The second round of Champions League group stage fixtures are here – and football fans across Europe will be settling down for a festival of football on Wednesday evening.
It all kicks off with two early games before six later fixtures; giving viewers the chance to watch more of Europe’s elite club competition. That can’t be a bad thing, can it?
Tuesday’s top tips can be found here but I am going to focus on Wednesday’s action in this piece.
Tottenham Hotspur are involved in what is arguably THE clash of the gameweek and English football fans will be hoping for an exciting night of football. Here are my thoughts and tips on the latest round of games.
ATLETICO MADRID vs Club Brugge
It has taken Atletico a while to get going in 2018/19 but Diego Simeone’s men head into this clash after avoiding defeat in five successive matches.
Atletico claimed a well-earned point away at city rivals Real Madrid on Saturday night and it would take a brave man to back against the hosts here. 49/50 for Atletico to win to nil is worth backing considering their defensive prowess.
Club Brugge had just 35% of the ball against Borussia Dortmund in their previous European encounter but the Belgian side gave a decent account of themselves in that 1-0 defeat.
The visitors will work hard but that might not be enough to secure a positive result here. It could get ugly for Club Brugge if Atletico make an early breakthrough.
TIP: Atletico Madrid to win to nil @ 49/50
PREDICTED SCORE: Atletico 2-0 Club Brugge (Priced at 5/1 with 888sport)
BORUSSIA DORTMUND vs AS Monaco
Dortmund are back to their brilliant best – Monaco will be wary of an absolute thrashing on Wednesday night. You won’t find many punters backing against the hosts in this one…
The German giants, currently top of the Bundesliga table, have scored 19 goals in six league games in 2018/19 and it wouldn’t be a huge surprise to see Dortmund run riot. 6/5 for over 2.5 home goals is worth considering.
Jadon Sancho has contributed to a league-leading six Bundesliga goals this season.
— 888sport (@888sport) September 30, 2018
He is just 18 years old. ? pic.twitter.com/1JVha1S3xG
On the other hand, Monaco have struggled to get going this season. The French outfit are in the Ligue 1 relegation zone after winning just one of their opening eight fixtures.
Monaco fell short on home soil against Atletico in their Group A opener and another difficult clash awaits. 7/4 for a home win with both teams scoring looks a decent bet.
TIP: Dortmund to win and both teams to score (Priced at 7/4 with 888sport)
PREDICTED SCORE: Dortmund 3-1 Monaco (Priced at 9/1 with 888sport)
Napoli vs LIVERPOOL
Napoli were the better side for most of the first half against Juventus but beating the Old Lady in Turin was always going to be a tough ask.
However, the hosts will be looking to bounce back after that defeat at the weekend and this could be one of the matches of the week. Both teams to score is backable at 1/2 – punters will be expecting an exciting contest.
Jurgen Klopp’s side left it late against Chelsea to preserve their unbeaten start to the season – Daniel Sturridge scoring with a sensational effort from outside the box with just minutes remaining.
Another stern test awaits the Reds here; Napoli are no slouches and Carlo Ancelotti’s men are solid on home soil. However, the 8/25 for Liverpool to avoid defeat once again is the way to go.
TIP: Liverpool to win OR draw @ 8/25
PREDICTED SCORE: Napoli 1-2 Liverpool (Priced at 7/1 with 888sport)
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR vs FC BARCELONA
It is a case of one step forward, two steps backward for Tottenham right now. Mauricio Pochettino’s men were comfortable against Huddersfield Town last time out and Spurs fans will be hoping for a similar performance here.
Tottenham can profit if they play Barcelona at their own game. This Barca defence is not what it once was and the 4/9 for both teams to score looks exceptional value.
Eat. Sleep. Score. Repeat. ⚽️
— 888sport (@888sport) September 29, 2018
Just another weekend in the life of Harry Kane.#THFC pic.twitter.com/KjFYVf507i
Barcelona have had troubles of their own in recent weeks and Ernesto Valverde is a man under pressure. The Spanish champions are winless in their last three competitive fixtures – not good enough for a club of Barcelona’s calibre.
The visitors have the quality to put Spurs to the sword but this will not be straightforward by any means. EVS isn’t the best price in the world for an away win in this clash.
TIP: Both teams to score @ 4/9
PREDICTED SCORE: Tottenham 2-2 Barcelona (Priced at 19/2 with 888sport)
*Odds subject to change - correct at time of writing*
