AS Monaco v Bayer Leverkusen Betting Tips

As the Champions League returns for match-day two of the group stages on Tuesday night, it’s the fixture between Monaco and Leverkusen that, from a betting point of view, catches the eye.

These two teams made contrasting starts to the campaign on match-day one. Things were seemingly going to plan for Leverkusen as they led 2-0 against CSKA inside 16 minutes, but some poor defending, something that’s become Leverkusen’s trademark in recent times, allowed the Russians back into the game before half-time, meaning that the hosts took just the one point – a disappointing result given the start made by the German side. On the other hand, AS Monaco spoiled Tottenham’s Wembley party as they overcame the North London side (1-2) thanks to two first half goals.

There was no shortage of goals in this group on match-day one (seven goals scored in total) and, given the respective attacking and defensive qualities (or lack of), this theme is likely to continue here.

Since goals are anticipated ‘Over 2.5 Goals & Both Teams to Score’, at odds of 5/4, is certainly worth being on. Neither of these two teams are strangers when it comes to both scoring and conceding, while both also show a clear tendency for being involved in relatively high-scoring matches. Eight of the ten competitive fixtures played by Monaco this season have seen three or more goals hit the net, while both teams have scored in six of those. It is a similar story where Leverkusen are concerned too. Both teams have scored in five of the six competitive matches that they’ve played, while more than two match goals were scored in five of those six. Additionally, ‘Over 2.5 & Both Teams to Score’ was an outcome achieved by both of these sides on match-day one of this competition.

Secondly, at odds of 13/10, ‘Monaco to Score Over 1.5 Goals’ is another worthy selection. The hosts have been in good scoring form this season, scoring a total of 20 goals in all competitions and scoring two or more in four of their last five at home, whereas Leverkusen, for all their attacking efforts, have looked very poor at the back. The visitors have kept just one clean sheet since the start of the campaign and have conceded two or more goals in four of their six matches, including in both match-day one against CSKA and in all three of their away fixtures so far this season.

While the German side, with players such as Chicharito, Julian Brandt, Kevin Kampl and Kevin Volland, are a useful outfit going forward, they really do struggle at the back. Although they could easily cause trouble for this Monaco side, it is unlikely that they will be able to withstand what is likely to be considerable pressure from the principality team and thus more goals conceded looks on the cards for Leverkusen.

See more Champions League tips here.