Champions League Matchday Five Tips
The Champions League is back after the international break, with all 36 teams looking to get three points on the board to start the second half of the league phase strongly.
Liverpool undoubtedly have the trickiest test ahead of them when they host reigning champions Real Madrid at Anfield, while Aston Villa also welcome a European giant to Villa Park when they take on Juventus.
Manchester City, meanwhile, will be aiming to break their recent losing streak at home to Feyenoord, Arsenal face Sporting in Portugal and Scottish champions Celtic take on Belgian outfit Club Brugge in Glasgow.
Tip 1: Juventus to beat Aston Villa to nil @ 19/5
Aston Villa have lost four of their last five and this poor form could see them struggle against Italian giants Juventus, who are yet to lose in any competition away from home this season.
The Old Lady have kept clean sheets in five of their eight matches on their travels and, with four goals scored across their two aya Champions League fixtures, they should have enough quality to secure a shutout victory at Villa Park to keep their automatic knockout qualification hopes on course.
Tip 2: Under 2.5 goals in Sporting v Arsenal @ 23/25
Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal have not been involved in high-scoring contests in Europe this season, with each of their four Champions League games seeing fewer than three goals scored, and their strong defensive unit should be able to frustrate Sporting on Tuesday.
The Portuguese champions saw their manager Ruben Amorim depart for Manchester United in the international break and, despite putting four past Manchester City in their last continental contest, they may take some time adapting to life under new boss Joao Pereira.
Tip 3: Celtic to win and Both Teams to Score v Club Brugge @ 5/2
Celtic are enjoying themselves in Europe this season with seven points from their first four games and another memorable night at Celtic Park could be in store against Club Brugge on Wednesday.
The Bhoys have not lost at home since a 2-0 defeat to Hearts in December 2023 and look a strong bet for victory again in this fixture. However, Brugge have scored in all but one of their European games this season, so they could get themselves on the scoresheet.
Tip 4: Erling Haaland to score first in Manchester City v Feyenoord @ 23/10
Manchester City have lost five consecutive matches in all competitions and, while they will be expected to end this run against Feyenoord, their form does give way for some doubt in the match result market.
Goals could therefore be the route forward and striker Erling Haaland could well be the man to open the scoring on Wednesday.
The Norwegian has three Champions League goals this season and, with Kevin De Bruyne likely returning to the starting side, he may be provided with the quality service that has been lacking in recent weeks to start firing once again.
Tip 5: Over 3.5 goals in Liverpool v Real Madrid @ 5/4
Liverpool may be leading the Premier League comfortably, but they know that they will have to be at their best to beat reigning European champions Real Madrid, who have a habit of performing on the continental stage.
While the end result looks close to call, this should be an entertaining, goal-laden affair.
Each of Real Madrid’s last six and five of Liverpool’s last six matches have produced winners in the over 3.5 goals market and the calibre of forwards likely to be on show means that another goalfest could well be on the cards.