We’re now at gameweek three of the Champions League and clubs should start to know their fate or chances after this round. As always, we can expect some shocks and disappointments for sure. A lot of exciting fixtures are on the cards again, especially with a host of high-profile games taking place this week.
The Champions League continues in full swing in the third group stage fixture of the competition. We started off the opening two fixtures on a decent note and we’ll be looking to carry on with our good form once again.
Without much ado, here are the likely betting tips and predictions to come through from all of the action.
Straight wins
Manchester City to beat Club Brugge
Winning five of their six previous matches in European football vs Belgian opposition (L1), Manchester City warmed up for this first-ever meeting with Brugge with a routine 2-0 Premier League victory over Burnley at the weekend. They’ll now look to bounce back from defeat against PSG in their last UCL match as City aim to qualify for the UCL knockout stages for a ninth straight season. Guardiola will also be looking to avoid repeating personal history as he’s only ever lost consecutive UCL away matches once before, and that was as Bayern boss back in 2014/15. Bet9ja have 1.28 odds while 1xbet and Paripesa have 1.32.
Inter to beat Sherrif Tiraspol
Who would have thought by matchday three it would be Inter now charged with the job of trying to shoot down the unstoppable Sheriff, and a goalless UCL group stage for the ‘Nerazzurri’ so far (D1, L1) means it may not be as easy as the odds suggest. That poor start makes this a must-win game for Inter who come into this fixture in unconvincing form since the beginning of September (W3, D3, L2), although five of their last seven home games did see the 2010 UCL winners net 3+ goals. Sherrif might have stunned Real Madrid last time out but we see Inter handing them a defeat this time around. Bet9ja have 1.19 odds, Paripesa have 1.20 and 1xbet have 1.21.
Real Madrid to beat Shakhtar Donetsk
Real are embarking upon their 51st European Cup campaign, the most of any side, but the record-setters are three points off the pace in Group D having been stunned at the Santiago Bernabéu by Sheriff Tiraspol last time out. History is on Real’s side to bounce back from defeat however, having not lost back-to-back group stage games in the same season since 2008. To go with, Shakthar are on poor form at the moment and we expect Los Blancos to capitalize on that. Bet9ja have 1.58 odds, Paripesa have 1.60 and 1xbet have 1.61.
PSG to beat Leipzig
PSG currently top what is a tough group on paper and winning against Leipzig will put them in a very strong position to make it to the round of 16. Leipzig have been on poor form so far this term and have lost both of their Champions League games this season. PSG have not yet fully hit the heights this season but we can see them taking all three points once again. Bet9ja have 1.45 odds while Paripesa and 1xbet have 1.47.
Over 2.5 Goals
We already tipped Manchester City to win but this is a game with a good potential for goals as well. The fact City have kept just one clean sheet across their last seven UCL matches will be a cause for concern. This should also play well for this tip. City remain favorites to win this one but there could be at least three goals scored in this match. Bet9ja have 1.48 odds while Paripesa and 1xbet have 1.50.
Atletico Madrid taking on Liverpool could easily be one of the games to watch in matchday three. It has all the makings of a proper game and predicting an outright winner could be rather difficult. If there’s one thing more likely to happen than any other in this game, it’s the fact that it could witness a good number of goals. Both teams could easily get on the scoresheet and that should play well in our favour. Bet9ja have 2.05 odds, Paripesa have 2.13 and 1xbet have 2.14.
Leipzig might be bottom of their Champions League group but it is rather ironic that they have scored more goals than table toppers PSG so far after two games. We already backed PSG to win this one but don’t expect Leipzig to make it too easy. They have scored in both of their defeats so far and we expect they could score in this one once again. Taking that into account, alongside PSG’s hunger to win, a good number of goals can be expected in this one. Bet9ja have 1.48 odds while Paripesa and 1xbet have 1.49
Ajax hosting Dortmund will also count as one of the standout ties in the UCL matchday three. It is rather difficult to call a winner for this one but one thing we’re certain of is good football all through. Two very attacking oriented sides take on each other and we should expect an end to end game where the team with a better conversion rate wins. Both teams will likely score and there should be at least three goals at both ends. Bet9ja have 1.45 odds while Paripesa and 1xbet have 1.49.
Anytime Goalscorer
Mbappe
The Frenchman has hit the ground running this season (as usual). However, he is yet to impress in the Champions League, based on his own standards. Mbappe is yet to score in the Champions League this term and Club Brugge could come as the perfect opponents for him to break his duck. Paripesa have 1.66 odds while Bet9ja have 1.77.
Salah
Is Salah the most in-form player in the world right now? The answer might be yes. The Egyptian has shined greatly for Liverpool so far and has now scored at least a goal in his last eight consecutive games for the Reds. He recently became the highest scoring African in Premier League and he is a man on full confidence right now. Back him to continue his continue spree at the moment. Paripesa have 2.30 odds while Bet9ja have 2.60.
Giroud
Giroud has started life in the Serie A on a rather positive note. The Frenchman has bagged three goals in four games for AC Milan and his most recent strike helped his side stage a comeback win against Verona at the weekend. His aerial prowess continues to come in handy and he could be the danger man for Milan who badly need a win to keep their hopes of making it to the round of 16 alive. Paripesa have 2.75 odds while Bet9ja have 2.90.
Benzema
Karim Benzema’s goal for Real on matchday two saw him equal Lionel Messi’s record of scoring in 17 successive UCL competitions. Similar to Mohamed Salah for Liverpool, Benzema has also been in stunning form for Real Madrid this season. As long as he is on the pitch, he is the no 1 choice and the most likely name to get a goal or two for Los Blancos. Paripesa have 1.66 odds while Bet9ja have 1.90.
Haaland
Last season’s Champions League top scorer has only scored one goal this time around but we know that won’t remain for long. The sensational youngster has carried his impressive form to the current season and he is fresh from scoring in the Bundesliga at the weekend, a goal that saw him hit 49 goals in 49 league games for Borussia Dortmund. Against a difficult opponent like Ajax, Dortmund will need Haaland to come big and do what he knows how to do best in front of goal. Paripesa have 1.70 odds while Bet9ja have 1.85.
Football Lover. All-round junkie of the beautiful game. Could be found watching football most of the time. If not he’s writing about them or making some punditry you don’t agree with. A certain bias for Arsenal and Santos FC.
