
"Benfica have scored in 16 of their last 17 European games excluding qualifiers, while Chelsea have scored in nine successive games, their best run in European history."
James Eastham expects an entertaining encounter in Portugal on Tuesday evening.
Benfica v Chelsea, 19:45 GMT, Sky Sports 2, Match Odds: Benfica [2.44], Chelsea [3.3], The Draw [3.35].
Having overcome Napoli against all odds in the second leg of their last 16 clash Chelsea will travel to Lisbon to face Benfica this week believing they can make it to the last four for the first time since 2009.
The market certainly think so. Chelsea go into the tie as [1.58] favourites to qualify, with Benfica [2.68]. But to get anything out of this week's game, Chelsea will need to improve on their away record of W0-D2-L3 in their last five Champions League away matches. Those problems on the road, plus Benfica's outstanding record of just one defeat in their last eight home games against English opposition, suggest Chelsea's price of [3.3] to win on Tuesday night is justified.
Benfica at [2.44] and the draw at [3.35] look the smart picks in the match market, but goals are a stronger bet on this game. As Opta stats reveal, Benfica have scored in 16 of their last 17 European games excluding qualifiers, while Chelsea have scored in nine successive games, their best run in European history. In each of their previous six encounters against Portuguese opposition (all FC Porto), Chelsea scored at least once.
The last round also points towards goals: Benfica lost 3-2 at Zenit St Petersburg, while Chelsea's 90-minute scorelines against Napoli were 3-1 defeat (away) and 3-1 win (home).
The selections worth looking at are 'Yes' in the Both Teams to Score? market at [1.91]. Over 2.5 goals at [2.3] and 3.5 Goals at [4.3].
Finally, if you're looking for a player to score those goals, Didier Drogba is your man. The Ivory Coast international has scored four goals in Chelsea's last four Champions League matches. He'll be available to score any time at around [3.3].
Best Bet: Over 2.5 Goals @ [2.3]
Other Recommended Bets: 'Yes' in Both Teams to Score? market @ [1.91]; Didier Drogba in 'To Score' market @ [3.3].
Chelsea fans may think they dodged something of a bullet by drawing Benfica but there are good stats to suggest the Portuguese outfit shouldn't be too disppapointed with the draw themselves, says Matthew Walton....
There were some pretty familar names on the Chelsea scoresheet as Roberto di Matteo managed to overturn a 3-1 deficit against Napoli and steer his side into the next round after extra-time. Elsewhere, it was business as usual for Real...
Tobias Gourlay expects the Premier League to wake up on Thursday morning without a team in the Champions League quarter-finals for the first time in 16 years...
No comments:
Post a Comment