It's all or nothing for clubs in the UEFA Champions League, as the league phase enters its final two matchdays. Favorites will be looking to secure their earns while underdogs aim to shock the field in a format that thrives on last-minute havoc.
We have nine games to target on Wednesday's Champions League schedule, and our staff has come up with picks for four of them. Continue reading for our Champions League best bets for Wednesday, January 21.
Champions League Best Bets
The club logos in the table below represent each match that our soccer betting staff is targeting from today's games. Click on the team logos for any of the matchups below to navigate to a specific bet discussed in this article.
| Match | Time (ET) | Pick |
|---|---|---|
  | 12:45 p.m. | |
  | 3 p.m. | |
  | 3 p.m. | |
  | 3 p.m. | |
Specific betting recommendations come from the sportsbook offering preferred odds as of writing. Always shop for the best price using our soccer Odds page, which automatically surfaces the best lines for every game. | ||
Atletico Madrid vs. Galatasaray SK
Atletico Madrid are on course to qualify for the last 16, but they have their attack to thank. Therefore, we are backing Both Teams To Score and Over 2.5 Goals – Yes when they take on Galatasaray.
The Colchoneros have failed to keep a clean sheet in the Champions League this season, with those matches averaging 4.5 goals. This bet has won in five of those six games. Diego Simeone’s side has kept just one clean sheet in their last 11 away games in the Champions League. Those matches have averaged 4.18 goals.
Galatasaray have scored an average of two goals per home game across all competitions this season, failing to score in just three of those 16 matches.
Pick: Both Teams To Score – Yes & Over 2.5 Goals
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Athletic Bilbao vs. Atalanta
Atalanta have kept three clean sheets in six European games, and seven more domestically. Only PSG and Chelsea have managed over 1.0 xG (expected goals) against Atalanta in Europe. Its defensive stability makes it a value bet to keep a clean sheet against one of the least efficient teams in the competition.
Meanwhile, Athletic Bilbao has struggled offensively, averaging fewer than 1.0 goals per game across La Liga and the Champions League. In Europe, they have managed just 0.7 goals per game, totaling four goals in six matches, with only Slavia Prague scoring fewer in the tournament.
The last three Athletic Bilbao matches have seen opposition keep a clean sheet. Athletic failed to score in four European games and eight more in 20 La Liga matches.
Pick: Atalanta To Win and Both Teams To Score – No
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Union Saint-Gilloise vs. Bayern Munich
Bayern have been the most fearsome attacking side in Europe this season, so it’s difficult to look past them on the moneyline market in this game.
Since losing away to Arsenal, Bayern are unbeaten in nine competitive matches, winning eight. During that run, they have scored an average of four goals per game, three more than their opponents.
Royal Union SG have lost four of their six Champions League matches this season, conceding an average of 2.5 goals per game. Inter and Newcastle both scored four against the Belgian side, which doesn’t bode well as they prepare to face this menacing Bayern side that managed to beat Leipzig 5-1 in their last match.
Pick: Bayern Munich To Win
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PSV Eindhoven vs. Newcastle United
Newcastle, priced as heavy favourites in the moneyline market, will face a stern challenge against PSV. The Dutch may lack results, but have remained an attacking threat throughout the competition.
Both teams have impressive offensive records in Europe, each averaging over 2.0 goals per game. Interestingly, PSV surpasses the Magpies, even though they rank lower in the standings.
Eddie Howe's team has kept three clean sheets so far. However, they have conceded in their last two matches. PSV, with a much stronger attacking output than their recent opponents, is likely to create scoring opportunities even when playing in Newcastle.
The Dutch side has earned more points away from home in Europe this season and has scored in every European fixture so far.
Pick: Newcastle To Win and Both Teams To Score – Yes
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