One of the biggest betting opportunities this coming week for UK punters is undoubtedly going to be the return of the Champions League. We are now at Matchday 3 of the Group Stages of the tournament and after this week’s games have been played, we will be halfway through the group phase.
Matchday 3 and Matchday 4 are not just the middle two fixtures in the Group Stage, but it is also when two teams face each other home and away just a couple of weeks apart, very much like a two-legged knockout tie. It is also usually the two weeks of action where the groups start to take on a much more defined shape.
As such, they can be crucial weeks in the competition and have a major effect on which teams eventually make it through the group phase.
Betting on this stage of the competition is pretty intense too with teams now knowing their situation and fans realising some teams need a win much more than others. You can find plenty of great Champions League betting every week on bet365 and on bet365 games are also covered extensively in their live in play betting section too.
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With 16 games to get through, let’s crack on starting with Tuesday Night’s games.
UEFA Champions League – Matchday 3 Preview
Tuesday 19th October
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Besiktas V Sporting Lisbon (5.45pm)
Both these teams are without a win in Group C so a defeat here for either side would likely mean they finish bottom of the group. I think both sides look relatively well matched, Sporting probably just the better of the two teams, but with Besiktas at home, I feel that they look set to battle out a draw here.
Our Tip – Correct Score – Besiktas 1-1 Sporting Lisbon – 5/1
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Club Brugge v Manchester City (5.45pm)
Manchester City should have more than enough quality to win this game, even against a Club Brugge side that held Paris St Germain at home. City were beaten in Paris and a loss here could be a huge blow to their hopes, but I don’t think it will come to that. Back City to win and I think Gabriel Jesus is overdue a goal.
Our Tip – Anytime Goalscorer – Gabriel Jesus (Man City) – 13/10
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Ajax Amsterdam v Borussia Dortmund
Both these teams have 100% records heading into this game and although I feel Dortmund have the more experience and firepower, Ajax are developing into a very strong team. I can see goals being scored in this game, I just don’t feel either team will score enough to claim the victory.
Our Tip – Result/BTTS – Draw And Yes – 10/3
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Atletico Madrid v Liverpool
When these two teams meet, it has generally been the Spanish side that have come out on top. The Reds have lost three of the last four against Atletico and I feel the Spanish Champions will fancy their chances of being able to keep Liverpool out here. I can see a game with one or maybe two goals maximum here, so the Under 2.5 goals bet looks good value.
Our Tip – Under 2.5 Goals – Evens
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FC Porto v AC Milan
Both these teams trail Liverpool and Atletico in Group B and both need a win to pull themselves back into contention here. Milan have lost both games narrowly thus far and I think they will break their duck here against a Porto side well beaten by Liverpool last time out. I can’t see Porto being that bad again though, so take the draw.
Our Tip – Draw – 12/5
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Inter Milan v Sheriff Tiraspol
Inter fans will be worried about this game after Sheriff beat Real Madrid last time out in the Bernebeu. The Moldovan side deservedly sit top of the group with maximum points and they won’t fear the Italian side here. That said, I think Inter will be too experienced and will show their class after a tight first half, to get the win.
Our Tip – HT/FT – Draw/Inter – 3/1
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Paris St Germain v Red Bull Leipzig
After a disappointing draw away to Brugge, PSG beat Man City 2-0 at home to move top of Group A. They should repeat that result here against a Red Bull Leipzig team who have scored four goals in this group but lost both games. Expect Nkunku to score for Leipzig but PSG will win the game.
Our Tip – Christopher Nkunku to Score Anytime – 7/2
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Shakhtar Donetsk v Real Madrid
The Ukrainian side have just one point from their two games so far but they did caus Real Madrid plenty of problems when the teams met at this stage last season. With Real having lost to Sheriff they will be under a lot of pressure here to get the win and I think that will play into the hands of the home team here.
Our Tip – Shakhtar Donetsk to win – 9/2
Wednesday 20th October
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Barcelona v Dynamo Kyiv (5.45pm)
Barcelona have had a nightmare start to this season’s Champions League, losing both games heavily against Bayern and Benfica. They should get off the ground here against the weakest team in their group in Dynamo Kyiv, but I don’t think it is going to be a very easy night for the Catalans and they may just squeak to the win.
Our Tip – Correct Score – Barcelona to win 2-1 – 17/2
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FC Salzburg v Wolfsburg (5.45pm)
Red Bull Salzburg have started this campaign very well and top a tough looking Group G at the present time. I expect them to get the job done here against a Wolfsburg side who have drawn both their opening group games but who have had a rather slow start in the Bundesliga this season and who I feel may struggle against Salzburg’s inventive attack.
Our Tip – Result/BTTS – FC Salzburg & Yes – 3/1
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Benfica v Bayern Munich
Both these teams have maximum points from their opening two games and they sit in a comfortable position in Group E. Benfica have started the season very well domestically but so have Bayern Munich and in truth, in terms of quality, the Germans are a much stronger side. Take Bayern to win here and Serge Gnabry to be amongst the goal action.
Our Tip – Serge Gnabry to score anytime – 11/8
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Chelsea v Malmo FF
After losing to Juventus last time out, Chelsea need a big result here against Group H’s bottom team Malmo. The Swedes have not scored and conceded 7 in their two defeats in the group so far, and so this should be a relatively comfortable night for the Londoners as my tip below suggests.
Our Tip – Correct Score – Chelsea 4-0 Malmo – 6/1
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Lille v Sevilla
In the four games in Group G so far, three have finished as draws and I think that this game may well follow suit. Sevilla are not as strong as they have been in past seasons, while Lille’s form is sometimes erratic, especially in Europe. I feel this has every likelihood of finishing as a score draw.
Our Tip – Correct Score – Lille 1-1 Sevilla – 11/2
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Manchester United v Atalanta
Manchester United’s recent form has been a real concern for many and their Champions League form hasn’t been great and they face a huge test against the young and exciting Atalanta side who top this group, The Italian side beat Liverpool at Anfield last season and I think they may manage to get something from this game, with a draw being the most likely outcome.
Our Tip – Result/BTTS – Draw & Yes – 7/2
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Young Boys v Villarreal
Young Boys sit second in the group thanks to their win over Manchester United but I feel that they may come unstuck against draw specialists Villarreal here. The Spaniards conceded very late to lose to Man Utd in their last game, but I am backing them to bounce back here and land the win to kick start their Champions League campaign.
Our Tip – Villarreal to win – 23/20
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Zenit St Petersburg v Juventus
Juventus will remain in top spot with a win here against a Zenit St Petersburg side that proved stubborn opponents for Chelsea and who then beat Malmo comfortably. However, the Italians are a different prospect here and while I am backing both teams not to score a goal, I think Juventus may just run out winners, probably by a 1-0 scoreline.
Our Tip – Juventus to win and BTTS – No – 11/4
*Kick off times are 8pm unless otherwise stated. All odds were correct with bet365 Sport as of 8.45am on Monday 18th October 2021.
