CSKA Moscow v Bayer Leverkusen Betting Tips

Group E is probably the most competitive group in the Champions League this season with just four points separating bottom and the second qualification spot. All of which makes this match very important.

CSKA Moscow are the bottom side in the group and deservedly so after putting up another weak performance in European football. Just like last season, Leonid Slutsky’s side look completely off the pace at European level and seem to have no ambition in Champions League matches.

Of course a lot of this is down to a lack of squad depth and in fact I would even argue that plenty of English Championship teams have a better bench than CSKA at the moment. The lack of money at the club means no investment which has become very problematic for the Russian champions.

However, their classic defensive solidity has allowed them to pick up a couple of points in their Champions League campaign. An optimist would say that if they can pick up at least one victory then they have a pretty decent chance of getting to at least the Europa League qualifying spot. On the other hand, a realist would say that this has once again been a bit of an embarrassment for the Army Men and they will no doubt finish rock bottom of Group E.

These problems are not unique to Europe as CSKA have also found themselves struggling domestically, sitting third and a huge nine points off the title they seek to defend. With rivals Spartak Moscow and Zenit St. Petersburg looking good this year, it is hard to see CSKA retaining their crown.

Bayer Leverkusen were 2-0 up against CSKA Moscow in the clubs’ last meeting but could only draw 2-2 after two quick-fire CSKA goals. This was the start of a dip in form for the German side as they won just twice in nine matches in all competitions. However, since then form has picked up and, prior to their defeat against newly-promoted yet top-of-the-table Red Bull Leipzig, they had won four matches on the spin in all competitions.

This recent run of victories has seen Roger Schmidt’s team push themselves up to ninth in the Bundesliga table and they are now just five points off the European spots after it looked like being a rather disastrous campaign.

Much like their general form, Leverkusen have been quite inconsistent on the road so far this season as they have followed up a couple of good wins with a barren run. However, just before the international break they managed to clock two straight victories away from the BayArena.

With Leverkusen sitting on six points and second place in Group E, they have a real chance of making good use of their recent form by beating an average CSKA Moscow side to virtually book their place in the knockout rounds.

Overall I cannot see passed a Leverkusen win as CSKA look so poor at the moment and really lack any sort of ambition in almost all competitions. Questions will no doubt be asked of Army Men manager Leonid Slutsky soon.

The bookies do agree with me on this one and have made the German side the favourites but they have given punters the opportunity to make a profit on a Bayer win at 6/5.

Perhaps this is because CSKA are known to generally be a solid side who can pull out results, however, I would not buy into that argument here. CSKA really are that bad at the moment and Leverkusen have better quality in all areas of the pitch.

Additionally, CSKA goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev is still yet to keep a clean sheet in the Champions League since 2006 – 41 matches. I do not think he, or his defence, stand much chance of keeping out this decent Leverkusen front-line.

Whilst CSKA may be bad, they do not concede many and it is generally the final third where they are pretty much useless. They will no doubt look to defend and then play on the counter (which I cannot see working) and hope for the best.

Despite Akinfeev’s record, the Muscovite side are pretty solid and I think this will play out on Tuesday. With this in mind, I would go for ‘Under 2.5 Goals’ at 19/20. Not the best odds but it allows either a simple, yet likely, 2-0 Leverkusen victory or a low-scoring draw.

Speaking of a possible 2-0 scoreline, I would certainly fancy that as an outside bet at a very generous 10/1.

See more Champions League tips here.