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Champions League Group Stage Matchday 5 Odds & Picks Dec 1: Borussia Monchengladbach Looking to Book Ticket to Round of 16

Quinn Allen

by Quinn Allen in Soccer News

Updated Nov 29, 2020 · 6:58 PM PST

Robert Lewandowski goal scoring celebration with Thomas Mueller
Bayern's Robert Lewandowski, right, celebrates with Bayern's Thomas Mueller after scoring his sides first goal during the Champions League Group A soccer match between Bayern Munich and RB Salzburg at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Czech Republic, Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2020. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)
  • Matchday 5 in the Champions League begins on Tuesday with eight fixtures on the schedule
  • Atletico Madrid welcomes Bayern Munich to the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium, while Liverpool look to bounce back after a Matchday four defeat to Atalanta as they host Dutch giants Ajax at Anfield
  • Get our full odds for all of Tuesday’s fixtures, along with three previews and their best bets below

The Champions League group stage is slowly coming to a close as we enter Matchday five on Tuesday, December 1st. So far, only three sides have won all four of their games in current title-holders Bayern Munich, Manchester City, and Barcelona.

Bayern visits Atletico on Tuesday, looking to replicate their Matchday one thrashing of Diego Simeone’s side where they beat them 4-0. Borussia Monchengladbach meanwhile, sits atop Group B with eight points and will host Inter Milan, who have once again struggled to put together results in Europe, currently at the bottom of the group.

UEFA Champions League Matchday 5 Odds Dec. 1

Matchup Home Draw Away
Shahktar Donetsk vs Real Madrid +675 +450 -286
Lokomotiv Moscow vs Red Bull Salzburg +390 +335 -159
Atletico Madrid vs Bayern Munich +105 +300 +225
FC Porto vs Manchester City +390 +290 -143
Atalanta vs FC Midtjylland -480 +580 +1175
Liverpool vs Ajax -157 +330 +380
Borussia Monchengladbach vs Inter Milan +215 +270 +116
Marseille vs Olympiakos +135 +220 +225

All odds taken Dec 1 at DraftKings

Pick 1: Atletico Madrid vs Bayern Munich

Atletico Madrid will be looking to turn the tables and find a positive result this time around against the current champions of Europe on Tuesday on home soil.

Simeone’s men have looked solid domestically, winning their last six fixtures which puts them second in the La Liga table. But in Europe, they’ve dealt with their issues, currently holding just five points after a scoreless draw with Lokomotiv Moscow last week.

Luis Suarez is set to miss this clash due to a positive COVID-19 test, with Angel Correa and Portuguese sensation Joao Felix set to feature up top. With a victory on Tuesday against Bayern and a Lokomotiv defeat to Salzburg, Atleti could book their ticket to the Round of 16.

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The Bavarian giants are once again flying high in all competitions. They’re first in Bundesliga with 31 goals in just nine outings and well above the rest in Group A of the Champions League with a perfect 12 points. Hansi Flick’s squad has also bagged 15 goals already in European competition.

After winning their first four clashes, a victory in Madrid would stretch Bayern’s unbeaten run in Europe to 16 matches. Robert Lewandowski is netting goals at a mind-boggling rate once again, already scoring 15 times across all competitions, including three in UCL play.

Having already locked up top spot in this group, Bayern could take their foot off the gas pedal for Tuesday’s meeting, which could pave the way for a respectable result for the hosts. Knowing how important this game is for Atletico and their recent form in mind, I think they’ll take away a point here.

Pick: Draw (+300)

Pick 2: Liverpool vs Ajax

The reigning Premier League champions welcome Eredivisie outfit Ajax to Anfield on Tuesday. Matchday four was one to forget for the Reds, suffering a 2-0 defeat to Atalanta on home turf. Jurgen Klopp’s side has dealt with their fair share of injuries over the last few weeks, but prior to this loss, it hasn’t affected them too drastically.

A 1-1 draw with Brighton over the weekend was also a disappointing result though for Liverpool, conceding a controversial penalty in the dying minutes of injury time. Diogo Jota continues to lead the way in the final third for the Merseysiders, scoring yet another goal on the weekend. The Reds lead this UCL group with nine points, but Ajax and Atalanta sit just two behind with seven points apiece.

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Erik ten Hag’s men played a relatively even match against Liverpool on Matchday one, losing 1-0 thanks to an own goal. Possession was basically split in half and each side had their respective opportunities on target. With this in mind, Ajax will be optimistic that grabbing three points on Tuesday is a real possibility.

The Dutch side has drawn four and won one of their last five away clashes against English opponents in European meetings. Even just a point here would keep them well in the running for a chance of advancing to the next stage of this competition.

Since their defeat to Liverpool more than a month ago, Ajax hasn’t lost in eight appearances. They’re always a side who is capable of finding results on the big stage and I believe they will do just that on Tuesday, grabbing a point in a hard-fought draw.

Pick: Draw (+330)

Pick 3: Borussia Monchengladbach vs Inter Milan

Gladbach has been very impressive in the Champions League, currently leading a group with Real Madrid and Inter Milan alongside them. Marco Rose’s men destroyed Shakhtar in their last two European appearances, winning 4-0 and 6-0. Prior, they tied Inter and Los Blancos by 2-2 scorelines.

Alassane Plea has been fantastic in this competition, scoring three goals and tallying three assists. Strike partner Marcus Thuram has also been productive, grabbing two goals. Monchengladbach has netted 14 times already in four games while conceding just four.

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Inter Milan have once again failed to live up to expectations in Europe’s most prized competition. They have just two points to show for and have little to no chance of advancing. Attacking duo Romelu Lukaku and Lautaro Martinez have been firing on all cylinders domestically, but have struggled to find the back of the net in UCL play.

Antonio Conte’s side suffered a 2-0 defeat by the hands of Real Madrid on Matchday four, despite the Spanish giants missing both Sergio Ramos and Karim Benzema. Inter will need to win both of their remaining fixtures while praying that results elsewhere could somehow turn in their favor in order to stave off elimination.

Gladbach has lost just once in their last 12 competitive appearances and have looked very sharp in this competition. Inter certainly needs a victory, but I think their struggles will continue. I’m giving the hosts a one-goal win.

Pick: Borussia Monchengladbach (+215)

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