Champions League Handicap Betting: Tips for This Week's Matches

Handicap betting is a popular market for Champions League fixtures, allowing bettors to back heavy favourites at better odds or give underdogs a head start. With Europe’s premier club competition returning this week, we dive into two key handicap opportunities: Shakhtar Donetsk’s +3 handicap against Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid’s -2 handicap against Slovan Bratislava.

Shakhtar Donetsk: Can They Hold Off Bayern?

The +3 handicap for Shakhtar Donetsk gives them a theoretical three-goal lead before kickoff, meaning Bayern Munich must win by four goals or more for this bet to lose. Given Shakhtar’s recent form, this could be a solid option.

The Ukrainians have shown resilience in this Champions League campaign. They held Arsenal to a narrow 1-0 defeat at the Emirates and managed a 0-0 draw away at Bologna. Even in a 3-2 loss to PSV, Shakhtar led 2-0 before a red card turned the tide. Their only handicap failure so far was a 3-0 loss to Atalanta.

Adding intrigue to this matchup, Bayern Munich are facing a packed fixture schedule and several key injuries, including Harry Kane, Serge Gnabry, and Kingsley Coman. With Bayern playing their sixth game in just 18 days, Shakhtar could capitalise on fatigue and squad rotation. The neutral venue and Shakhtar’s underdog odds of 18/1 make the +3 handicap an enticing option.

Atletico Madrid: A Comfortable Win on the Cards?

Atletico Madrid start with a -2 handicap against Slovan Bratislava, requiring a three-goal victory to cover the spread. Given Diego Simeone’s side’s current form, this seems achievable.

Atletico are on a nine-match winning streak, including a 6-0 demolition of Sparta Praha last week and a thrilling 3-2 comeback against Sevilla in La Liga. Antoine Griezmann’s heroics have lifted the team, with confidence surging in the camp.

Slovan Bratislava, by contrast, have struggled in the Champions League. Heavy defeats to Celtic (5-1), Manchester City (4-0), and Dinamo Zagreb (4-1) highlight their vulnerabilities. While they’ve managed to score in some fixtures, keeping Atletico at bay in Madrid seems a step too far. The -2 handicap offers solid value for bettors backing Simeone’s men.

Which Handicap Bet Is Right for You?

Handicap betting is all about identifying where the gaps in quality are too wide to ignore. Shakhtar’s resilience makes the +3 handicap appealing, especially given Bayern’s injury woes and tight schedule. Meanwhile, Atletico’s form and firepower suggest they’re likely to overcome the -2 handicap with ease.

Odds courtesy of bet365. Correct at time of publishing and subject to change.

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