Champions League: Betting Tips and Insight for the League Phase Finale

Tonight, UEFA have given us a treat. 18 Champions League games are all taking place at the same time. There has already been anticipation for an 18-fold acca, but we also want to play some smarter bets, so here we go.

Whilst I'm not going to look at each of the 18 games individually, I'm taking a look at nine games of note including each of the Premier League games, and some of the other big games of the night, putting forward two selections that I like.

I've also made a little goalscorer bet, so strap yourselves in and let's take a look at the market.

Aston Villa vs. Celtic

To start off, the first game that I've chosen is Aston Villa's game against Celtic which may be a heated one. The Bhoys have already qualified for the play-off stage, and there is little chance of them getting a place in the top eight.

For the Villians, they are aiming for a place in the top eight, and are the most likely side to find themselves in an automatic final 16 spot tonight from those outside the spots currently.

The first selection I've made is for Reo Hatate to get a shot on Target, the Japanese midfielder averages 2.3 shots per game in the Champions League, with 0.7 per game on target. Villa concede five SOT per game, so I think this is a standout selection.

Secondly, I'm highlighting the corner market. Celtic have averaged 6.71 per game, whilst Villa have averaged 4.57. Given the stakes in this game, I expect that number to be elevated for the hosts late on, so I'm going for over 10.5 corners in the game.

Barcelona vs. Atalanta

This is a huge game, and I'd argue perhaps the game of the evening. Atalanta have a real chance of a top 8 position in the Champions League, and we tipped this selection earlier this week. Barcelona, on the other hand, are looking to try to get the top spot.

For the tips in this game, I've gone for three, and two are with slightly higher risk.

I've got Ederson to be booked in this game as my first selection. The Brazilian averages a foul per game, and has gotten three cards so far in the competition. The midfielder draws fouls as well, which we'll get to, however, the Barcelona team can draw fouls incredibly well. For me, it is a nice point with good risk.

I've also gone for a card for Marc Casado Torras. With an average of 1.65 fouls per game, he sticks out to me, and given the technical abilities of the Atalanta front line, I'm quite confident about the chances of this one.

To cover myself, I've gone with both teams to receive a Card too, it doesn't pay much, but it is an insurance bet which should be quite easy to come in. Michael Oliver averages around five yellow cards per game, so I'd even be slightly tempted by the receive 2+ cards market.

Bayern Munich vs. Slovan Bratislava

Bayern's chances of qualification via the top eight is very slim and Slovan are pointless, so this could be quite a nothing game. However, I've still got two tips for it - but be wary of this with the stakes at play quite low.

Firstly I've picked Danylo Ignatenko to be given a card. The Ukrainian midfielder has played in central defence and central midfield recently and is prone to a foul, or in this case, 2.45 per game. With Jamal Musiala likely to be running at him (who wins more than two fouls per game), I think a booking is quite likely.

Then, I've got Harry Kane to score two or more. The Englishman has scored six goals in the competition so far, averaging 0.83 per game, and with Slovan having the worst defensive record in the competition, seeing him score a few times is not unreasonable so I think it is a nice bet for us.

Girona vs. Arsenal

This game is another without much at stake, so again, I'm somewhat wary about being too bold with selections here. However, there are some good opportunities that I have spotted.

Starting with Paulo Gazzaniga to make more than 3.5 saves. I cannot understand the pricing on this selection at all, and I'm a really big fan of it. The Argentinian has made 4.43 saves per game so far in the competition. With the Gunners having more than five shots on target per game and averaging around 13 shots per game. I can see the goalkeeper being very active. For me, this is a really nice selection.

Sticking with Arsenal's shots, I've got Ethan Nwaneri to have a shot on Target. As already stated, the North London outfit have around five shots on target per game - Saka has averaged 1.66 On Target per game so far, and Nwaneri has averaged One so far. In other words, opportunities come from the right-hand side, so I like the look of the youngster to force a save from Gazzaniga.

Dinamo Zagreb vs. AC Milan

This has the potential to be a corker, and I think there are some ridiculous prices available. Milan need a win to restore confidence but a draw might be enough to see the Rossoneri qualify for the final 16.

I think Sergio Conceicao will be instructing a dominant performance, and this could see a few goals in the game, so I've gone quite attack-orientated with my selections.

So, to start off I've gone with Theo Hernandez to have a shot on target. The Frenchman loves to roam up the pitch, and with him also being on some set pieces, I think there is a good chance with this best. As he is a defender, we can also get a really nice price.

In addition to this, and this is the more risky pick, I've got Tijjani Reijnders to score or assist. The Dutchman has been one of the standout players in the Champions League for me this season, and he is often the Diavolo's focal point. For me, this is a really good pick at the price.

Inter vs. AS Monaco

Selections in this game are certainly a bit of a difficulty to come by, I must admit. However, I think I may have found a few selections with some value.

I'm starting with under 8.5 corners in the game. Inter have only seen more than 7.5 corners in their games in the Champions League in 29% of their games, and I think this game will be played at their tempo, especially at San Siro.

For me, this represents a little bit of value. However, it is definitely a bit of a risky pick.

Then, I also really like the look of Denzel Dumfries to have a shot on target - I know, but there is value in attacking full-backs! Vanderson at right-back has a high tackle rate, so I can see the right-hand side being preferred for Inter and the Dutchman has been prolific as of late.

Manchester City vs. Club Brugge

I'm going to start this selection by saying this is a very difficult game to predict. Manchester City need a win to progress into the play-offs of the Champions League, whereas Club Brugge can qualify with a point picked up.

I first like the pick of Phil Foden to get a goal or an assist. The Englishman has eight contributions since the turn of the year - seven excluding his goal in the FA Cup. I think the Englishman will be a focal point tonight if City are to get a good result.

However, I'm also tipping Club Brugge to draw or win which is priced quite nicely. The Belgian outfit only needs a draw to progress, and City have weaknesses which could be focused on. Unbeaten since the end of November, there have been 20 games since their last defeat, so I think this could hold value.

PSV vs. Liverpool

Liverpool just need a point to confirm their place at the top of the Champions League league phase, but Arne Slot will want a flawless record, and it would not be a surprise if this was to be the case.

I'm starting with Darwin Nunez to get 1.5 SOT or more. The Uruguayan is almost guaranteed to start this game and with Mo Salah not starting, I think there is slightly more chance that he could have more attempts on goal. PSV concede five Shots On Target per game, and Nunez averages more than two anyway. For me, I think it's a good price.

My second choice is for Cody Gakpo to score or be carded. The Dutchman has scored two goals in the competition so far, but again with Salah absent, I think he could be needed to step up. He also averages three fouls per game, so I think covering our bases is quite a nice option here.

Brest vs. Real Madrid

Brest have been a revelation in the competition this season and have already secured a place in the play-off phase of the competition, but they can also hope for a chance of a top-eight place, facing Real Madrid is not an easy task though.

In fact, I've gone for two selections from the French outfit, and I think both have a nice chance.

I'm starting with Mathias Pereira Lage to have two shots or more. The Portuguese left-back has averaged around three shots per game in the Champions League, and I think he could be a fantastic shout tonight. Even if it is a slightly larger price.

I've also taken a fancy for a Mahdi Camara booking. The Frenchman makes two fouls per game on the right side of the Brest midfield and Jude Bellingham often operates from the left, as does Kylian Mbappe, who draw a combined three fouls per game. This is a real shout for me.

Champions League Goalscorer Acca

Who says I'm not good to you? I've also been through some of the stats for tonight and put together a little Champions League goalscorer acca.

I'm starting with Santiago Gimenez who faces Lille. The hosts concede five shots per game and despite only conceding nine in the tournament so far, I think the Mexican stands a good chance of scoring tonight.

In my Bayern Munich section, I've gone for two or more Harry Kane goals, however, I'm going to go with a sole goal here. It's not that I'm not confident with it, but I don't to push our luck too much!

Next, we're going to Austria and I think Julian Alvarez will bag himself a goal tonight. RB Salzburg have conceded the second most amount of goals in the competition and with six goals in seven games, he seems likely to get himself on the scoresheet again.

Finally, I'm going with Tijjani Reijnders to score or assist. As stated in my Milan tips, the Dutchman is fantastic, and I really like the chances of him inspiring the Rossoneri. If you're unsure, I'd also consider Rafael Leao, but I'm going for Reijnders personally.

• Santiago Gimenez to Score (vs Lille)
• Harry Kane to Score (vs. Slovan Bratislava)
• Julian Alvarez to Score (vs. RB Salzburg)
• Tijjani Reijnders to Score or Assist (vs. Dinamo Zagreb)