2024-10-21

Champions League Matchday Three Tips

Champions League Matchday 3 Tips

The Champions League returns for Matchday 3 played over Tuesday and Wednesday, with nine games on each evening.

They include all four competing English sides and Scotland's sole representatives, Celtic, who take on Atalanta.

Aston Villa have a chance to maintain their unblemished defensive record when Bologna visit and, while Arsenal and Manchester City should secure comfortable home victories against unfancied opposition, life could be more challenging for Premier League league leaders Liverpool.

The Reds take on Bundesliga title contenders RB Leipzig in what could be a barnstormer in eastern Germany.

Tip 1 - Aston Villa to win to nil against Bologna @ 29/20

Despite their weekend woe at Bournemouth, Arsenal should be too good for Shakhtar Donetsk, who are still to score in his season's competition.

However, the real game involving an English club to keep an eye on on Tuesday could be the match in the West Midlands, where Aston Villa host Bologna.

The Villans are competing in the European Cup for the first time since defending this title the season after winning it in 1982 and have made an incredible start, outclassing Young Boys 3-0 before beating Bayern Munich, the team they conquered in the final 44 years ago, 1-0.

Bologna are still to score a goal on their first appearance in this competition since 1964-65.

After finishing fifth in Serie A last season under Thiago Motta, I Rossoblu are still adapting to life under summer appointment Vincenzo Italiano - squandering a 2-0 lead in Saturday's 2-2 draw at Genoa - and may struggle to break down Unai Emery's well-drilled defence.

Villa beat Fulham 3-1 on Saturday. It was an open game at Craven Cottage, but the occasion suggests they will look to keep it tighter in this European assignment.

Tip 2 - Atalanta to win and over 4.5 goals @ 18/5

It's sad to say but Celtic could be on the end of another thumping when they take on last season's Europa League winners Atalanta on Wednesday, with a result and over 4.5 goals in the game for their third straight European match a good way to go.

The Bhoys were brilliant when beating opening opponents Slovan Bratislava 5-1, but were brought crashing back down to earth in their 7-1 reverse at Borussia Dortmund.

That Dortmund defeat is their only loss of the season, although they frustratingly drew 2-2 with Aberdeen on Saturday.

However, like that game in Germany, Wednesday's trip to Bergamo sees them take on a far superior team.

La Dea had a penalty saved in their 0-0 draw against Arsenal before beating Shakhtar 3-0.

After Sunday's routine 2-0 win at Venezia, Gian Piero Gasperini's side look primed to go big against Brendan Rodgers' visitors, with Mateo Retegui, who moved on to eight goals for the season in Venice, one to follow as an anytime goalscorer.