Crap day yesterday for me so hoping for better days. 3 for me tonight. I might take Celtic too but as usual I worry when so many are backing at good odds.
Besiktas v Marseille, Marseille (0) @5/6 Skybet A vital game for the home side coming off the back of that humiliating 0:8 defeat at Anfield. If the Turkish side fail to win here then they can forget it and a defeat would all but see them out of Europe altogether depending on what happens at Anfield. It must be remembered thoguh that they did beat Liverpool at home where they were strong at the time but that 2:1 win was followed by a run of 5 winless games of which 4 were straight defeats in a row. They have eneded that now though with an away win in the league at the weekend which will give them confidence. A draw here would not be a bad result for Marseille as that would ensure they would go into the last game in second place only needing another draw to progress. For that reason they should keep it tight but I still think they can nick something here. My reasons are that Eric Gerets knows the opposition and knows Turkish football- he knows how to set up here. He also has a good head to head record against the Besiktas manager having not lost in the 5 previous meetings in Turkish football. Besiktas also have a number of injuries at the back though I am not certain how important they are. Overs was a possible bet here. I expect the home side to score in their search for a win and in all 4 of Marseille's games so far they have scored- but have only conceded 3 goals which put me off that bet. Benfica v Milan, Milan @5/4 Bet365 The onus is well and truely on Benfica who have started getting it together in the league but yet to impress at this level this season. A single win over Celtic in a game that could really have gone either way remains their only points and tonight they must step it up a level for the visit of Milan. As shown at Celtic Park Milan can be beaten but I think to beat Milan you have to get them early or when they have already qualified- neither of which apply here. While Milan stutter along in Serie a they have picked it up in the Champions League since losing to Celtic with emphatic wins over Shakhtar. The away leg was very impressive as I thought that could be a banana skin for them. Benfica no doubt will have to go for it tonight but I think the experienced Milan side will be able to pick them off. Benfica need this to stay in while a win guarantees Milan's progress- though if there is a winner at Celtic Park a draw will do them. Milan for me look better equipped for the job here. Benfica have only a single goal so far in the competition and while they are making chances they can't seem to put them away. When the chips are down and there is a job to be done Milan usually go out and do it so at these odds I think they are worth backing tonight. Liverpool v Porto, Liverpool -1ah @7/10 Ladbrokes
This is a must win for Benitez and whatever problems he has with the club he will put the side for tonight and get down to business. At this level Benitez has a proven track record of getting it right and I expect no different tonight. He has a real luxury of riches to choose from and I feel he will pick the right side tonight to take all 3 points here. I don't see a repeat of what happened against Besiktas but I think the win will be emphatic in front of a packed Anfield. Porto are no mugs and will be looking to maintain their unbeaten record which would see them progress tonight. This though is the big one for Liverpool which I feel will make or break their season in Europe.