YOU'VE heard about the Fox in the Box – what about the Ox in the Box?
On Saturday when Liverpool were losing at Aston Villa on came Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to help turn the game around.
The former Arsenal star netted two in the 4-1 win in Genk a fortnight ago and is likely to start tonight's Champions League test.
It took him just two minutes to score away and he is 17-2 with Unibet to break again compared to Mo Salah and Sadio Mane – they were also both on target in Belgium. Just to score The Ox looks good value at 43-20.
Liverpool are no bigger than 1-10 to win so for value look at handicaps. Genk have conceded 10 in their three group games so you'd expect Jurgen Kopp's men to score four or more.
My only concern is if they have on eye on Sunday's title crunch with Man City so it might be one to leave alone until teams are revealed.
To score 4+ Liverpool are just 11-10 at bet365 while over 4.5 match goals pays 5-2 at bet365 – this has landed in six out of nine at Anfield this season including a 4-3 defeat of Salzburg and 5-5 draw against Arsenal.
The other game in Group E features Napoli v Salzburg with a win for the Italians almost certainly eliminating the entertaining Austrians who lost a thriller in the first meeting a fortnight ago.
Napoli have stuttered in Serie A in recent weeks but having defeated Liverpool at home you have to fancy them here at 9-10 with betfair. That looks a fair price but if you prefer go for goals. The Austrians lost 4-3 at Anfield and will have to go for glory so every chance of them netting. Both to score pays just 4-11 at William Hill though.
In Group H Chelsea and Ajax are locked on six points but the Blues have the advantage after beating last year
Chelsea entertain Ajax after beating the Dutch 1-0 in Amsterdam a few weeks ago. Frank Lampard's men have won eight of nine while Ajax have netted eight in two games since their loss to the Londoners.
We all saw how good Ajax were last season, especially on the road, and I was surprisedc by their defeat at home.
That was nearly a 0-0 but I reckon it will be more open at Stamford Bridge and best bet could be over 2.5 goals.
The other game sees Valencia at home to Lille and this should be a win for the Spaniards who can keep their qualifying hopes alive. Valencia are a best 19-20 with Unibet while Valencia & btts has a chance at 7-2 with betfair.
Their last six games have brought up btts while Lille have netted in their previous road trips.
In Group F Barcelona lead by three points from Inter and Dortmund so have a great chance of moving completely clear as Slavia Prague visit.
Barca won just 2-1 in the Czech Republic but this should be more clear-cut as they bid to bounce back from a shock defeat at Levante at the weekend.
The Spaniards are no bigger than 2-9 but can probably be take -1 on accumulators.
Inter were convincing winners at home to Dortmund but the Germans are pretty hot favourites at 21-20 with Sky Bet to gain their revenge.
I don't think it's as clear-cut as that and both to score could be a better option with Inter's only clean sheet in nine coming against their German hosts.
Group G is tight with just three points separating leaders Leipzig from fourth-placed Benfica. RB travel to Zenit having smashed in 14 goals in their last two games and of course they beat the Russians 2-1 at home.
Zenit as we know are strong at home with 12 wins out of 14 in Europe and while it's difficult to back against them Zenit will arrive at the stadium full of confidenc.
Star striker Timo Werner netted five goals out of those 14 and is 7-5 with Unibet to add to his tally.
The Russians could edge this but they're unlikely to shut out RB so go for both to score at 1-2 with Ladbrokes.
New boss Rudi Garcia has guided Lyon to seven points out of nine and they go for a first Champions League win at home to Benfica who do most of their good work at home.
I fancy Lyon at evens with Ladbrokes and for a first scorer pick between Memphis Depay and Moussa Dembele who are both 4-1.
Reommended Bets
- Oxlade-Chamberlain to score
- Liverpool & over 3.5 match goals
- Napoli
- Chelsea v Ajax over 2.5 goals
- Valencia & Btts
- Barcelona -1
- Dortmund v Inter btts
- Werner (Leipzig) to score
- Lyon
Resident football tipster at Scotland's most read newspaper, the Daily Record, for over 20 years and proud host of one the best betting communities on the web with daily betting tips.
