The UEFA Champions League continues as the top two in Group C go head-to-head at Camp Nou. Barcelona host Manchester City on Wednesday evening. The Catalans have won both of their group encounters and will seek to maintain top position ahead of their opponents, Man City, who have won one and drawn another. The match also sees former Barca coach Pep Guardiola return for the first time with his new club.
Betting Opens: Tue 18 Oct
Closes: Wed 19 Oct 20:45
Current Pool: R26,575.00
Status: OPEN. Pool Code 6II
Atletico Madrid will travel to the Olimp – 2 Stadium as they battle out against FC Rostov. The Spanish side are full of confidence and currently lead the pack in La Liga, while they have also won both of their Champions League encounters so far. On the other hand, the home side are not in good shape and have only managed to secure one point in two two group matches.
Betting Opens: Tue 18 Oct
Closes: Wed 19 Oct 20:45
Current Pool: R26,575.00
Status: OPEN. Pool Code 6II
The first match of the Telkom Knockout takes place at the Cape Town Stadium on Wednesday evening as Cape Town City host Bloemfontein Celtic. The home side will be seeking to make progress in this competition as they lost out in the MTN8 after beating Kaizer Chiefs in the first round. Siwelele have not had the grandest starts to the season, but victory in their last outing will have boosted the confidence slightly.
Betting Opens: Tue 18 Oct
Closes: Wed 19 Oct 19:30
Current Pool: R51,757.00
Status: OPEN. Pool Code SLL
For more info on this and other matches in the soccer 6 pools, go to the Soccer 6 website HERE.
Barcelona v Man City (Champions League)
League Rankings: Barcelona 4th (La Liga) Man City 1st (Premier League)
Useful facts: There's a special sentiment to this game, with Pep Guardiola coming up against the team he played for and coached. However the odds are stacked against him as City have only won one of their five matches against the Catalans and lost the other four. Worse yet, City have had three players sent off in those games. But, based on form, the clubs are somewhat evenly matched, with City winning three of their last six and their opponents winning four in that timeframe.
Humphrey Mlwane: I'll give it to Barcelona.
Rostov v Atletico Madrid (Champions League)
League Rankings: Rostov 6th (Russian Premier League) Atletico Madrid 1st (La Liga)
Useful facts: With no matches previously being contested between these two teams, last season's finalists will come into this game feeling confident, having won five of their last six games and both of their group stage matches. The Russians, however, have lost one and drawn one in this group and have won only one of their last six.
Humphrey Mlwane:Atletico Madrid.
Cape Town City v Bloemfontein Celtic (Telkom Knockout)
League Rankings: Cape Town City 6th Bloemfontein Celtic 12th (Absa Premiership)
Useful facts: Even though Celtic had a slow start to the season, they did manage to win their last game and they'll be encouraged by the fact that Eric Tinkler's team have won only one of their last five. Furthermore, Celtic boast a better head-to-head record against the team formerly known as Mpumalanga Black Aces and have won six, drawn four and lost only three of their 13 encounters.
Humphrey Mlwane: Cape Town City.
