Europe biggest club competition returns to center stage. Starting from tomorrow, 32 European clubs will battle it out for the big-ear trophy in the 2018/19 UEFA Champions League. European kings, Real Madrid are the champions of the last three edition and they will be eyeing a fourth straight title in a competition they have made theirs. Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester City, Atletico Madrid, Juventus and last season finalist Liverpool are some of the contenders with other ideas as the final showpiece for this season is at Estadio Wanda Metropolitano, Madrid on the 1st of June 2019.
Here is our preview of some matches across the eight groups.
Group A;
AS MONACO v ATLETICO MADRID – TUE. 18 SEPT 2018, 20.00HRS
View Game & Bet
VS
These two teams will be meeting for the first time in European competition at Stade Louis II. Both teams suffered a poor Champions League campaign last season and would be hoping for a better season this term. Both teams have started the current season on a rather poor note; the French club with one win in their last six while Atletico have two in the last six. The Spanish team recruited well in the summer to enable them challenge all on fronts with the Champions League as one of the focus. Former Monaco old boy Thomas Lemar will return to his old stomping ground in the colors of Los Rojiblancos.
VERDICT – This is the first meeting between these two sides in any European competition. Monaco are without a win in six group matches (2D, 4L) while Atletico last six group matches (1W, 4D, 1L) is just slightly better. The Europa League and UEFA Super Cup winners are slight favorites for this game considering Monaco have dropped a level since the semi-finals height of 2016/17 season. With both teams current form, we anticipate a conservative approach from both teams; our prediction is under 2.5 goals.
Group B;
INTERNAZIONALE v TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR – TUE. 18 SEPT 2018, 17.55HRS
View Game & Bet
VS
Inter Milan return to group stage of the Champions League after six years. Tottenham Hotspur will be competing at the stage for the third straight season where they hope to build on last season’s Round of 16 exit to another Italian team. Inter booked their place in the Champions’ League group stage on the final day of last season and the Nerazzurri fans cannot wait to get started in a competition they won in 2010.
Both teams suffered defeats in their last league matches but will need to turn their attention to the group’s opener with some much at stake in the group with Barcelona on the horizon.
VERDICT – In last four previous encounters, it has been two wins a piece for both sides with an average of 4.8 goals per match. A good start is required by either team but their current form isn’t optimal for both teams. Ivan Perisic and Mauro Icardi will lead the attack for the home team while Harry Kane is the focal point for the visitors. We expect goals at the Giuseppe Meazza stadium in this early kick off game.
Group C;
LIVERPOOL v PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN – TUE. 18 SEPT 2018, 20.00HRS
View Game & Bet
VS
Last season finalist Liverpool host one of the tournament contenders Paris Saint-Germain at Anfield in the biggest game of the opening round of the Champions’ League group stage. Liverpool fell short in the final last season but the Reds have kicked off their domestic campaign in fine form winning their first five league matches. Paris Saint-Germain have had a perfect start to the season in the Ligue 1 too winning all give matches. These two former Borussia Dortmund coaches will face themselves again since the 2016 Europa League encounter. Both teams have huge aspirations in this competition so we can expect an explosive match.
VERDICT – This is the first meeting between these two teams in the competition. Liverpool have a formidable home record; they are unbeaten at home in the last 16 (11W, 5D). Paris Saint-Germain will need to improve on their away record especially in England where they have not won any of their last three group stage matches. With the attacking trident both teams have, we expect goals in this classic game. Our prediction is over 3.5goals.
Group F;
MANCHESTER CITY v OLYMPIQUE LYON – WED. 19 SEPT 2018, 20.00HRS
View Game & Bet
VS
Les Gones are back in the group stage of the Champions League after missing out last season. The French team have the unenviable task of facing English champions Manchester City at the Etihad stadium in the opening game of this group. Manchester City are one of the contenders and just like last season, they would be expected to progress further in the competition. Bruno Genesio team don’t have a particularly good record on the road in this competition and that is something Lyon will hope to improve upon.
VERDICT – Both clubs are meeting in UEFA competition for the first time at the Etihad on Wednesday. City are unbeaten in their last eight home matches (7W, 1D) in the group stage. Lyon’s current form of 2W, 2D, 2L in their last six matches doesn’t inspire confidence for the French team as they travel to Manchester. With their poor record on the road, we are looking at a comfortable home win for Pep Guardiola’s team.
Group G;
REAL MADRID v AS ROMA – WED. 19 SEPT 2018, 20.00HRS
View Game & Bet
VS
The European champions kick off the defense of their title with a home game against AS Roma without Cristiano Ronaldo. Julen Lopetegui is the new man to lead Los Blancos 14th European title charge with the ever demanding fans looking for more European dominance. Real Madrid have started life without Zinedine Zidane in the dugout; Lopetegui has started on a good note. Last season semi-finalist Roma are out of sorts at the moment with one victory in their last six matches ahead of their trip to the Santiago Bernabeu. Eusebio Di Francesco is rebuilding his team after last season’s impressive run in the Champions League. Some key players including goalkeeper Allison Becker and Radja Naingollan have moved on.
VERDICT – In 10 matches played between Real Madrid and AS Roma in UEFA competition, Los Blancos have 6W compared to the Giallorossi’s single win. The expectation at the White House in Madrid for the competition is to win and extend their record. Roma are poor travelers in this competition but Real Madrid are not known for their defensive prowess which means the Romans should score in Spain. Our prediction is over 2.5 goals
Group H;
VALENCIA v JUVENTUS – WED. 19 SEPT 2018, 20.00HRS
View Game & Bet
VS
Cristiano Ronaldo returns to Spain for his Champions League debut with Juventus who face Valencia at the Mestalla on Wednesday. This is the first meeting between these two European giants and Valencia’s return for European premier competition after two season absence. Marcelino did a terrific job with Los Che last season bringing them back to this level but their start to this campaign hasn’t been up to expected level. Juventus have set their set on winning the Champions League for the first time in 23 years and the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo from Real Madrid may be the final piece of Max Allegri’s puzzle who has fallen short twice in the 2015 and 2017 finals.
VERDICT – Juventus are slight favorites for this game in Spain even though their poor away form in the competition is something to highlight. Cristiano Ronaldo has got the monkey off his back with his brace against Sassuolo and Valencia fans fear the worse on his return to Spain. Valencia are tough to beat at home and I believe they would give the Italian champions a run for their money. A draw could be fair outcome here with both teams getting on the score sheet.
This wraps us our Match day 1 Focus. The UEFA Champions League preview returns in a fortnight. Predict and win big in this money spinning competition by visiting our Sports shop Babaijebu.ng for mouthwatering offers on all UEFA Champions League matches in the group stage.