BACKING homes in the Champions League should pay dividends tonight with the likes of Arsenal, Roma and Bayern Munich looking nailed on.
In seven out of eight ties the home men are heavily odds-on with only Spartak Moscow not fancied against Chelsea in Russia.
Arsenal have had their problems, mainly in defence, but with Cesc Fabregas and Theo Walcott expected to return they should have too much quality for Shakhtar Donetsk.
It will be an emotional night at the Emirates with Croat striker Eduardo returning and he is 10-3 with Hills to score. The Gunners could concede but should have enough firepower at the other end to pick up three points. They are 4-6 with bodog and Stan James.
Chelsea and Spartak have both their two openers so a draw tonight wouldn't do anyone harm. The Blues look poor value at a best 6-5 with Skybet considering they are likely to take few injury results on a plastic pitch where they lost the 2008 final and will be without Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard.
Spartak are tempting at 11-4 with Ladbrokes but the call here could be the Russians draw no bet at 13-8 with bodog and Ladbrokes. Aiden McGeady plays in his highest-profile match since leaving Celtic and is 18-1 with Betfred to score first and 11-2 at Paddy Power to hit the target at any time.
Roma have some off-field troubles relating to the sale of the club but should be fully focused on seeing off Basel and are 8-13 with Hills and totesport.
Bayern are the shortest price of the night at home to Romanians Cluj, Hills and 888sport going 2-7, while Marseille should edge out a Zilina outfit that can't be underestimated.
The biggest clash of the night is in Spain where Real Madrid entertain AC Milan. Both sides have started the season well and a draw would be the easy call but Real with home advantage can win it by one. They are 8-13 with Coral and totesport. Real will rely heavily on in-form Cristiano Ronaldo whle Milan will take confidence from winning in the Bernabeu the last time the sides clashed.
Braga have been impressive at home but poor on their travels so should see off Partizan Belgrade in Portugal. Celtic's conquerors are 5-6 at bet365.
All British teams to win Champions League matches this week pays 66-1 with Ladbrokes who go 11-4 on all British teams scoring.
In the Championship I'll be on Norwich who should have beaten leaders QPR at Loftus Road at the weekend. Paul Lambert's League One champions are emerging as serious promotion contenders and are 8-11 with bet365 to beat Crystal Palace at home.
Sven-Goran Eriksson has asked for time to prove himself at Leicester and that suggests he's not confident about going to Leeds and getting a result. Like Norwich, Leeds have generally adapted well to life at a higher level and should be able to see off the Swede's Leicester. Leeds are 6-5 with Paddy Power and William Hill.
Finally, complete your treble with free-scoring Burnley who were unlucky not to win at Sheffield United at the weekend. They conceded a last-minute goal in a 3-3 thriller but should go one better at home to Barnsley. They are 7-10 with Paddy Power.
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE TREBLE
- Arsenal
- Roma
- Ajax
CHAMPIONSHIP TREBLE
- Burnley
- Leeds
- Norwich
SUPER SINGLE
- Spartak draw no bet (13-8, Ladbrokes)
BONKERS BET
- Real Madrid 1, AC Milan 0 (11-2, Paddy Power)
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.
