Champions League tips don’t get any wilder than this, because Tommy’s been pacing the living room like a man who’s had twelve coffees and a spiritual vision. It’s the final round of the League Phase, the stakes are daft, half the teams look like they’ve emotionally checked out, and the other half are clinging on like a drunk lad gripping a lamppost at closing time. This is the midweek carnage Tommy was born for, so strap in, steady your pulse, and dive head‑first into three selections that promise drama, delirium, and possibly divine intervention.
All odds provided by Stake.com.
Napoli v Chelsea
UEFA Champions League, Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, Naples, Italy, 9pm CET, Wednesday 28th January
Prices: 3.25 Napoli, 3.55 Draw, 2.22 Chelsea
Napoli go into this game with a clear objective: win, and they stay alive in the Champions League by securing a place in the top 24 and the play‑off round. That urgency should shape the entire night at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. Their 3–0 defeat to Juventus at the weekend looked more like a side conserving energy for Europe than a collapse in form, before that, they were nine unbeaten and far more consistent.
Chelsea have at least taken a point on their travels, drawing with Qarabag, but their overall away form in Europe has been unconvincing. They scraped past Pafos in their last outing and haven’t shown much control or resilience on the road. Both sides need a result, but Napoli’s need is greater, and with home advantage behind them, they look the more reliable option. Draw‑no‑bet gives you protection while backing the team with the clearer path and stronger motivation.
Tip: Napoli draw no bet @ 2.24. 1 unit.
Pafos v Slavia Prague
UEFA Champions League, Alphamega Stadium, Limassol, Cyprus, 9pm CET, Wednesday 28th January
Prices: 2.36 Pafos, 3.45 Draw, 3.05 Slavia Prague
Pafos have been one of the stories of the Champions League this season, punching well above their weight on debut and showing they belong at this level. They pushed Chelsea all the way at Stamford Bridge last time out and still have an outside chance of sneaking into the play‑off round with a win here. Slavia Prague, by contrast, have endured a miserable League Phase and remain without a victory. With experienced heads like David Luiz and Mislav Oršić guiding the Cypriot champions, Pafos can hold up their end of the bargain and hope other results fall their way.
Tip: Pafos to win @ 2.36. 1 unit.
UEFA Champions League, Alphamega Stadium, Limassol, Cyprus, 9pm CET, Wednesday 28th January
Bayer Leverkusen v Villarreal
UEFA Champions League, BayArena, Leverkusen, Germany, 9pm CET, Wednesday 28th January
Prices: 1.58 Bayer Leverkusen, 4.50 Draw, 5.40 Villarreal
Leverkusen have been a puzzle this season, capable of brilliance one week and baffling inconsistency the next. But with qualification on the line and home advantage in their favour, this is the moment they should assert themselves. Villarreal have been one of the biggest disappointments in the competition and appear more focused on securing their place in next year’s tournament than rescuing this campaign. If Leverkusen turn up with the intensity this fixture demands, they should justify favouritism and get the job done
Tip: Bayer Leverkusen to win @ 1.58. 1 unit.
