Hi gang! This week I’m looking at the Champions League and Europa League, and I expect some English sides to struggle! You can bet on these matches here.
Juventus 2 v 0 Bayer Leverkusen – Tuesday 1 October – Champions League – Juventus Win (1.55)
Juventus need a win here after they threw away a two-goal lead at Atletico two weeks ago. Since then they have won three league games in a row, and they’ve also won six of their last ten home games in the group stage. Things are looking really bad already for Leverkusen. They lost at home to Lokomotiv Moscow in Matchweek One and, even though they’ve won their last two league games, they have only won one of their last ten away games in the Champions League (against Tottenham in 2016). I see a Home Win for the Italian champions.
Tottenham 1 v 2 Bayern – Tuesday 1 October – Champions League – Both Teams to Score (1.50)
This should be a really entertaining game. Tottenham had to settle for a draw at Olympiakos in their first group game despite leading 2-0 at one point. Since then they have won one, drawn one and lost one in all competitions, and it’s a bad time to be facing Bayern Munich. The German outfit are on a run of four wins in five matches in all competitions. They’re also unbeaten in their last nine away games in Europe. I think this will be an Away Win and I’m backing Both Teams to Score, which has happened in three of Bayern’s five away games this season.
Barcelona 2 v 1 Inter Milan – Wednesday 2 October – Champions League – Both Teams to Score (1.65)
These teams met in the group stage last season, when Barcelona ran out 2-0 winners at the Nou Camp. This time around both sides need a win after they each drew their opening games in Group F. Barcelona have won all of their three home games this season, although they conceded in all three of their games. This Inter team is performing far better than they did a year ago, too. Antonio Conte has guided them to the top of Serie A, where they have won all six of their matches so far. I think this will be a very close game. However, since Barcelona have won 23 of their last 25 home games in the Champions League, I’m going for a Home Win.
Lille 1 v 1 Chelsea – Wednesday 2 October – Champions League – Both Teams to Score (1.70)
Having been beaten at home by Valencia two weeks ago, Chelsea need three points here to strengthen their standing in Group H. The Blues have won their last two away games in the Premier League and it seems as though Frank Lampard is starting to find some joy. That said, his side have conceded ten goals in four games away from Stamford Bridge this term (including in the UEFA Super Cup). Like Chelsea, Lille also suffered defeat in their first group game, losing 3-0 at Ajax. They have won their last eight home games though. I get the feeling that this could be a Draw.
AZ Alkmaar 1 v 1 Manchester United – Thursday 3 October – Europa League – Under 2.5 Goals (1.85)
Just three days after their league game with Arsenal, Man United have an away tie in the Europa League. The Red Devils only narrowly beat Astana at home in their first group game and, furthermore, their away form this season hasn’t been particularly inspiring. They’ve drawn two and lost one on the road, with Under 2.5 Goals in all of those matches. AZ Alkmaar have only lost one of their 15 games this season in all competitions, albeit playing against a lower quality of opposition. Under 2.5 Goals has happened in five of their seven home games this season. I see a Draw here.