Champions League Betting Group D: APOEL Nicosia vs. FC Porto
by Nila Amerova
APOEL Nicosia are third in Group D on one point after three cycles of Champions League action and in danger of exiting the competition. APOEL are after a narrow 2:1 loss to FC Porto on matchday 3 a fortnight ago. In the returning leg of their tie, APOEL have to go for broke and record their first win of the competition if they hope to salvage their European campaign. Meanwhile, FC Porto took a step in the right direction when they beat APOEL and another win could see them clinch second place in Group D.
Soccer Betting Line:
Apoel Nicosia +½ +120 +425 2½ O +110 U -130 ½ O -135 U +115 Draw +255
FC Porto -½ -140 -145 2½ O +110 U -130 1½ O -115 U -105 Draw +255
Venue: GSP - Nicosia - Cyprus
Match Time: 02:45 PM Eastern Time Tuesday November 3, 2009
Soccer Betting Verdict: Although APOEL have only one point to show for their top-flight European campaign, they have been tough to beat all the while. They opened their campaign with a scoreless draw against Atletico and followed up with a respectable 1:0 defeat to Chelsea and a close 2:1 loss to FC Porto. That they have managed to hold their own against some of the bigger clubs in Europe speaks to their tenacity on the pitch and the solid effort by their backline. The problem has been materialization at the front; an issue they hope to resolve at home when they host FC Porto.
FC Porto were fortunate to take all three points on match day 3 and coach Jesualdo Ferreira will be mindful of the lucky escape. If FC Porto hope to clinch a knockout stage spot, and launch a successful campaign from that point and onwards, they will need to be more convincing against the minnows in Europe, of which group, APOEL is considered a part.
FC Porto are currently second, five points clear of both Atletico and APOEL. A win over APOEL would almost certainly see them through to the knockout stages therefore they have enough incentive to get the job done on Tuesday. At -145 favourite odds, they have the confidence of the market to accomplish the feat. Indeed, they are a good play to win outright.
APOEL have to go for broke and aim to take all three points. The market sets them at a considerable disadvantage, listing them at +425. Clearly, the market does believe they have a shot to win. And neither does the majority of the betting public. However, there is value in backing APOEL to cover the spread and on the totals. APOEL have resisted heavy defeats in every match therefore, they are good bet on the handicap at +1/2 +120. They must adopt an attacking approach in this game and scoring a goal is well within their capabilities. Taking them at team totals of Over ½ -135 is also a good play.
Soccer Free Picks: FC Porto -145 | APOEL Over ½ -135 | APOEL + ½ +120| Combined totals Over 2 ½ +110
