Champions League
The Champions League returns this week with the second round of matches and the English teams looking for wins to put their campaign back on track.
Chelsea were the only English side to win their opening match and they travel to Porto in what is sure to be a really tough encounter. Porto drew their first match against Kiev when they conceded late on so they will be keen to get back on track with a positive result here. Chelsea's form in the Premier League has been really poor and they sit in the bottom half of the table currently. Diego Costa is currently serving a three match domestic ban but he is eligible to play here and will be needed if Chelsea are to be victorious here. I think this will be a tight affair and if Chelsea can find a bit of the form they are capable of I can actually see them coming away with a win. They are best price 21/10 to get the win and I think that is worth a bet.
Arsenal lost their first game against Zagreb so it is vital they win their home matches in the group stage. They play Olympiakos at the Emirates tonight and although they went down three nil to Bayern Munich in the first match they were in the game for a while and looked a reasonable side. However, Arsenal are scoring goals at the moment and with Alexis Sanchez looking back to his best they should have far too much for the Greeks.
Elsewhere Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Zenit St Petersburg all appear to have home bankers against Bayer Leverkusen, Dynamo Zagreb and Gent respectively.
Another chat that does interest me is Dinamo Kiev travelling to Maccabi Tel Aviv. The Israeli side looks truly awful when they made the visit to Stamford Bridge in the last round of matches. Dynamo Zagreb however looked a competent side and were able to take advantage of the extra man against Arsenal when Olivier Giroud was dismissed. We can obtain evens on them beating Tel Aviv and looking at the two sides there appears some value in that price.
Barcelona & Arsenal to WIN 8/1
Sedgefield 14:30
Golden Heritage was looking the likely winner when he fell three out at Worcester last time. He was favourite that day and will be again today. Assuming there are no ill effects from that fall he will take all the beating in this race and at odds against I think he is the stand out bet. John Ferguson's horse should be fine with the firmer ground here today and I think he will have learnt a lot from his last run so will have no problem taking a race of this class.
Today's Selections
Chelsea win and Arsenal minus 1 - 1 point @ 6.16 (Paddy Power)
Acca - Arsenal, Barca, Munich, Zenit & Dinamo Kiev - 1 point @ 5.88 (Paddy Power)
Sedgefield 14:30 Golden Heritage - 3 points at 6/5 (Betvictor, Betfred)