CL 14 & 15 Aug

As a general rule, the games at this stage of the Champions Leagues will tend to be cagey affairs. As this is the first leg the home team will try and sneak at least a goal's advantage while the away team want to try and get an away goal and also will be hoping to keep the scoreline down. This tends to mean that the best bets are on the under 2.5 goals markets.

Tuesday's games

Two of tonight's games are not great betting contests but it is worth taking Copenhagen with a goal start at Benfica. Benfica are a side in some trouble this season with at least five of their players requesting transfers. They have brought in some good new talent with Cardozo, Luis Felipe, Zoro and (in theory, at least) Adu but they have lost Simao and Miccoli and it may take them a little time to adapt to the new line up. Copenhagen played Benfica last season and looked well capable of holding them and I think they will come into this game with some confidence. A one point bet on Copenhagen (+1) at 2.06 looks a fair wager.

[Copenhagen lost 2-1]

Wednesday's games

Due to technical problems Joe was unable to post today's picks.