Champions League Predictions > Sep 13th & 14th

[StevieDay1983]

The second round of group stage games in this season's Champions League are coming up this week. It was a fascinating opening round last week so I'm keen to hear what bets you have for this batch of matches. The ELO ratings will be available from next week so we need all the predictions you can muster to pool our knowledge! 

[ALEXXXXXXXX]

Plzen vs Inter

Plzen are the best team in the Czech, but not in all of Europe. It is unfortunate that they are in a group with Inter, Bayern and Barcelona. They lost to Barcelona 5-1 in the first group match. That will be a hard journey for them in the coming weeks.

Inter ended their two-match losing streak by a 1-0 victory over Torino in the most recent game. As they lost to Bayern in the first group match, they rank third in group C without points. They won’t miss the chance to make points.

Inter @1.44

Inter -1.25 @1.95

[malabgd]

Bayer Leverkusen vs Atlético Madrid

2022-09-13T21:00+02:00

 

Bayer Leverkusen

Doubtful:

Out (injuries/other): Adli (1/0 m), Bellarabi (1/0 f), Wirtz (0/0 m), Lunev (0/0 g), Palacios (6/1 m)

Suspended:

 

Atlético Madrid

Doubtful: Oblak (4/0 first goalkeeper)

Out (injuries/other): Savić (2/0 d), Reguilón (0/0 d), Giménez (3/0 d), Lemar (4/0 m)

Suspended: -

 

Bayern München vs FC Barcelona

2022-09-13T21:00+02:00

 

Bayern München

Doubtful:

Out (injuries/other): Sarr (0/0 d), Coman (3/1 f)

Suspended:

 

FC Barcelona

Doubtful:

Out (injuries/other): -

Suspended: -

 

Daily updated injuries and suspensions information from more than 100 football leagues and competitions worldwide at: www.injuriesandsuspensions.com

[Neubs]

Thuesday´s Games are difficult for me. Personal Feelings are saying Draw in Marseille-Frankfurt Game and Under 3.5 Goals in Bayer-Barcelona Game - but i didn´t placed this Bets - i will wait for tomorrow and for more Informations.

Only Bet i placed now is Atl. Madrid AHC0 against Leverkusen. Leverkusen are in crisis and out of Form. They have some Missings in Offensive and other Players are out of Form. So they are far away from there Best. Atl. Madrid on other Side with important Win in last CL Game against Porto. Now the only Plus for Leverkusen is maybe here the Fact that they are now not Favourites. But i don´t know if this is enough.

[StefanBB]

Liverpool vs Ajax

The start of the season for the Liverpool Reds is problematic. Unlike Chelsea, who fired Tuchel quickly after their loss against Zagreb 1-0, it is hard to see Liverpool parting with Jurgen Klöpp. However, the German technician does not succeed this year. After their success in the Community Shield against Manchester City 3-1, the team from the North of England was on track to achieve great things in 2022-2023. However, the Reds booked just a pair of wins in six Premier League matches, while Napoli outclassed them in the opening round of the Champions League. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Hamstring Injury), Naby Keïta (Hamstring Injury), Fábio Carvalho (Muscular problems), Ibrahima Konaté (Knee Injury), and Jordan Henderson (Hamstring Injury) won’t be available for Liverpool coach Jürgen Klopp.

Opposite, Ajax Amsterdam takes a proportionally different trajectory. The Capital team lost in the opening of the Dutch Super Cup against arch-rivals PSV 5-3. It was a setback that visibly woke up the Ajacides. They are undefeated in the league with five successes and very big cards. From their 2^nd match, the band of Justin Timber, one of the few who did not leave the group this summer, destroyed Groningen 6-1 but also Cambuur 4-0 at home before entering the competition. Ajax also enjoyed a big 4-0 success against Rangers in the Champions League opening round. They want to pick up where they left off and return from Liverpool undefeated.

Full-Time Winner Odds & Prediction                                                                            

It is going to be an interesting clash, and it won’t be easy for Liverpool, although they are favorites. Ajax has a much better momentum, and they shouldn’t lose by more than a goal.

Goals Market Prediction

Both teams have significant attacking potential, and we should enjoy an efficient clash. Therefore, these two sides should produce at least three goals in total at Anfield.

Ajax AH +1.5 @ 1.65

Over 2.5 FT @ 1.45

Correct score 2:2 @ 13.00

[StefanBB]

Bayern Munich vs Barcelona

Bayern did the job on the first day on the lawn of Inter 0-2 in a match where the Nerazzurri were never too threatening for the Bavarians. The six-time European champion has recovered its entire group with the exception of former Marseille, Bouna Sarr, still injured in the knee. Choupo-Moting (ex-PSG) and German international Goretzka returned to competition recently. However, Bayern spilled two points in a 2-2 draw against Stuttgart last weekend and will want to bounce back on Tuesday evening. The home side looks forward to stabilizing its form and booking an important victory in the Champions League group stage.

Opposite, Barcelona also did the job in their den of Camp Nou against the valiant Czech formation of Plzen. They were never able to compete with Barça despite returning to a goal difference just before halftime, 2-1. However,  the doubt did not last since the Culers immediately scored the 3^rd goal for a final score of 5-1. Barcelona has every chance of going up this Champions League season, with the Barcelona cause being helped by a seven-match unbeaten run on their travels that has included five wins out of six recently. Xavi’s side is full of confidence, and the visitors want to break their losing streak against Bayern.

Full-Time Winner Odds & Prediction                                                                            

Bayern Munich has recently been more dominant in their h2h clashes, but they won’t have an easy job here. Barcelona has been in excellent form, and we think these two sides might split points on Tuesday evening.

Goals Market Prediction

Their head-to-head clashes have been a joy to watch lately since the last five went over a 2.5 margin. We expect to see fireworks at Allianz Arena and at least four goals in total.  

Draw @ 4.50

Over 3.5 FT @ 2.00

Correct score 2:2 @ 12.00

[StevieDay1983]

Sporting CP vs Tottenham

The second round of Champions League group stage games is here and we start the previews with an intriguing Group D encounter between Portuguese Primeira Liga side Sporting CP and Premier League club Tottenham in this early 5:45pm BST kick-off on Tuesday afternoon from Estadio Jose Alvalade. Both teams won their opening group games in solid fashion so this presents a great opportunity to move closer to qualification for the last 16.

Sporting CP may well have had an inconsistent start to their domestic campaign with 3 wins, 1 draw, and 2 defeats leaving the team in 7th place in the Primeira Liga but the 3-0 win away to Bundesliga team Eintracht Frankfurt in the opening group game of this competition was a massive statement. Head coach Ruben Amorim will be hoping his team can build on the successes of last season that saw them finish 2nd in the league whilst winning the Taca da Liga and Supertaca Candido de Oliveira and reaching the last 16 of the Champions League. It's been another season of big exits for the Lions with the likes of Nuno Mendes, Joao Palhinha, and Matheus Nunes all leaving the club. However, the club have spent close to £40 million on new signings to bolster the squad. It is some of the exciting names they kept in Pedro Goncalves, Marcus Edwards, and Nuno Santos that are proving to be the best performers so it'll be interesting to see if the Portuguese side can make it two wins from two group games here.

Tottenham were a team a lot of people thought would step up their game this season under the stewardship of Antonio Conte and with the club undefeated so far this season it certainly feels like that is the case. Spurs are 3rd in the Premier League after 4 wins and 2 draws from their first 6 league matches. The 2-0 home win over French Ligue 1 side Marseille was a business-like victory that showed the team are well-drilled and professional to avoid slip-ups this season. That win over Marseille made it 4 wins from 4 home games for the Londoners but they face a road trip challenge here having dropped points in two of their three away matches played this season. It is 5 wins from the last 6 matches in all competitions for Tottenham though and with Richarlison scoring both goals against Marseille he could be worth an anytime scorer shout.

It's fair to say that Sporting CP have every reason to feel anxious about this game having lost 5 of their last 6 meetings with English clubs. The 2-0 loss at home to Chaves earlier in this season shows they are not invincible at home either so you'd feel a team like Tottenham could cause them problems. It could well work in Tottenham's favour that they didn't have a game this past weekend so they'll be fresher than their hosts. I was dithering between a draw and an away win but I think Tottenham could sneak it here.

Tottenham to Win @ 2.20 with SportNation

Anytime Scorer: Richarlison @ 3.60 with Bet365

[StevieDay1983]

Liverpool vs Ajax

The second preview from the Champions League action on Tuesday night will see Group A take centre stage as Premier League side Liverpool host Dutch Eredivisie opposition in Ajax for this 8pm BST kick-off at Anfield. The home team will be looking to bounce back from a heavy defeat in the opening group game against a visiting club that looked very impressive in their first group match.

Liverpool are in a bit of a slump now with the club down in 7th place in the Premier League after winning just 2 of their opening 6 league games and then suffering a humiliating 4-1 loss away to Italian Serie A club Napoli in their opening group game of this competition. Jurgen Klopp has come under fire but it's his players that surely have to take the blame with the lacklustre displays of certain individuals being nothing short of alarming. That said, there is the notorious statistic that Klopp's team's performances tend to plummet in his 7th season with a club. The Reds come into this game knowing they will be without the influential Andrew Robertson. Curtis Jones, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, and Naby Keita are all also unavailable. Just 2 clean sheets kept in their 8 matches played in all competitions this season isn't ideal but with no game last weekend and their scheduled league game with Chelsea postponed this coming weekend there is a feeling that fresh legs could give them an advantage.

Ajax suffered the seismic loss of Erik ten Hag to Manchester United over the summer but sure as night follows day the Dutch club have installed his successor in Alfred Schreuder with seamless transition. It's an incredible achievement given the club also lost the likes of Andre Onana, Ryan Gravenberch, Sebastien Haller, Lisandro Martinez, and Antony. De Godenzonen have won all 6 of their league matches this season keeping clean sheets in 4 of those matches. The team's 4-0 win over Scottish Premiership side Rangers in the opening group game was absolutely dominant. It is only 2 losses from the last 25 away matches in European competition for Ajax although this will be the club's first endeavour on the road in this competition under Schreuder. If you're looking for an anytime scorer bet then winger Steven Bergwijn has scored 7 goals in his last 6 games for Ajax making him the team's top scorer. 

I still have reservations about how this Ajax team will perform over the course of this season after the complete overhaul in playing and non-playing staff the club has experienced this summer. Rangers aren't exactly the best marker and I'm wondering if the Dutch side will struggle here. Liverpool haven't been great this season but we are comparing them to their heights of previous seasons. They still possess ample quality and remain a dangerous team on their own patch. It's games like this that will best tell us where these two teams are right now.

Liverpool HT/FT @ 2.48 with SBK

Anytime Scorer: Steven Bergwijn @ 4.50 with Bet365

[888888]

Pretty sure either Liverpool - Ajax and/or Bayern - Barcelona will go over 3,5 (may be both of course) , i am contemplating which one to take

[StefanBB]

Juventus vs Benfica  

Juventus have been too mediocre in their last three matches, where a win has failed to come their way. Against Fiorentina, they gained a point in a 1-1 draw before coming up short against PSG, who ran out 2-1 winners. Lately, they managed to steal a point in a 2-2 tie with Salernitana. Juventus won five of their last six Champions League matches at Allianz Stadium, scoring 12 and conceding seven along the way. The Bianconeri have only averaged a modest 1.2 goals per game in their last ten matches in this tournament, in which they scored 12 goals. They also conceded 14 for an average of 1.4 per game. Juventus clearly need improvement in this match to come out on top of Benfica.

In their last three matches, Benfica first beat Vizela 2-1, then Maccabi Haifa by 2-0, and finally Famalicao by 0-1. Benfica won three of a possible six away matches in the Champions League, as well as playing two draws and suffering one defeat. They scored 11 while also conceding nine times. The Eagles enjoy a fantastic start in the Portuguese top flight after celebrating on all six occasions. They also eye the top-two finish in the Champions League after a successful start. Benfica manager Roger Schmidt has to contend with a couple of unavailable players. João Victor (Ankle Injury) and Morato (Sprained Ankle) are names that won’t be on the team sheet.

Full-Time Winner Odds & Prediction                                                                            

Juventus hasn’t been very convincing lately, as they failed to win three times in a row. Moreover, they will face selection issues, and that’s why we think Benfica will return home undefeated.

Goals Market Prediction

Benfica managed to keep the clean sheet on the previous four occasions away from home. Although they will have a much more challenging task in Torino, we don’t think the crowd will see more than two goals in total.  

Benfica AH +0.5 @ 1.70

Under 2.5 FT @ 1.95

Correct score 1:1 @ 6.50

[StefanBB]

Manchester City vs Borussia Dortmund

Manchester City is firing in all cylinders at the moment. The unexpected draw at Villa Park did nothing to curb their form, as they preceded to beat Sevilla 4-0 away. Their record says it all. Pep's side is unbeaten in their last eight games, having lost only once in its previous fifteen. Remarkably so, only three of those fifteen have featured less than three goals. The Citizens still haven't lost this season, and despite a couple of hiccups in the Premier League, they are just a point behind Arsenal. Another victory in the Champions League would see them being comfortable in the top spot.

Dortmund was not too pleased, as they were visited by a ghost of the past on Saturday. Marco Rose, who was brutally fired from the Westphalians in the summer, came back to haunt them as newly-appointed Leipzig manager, beating them 3-0. It was Dortmund's second competitive loss this season and the first time they conceded after three straight clean sheets. The loss also interrupted Dortmund's impressive away record, which had seen them win all seven away games before that. Nevertheless, BVB was successful at the Champions League group stage opening, thanks to a 3-o victory against FC Copenhagen at home. This time, it will be much tougher, but they hope to return home undefeated.  

Full-Time Winner Odds & Prediction                                                                            

Manchester City has been much more confident than their rivals, and anything except the home side's victory would be a huge surprise. We think the Citizens will meet expectations and beat Borussia Dortmund by at least two goals.

Goals Market Prediction

Although Dortmund has been pretty efficient this season, their defense was very leaky last weekend. It should be an entertaining clash, and we expect both teams to find the back of the opponent’s net.

Manchester City AH -1.5 @ 1.55

BTTS Yes @ 1.90

Correct score 3:1 @ 10.00

[StevieDay1983]

Chelsea vs RB Salzburg

The Champions League group stage games continue with their second round schedules on Wednesday night. Next up, we have the 8pm BST kick-off between Premier League club Chelsea and Austrian Bundesliga side RB Salzburg from Stamford Bridge. Both of these teams dropped points in their opening group stage game so the importance on getting a win could not be overstated.

Chelsea begin another new era in this game with newly appointed manager Graham Potter taking charge of his first game at the club. The Blues took the controversial decision to sack Thomas Tuchel after their surprise 1-0 loss away to Dinamo Zagreb last week. The move to bring in Potter has happened swiftly and with Premier League matches postponed over the weekend due to the death of Her Majesty the Queen this will be his first outing in the dugout. Potter will have to deal with being without the key duo of N'Golo Kante and Edouard Mendy. It is just 1 clean sheet in 7 matches for Chelsea this season so far and it'll be interesting to see if Potter addresses the defensive issues that ultimately cost Tuchel his job. Chelses are unbeaten at home this season and have scored 2 goals in each of their home matches this campaign.

RB Salzburg remain a team that seem to unearth gems from across the globe. The likes of Sadio Mane, Naby Keita, Patson Daka, Karim Adeyemi, and Erling Haaland have all donned the red bull colours. This current crop of players are also proving worthy of following in their footsteps. Head coach Matthias Jaissle has openly admitted his scouting team have had to do some digging to prepare for a Chelsea team under Potter by studying Potter's work at Brighton. Salzburg themselves have had a positive start to the season but it's not been flawless. League form has delivered 7 wins from 8 league games but they did suffer a 2-1 loss away to Sturm Graz earlier in the campaign. The team were also held to a 1-1 draw at home to AC Milan in their opening group game in this competition. The attacking qualities of Fernando, Benjamin Sesko, and Noah Okafor amongst others make this Salzburg team one that you can never write off.

The fact that RB Salzburg have scored in each of their competitive matches so far this season and that both teams have scored in Chelsea's last 6 home matches played suggests we should see goals here. Let's be honest, it's very tough to work out how Potter will set up with this Chelsea team. He's barely had a week with the players, he's got influential players missing, and it's uncertain if his methods that he used at Brighton will work with this group. RB Salzburg could rightly be smelling blood here. I know it's unlikely but for the price being offered I think backing RB Salzburg to get something here is certainly worth taking a chance on.

RB Salzburg Double Chance @ 3.60 with SportNation

BTTS @ 2.02 with SBK

[StevieDay1983]

Manchester City vs Borussia Dortmund

The second preview I'm writing for the Champions League games on Wednesday night delivers the Group G encounter between Premier League reigning champions Manchester City and German Bundesliga I club Borussia Dortmund in an 8pm BST kick-off from the Etihad Stadium. It is being dubbed the "Erling Haaland Derby" (by literally nobody except me just now!) as the Norwegian front man faces his former club for his new employers.

Manchester City are looking like a team that can compete on all fronts this season. Pep Guardiola's side are undefeated in the Premier League with 4 wins and 2 draws from their 6 league matches so far and cruised to a 4-0 win away against La Liga team Sevilla in their opening group of this competition. Haaland is proving to be the brilliant acquisition many tipped him to be scoring 12 goals in all competitions already. It does bode well for the Citizens that they have actually averaged just under 4 goals per game in the last 8 home matches played against German opposition. There is also an expectation of goals being scored in this game because City have seen over 3.5 goals scored in 5 of their last 6 matches in all competitions.

Borussia Dortmund can quite rightly be proud of the fact they are a team capable of re-inventing themselves every season. No matter what big name departures the club suffers they always seem to unearth new talents. Down the years, they have lost the likes of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Robert Lewandowski, Mario Gotze, Mats Hummels, and Haaland himself but have always adequately replaced them. The current squad includes young talents such as Youssoufa Moukoko, Jude Bellingham, and Karim Adeyemi making them one of the most exciting teams in European football. Head coach Edin Terzic has started his first season in charge of the Black and Yellows in positive fashion with the team picking up 4 wins from their first 6 league games and also sealing a resounding 3-0 win at home against FC Copenhagen in their first game of this competition.

This should be a very interesting game to watch but the stark reality is that Manchester City possess far more developed quality than Borussia Dortmund. It's a sad fact that Dortmund are grooming the players of tomorrow for future careers with the likes of City. It's not great news for the Dortmund fans to see they've lost each of their last 4 visits to English teams in the Champions League. I can see that run continuing here and to rub salt into the wound I wouldn't be surprised if Haaland was the one who fires the killer bullet.

Manchester City HT/FT @ 1.70 with SBK

Erling Haaland to Score 2 Goals or More @ 3.00 with Bet365