The conclusion of the Champions League group stages tell you it’s coming towards the end of the year and Picklive are doing their bit to make it a very merry Christmas for one lucky player. They’re giving away £1,000 to the person who scores the most points in any 15 minute game between now and Christmas. They’re also offering £100 to anyone who completes a Picklive perfect hat-trick, three outright 15 minute game wins in one match. All of this is on top of winning the jackpots, which would certainly make a nice Christmas present. With two huge Champions League games being featured this week it’s a great time to try and take advantage of their special offer.

Fans of Chelsea and Manchester United will be hoping their player’s can kick off the month with some big scores this week. Whilst United know that they will make their way through to the knock out stages as long as they avoid defeat away to FC Basel, the Blues require either a victory or a goalless draw on Tuesday night when they host Valencia.

Andre Villas-Boas’ side go in to this game with morale lifted following an important victory away to Newcastle United. The aim will be to take the impetus from that, along with the 3-0 win at home to Wolves the week before, in to the massive clash against a Valencia side who continued their fine start to the season with a 2-1 home win over Espanyol on Saturday.

Daniel Sturridge was one of the scorers at the weekend and was also heavily amongst the Picklive points, earning 95 for this performance. Sturridge’s understanding with his fellow wide man , Juan Mata, was a particular highlight, with the Spaniard often picking out the Englishman’s pacey runs in behind the defence, leaving Ryan Taylor regularly out of position and leading to the ex-Manchester City man getting 44 points for his shooting. The fact he hit the post and forced Tim Krul in to a couple of excellent saves, allied to his late goal, further demonstrated his goal threat and showed again why he would be a wise choice for any Pickliver keen to win the £1,000 prize.

Another young player who has impressed, despite the problems Chelsea have been experiencing, is Oriol Romeu. The ex-Barcelona man recently replaced John Obi Mikel at the base of Chelsea’s midfield following the Nigerian’s disappointing display at home to Liverpool and has shown an encouraging maturity and control in front of a struggling back four. Romeu garnered 61 Picklive points against Newcastle, with his 6 points for tackling, 16 for interceptions and 37 for completed passes proving him to be a solid and dependable holding midfielder. Given the stakes on Tuesday night, with Los Ches needing to score at Stamford Bridge, Romeu is likely to be a busy man as Chelsea look to advance to the knock out stages for the 9th year in a row.

Manchester United’s travails in the Champions League this season have been more surprising, given the seemingly favourable draw they received in August. However, following 2 draws against Benfica, along with a slightly fortuitous point at home to Basel, they find themselves still needing a result in Switzerland on Wednesday.

Since the Manchester derby, last year’s finalists have tightened things up, with their last 4 victories being 1-0 wins. Considering the situation of this encounter, a low scoring match can again be expected. Phil Jones has played more games than any other United player so far this season and the 19 year old has shone with his dynamism, skill and solidity. With Michael Carrick suspended and Tom Cleverley and Anderson injured, Jones could well be seen in the centre of midfield as he was at Villa Park on Saturday. Aside from scoring his first professional goal, which again showed Jones’ attacking potency, the youngster completed 35 passes and earned 17 interception points, as he earned a Picklive total of 94 and he’ll be expected to put in a similar all-round display in midweek for his side.

Another regular feature in a United side that is so often rotated has been Nani. The Portuguese winger assisted Jones at Villa Park, with the former Blackburn man the only player to outscore Nani during the game, and has been amongst United’s top performers in recent European fixtures. In the last 2 Champions League games we’ve covered, he was the 2nd highest scoring United player against Benfica (105) and the 3rd highest against Otelul Galati (83). The 2 matches also showed the varying dangers he poses, with his crossing earning him 27 points and an assist against Benfica, whilst 61 of his points against Otelul came through completed passes, meaning he’s a player who is regularly involved in the game, yet can also decide it in a single moment.

However many English clubs are in the Champions League following Wednesday’s matches, it promises to be a fascinating week of football, with the results deciding the 16 teams who will battle it out next year to make it to the Allianz Arena in May.

Don’t forget that the top score in the 15 minute cash game between now and the 25th December earns £1,000, whilst 3 wins within one match will win someone £100 for a Picklive perfect hat-trick, very handy money for the new year. Best of luck!