Champions League

Yet again Tom Allen calls it right, 2-1 Fenerbahce, KERCHING!

Arsenal vs. Liverpool, being an all English tie, will dominate the headlines in the Champions League on Wednesday but if there is a bet to be had it is in Turkey where Chelsea visit Fenerbahce and I cannot have the Premier League side on my mind at the prices.

I make them around a 2.70 shot to return to Stamford Bridge with a first leg advantage and being able to lay them at much closer to even money is a gift.

While Chelsea played well on their travels in the group stages, knockout football is a different proposition altogether and we saw their intentions in Greece against Olympiakos in the last 16 when they settled for a 0-0 draw from the first whistle.

Avoiding defeat was the order of the day and they came up against a team that were also more than happy to emerge on level terms. The Turkish champions are no such side however and, with their brilliant home record, will be seeking to take a lead to London.

Four wins from as many games on home soil in the Champions League this season, against Inter Milan, PSV, CSKA and Sevilla, confirm just how fearsome Zico’s side are in their own stadium and they are also unbeaten domestically. Brazilian playmakers Alex and Deivid provide a real threat while Mateja Kezman will be keen to show his former employers that they were wrong to let the Serbian striker leave the club.

Having watched how woeful Chelsea were against Middlesbrough on Sunday, when although they notched a 1-0 win their minds were clearly on Wednesday, they need to find massive improvement or face returning in a week’s time with a very difficult task indeed.

It is widely documented just how poorly teams from Turkey and Greece travel in European competition and Fenerbahce will be desperate to establish an advantage.

I see both sides scoring and although prices of 4.00 about the Turks is tempting instead I’ll increase my stake on the lay of Chelsea.