Champions League Predictions Matchday One Preview And Tips

Tonight is one of the most exciting nights of the football season for many football fans as the Group Stage of the Champions League tournament gets underway with the first eight of sixteen Matchday One ties from Groups E to H being played tonight.

The remaining games will take place on Wednesday evening from Groups A to D and there are some incredible matches to look forward to, some of which would grace the final (and indeed, have done so in the past).

The start of the Champions League Group Stage is also a very active time for punters to start their betting on the event for the season and so with that in mind, we have decided to go through all 16 games in the tournament this week and give you our top tip for each.

All odds shown in this article are courtesy of bet365 Sport of course, which offers excellent betting on all the top UEFA tournaments throughout the season.

However, if you are based in the United States, then check out BetRivers Sportsbook wide range of bets on the tournament, with the site available across multiple states.

Let’s now take a closer look at all the games taking place this week with our tips for each shown below. All kick off times are 8pm UK Time unless stated otherwise.

Champions League Preview & Tips

Tuesday 14^th September

• GROUP G – Sevilla v FC Salzburg (5.45pm)

Salzburg are a decent team, but they have lost a number of key players in recent years and I think that is going to count against them here against an experienced and talented Sevilla side who are one of the most consistent teams in La Liga outside the big three. The odds on a Sevilla win here are not great so I like the Half Time/Full Time – Sevilla/Sevilla option which is 8/5.

• GROUP F – Young Boys v Manchester United (5.45pm)

Having invested a lot of money in top quality players over the summer, Manchester United should be very confident against a Young Boys side that should be no match for the English team. The Swiss side can be tough to beat at home, but given the quality United possess going forward, I’d expect the Red Devils to land the win here. First Goalscorer – Cristiano Ronaldo (Man Utd) – 11/5.

• GROUP E – Barcelona v Bayern Munich

Barcelona have had a torrid time off the field this past pre-season but they have started the La Liga season well. Bayern Munich have done likewise in Germany and I feel they are the stronger and much more settled team of the two. However, the Nou Camp is never an easy place to go and pick up a result, but if one team is capable of doing it, it is Bayern. Bayern to win and Both Teams to Score – 21/10.

• GROUP H – Chelsea v Zenit St Peterburg

Chelsea should make an excellent fist of defending the title this season and I reckon they will start that campaign with a solid win here. Zenit St Petersburg are well organised but they have not got the firepower of some of their previous teams of the past ans I think are going to struggle in London against the holders. Chelsea to win and Romelu Lukaku to score anytime – 7/1.

• GROUP E – Dynamo Kyiv v Benfica

While both these teams are the underdogs in Group E, both will know that if either of the big two, Bayern or Barcelona, slip up, they could be in a position to capitalise on it. I think Benfica may be the best suited of the two to do that, but I feel that they need to win here to stand any chance of doing so, but I can’t quite see that happening. Back the Draw here at 9/4.

• GROUP G – Lille v Wolfsburg

The unexpected French champions last season have struggled this season and I think Wolfsburg, who sit at the top of the Bundesliga, can capitalise on that. The German side are well organised and have some talented players and I think they are more than capable of getting their campaign off to a positive start here. Take Wolfsburg to win at 6/4.

• GROUP H – Malmo FF v Juventus

Malmo will be in this elite level of competition for the first time in many years and they have a tough opener against a Juventus side that have struggled in Serie A so far this season. Despite that, I still feel the Italian side will be far too strong for the Swedes and I would expect them to come through this game relatively comfortably. Back Federico Chiesa to score any time for Juventus at 6/4.

• GROUP F – Villarreal v Atalanta

This should be a very good game, and a crucial one in the context of Group F. Villarreal are Europa League holders, Atalanta one of the brightest young teams in Europe, and this should be an intriguing clash. I can see both teams scoring at least a goal here, but with home advantage, I am backing the yellow submarine to get the job done. Take Villarreal to win at 6/4.

Wednesday 15^th September

• GROUP C – Besiktas v Borussia Dortmund (5.45pm)

I think Dortmund are the quality team in Group C and I do expect them to win the group, and to do that I think they will land at least one away win most likely here. Besiktas are no pushovers at home however and it will be a tough trip for the German side but they have more than enough quality to land the win. Back Haaland to score first and Dortmund to win 3-1 at 22/1.

• GROUP D – Sheriff Tiraspol v Shakhtar Donetsk (5.45pm)

I think Sheriff are going to struggle to pick up any points in this group, but that is not surprising considering who else is in it. The Moldovan sides best chance is tonight’s game with Shakhtar but I feel the Ukrainian side have got more than enough quality to get the job done here after what is likely to be a cagey first half. Take Shakhtar to win this one 2-0 at 8/1.

• GROUP B – Atletico Madrid v FC Porto

Group B does look like being one of the toughest in the Champions League this season and all games will be crucial, especially for the home teams. I think Atletico will start this competition strongly and should pick up maximum points here against a decent Porto side that despite that are likely to be the team that finish bottom of this tough group. Back Atletico to win and Luis Suarez to score first at 4/1.

• GROUP A – Club Brugge v Paris St Germain

Paris St Germain have made it clear with their transfer business this summer that the Champions League is their prirority, so Neymar, Messi, Mbappe and company will be expected to go far in this tournament and win it. I can’t see them having too much trouble in Brugge to be honest and the French side should record an easy win. Back Lionel Messi to score the first goal here at 21/10.

• GROUP D – Inter Milan v Real Madrid

These two teams, along with Shakhtar, will be familiar with each other after being drawn in the same group last season. Real won both those games and they’ll fancy their chances of another win here against an Inter side not as strong as last season, but by the same token, I don’t think Real are quite as strong either and as such, I think a draw 1t 13/5 is the sensible bet here.

• GROUP B – Liverpool v AC Milan

This promises to be a very exciting game at Anfield on Wednesday, though Milan may have Ibrahimovic missing through injury. That would be a blow for them against a side who they have met just twice before, both in Champions League finals, winning one and losing one. With home advantage though and back in form, I am backing Liverpool to earn a narrow victory here. Take Liverpool to earn a 2-1 correct score win at 8/1.

• GROUP A – Manchester City v Red Bull Leipzig

Having lost the final last year, Manchester City will be hoping to go one better this year and they begin with a tough looking opener against Red Bull Leipzig. The German side were well beaten at home by Bayern at the weekend and that result makes me feel that they are not going to be able to cope with City either in this encounter. Back Manchester City to earn a 3-0 win here at 15/2.

• GROUP C – Sporting Lisbon v Ajax Amsterdam

For me, this is probably the most even of all the games being contested in the Champions League this week. I think both are similar, young, adventurous teams who did very well domestically last season but who are finding their feet a bit at this level and who often see their top stars sold for a profit. This will be a close one and I think the bet to make here is the draw at 5/2.