The winter football schedule is showing no signs of slowing down, with this Wednesday promising another thrilling chapter of action across Europe. Cup competitions take centre stage, offering a mix of high-stakes drama and potential shock results as teams battle it out for silverware.
We take a look at a selection of the matches and picking out our top tips and best booking codes (odds at time of writing, 90 minutes only):
Galatasaray vs Istanbul Basaksehir
Victor Osimhen's Galatasaray have enjoyed a superb 2024/25 season to date, sitting top of the Super Lig with 47 points from 17 matches, after 15 wins, two draws and no defeats, leaving them an eight-point lead at the top. They have also lost just three matches all season, all coming within their first five games of the campaign, leaving them without a defeat in their last 21 matches across all competitions.
They are headed into this one against Istanbul Basaksehir as the strong favourites, especially given their opponents' inconsistencies this term, including just one win, two draws and one loss in their last four.
For these reasons, as well as Galatasaray boasting the home advantage, we believe the hosts will win this one.
Galatasaray to win, 1.34
Benfica vs Braga
In a repeat of the Liga Portugal fixture that happened over the weekend, Benfica are set to host Braga in the Portuguese League Cup semi-finals.
Braga won 2-1 at the weekend despite their opponents dominating a majority of the ball and creating more chances of higher quality, but the result will undoubtedly give them huge confidence of a repeat victory here. The defeat also means Benfica have lost each of their last two outings heading into this one.
However, the hosts will be eager to get revenge on Braga for the recent defeat, and with them dominating the recent match-up but failing to reap the rewards, they could be worth backing here.
Benfica to win by 1 goal, 3.40
Athletic Bilbao vs Barcelona
Robert Lewandowski has made a phenomenal start to the 2024/25 season, sitting on 25 goals from 25 matches across all competitions, alongside two assists, leaving him just one goal behind his tally from the entirety of last term.
The striker had endured a rare dry patch of three matches without a goal before scoring twice in their last outing against lower league opposition in the Copa del Rey, but the goals will certainly boost his confidence ahead of this one.
Lewandowski has also enjoyed playing against Athletic Bilbao since joining Barcelona, scoring three goals in five appearances against the side, and is good value to continue that run going later.
Robert Lewandowski to score anytime, 2.30
Tottenham vs Liverpool
Tottenham have been enduring a torrid run of results in recent months, winning just two of their last 11 matches across all competitions, losing five and drawing four in that time. This is largely due to the huge defensive injuries that Tottenham have sustained during this period, with a backline of Archie Gray and Radu Dragusin often starting in central defence, resulting in plenty of goals being conceded.
Liverpool, on the other hand, are without a defeat in their last 24 matches, while the likes of Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo have contributed to them being one of the highest scoring teams across Europe.
With this contrast in form, as well as Liverpool's attacking strength and Tottenham's defensive vulnerability, we believe Liverpool will win with plenty of goals scored here.
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