Big winning bets from Wednesday's Champions League and Ashes action

Did all 4 English clubs go through as Champions League group winners?

With Manchester City, Liverpool and Manchester United all confirmed as group winners, meaning they will draw one of the runners-up in the knockouts, it was down to Champions League holders Chelsea last night to join them. Going into injury time in a ding dong battle at Zenit St Petersberg the Blues found themselves 3-2 up and set to top Group H, but there was one more twist in this game, and a cracker from Magomed Ozdoev four minutes into added time made it 3-3 and left Juventus, 1-0 winners against Malmo, atop the group. Chelsea had taken an early lead through Timo Werner, fallen behind by half-time thanks to two goals in three minutes from Claudinho and Sardar Azmoun, gone ahead again through goals from Romelu Lukaku and a second from Werner before Ozdoev’s late stunner gave both sides a point.

Timo Werner Super Mega Minutes (settled at 172)

The German international striker looked back to his best, scoring twice and setting up the other for Lukaku as Chelsea looked dangerous every time they went forward. After a month out injured Werner has been eased back into the first team, and buyers of his Goal Minutes and Super Mega Minutes, which double the minutes of any second goal and treble those of a third, were well rewarded. The SMM spread was set at 27-32, meaning buyers won 140 times their bet.

Will Barcelona be in the hat for the Champions League knockouts?

For the first time in 17 years, Barca are not in the Champions League last 16 and will be playing in the Europa League after being thumped 3-0 at Bayern Munich in a game they really needed to win. Lying in second place, but knowing rivals Benfica would almost certainly beat bottom club Dynamo Kiev and they’d need to match that result, Barca just weren’t good enough against Bayern, who had beaten them 3-0 at the Nou Camp on their way to winning every group game. Thomas Muller nodded in the opener before Leroy Sane doubled the home side’s lead with a 30-yard screamer. Jamal Musiala completed the job with Bayern’s third goal.

Performance Superiority BM/Bar (settled at 76)

With Bayern having nothing to play for and Barcelona desperate for the win that would have sealed their place in the last 16, a shock here might have been on the cards. However, when Munich boss Julian Nagelsmann declared before the game he’d be playing his strongest team, it was evident that Bayern would be looking to finish the group campaign on a night. The Performance Superiority market awards  points for goals, corners, clean sheets and the like. The spread was set at 42-47, giving buyer a profit of 29 times their bet.

Did England get back into the 1^st Ashes Test on day 2?

Australia took full control of the 1^st Test as nothing went right for England, leaving them with a mountain to climb if they’re to avoid going behind in the series. The tourists bowled superbly in the opening session, but got no luck and couldn’t make any serious inroads as the Aussies finished day 2 on 343-7, 196 ahead. As the ball became older, David Warner and Marnus Labuschagne started to take control, before Travis Head came in late in the day to play a swashbuckling innings, scoring a century off just 85 balls, the 3^rd fastest in Ashes history, as England’s weary attack was put to the sword. Marcus Harris was dismissed by Ollie Robinson early, but despite going past the edge on numerous occasions, England just couldn’t make another breakthrough. Warner was bowled off a no-ball and dropped by Rory Burns on his way to 94, while Labuschagne went for 74, the beleaguered Jack Leach, who went for 95 off his 11 overs, taking the wicket. When Robinson took two wickets with two balls, the Aussies were five down and only 48 ahead. But as their attack tired, and Stokes looked like he picked up a knee injury, Head’s late blitz put the hosts firmly in control.

David Warner Runs (settled at 94)

As the Indian leg of the IPL drew to a close earlier this year, Warner had been dropped by his team, Sunrisers Hyderabad, and looked like a man whose best years were behind him at the age of 35. However, he got his place back in the IPL and was named player of the tournament at the T20 World Cup as Australia lifted the trophy. Back to Test cricket, England knew Warner was a key man to get rid of, but despite going close on many occasions, they just couldn’t get rid of him. Buyers of his runs spread, set at 44-49, made 45 times their bet before Warner was eventually dismissed by Robinson.