Champions League Group Stage Matchday 6 Odds & Picks Dec 9: Ajax vs Atalanta, Real Madrid vs Gladbach & Inter vs Shakhtar

• There’s plenty to play for on Matchday 6 of the 2020-21 Champions League
• Groups A to D play their final matches of the group stage on Wednesday, December 9th, 2020
• Get the latest odds, picks and previews below as some of Europe’s biggest clubs face elimination

Manchester City, Porto, Bayern Munich and Liverpool can all relax on Matchday 6. They are secure in the last 16. Group B is undecided ahead of the final round of matches, while Atletico Madrid must avoid defeat to Salzburg to stay in the competition. Atalanta and Ajax matchup in Group D to decide who joins Liverpool in the knockout phase of the competition.

Group B is where the most potential drama lies. As Shakhtar travels to Milan to face Inter and Real Madrid host Borussia Monchengladbach, all four teams can still go through. They are the two matches that attract the majority of attention in this set of fixtures.

Matchday 6 kicks off on Tuesday with eight matches, followed by eight more on Wednesday. Below are the odds for Wednesday’s Champions League matches, followed by a few previews and picks.

Champions League Matchday 6 Odds

All odds taken Dec 8 at DraftKings

Ajax vs Atalanta

This is a fascinating situation. Atalanta are one point ahead of Ajax. The Dutch giants need a win to progress, but Atalanta are not programmed to play for a draw. The hosts suffered a shock defeat to Twente at the weekend, while Atalanta’s match was postponed, giving them more time to prepare.

Atalanta have one win in six matches. It’s a really poor run at a bad time, but that win did come in the Champions League against Liverpool. The Serie A side’s failure to beat Midtjylland on Matchday 5 has put them on the back foot in Group D. It was an exciting 2-2 draw when these two teams met earlier in the competition, but a lot has changed since then.

Here we go! 😄 https://t.co/cfKiOK6Hgm

— Nico Tagliafico (@nico_taglia) December 7, 2020

Betting against Atalanta is always risky. They have the attacking firepower to produce improbable victories, but their recent record is a real concern. There’s little value in the total goals market – over 3.5 is too short at -141.

It could go either way and should be a great game for the neutrals. Ajax to win the match at +130 is a decent bet given their superb home record this term.

Pick: Ajax moneyline (+130)

Real Madrid vs Borussia Monchengladbach

What a mess Real Madrid have got themselves in. They must win on Wednesday to guarantee a place in the last 16 – they could yet finish in any position in the group. Los Blancos got back to winning ways at the weekend with a 1-0 victory over Sevilla, which is the sort of boost they needed before their biggest match of the season. Real needed two late goals to draw with Borussia Monchengladbach on Matchday 2.

💚 Alassane Pléa has been directly involved in 8 goals in 5 Champions League games for Gladbach this season (5 goals, 3 assists) 🔥#UCL | @borussia_en pic.twitter.com/6UqjgKt1M4

— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) December 7, 2020

Gladbach are top of the group, a position they deserve. There’s no question they have been the best side in Group B. A draw is good enough for the Bundesliga club to go through, but they will be frustrated to not have already secured their spot in the next round. Late goals in the first two matches cost them victories and they were a VAR decision away from a draw with Inter on Matchday 5. Their domestic form has been patchy – the draw with Freiburg at the weekend was a disappointment.

Real’s defense has repeatedly been exposed in the Champions League. They aren’t going to be able to keep this Gladbach attack quiet. This Real Madrid team is deeply flawed, and aside from reputation, there’s little to separate them from Gladbach. The visitors to avoid defeat is the pick.

Pick: Borussia Monchengladbach win or draw (+114)

Inter vs Shakhtar Donetsk

Inter are on a strong run domestically, seeing off Bologna at the weekend to make it three wins on the bounce. Antonio Conte’s relationship with the Champions League remains rocky, however. Failure to win on Wednesday will see the Nerazzuri finish bottom of the group. They go through if they win and Real Madrid and Gladbach don’t draw, but despite being heavily favored in the odds, a home win is not a foregone conclusion.

🗣 Romelu Lukaku: "I am without a doubt one of the top 5 strikers in world football." pic.twitter.com/YEARXjuxPA

— Football Tweet (@Football__Tweet) December 7, 2020

While Inter won a stunning match against Gladbach on Matchday 5, Shakhtar got the better of Real Madrid to put themselves in the qualification spots. They held Inter to a draw in Kiev on Matchday 2. Shakhtar are traditionally not strong away from home, but Inter’s home form leaves plenty to be desired, too. The hosts have two wins from their last six at San Siro in all competitions.

Even with a very inexperienced defense (an average age of 21), Shakhtar held off Real Madrid last week. Keeping this Inter attack quiet is a different matter altogether, but the visitors will take confidence into this match. A win sends Shakhtar through for sure, and they can still progress with a draw.

Inter will be forced to chase the game. Shakhtar will create chances in transition. This will be a wide-open clash between two teams who need to win – over 3.5 is the pick here, though over 4.5 is a tempter.

Pick: Over 3.5 total goals (+100)