Champions League Betting Preview – Matchday 5 (Nov 26)

Another great night of Champions League football is set to get underway and showcase some of the most thrilling action across the continent.

The first part of Matchday 5 proved to be quite exciting as some remarkable achievements have been accomplished. As Barcelona faced APOEL away, their leading striker Messi broke the all-time European goal scoring record. Raul, Real Madrid's and Schalke's former player, was the man that previously held the record of 71 goals and no one was close to surpassing his record, except for Cristiano Ronaldo and the diminutive Argentinian Messi.

The Portuguese winger was close to achieving that milestone but failed to deliver any goals on his previous appearances in Europe's elite competition, gambling news reports. This provided Messi, who is Ronaldo's main competitor for trophies and accomplishments, to take advantage of the situation and claim the immense goal scoring success for himself. With the rest of the games being played tonight, we are set to witness some more thrilling spectacles.

Groups B and A

In Group B, Liverpool is ready to take on Bulgarian side Ludogorets away. The Reds have blundered on many occasions since their return to the Champions League, as they only managed to record three points from 4 appearances. Real Madrid lead their group, while Basel currently occupy the second spot with 6 points. So even if Brendan Rodgers' men manage to pull off a win, they will still have limited chances for further progress.

• Champions League only has one more round left after Matchday 5
• Messi broke Champions League goal scoring record the night before (74 goals)
• Arsenal will face old foes Dortmund
• Leverkusen favorite against Monaco

At the moment, online sportsbook in UK have shown confidence in the Reds, despite being making a serious impact in the competition. Unibet Sportsbook has given Liverpool favorite odds of 1.98 (49/50), while Ludogorets has been assigned much lower chances, 3.85 (14/5). Considering how badly Liverpool has performed so far and the fact that they are playing away, a draw may also be possible 3.60 (13/5).

In Groups A, current Spanish defending champions Atletico Madrid will square off against Greek side Olympiacos. Diego Simeone's men are top of the group with 9 points, while the Greeks are in second with 6, so this should motivate Atletico to hold onto their current lead and insure their progress to the next round. Mobile betting site are predicting a great match between the two as they will both be fighting for the top spot.

Unibet believes that Atletico has the capacity and the necessary squad depth to make an impact in the game tonight, 1.35 (7/20). Olympiacos on the other hand have been given underdog odds as they will be playing the group leaders away 9.00 (8/1). A draw stands at a high 5.00 (4/1), however it doesn't seem likely considering the great talent present within the Spanish side.

Groups D and C

Dortmund may not be performing great in their domestic league, however in Europe's biggest football competition they have been firing on all cylinders. They hold the first position with 12 points in Group D, which means that they have already qualified to next round as Arsenal are currently in second with 7 points. Anderlecht is in 3rd with only 2 points, which leaves the group only for the Gunners and Dortmund to claim.

The 2013 Champions League finalists will play Arsenal away this evening, but taking into account that the Germans have already sealed their qualification they have been given underdog odds of 2.80 (9/5), while The Gunners reserve the favorite chances of 2.50 (6/4) But perhaps the safest option for punters would be to place a wager on a draw 3.55 (5/2), as both of the teams are on course to the next round.

In Group C, Bayen Leverkusen are on top with 9 points and they next face Monaco (2nd - 5 points) at home. The boys from the French principality will have to put on an impressive show against the Germans if they are to have any chances of making it to the next round. Zenit and Benfica occupy the third and fourth positions respectively and they both have 4 points, so Monaco will have be on alert tonight.

Mobile betting providers in Germany have given Leverkusen preferential odds, 1.64 (16/25). Monaco will have to settle with unrealistic odds 5.60 (23/5) as the 2002 Champions League finalists will be playing at home. A draw between the two is not likely as it currently stands at 3.85 (14/5).