The Champions League returns following the international break with some intriguing ties as we approach the midway point of the group phase.
Here is our preview for this week’s game, and a few little suggestions courtesy of GiveMeBet.
Tuesday
Club Brugge vs Paris Saint-Germain - Group A
PSG travel to Brugge knowing that a win would more or less see them through to the knockout stage having won both their opening matches. The hosts, meanwhile, have managed two draws so far and just missed out on a memorable win at Real Madrid’s Bernabeu last time out.
(GMB odds - PSG to win 3-1 12/1)
Galatasaray vs Real Madrid - Group A
Both of these sides are currently level on one point after two matches in the competition. Madrid, however, won their last away match against the Turkish side 6-1 back in 2014, with French forward Karim Benzema scoring twice in that match.
Olympiacos vs Bayern Munich – Group B
The German champions are in complete control of Group B following their impressive 7-2 win over Tottenham Hotspur in gameweek 2. They will more or less qualify for the knockout rounds with a win over Olympiacos, who lost their last match in this competition to Red Star Belgrade.
(GMB odds - Munich to win to nill 27/20)
Tottenham Hotspur vs Red Star Belgrade – Group B
Tottenham host Serbian side Red Star knowing that they need a win to get their stuttering campaign back on track. Last year’s finalists have conceded nine goals so far in their opening two matches. The visitors, however, have never taken a point away from home in the Champions League, but they did manage a win in their last match against Olympiacos at home.
(GMB odds - Spurs to win 2-0 27/4)
Manchester City vs Atalanta – Group C
City face the Italian debutants Atalanta for the first time in the Champions League. The Manchester club are on a five-match winning streak at home in Europe and top Group C with six points out of six so far. While the Italian club have yet to get off the mark in Europe having lost both their matches.
(GMB odds - City to win 4-0 11/1)
Shakhtar Donetsk vs Dinamo Zagreb – Group C
Both of these sides have one win each so far in this competition and it is likely that whoever gets the upper hand in these two matches between these teams will end up progressing.
Juventus vs Lokomotiv Moscow - Group D
The Italian champions, who sit joint top of Group D with four points, play third place Lokomotiv Moscow. The Old Lady currently hold an unbeaten record against Russian teams in Europe having won five and drawn one.
(GMB odds - Juve to win 3-0 15/2)
Atletico Madrid vs Bayer Leverkusen – Group D
Diego Simeone’s Atletico team host the group’s bottom side Leverkusen. Atletico are currently unbeaten in 11 matches at home in the Champions League and also won when the sides last met in Europe back in the 2016/17 season.
(GMB odds - Atletico to win & BTTS 14/5)
Wednesday
Salzburg vs Napoli – Group E
Group E leaders Napoli travel to Austrian side Salzburg. The Italian side are yet to concede a goal in the Champions League in their two matches so far. Salzburg, meanwhile, only suffered a narrow 4-3 defeat to defending champions Liverpool last time out, having initially come back from 3-0 down.
Genk vs Liverpool – Group E
The champions travel to Genk for their first ever meeting in the Champions League. Liverpool do have an impressive record against Belgium teams, winning 10 and losing just one.
(GMB odds - Liverpool to win 2/7)
Inter Milan vs Borussia Dortmund – Group F
In what is arguably one of the standout matches of the week, Antonio Conte’s team host last season’s Bundesliga runners-up and current group leaders Borussia Dortmund. Conte knows that his team realistically need a win if they want to have any chance of progress to the last 16, having only managed one point from two matches so far.
Slavia Prague vs Barcelona – Group F
Spanish champions Barcelona travel to the Czech Republic this week to face Slavia Prague for the first time. The Czech side have not scored a home goal in the Champions League for the last three matches and are currently bottom of Group F with just one point from two matches.
(GMB odds - Barcelona to score 4+ goals 16/5)
Benfica vs Lyon – Group G
Bottom side Benfica host French side Lyon knowing that only a win will do if they want to remain with a chance of progress in Europe’s elite competition. The Portuguese team have no points having lost both their matches while both Lyon and Russian side Zenit have four points from their games so far.
Leipzig vs Zenit St. Petersburg – Group G
The German team Leipzig host group leaders Zenit in a potentially pivotal match in Group G. There is currently only one point separating the teams and the upcoming two matches between the two sides will certainly go a long way to determining who progresses from Group G.
(GMB odds - Leipzig to win & BTTS 9/5)
Ajax vs Chelsea – Group H
Group H pacesetters Ajax host Frank Lampard’s Chelsea team in Amsterdam. The London side have not lost in their last nine European away matches, while last year’s semi-finalists' home record against English teams is not a good one, having only won once and lost on four occasions.
Lille vs Valencia – Group H
The group’s bottom team Lille face Spanish side Valencia. The French side have yet to win against the Spanish club in their four encounters, drawing once and losing three times. Valencia also won their last European match against Chelsea 1-0.