The Champions League returns this week and once again, all four Premier League representatives are in action, with the highlight being Liverpool’s trip to RB Leipzig.
On top of that, we have got a replay of last year’s final as Real Madrid host Borussia Dortmund. Like their Bundesliga counterparts, Bayern Munich also make the journey to Spain to take on Barcelona in a seismic clash.
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Real Madrid to beat Borussia Dortmund @ 1.50
It is a huge week for Los Blancos, starting on Tuesday night with a re-run of last season’s final against Dortmund and culminating in an El Clasico vs Barcelona on Saturday – with both matches staged at the Bernabeu.
Carlo Ancelotti’s men will hope to start as they mean to go on and make up for their 1-0 loss to Lille the last time they played in Europe. But with four wins and a draw in their last five La Liga outings and summer signing Kylian Mbappe finding his feet, they will take some stopping.
However, Dortmund have a perfect record in Europe this season and sit top of the table ahead of Matchday 3. Their Bundesliga form has been patchy at best, but they have not lost sight of their title ambitions and will be expecting to play in the latter stages of the Champions League as well.
Manager Nuri Sahin has seen new signing Serhou Guirassy continue his fine scoring form, as well as a breakout season from Englishman Jamie Bynoe-Gittens. However, we still think Madrid emerge victorious, especially with a home crowd cheering them on.
Bayern Munich to beat Barcelona @ 2.73
Barca manager Hansi Flick will face a team he both played for and managed this week when Bayern visit Catalunya. Although no doubt close to his heart, he will have to put emotion to one side as his side try to climb the table after an opening matchday loss to Monaco.
In La Liga, table-toppers Barca have been sensational thus far, tallying nine wins from 10 and scoring 33 goals. Striker and talisman Robert Lewandowski has been in exceptional form too with 12 league goals, double the tally of Mbappe.
Bayern equally sit top of their respective domestic division, however, they seem to be a bit less consistent and more vulnerable to the stronger teams. But one thing for which consistency is not in question is Harry Kane’s scoring. The England captain has already netted 13 goals in 10 games across all competitions.
So, will Kane and Bayern – who are still adjusting to life under Vincent Kompany – be able to exploit the defensive weaknesses of an in-form Barca away from home? We reckon so, though it could be a close one!
RB Leipzig vs Liverpool: Both teams to score @ 1.47
Domestically, Leipzig are absolutely flying, sitting second in the table level on points with Bayern and possessing an unbeaten record. But the Champions League table tells a much different story, with two losses from two.
Admittedly, games against Juventus and Atletico Madrid do not make for the warmest of welcomes but this week’s reception is set to be equally frosty, as they face possibly their toughest test yet against Premier League leaders Liverpool.
Leipzig need young stars Xavi Simons and Benjamin Sesko to combine and cause the Merseyside club problems, while top scorer Lois Openda will be eyeing more goals.
Liverpool will look to continue their bright start to the season with another European win. Their lack of summer signings was widely viewed with scepticism but it does not seem to be an issue, with Mohamed Salah and Co. scoring freely – an aspect we think will continue this week. While it may be tough for Leipzig to win this one, we think both teams will get on the scoresheet.
Juventus to beat Stuttgart @ 2.04
Stuttgart travel to Turin shrouded in uncertainty, mustering a solitary point in the Champions League so far and sitting 10th in the Bundesliga.
But a couple of wins could resurrect their campaign into one in which they build on last season’s success. Away from last weekend’s 4-0 dismantling at Bayern, there have been some positive signs in the form of a 5-1 win over Borussia Dortmund and a hard-fought tie with Real Madrid. So this could be harder night for Juve than many expect.
But on full points from their two Champions League games so far, the Old Lady will be backing themselves to continue charging forward in Europe. Main man Dusan Vlahovic has seven goals in all competitions at this season’s early stage, supported by the creative spark of Kenan Yildiz.
Thiago Motta’s men should be a tad too strong at home and leave Stuttgart searching for their first Champions League win of the campaign.
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