Champions League
Conference League
Premier League
Published on Oct, 21 2024
The UEFA Champions League returns Tuesday with another batch of high-stakes games – and an equally high-profile series of redemption arcs waiting to be crafted.
Bayern Munich's trip to Barcelona on Wednesday headlines the action on Matchday 3, a narrative-heavy matchup that includes a chance for Barcelona's Hansi Flick and Robert Lewandowski to face their former club. These teams, though, are two of several European heavyweights that have already dropped points in the competition, a list that includes the likes of Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal.
The priority for Europe's elites this week will likely be getting back on track and while the fixture list favors some, others may not have it as easy.
Player to watch: Lucas Digne -- He might not be the star name in this Villa side, but Digne must be doing something right if he is keeping Ian Maatsen out of the side. Against Fulham he showed just what that was. His crossing has always been a valuable weapon but the way in which he quelled Adama Traore spoke well to Digne's defensive growth under Unai Emery.-- James Benge
Man of the match: Christian Ollie Watkins -- After scoring five goals in the opening eight games of the Premier League season, the English striker is yet to score his first goal of his Champions League campaign and the game against Bologna is the chance for him to make it happen. -- Francesco Porzio
Prediction: Villa 2-1 Bologna -- It has been a dream start to life in the UEFA Champions League for Unai Emery's Aston Villa with wins over Young Boys and Bayern Munchen. In Bologna, they are up against an Italian side that was rebuilt over the summer and is still adjusting to being in European competition. Expect the Premier League outfit to emerge victorious -- even if it is only a narrow win. -- Jonathan Johnson
Best bet: Ollie Watkins to score (+140) -- The safe play here is Aston Villa to win due to the fact that Bologna are struggling to adjust to Champions League play after losing their manager and key players to their squad over the summer, but it's not worth drinking the juice on a money line play especially when it can get parleyed while getting Villa's talisman to score at more favorable odds. Everything that Aston Villa does goes through, Ollie Watkins and his movement will allow space to make things happen against the Italian side. -- Chuck Booth
Player to watch: Serhou Guirassy -- There was some skepticism that Borussia Dortmund might have overpaid for a surprise breakout Bundesliga season when they paid nearly $20 million for a 28 year old. Guirassy, however, looks to be a shrewd investment with seven goals to his name in the Bundesliga and Champions League so far, including a late winner against St Pauli at the weekend. He gets a lot of shots – more than four per 90 Bundesliga minutes, and will look to probe a Real Madrid defense that is still not fully settled. -- James Benge
Man of the match: Jude Bellingham -- The Real Madrid star is facing his former side and there are many expectations around his performance against Nuri Sahin's team. Bellingham is yet to score his first goal of the season, and just provided one assist so far in all competitions as of today. The matchup against the club where he made his name it's the perfect chance to turn his season around. . -- Franesco Porzio
Prediction: Real 2-1 Dortmund -- A rematch of last year's final and much has changed on both sides. Borussia Dortmund have started the League Phase extremely well while Real are taking their time to get going and have lost once already. The Germans' winning run is unlikely to continue here although a draw at Santiago Bernabeu cannot be ruled out. Expect this one to go the hosts' way, though.. -- Jonathan Johnson
Best bet: Real Madrid to score in both halves (-106) -- There's nothing that Borussia Dortmund likes more than starting a match off behind the eight ball. Lately, they've been allowing goals right out of the gate to weaker opposition and facing a Real Madrid side who are beginning to gel, it won't get better quickly. Los Blancos have work to do chemistry wise, but Kylian Mbappe has found his feet meaning that every attack is a chance to score a goal. They won't push for more goals than they need but Dortmund will do just enough to make Carlo Ancelotti's men score in both halves. -- Chuck Booth
Wednesday
Player to watch: Raphinha -- One of the best players in Europe so far this season, no one in La Liga comes close to matching the Brazilian's 36 chances created (second best Alex Baena has 27). Lining up as a number 10 against a Bayern Munich side who aren't really using their most defensive midfielder? This could be fun. -- James Benge
Man of the match: Lamine Yamal -- Hansi Flick's team is in good spirits after a solid win against Sevilla over the weekend, where midfielder Gavi also made his comeback after injury. Against the former side of the Blaugrana coach, we expect Lamine Yamal to shine and drive his teammates to the win against the German giants. -- Francesco Porzio
Prediction: Barcelona 2-2 Bayern -- Both of these sides have already lost once and will want to avoid a second defeat in three games which is pretty unheard of for the Bavarians. Hansi Flick will know Bayern well but the Germans will also know what to expect from his side. The Catalan giants have been prolific since the start of the season but not playing at Camp Nou is a disadvantage for this sort of game. An entertaining score draw feels about right here. -- Jonathan Johnson
Best bet: Robert Lewandowski to score (+113) -- This isn't a revenge game factor because those aren't real, but instead it's a realization that everything for Barcelona goes through the former Bayern Munich man. He was excited for life under Hansi Flick because of how attack minded the Barcelona manager is and it has paid dividends with 14 goals in 12 games in all competitions to begin the season. Bayern Munich's attack may be great, but their defense is susceptible which is where Barcelona will make them pay. -- Chuck Booth
Player to watch: Benjamin Sesko -- One suspects this won't be the last time that Premier League fans see Sesko in action. The Slovenian has made a bright start to year two with RB Leipzig and looks a particular handful in the Champions League, where he has scored half of his six goals. He also – and this is a reason to watch him closely – kicks a football ostentatiously hard. -- James Benge
Man of the match: Mo Salah -- The Liverpool winger is having a great start of the season as he scored five goals in eight Premier League games and has one assist in the two Champions League matches played so far. The game against RB Leipzig is the perfect game to score another one and to drive his team to another European win. -- Francesco Porzio
Prediction: RB Leipzig 1-2 Liverpool -- The Reds are one of seven sides with two wins from two while the Germans are actually some of the slowest starters with zero points from two games. Liverpool are in for a tricky game, but Arne Slot's men should have enough firepower to get the goals they need for victory in Germany. A draw would not be too surprising but the Premier League giants should edge this one. -- Jonathan Johnson
Best bet: Liverpool to win (-120): It doesn't matter the competition, if Liverpool to win is a comfortable number, it's one worth taking. The Reds have passed their toughest test of the season so far under Arne Slot and RB Leipzig are unable to control games. With Liverpool's consistency and the presence of Mohamed Salah, all the Reds need to do is take the chances that they'll be given and this should be a comprehensive victory.
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