Champions League Group A: Bordeaux vs. Maccabi Haifa

FC Girondins de Bordeaux are undefeated in all competitions this season and they will aim to maintain that perfect record when they continue their UEFA Champions League bid against Maccabi Haifa on match day two in Group A.

Meanwhile, Maccabi Haifa are looking to gain their first point in Champions League action and they are optimistic about their chances, even though the soccer betting market would have it otherwise.

Soccer Betting Line:

Bordeaux -1½ -120 -400 2½ O -115 U -105 2 O -125 U -105 Draw +440

Maccabi Haifa +1½ Ev +1050 2½ O -115 U -105 ½ O +115 U -145 Draw +440

Match Time: 02:45 P.M. Eastern Time Wednesday September 30 2009

Venue: Stade Chaban-Delmas – Bordeaux – France

Soccer Betting Verdict: Girondins de Bordeaux made a statement when they managed to hold Juventus to a 1:1 draw on the away a fortnight ago. But for this statement to have any enduring meaning they need to underscore it with a convincing performance against Maccabi Haifa.

Nothing short of a win will suffice for the home side and they will do whatever it takes to extract all three points. The bookies favour Bordeaux at -400. They are not untouchable favourites but they are certainly firm favourites to win outright.

Their undefeated mark in all competitions – home record 6-1-0 and CL mark of 0-1-0 – is sufficient assurance for soccer bettors looking to bank on their odds.

These two teams have never met before; in fact, Bordeaux have never faced Israeli opposition. Maccabi Haifa on the other hand have faced French opposition having earned a 1:1 draw at Paris Saint-Germain FC on their only previous visit to France in the 1998/99 UEFA Cup winners first round.

The equalising goal came courtesy of Yossi Benayoun (currently a part of the Liverpool outfit) in the dying minutes of the match.

Maccabi Haifa are enjoying a great season in domestic action but the titleholders have yet to transcend domestic success to European success. At +1050 underdog odds they market is discouraging.

Soccer Free Picks: Bordeaux should be able to take all three points in this match but it mayn’t be quite as easy a match as the market suggests. Bordeaux had a domestic match on Sunday so they might be a bit tuckered out while Maccabi Haifa rested up over the weekend as they had a national Holliday. Bordeaux to win at -400 and Bordeaux to cover the spread at -1 ½ -120.