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AS Monaco finally reached the Champions League again but unfortunately will probably not be able to benefit much from it. They sold James Rodriguez and Falcao, also lost players like Abidal, the Russian owner is pumping no more money and Monaco looks like the worst team in a group with Benfica and Zenit. But they still have a decent team and with no big names in the group they can hope to make an upset … though it is not a bet many will take considering how Monaco started the season.
The hosts are on the 19th place in the league after 5 matches, they have only 4 points and lost 2-1 at Lyon last round. Their only win was 1-0 at Nantes brought by a Falcao goal and he is not gone to Man United. Even though Monaco still is a good team in France and players like Moutinho are still at the club, it seems the shock of losing the investments and the top players has been really big, because Monaco is playing nothing at the moment … it remains to be seen if Champions League football will be more motivation for them … but here they will also meet much better opponents. Traore, Elderson and Abdennour are out for Monaco.
Leverkusen began this season like a projectile fired from a cannon: 5 games, 5 wins, at least 2 goals scored in every game … including wins like 2-0 at Dortmund or 4-0 vs. Copenhaga. However on Friday Leverkusen lost the first points of the season, a 3-3 home draw with Werder Bremen … the offense clicked again but the defensive efforts were not too good. Even so Leverkusen deserved to win the game, but was a little bit unlucky. Bayer is priced at about 2.20 today which I think is too high of a price considering the analysis and circumstances. Brandt, Rolfes and Papadopoulos are out for Bayer.
The way Leverkusen is playing I can see them getting all three points today vs. an opponent of inferior quality, decimated by the loss of the best players and with very low morale. I will bet on Leverkusen to win also having in mind that Monaco is not exactly the toughest travel or stadium to play at and Bayer proved they can get big wins away this season. I think Monaco will play a little bit better than how they did in the league, but Leverkusen is just devastating offensively and in the end they should secure a very important three points. My tip is Leverkusen to win and I think this pick deserves 7-8 units, I will bet 8. Correct score prediction: Monaco – Leverkusen 0-2.
Pick: Leverkusen
Odds: 2.25 @ Bet365
Stake: 8
Possible profit: 10
Event date: 16 September
