FEB 22: EUROPEAN FOOTBALL TIPS

IT was an action-packed night on Tuesday with the big gamble on Napoli paying off but Real Madrid letting punters down at the death.

We had some healthy debate on the Napoli v Chelsea match but in the end the Blues' old failings – and David Luiz – came back to haunt them and I was delighted my 7-2 double on Cristiano Ronaldo and Edinson Cavani to score came up.

A 2-0 win in the second leg at Stamford Bridge will see Chelsea through but on current form I wouldn't back them and they look like conceding in every game.

There are another two Champions League ties tonight with Bayern Munich travelling to Basel and Inter heading to France to face Marseille.

Bayern sailed through their the group of death and topped the table but since then have gone off the boil in the Bundesliga. They drew 0-0 at Freiburg at the weekend and have won just three of six on the domestic scene.

They are third favourites with some bookies to win the Champions Leage and Europe could inspire them back to their best having won six out of their last nine on the road in this tournament.

Basel are in a decent form at home, however, and the 8-13 from the likes of Paddy Power and Ladbrokes on the Germans is about as attractive as a lad in leiderhosen. The Swiss are a biggest 6-1 at boylesports who go 3-1 on the draw.

I'm edging towards the draw but best bet could be both teams to score at a biggest 10-11 with Ladbrokes.

Inter Milan are another side struggling on the domestic scene. Claudio Ranieri's men have lost five of their last six without scoring. The other game ended in a 4-4 draw at home to Palermo.

Maybe Europe will be a welcome distraction to a side who beat French champions Lille home and away in the group stage..

But on current form it will take a bit of courage to back the Italians, whose losses include a
3-0 home hammering by Bologna on Friday and 1-0 defeat to Novara last week, for their trip to Marseille.

However, there is no question a best price of 11-4 at bet365 is inflated due to their current crisis. Previously they had won eight in a row when Ranieri arrived and strikers Diego Milito and Diego Foran will worry any defence when they get going.

Marseille are unbeaten in 15 in a weaker league set-up but lost at home to Olympiakos and Arsenal in the group stage so I wouldn't write off the Italians. And because they are so big Inter can be backed at 5-6 with Coral on the double chance.

The French are 5-4 with the likes of Paddy Power and Betfred and the draw pays 9-4 at Betfred.

Man City tackle Porto in the Europa League looking to build on their 2-1 win in Porto. The Portuguese outfit don't always travel well and I'll be on City at 4-6 with William Hill.

There are three games in the French League with St Etienne being ths standout at home to Lorient. They ravaged Rennes 4-0 at the weekend and have won three of their last four to nil. You can have 1-1 with William Hill.

Champions Lille look tempting at 4-5 with William Hill at lowly Sochaux but have only win one in six. And five of the last six meetings between the sides at Sochaux have been draws as well as the clash earlier this season in Lille. A draw pays 13-5 at BetVictor. 

Caen face Auxerre in the other game and that could also finish all square. Both meetings this season ended in stalemates and the last five have been under 2.5 goals.

And there could be another draw in the Serie A game between Siena and Catania. Three of the last four meetings in Siena have finished 1-1 and the sides drew 0-0 when they played this season. Another stalemate pays 11-5 (various).

Recommendations

Inter Milan or draw double chance

(5-6, Coral)

St Etienne

(1-1, William Hill)

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