CHAMPIONS LEAGUE MD5 TIPS: DISCIPLINE, DRAMA & TURKISH DELIGHT
From Istanbul to London and beyond, Matchday 5 of the Champions League looks set to deliver drama by the minute… and we’ve got the tips for just an occasion.
Who will you be backing on the grandest stage in club football?
Tip 1 – Galatasaray to win (2UP) vs Union Saint-Gilloise @ 1/2
Galatasaray’s return to the European spotlight has definitely flown under the radar.
After a shaky 5-1 defeat to Frankfurt on Matchday 1 they hit back in style, stunning Liverpool in a historic victory that lit the fuse to the 3-1 win over Bodø/Glimt and the 3-0 dismantling of Ajax last time out.
And at the heart of it all? Victor Osimhen, who currently tops the Champions League scoring charts with six goals – edging out world-class names like Erling Haaland and Harry Kane.
Union Saint-Gilloise, meanwhile, are still searching for a foothold. They’ve conceded 11 goals in their last three games and arrive in Istanbul low on Champions League form and confidence.
With Galatasaray’s attack in full flow and a raucous home crowd behind them, it’s hard to see past a win here – and with our 2UP market in play, you could be paid out early if Gala take a two-goal lead.
Tip 2 – Edmond Tapsoba to be booked vs Manchester City @ 2/1
Manchester City’s dominance has a way of making even the most composed defenders lose their head – which is far from ideal if you’re Edmond Tapsoba.
The Bayer Leverkusen invincible has already picked up three yellow cards in the Champions League this season – joint-most of any player – and has only managed to avoid a booking in one of his four group appearances.
Against a City side that thrives on turnovers, movement and isolating defenders one-on-one with the likes of Haaland, Jeremy Doku, Omar Marmoush and Rayan Cherki, it’s easy to see where the pressure will come from.
Tapsoba isn’t necessarily reckless enough to be given his marching orders but he is physical and committed enough to be punished away from home against one of the best teams on the continent.
That’s why we’re backing the Burkinabe international to go into the book – and at 2/1, given his track record in this season’s competition, it could be very generously priced.
Tip 3 – Bayern Munich to score a penalty vs Arsenal @ 6/1
There are few certainties in football but Harry Kane scoring a penalty against Arsenal feels about as close as it gets.
The Bayern frontman has seven career penalties against the Gunners, more than he’s scored against any other side across his uber-impressive 96 career goals from the spot.
He’s already dispatched four penalties in the Bundesliga this season – more than any other player – and with Bayern's frontline constantly asking questions in the box, the chances of another spot-kick are very much real.
Kane scored a penalty in the first leg of the 2023/24 semi-final at the Emirates and is 6/1 to run it back on Matchday 5 of the Champions League.
Of course, this pick applies to anyone in Bavarian colours, but if there’s one player most likely to take it if he’s still on the pitch, it’s Tottenham Hotspur’s all-time greatest goalscorer.
Fancy all our three of our Champions League Matchday 5 tips to land? You can combine all these tips into a 30/1 Acca. Add it to your betslip by clicking here.
Odds correct at time of publication but subject to change.
