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This may be a grossly unpopular take, and please stay out of my mentions for the foreseeable, but even without skin in the game, I think the Champions League is the best competition on the planet – club or otherwise.
I get a World Cup. I understand why they’re popular and I certainly grasp why we’re no longer in them, but being able to tune into games midweek and see just how deep the best squads in the world are – competing with rough domestic schedules and still somehow producing their best – is the pinnacle of the sport.
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And I fully admit that not every side in the competition are exactly inclined to light it up, but every one of them has qualified for Europe’s elite competition, and unless they’re in the Camp Nou or the Etihad, they tend to go for it. That’s the difference.
And what a bumper opening round of fixtures we have in front of us. The only way to add to the excitement is by having an interest in each game, and I’m right back in my usual spot – telling you which games will see both teams score, and which games won’t. On your marks – get set – BTTS!
- All the below matches kick-off at 8pm and are Both Teams To Score bets.
* An accumulator with these bets pays at approximately 35/1 with Paddy Power. CLICK HERE TO ADD IT TO YOUR BETSLIP.
Barcelona v Bayern Munich – Yes
The dynamic in this game is going to be ferocious. It’ll be Frenkie and Pedri – which sounds like a BBC4 spin-off of Benidorm – trying to keep the ball in midfield and never coughing it up, because the best striker in world football will score from anywhere.
I’d rather call Barca’s decline a slow descent into mediocrity, but until such a time where Memphis Depay abandons ship, they’ll continue to score goals at home.
Dynamo Kiev v Benfica – Yes
Kiev and Lisbon – the home of two of my favourite foods: the chicken Kiev and the pasta de nata.
I’ve been to both and tried both local takes on those dishes and let me tell you – the nicest food I had in Ukraine was actually in the former canteen at the Chernobyl power plant.
But in terms of football, I find goals are easier to find than decent grub. This is the best Dynamo have looked in years, and given they’re averaging over three goals a game in the top tier, they’ll certainly have no issue netting against an out of sorts Benfica.
Chelsea v Zenit – No
Tuchel might well be considered an attacking manager, and that his clean sheets come because of high up the pitch his sides maintain possession, but it’s actually his defensive structure that affords his midfielders to move with the ball.
This game could go on for six hours and they wouldn’t concede.
Lille v Wolfsburg – No
Lille qualified for this competition by winning Ligue 1 last year, but their abysmal start to their campaign means they’re now more focused on keeping it tight. With Burak Yilmaz on the cusp of retirement, their lack of threat in attacking areas should be a major concern. This could easily be scoreless.
Malmo v Juventus – Yes
Malmo are the weakest side in the group stage full-stop, but Juventus are having somewhat of a philosophical reset – their opening three games in Serie A being as bad a beginning as they’ve had in two decades.
It seems a stretch to say that exposure will mean Malmo will find the net, but I envisage them doing so because Dybala and co are unleashing a lot of frustration early doors and a consolation doing very little to harm them.
Villarreal v Atalanta – No
Maybe it’s rich, but Emery grinds his way through groups in order to navigate a path to a final, and generally only wins when he absolutely needs to.
Their lack of urgency is alarming and I expect that will be rightly exposed against stronger opposition now.
Tuesday’s Champions League acca:
Barcelona v Bayern Munich – Yes
Dynamo Kiev v Benfica – Yes
Chelsea v Zenit – No
Lille v Wolfsburg – No
Malmo v Juventus – Yes
Villarreal v Atalanta – No
* An accumulator with these bets pays at approximately 35/1 with Paddy Power. CLICK HERE TO ADD IT TO YOUR BETSLIP.
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