Champions League tips: Wednesday's best bets with Phil Thompson

* All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.

Champions League action has returned and Paddy Power ambassador Phil Thompson is back to focus on Wednesday’s big games. He’s joined by our football trader Brian McDonnell to discuss Man United v Atalanta and Chelsea v Malmo. The Red Devils are desperate to bounce back from their defeat at Leicester last weekend, while Chelsea are keen to build on their win v Brentford.

Wednesday 8pm: Man United v Atalanta

TV: BT Sport 2

THOMMO

Make no mistake about it, Atalanta are a good side. Liverpool beat them 5-0 in Italy last season, but they showed what a good side they were when they came to Anfield and left as 2-0 winners 12 months ago.

They also won 4-1 at the weekend away to Empoli with Josip Ilicic and Colombian Duvan Zapata among the scorers. That goal was Zapata’s fourth in six Serie A matches, and they are unbeaten in their last 11 away games in all competitions.

However, this is such a big game for United that they should raise their game and take all three points. A win on Wednesday night would put them in the driving seat in the Group and they’ll want that cushion as they’re a couple of tricky away games to come after this. I think Man United to Win and Both Teams To Score makes sense. I also like Bruno Fernandes to Score Anytime.

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BRIAN

It’s a must-win game for United after their disappointment at Leicester on Saturday and a game I’m really looking forward to. Every game that United play these days seems to be exciting as there’s so much depending on the outcome – not least Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s job.

I fancy Atalanta to win this game though as United were very lucky to get that last-gasp winner from Cristiano Ronaldo against Villarreal in their last Champions League game.

Atalanta had their chances to win Serie A for the past two seasons but failed to take them but are always a good side to watch. Duvan Zapata got a couple of goals at the weekend and is a danger man for the Italians.

Atalanta are a fair price to win this game in the win-draw-win market and I fancy Atalanta to Win and Over 3.5 Goals. I also like Zapata to Score Anytime. It has the potential to be the game of match week three.

Wednesday 8pm: Chelsea v Malmo

TV: BT Sport 3

THOMMO

Malmo have conceded seven and scored none so far in this group and this must surely be a question of how much will Chelsea win by. I fancy them to get at least three and I’m sure Romelu Lukaku will want to play as he’s been a little hit-and-miss recently and needs to get a goal. I like Lukaku to Score Two or More Goals and Chelsea -2 on the handicap betting.

BRIAN

I was drawn to Chelsea -2 on the handicap straight away as Malmo are missing four of five regular starters. Timo Werner to Score First could be a bit of value ahead of Lukaku, who hasn’t scored in his last five games. Chelsea to Win 3-0 looks a good bet too.