After months of qualifying, the Champions League proper gets underway this week. The group stages might not always provide the greatest drama, but this is still an exciting time. Football’s premier club competition is back.
There are some cracking matches on Tuesday night. Here are a few thoughts and tips on four of them…
INTER MILAN vs Tottenham Hotspur
Inter had an interesting summer window, and crucially kept hold of Mauro Icardi and Ivan Perisic.
The season, though, has not started at all well with just one win in four Serie A matches, despite a relatively favourable schedule. Luciano Spalletti’s side have been a little unlucky so far, but performances quickly need to turn into results.
Tottenham’s season began with three victories. Consecutive defeats and disjointed performances are a worry for Mauricio Pochettino, however. Harry Kane is still not sharp, and the midfield remains flimsy.
Despite some very impressive displays in Europe last season, Tottenham are not a good price to get a victory in Milan. Inter have the firepower to cause Spurs problems and should at least avoid defeat.
TIP: Inter to win or draw @ 4/9
PREDICTED SCORE: Inter 1-1 Spurs (Priced at 5/1 with 888sport)
LIVERPOOL vs PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN
Group C should be a cracker. Liverpool and PSG are the two favourites to progress, but Carlo Ancelotti’s Napoli will be no pushovers and a trip to Belgrade play against Red Star is a potential banana skin for any team.
Liverpool’s flying start to the season is perhaps not that surprising. PSG are also five wins from five, and that’s even less shocking.
This has everything to be a thriller, there are two attack-first managers, several superstar forwards and two of the competition’s favourites going head-to-head.
This could meander into nothingness. It’s just a group match after all. Somehow, though, that seems unlikely given the players on display. Goals are the way to go, as picking a winner is almost impossible.
TIP: Over 3.5 goals @ 6/5
PREDICTED SCORE: Liverpool 2-2 PSG (Priced at 10/1 with 888sport)
Monaco vs ATLETICO MADRID
Monaco had another summer of squad rebuilding. Fabinho and Thomas Lemar were the most notable departures as Leonardo Jardim starts all over again.
The season has not started well either, with Les Monégasques winning just once in their first five league matches. Lemar returns to his former club and will likely start for Diego Simeone's side on Tuesday evening.
Atleti have had a slow start themselves, however, picking up a mere five points from their opening four La Liga matches.
After the semi-final jaunt of two seasons ago, Monaco finished bottom of their group last term. This is one of the toughest tests they could face to start the competition. The visitors look good value to get off to a winning start.
TIP: Atletico Madrid to win @ 4/5
PREDICTED SCORE: Monaco 0-1 Atletico (Priced at 5/1 with 888sport)
Schalke 04 vs FC PORTO
Schalke have had a rough start to the campaign. Defeat to Borussia Monchengladbach at the weekend made it three straight losses for the Bundesliga side, who lost key men in the summer, Max Meyer and Leon Goretzka.
Porto’s preparation for their Champions League season-opener was far from perfect too, having drawn with Chaves in the cup at the weekend. The Portuguese giants are favourites to make the last 16 from Group D.
The visitors are good value to avoid defeat. Porto have the attacking players to exploit a defence that has struggled so far.
TIP: Porto to win or draw @ 11/20
PREDICTED SCORE: Schalke 1-2 Porto (Priced at 9/1 with 888sport)
*Odds subject to change - correct at time of writing*
