It’s matchday three in the 2018/19 Champions League campaign and we have a real treat in store for football fans this week.
Cristiano Ronaldo will return to Old Trafford for his first homecoming as a Juventus player; the Portuguese has enjoyed plenty of success against his former side in recent years and the five-time Ballon d’Or winner could flourish on Tuesday evening.
Meanwhile, Manchester City will look to build on their 2-1 victory over Hoffenheim last time out when they travel to Shakhtar Donetsk. Three points for Pep Guardiola’s side will put the Blues in a strong position ahead of the return clash.
Without further ado, let’s get down to the action. Scroll down for our top tips on this week’s fixtures; we’ve compiled a tasty 11/1 accumulator ahead of Tuesday’s European fixtures.
AEK Athens vs BAYERN MUNICH
AEK Athens will be quietly confident of springing a shock – their passionate home fans will be looking to create a daunting, hostile atmosphere on Tuesday night.
The visitors are in poor form whilst AEK Athens have an excellent home record. 10/3 on the double chance market for the hosts to win or draw is worth considering.
Bayern snapped a run of four games without a win this weekend and the Bavarians will be looking to build momentum after a tricky start to the campaign.
The hosts have lost both Champions League fixtures this season and Bayern will be sniffing blood ahead of their trip to Greece.
There isn’t much value on an away victory so taking the 7/25 for over 1.5 Bayern goals may be the way to go.
On paper, there is a clear gulf in class and the German giants could run away with it if they go for the jugular.
TIP: Over 1.5 Bayern goals @ 7/25
PREDICTED SCORE: AEK Athens 1-3 Bayern Munich (Priced at 10/1 with 888sport)
Manchester United vs JUVENTUS
Jose Mourinho’s side were seconds away from a confidence-boosting victory over Chelsea on Saturday afternoon but the Red Devils were pegged back in the 96th minute.
The Red Devils will hope that a return to the Champions League is enough to spark another impressive performance; the hosts are out at 23/10 to claim three points in this clash.
Juventus are on another level right now though, having won eight of their nine Serie A games in 2018/19. This one could get ugly for United…
Cristiano Ronaldo is doing Cristiano Ronaldo things and the Portuguese star is 11/8 to score on Tuesday night. Watch this space, he usually raises his game for the Old Trafford crowd.
Backing the outcome of this contest is tricky – especially with so much at stake; both in terms of Champions League qualification and avoiding the sack for Mourinho.
In years gone by, Juventus would have taken a point but the Serie A champions may push for three against an inconsistent United side.
TIP: Ronaldo to score @ 11/8
PREDICTED SCORE: Man United 1-1 Juventus (Priced at 5/1 with 888sport)
REAL MADRID vs VIKTORIA PLZEN
Real Madrid are in a spot of bother. Currently languishing down in seventh spot ahead of the first El Clasico of the season, a huge win is needed here.
Those fancying a convincing Madrid display should take the 4/6 on offer for the hosts to win by three goals or more – that has a solid chance looking at both clubs.
Viktoria Plzen were expected to be the whipping boys in Group G but they snatched a point against CSKA Moscow; something that Real Madrid failed to do last time out.
Securing a positive result in the Bernabeu looks unlikely but this is NOT the Real Madrid of two years ago. The visitors are priced at 9/1 to avoid defeat.
It would be foolish to look past Madrid though despite their recent struggles. This is one of those ‘David vs Goliath’ clashes that the Champions League tends to throw up…
However, the under 4.5 goals mark at a very appealing 8/15 is my pick. Real will dominate but they may have one eye on El Clasico.
TIP: Under 4.5 goals @ 8/15
PREDICTED SCORE: Real Madrid 3-0 Plzen (Priced at 6/1 with 888sport)
Shakhtar Donetsk vs MANCHESTER CITY
Shakhtar have picked up two points from their European encounters in 2018/19 and some punters will fancy the hosts to notch another draw on Tuesday night.
The Ukrainian outfit have faced City on numerous occasions in recent times; Shakhtar ran out 2-1 winners against Pep Guardiola’s men in this exact fixture less than 12 months ago.
However, the 29/20 for a Man City win with both teams scoring is arguably the best bet in terms of value.
It wouldn’t be a huge surprise to see the visitors score a hatful of goals but backing the Premier League champions to keep a clean sheet would be unwise.
Underdog backers may take the 6/1 for a Shakhtar triumph, especially thinking back to last year’s fixture, but this is City’s to lose.
We could see Kevin de Bruyne make a full return to the side and that is an ominous sign for City’s rivals – both domestically and in the Champions League too.
TIP: Man City to win and both teams to score @ 29/20
PREDICTED SCORE: Shakhtar 1-3 Man City (Priced at 9/1 with 888sport)
*Odds subject to change - correct at time of writing*
