Champions League Tuesday

Going to Russia for a European match is never especially easy at this time of year. Not only is the weather rarely appealing, but the Russian division has already got well underway, and that tends to play out as a small advantage.

Liverpool look to be getting over-rated in this one, trading into no longer than 8/15 to win at Spartak Moscow and that is simply too short in our book. Liverpool are certainly dangerous going forwards, and Coutinho seems to be getting re-integrating nicely, but there are bigger doubts at the other end and they look vulnerable.

It's fair to say Moscow haven't started their season in sparkling form, with too many draws leaving them in mid-table after nine matches, but the history books are enough to suggest they are value on the +0.5 handicap at 13/8. The bet would collect in the event on a home win or a draw.

1pt Spartak Moscow +0.5 Goals at 13/8

Going south, Besiktas look overpriced at 11/5 when they face RB Leipzig. The new kids on the block are certainly making people take note, but they are inexperienced when it comes to visiting Turkey, where the atmosphere will be something quite new, so it's hard to agree with the notion that they are good favourites in this one,

The Turkish side have already beaten Porto away from home, and have opened reasonably well domestically, while Leipzig have won only four of their eight games this season so far.

Besiktas were excellent at home in Europe last season, beating Lyon 2-1, Olympiakos 4-1, Hapoel Beer Sheva 1-0, as well as drawing with Napoli and Benfica. They are no pushovers, and odds of 11/5 on the home win should be snapped up.

1pt Besiktas to beat Red Bull Leipzig at 11/5

Finally, add Monaco to your plan tonight. The French League is improving all the time, and while Monaco added a significant chunk of cash to the bank with the sale of Mendy and Bakayoko to the Premier League, they retain a very good side, who are second in Ligue 1 and have scored 22 goals in eight games.

Porto are going good guns themselves, with just one defeat this season, but they are playing in an altogether weaker division domestically, and may also struggle to replace a couple of key names who left in the summer - Ruben Neves joining Wolves was one big deal, while Cristian Tello is now at Real Betis and Andre Silva at Milan.

At odds-against, Monaco are the play here.

1pt Monaco to beat Porto at 23/20

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