It’s only game week two of the Champions League but it’s proving to be a spectacle already. The opening fixtures gave us one of the biggest upsets as Young Boys took three points off Manchester United. 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 second group stage fixture of the competition. We started off with the opening round 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
Ajax would look to improve on their win last time out in the UCL and make it consecutive wins against Besiktas here today. Ajax are currently on a run of superb form with six wins in six games. Their visitors in Besiktas have already lost at home to Borussia Dortmund in Group C and look one of the weakest teams in this season’s Champions League. On home turf, Ajax have claimed four consecutive victories by an aggregate score of 22-0 following Saturday’s 3-0 defeat of FC Groningen. We see the Dutch champions claiming yet another convincing win today. Bet9ja has 1.12 odds, Paripesa has 1.16 odds and 1xBet has 1.16 odds.
Real Madrid would be gutted to have taken their foot off the gas in the La Liga after the unexpected draw at the weekend against Villarreal. They recently won their Champions League fixture against Inter who are arguably the toughest opponents in the group. Today, they face Sheriff Tiraspol. A win here would take them top of the table and within reach of qualifying easy with a few games in hand. Real Madrid are the giants of this competition and their newbie opponents are no match for them. Bet9ja has 1.10 odds, Paripesa has 1.11 odds and 1xBet has 1.11 odds.
Borussia Dortmund lost yet another league game as it doesn’t look like they might have good fortunes in the Bundesliga this season. They would be looking to change those fortunes and try and keep the good streak in the UCL. Dortmund have a tough task in beating Portuguese giants Sporting Lisbon, but we’re backing them to have too much firepower upfront and take all three points regardless. Bet9ja has 1.34 odds, Paripesa has 1.37 odds and 1xBet has 1.38 odds.
Inter Milan are the final people here on the selection as they take on Shakhtar Donetsk who were beat shockingly last game week. Today, Inter would be looking to redeem themselves after losing narrowly to Real Madrid by a lone goal in their opening game. Inter Milan have been in impressive form in the Serie A as the defeat to Real Madrid remains their sole loss this season. The Nerazzurri would be looking to get their first three points of the UCL campaign here today and there is no better opponent just to do that. Bet9ja has 1.57 odds, Paripesa has 1.60 odds and 1xBet has 1.62 odds.
Over 2.5 Goals
The two favorites for the Champions League meet in Paris on Tuesday night in a test of their credentials. The pair are both searching for their maiden European Cup, despite clashing in the semi-finals of last season’s competition. PSG would be seeking revenge in this game against Manchester City at the Parc des Princes here today. City on the other hand would be heading into their second tough game in what is a really challenging week to come. Both sides are sure to find the back of the net but a clear winner would be hard to call. It looks rather certain that goals will come though. Bet9ja has 1.54 odds, Paripesa has 1.64 odds and 1xBet has 1.66 odds.
Another similar heavyweight game is on the cards when Atletico and AC Milan lock horns. This should be a very close and interesting duel, which often means that we will see a lot of goals. In addition to this, Atletico Madrid averaged 2.14 goals per game so far in La Liga, while AC Milan averaged 2.5 total goals in Serie A. This could be a touch and go, but we don’t see this match ending with less than two goals as both sides would be looking for the win from the get-go after their unimpressive starts to the campaign. Bet9ja has 2.14 odds, Paripesa has 2.19 odds and 1xBet has 2.19 odds.
Liverpool will endeavor to make it two wins from two in the 2021-22 Champions League when they travel to the Estadio do Dragao for Tuesday evening’s Group B clash with Porto. Admittedly, Porto have been in fine form so far this season, despite losing midfielder Danilo Pereira to PSG on loan and seeing striker Moussa Marega depart. The Dragons are unbeaten in seven Liga Portugal matches, posting five wins and away draws at Maritimo and Sporting. A tough contest for both sides but it is sure that we see goals at both ends. Bet9ja has 1.63 odds, Paripesa has 1.73 odds and 1xBet has 1.73 odds.
Ajax have returned to this UCL campaign with an evident ruthlessness and this is coming after a confident win against fellow group members Sporting Lisbon after scoring five goals past them. Besiktas’ form is poor, to say the least. Their defense continues to allow their rivals inlays, and the attack has started to give way. It has seen them involved in high-scoring affairs, and their last five fixtures have concluded with over 2.5 total goals. We are expecting a similar end to this fixture as seven of Ajax’s last nine fixtures have had a similar conclusion to their affair. Bet9ja has 1.25 odds, Paripesa has 1.40 odds and 1xBet has 1.40 odds.
Anytime Goalscorers
Salah
Mo Salah should get one of those goals, adding to his record 11 away goals for Liverpool in this competition. The Egyptian has scored in five of his last six Champions League appearances and each of his last five games for Liverpool. Having scored at Porto in his last two visits, back Salah to net here. With his goal on Saturday against Brentford which saw him become the fastest Liverpool player to 100 PL goals, he is sure to continue that goalscoring streak. Bet9ja has 2.10 odds while Paripesa has 1.95 odds.
Haaland
The young Norwegian would be gutted to see his side lose during the weekend game in the Bundesliga. He has a reputation of responding to critics and doubters directly as he would likely score here today. Haaland is clearly the most consistent striker and the most efficient goal source for his side today. We can count on him to bring in the goals as he has an amazing record already in the UCL. Bet9ja has 1.45 odds while Paripesa has 1.44 odds.
Mbappe
It was a disappointing day in the office for PSG in their first Champions League game against Club Brugge. But the young Frenchman has been playing superbly lately and he would be leading the line for Poch’s men here today as they look for revenge. A game against City is one where the Frenchman will like to show his worth and be at his best. He hasn’t scored yet in the competition but at game week two in the UCL we know he would start as he normally does season after season in recent years. Bet9ja has 2.45 odds while Paripesa has 2.05 odds.
Lautaro Martinez
The Argentine has been a bright spark for Inter Milan since his return to full-time first-team soccer for them. After he has found the back of the net on consecutive occasions, it is safe to say he is their go-to man for the goals, especially since the departure of Romelu Lukaku. The opponents of Milan here today would have no answers for the Lautaro threat hence the pick of the Argentine. Bet9ja has 2.30 odds while Paripesa has 2.10 odds.
Haller
No one had a better opening to a UCL campaign this season than him and he is set to continue with a game against Besiktas. He scored four goals in their opening game against Sporting Lisbon and he looks likely to score here again against Besiktas who have a poor defensive setup as well. He is sure to exploit it. Bet9ja has 1.70 odds while Paripesa has 1.72.
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.
