Today’s secondary featured game is the UEFA Champions League game in Ukraine between Shakhtar Donetsk and Zenit St.Petersburg, which features two of the financial powerhouses in the region.

Have Shakhtar really progressed that much over the past few years? Well, no, not really. I think you could make a case for them having more depth and definitely for having more experience but they’ve not taken that next step. Great passing side, nightmare to face at the Donbass, but not clinical enough in Europe and not enough strength at the back when Chygrynskyi isn’t there. However, they are at the Donbass tonight, they do have Chygrynskyi, and they are a good side when it comes to keeping the ball. This should be a different game to the one where they laboured to a 1-1 draw with APOEL Nicosia, as the Cypriots came to defend. No, this is a derby of sorts – I expect to see something from Zenit and that should leave gaps for Jadson, Fernandinho etc. to operate in.

Zenit are a good side too, of course. They’ve not really progressed either, though – they still don’t have enough firepower, in my view. I like Kerzhakov a lot but let’s be realistic – he’s their best striker by a mile and his absence is a continual problem as it will be tonight as he’s not travelled. Bukharov will reportedly lead the line on his own and although he’s a decent player, he’s not someone I fear at this level. Danny is a cracking attacking midfielder – we all know that – and Zenit do have a few other threats but you need all your players at the Donbass and they just don’t have that luxury. For Zenit’s decent players in defence, they’re also exposed rather easily at this level, which is surprising. I think it’ll hurt them here though.

Tight game but I think there’s value on the home win at 11/10 – Shakhtar have the edge over most sides here and Zenit aren’t an exception in my book.

Verdict: Shakhtar Donetsk to win at 11/10.

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Wednesday’s Picks

My tips:

Flamengo vs Universidad de Chile – lay Flamengo at evens.

This…is interesting. I don’t rate Flamengo as it is, as you all know. They attack fairly well, I suppose, but they rely far, far too much on Ronaldinho. Their defence is shoddy and their cohesion is a little weak. Universidad de Chile are a very experienced side on the continent and for some reason, Chilean sides to tend to have the rub of the green with Brazilian sides. I don’t know if it’s their combative style or determination to get one over on their “superior” rivals but I find it very hard to go against Chilean sides on the continent, home or away. For me, I think it’s worth a cheeky punt to lay the overrated hosts here – keep stakes low, though, of course – red cards are seldom far away from Chilean sides!!

Verdict: Lay Flamengo at evens.

Accumulator fodder:

Barcelona, Porto, Chelsea, FK Ventspils, Daugava Daugavpils.

Recommended bets:

No multiples appeal to me today, sorry guys!

As ever, if there are any explanations required then please feel free to post a comment! For the remainder of my thoughts on today’s games, see below, although I feel compelled to write that the below are not necessarily my tips but merely my thoughts to prevent endless questions about my thoughts on certain games!

UEFA Champions League:

Bayer 04 Leverkusen vs Valencia CF (5) 1-1
Chelsea vs Racing Genk (8) -1.5 handicap
Olympique de Marseille vs Arsenal (6) 1-1
Olympiakos Piraeus vs Bv09 Borussia Dortmund (5) 2-1
Shakhtar Donetsk vs Zenit St.Petersburg (6) 2-1, at least one red card in this game
Porto vs APOEL Nicosia (8) 2-0
AC Milan vs BATE Borisov (6) 2-1
Barcelona vs Viktoria Plzen (9) -1.5 handicap

Asian Champions League:

Suwon Bluewings vs Al Sadd (7) 2-0
Al Ittihad vs Jeonbuk Motors (5) 2-1

Copa Sudamericana:

Arsenal de Sarandi vs Olimpia Asuncion (6) 0-0
Flamengo vs Universidad de Chile (5) 1-2, at least one red card in this game
Sao Paulo vs Libertad Asuncion (7) 2-1

Brazilian Serie A:

Santos vs Botafogo (4) 1-1

Danish 1st Division:

Vestjaelland vs Randers (6)
Hjorring vs Vejle-Kolding (5)

Ecuadorian Primera A:

Olmedo Riobamba vs Emelec Guayaquil (6) 0-1
Liga de Quito vs Deportivo Quito (6) 2-1, at least one red card in this game

English Championship:

Leicester City vs Watford (7)

Latvian Virsliga:

Daugava Daugavpils vs FK Jurmala (8) 2-1
Jelgava vs FK Ventspils (8) 0-2
Liepajas Metalurgs vs Skonto Riga (5) 1-1, at least one red card in this game

Singaporean S-League:

Hougang United vs Armed Forces (6) 1-2

Enjoy your free betting tips!