The new-look UEFA Champions League finally kicks off this week with all 36 teams in action across three days! Already, we’re guaranteed a string of mouthwatering online betting matchups, including a repeat of the 2023 final between Manchester City and Inter Milan. And as usual, we’ve got all the expert betting tips for this week’s biggest games, and believe me, you’ll want to stick around for this one.
● **_Total Odds: 1,401.18_** ● **_Booking Code: H2K38_** ● **_Acca Bonus: ₦280,237.56_**
**AC Milan vs Liverpool** One of the most mouthwatering Matchday 1 fixtures pits two European powerhouses against each other - Liverpool and AC Milan at the iconic San Siro. There is plenty of history between these two sides, the Reds famously won the Champions League in 2005 after a dramatic comeback against Milan, only for the Rossoneri to avenge that loss two years later. Milan come into this one on the back of a 4-0 win over Venezia at the weekend, a much-needed result for new manager Paulo Fonseca after a nightmare start to his tenure (D2, L1). The San Siro has also lost its reputation of being one of the toughest places to go to, with Milan losing 8 of their last 18 home games in European competition (W7, D3). Liverpool on the other hand, suffered a shocking defeat at home to Nottingham Forest, the first loss of Arne Slot's reign in a timely reminder of the scale the task ahead of replacing Jurgen Klopp. On the flip side, the Reds have a fantastic away record in this competition, winning 8 of their last 10 UCL away games, including 4 of their last 5 trips to Italy. Mohamed Salah has started the season on fire, and after being snubbed from the 30-man nominee list for the Ballon d’Or, the Egyptian may have a point to prove. **Full time Prediction: Liverpool have won the last 5 meetings between both sides, and our bet prediction is for the Reds to do so again. Both teams have been on the scoresheet in 4 of Milan’s last 5 games, which means the ‘both teams to score’ market could provide good value again.**
**Real Madrid vs Stuttgart** Real Madrid kick off their quest for a record-extending 16th European Cup against Stuttgart at the Santiago Bernabeu. Taking on German opposition will hold no fear for Carlo Ancelotti's men, having defeated Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund in the semi-final and final last season. Los Blancos are in confident mood after beating Real Sociedad 2-0 in La Liga at the weekend, courtesy of goals from new boy Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior. They will certainly be favourites to extend their unbeaten record in home UCL matches, which stretches back to April 2022 (W10, D3). Stuttgart, however, will be aiming to prove online betting experts wrong by causing an upset in their first Champions League appearance since 2010. Coach Sebastian Hoeness wants to show that their second-place finish in the Bundesliga last season was no fluke, but this will be his toughest test yet. At least they head to Spain on the back of some positive results, having scored six times across their last two Bundesliga fixtures (W1, D1). **Full time prediction: Both sides have never met in the UCL era, and Real Madrid are imperious at home. For the best odds, bet on Real to win and Mbappe to score.**
**Bayern Munich vs Dinamo Zagreb** Bayern Munich are flying under new manager Vincent Kompany, and they enter their 17th consecutive UEFA Champions League season with 3 straight wins, including a 6-1 thrashing of newly promoted Holstein-Kiel on Sarturday. Harry Kane scored a hat-trick in that game to take his tally to 5 goals in 4 games, and when the England captain is in this kind of form, it’s hard to bet against them. After reaching the semi-finals last season, progression from the league phase is the bare minimum for Kompany's men, and a home opener against Zagreb is the perfect start. Dinamo Zagreb come into this game as massive underdogs, and their European record suggests that anything other than a defeat will be seen as an excellent performance. Despite their strong domestic record, including last season's title win - their seventh in a row - they have been disappointing on the European stage, failing to make it out of the group stage in their last five UCL appearances Their record against Bayern doesn't inspire confidence either, having lost 7-0 over two meetings in 2015. They have also never beaten German opposition (L10), making a win at the Allianz Arena highly unlikely. **Full time prediction: Bayern are unbeaten in 40 consecutive group stage games (W36 D4) and have lost just one of their last 19 UCL home games. Our bet of the day is a big win for Kompany’s men.**
**Manchester City vs Inter Milan** Manchester City made history last year when they defeated Inter Milan in the Champions League final to complete the treble and a second European crown will surely be top of their agenda. Pep Guardiola’s men are flying on the domestic front, with four wins from their opening four games, and star striker Erling Haaland is on fire, scoring nine goals to start the season - a new Premier League record. City will be confident ahead of this one for several reasons, not least their impressive home record in this competition, which stands at 31 games without defeat (W28, D3). Simone Inzaghi was at the helm for Inter when they were denied at the final hurdle by City in 2023. This match presents their first chance to make amends against the English champions since. The Nerazzurri won Serie A in style last season and have started the new campaign strongly, unbeaten in four games (W2, D2). Both sides have met three times in the Champions League era, with City winning twice (3-0, 1-0) and Inter claiming a solitary victory in 2010 under Jose Mourinho. **Full time prediction: City are arguably the best team in the world at the moment, and their record at the Etihad makes it difficult to bet against them. Inter’s exceptional defence should ensure the game stays close even if they lose, however.**
**Paris Saint-Germain vs Girona** PSG are embarking on a new era, after the departure of France captain and record scorer Kylian Mbappe. Manager Luis Enrique has opted against splashing the cash on a marquee signing, instead placing his faith in Ousmane Dembele, Bradley Barcola, and Randal Kolo Muani to deliver the goods. So far, so good. The Ligue 1 giants have flown out of the blocks, winning all four of their opening games, scoring 16 goals and conceding just three. Girona, under the guidance of the excellent Michel, earned a historic third-place finish in LaLiga last season, rewarding them with a maiden Champions League berth. However, they have started the new season in underwhelming fashion, with just two wins from five matches, including a 4-1 defeat to Barcelona at the weekend. **Full time prediction: A trip to the Parc des Princes won't offer Girona much respite and the hosts are in such fine form that it's hard to look past them for the win. Our bet prediction here is a comfortable win for PSG.**
**Monaco vs Barcelona** Ligue 1 side Monaco welcome Barcelona to the Stade Louis II for their UEFA Champions League opener on Wednesday. The hosts are making their first appearance in this competition since 2018/19, thanks to their second-place finish in Ligue 1 last season and there are high hopes for Adi Hutter’s men to make some noise on the continent. Despite their status as underdogs, they will be quietly confident of getting something from this game, after beating Barcelona 3-0 in a pre-season friendly in August and starting the new season unbeaten (W3, D1). Meanwhile, Barcelona are the most in-form team in Europe, with 5 wins from 5 games and 17 goals scored. Hansi Flick's men are playing some of the best football seen in Spain since the days of Pep Guardiola and are doing so despite injuries to several key players. New signing Dani Olmo (who’s out for over a month) has added extra quality to the midfield, and 17-year-old Lamine Yamal, who scored a brace in the weekend's 4-1 win at Girona, is now adding goals to his repertoire. Flick has the best win percentage (89%) in UEFA Champions League history of any manager to take charge of more than one game, and that record will be tested in this one. **Full time prediction: Monaco are exciting, and will be hard to beat, especially at home. The smart bet prediction for this game could be over 2.5 goals, as both teams are in flying form at the moment.**
**Atalanta vs Arsenal** Atalanta earned qualification for this season's Champions League thanks to that famous 3-0 dismantling of Bayer Leverkusen in the Europa League final in May. Nigerian forward Ademola Lookman scored all three goals in that game and was in scintillating form at the weekend, notching a goal and assist to help La Dea defeat Fiorentina 3-2. That win was crucial, given Atalanta's recent slump of just one win in four games and provides the perfect momentum boost ahead of Arsenal's visit. Mikel Arteta's side made significant progress in the Champions League last season, reaching their first quarterfinal since 2010 before bowing out to Bayern Munich. The expectation will be for them to go even further this year, but their struggles with injuries means this could be a tough start. There are fears over the fitness of Bukayo Saka, captain Martin Odegaard, summer signings Riccardo Calafiori and Mikel Merino, and a few others. Despite these setbacks, the Gunners rallied to beat Tottenham 1-0 in a tense North London derby at the weekend, proving that you can never bet against them, home or away. **Full time prediction: This game comes at a tricky time for Arsenal, sandwiched between a string of tough fixtures and a worrying injury crisis.** **There is a good chance Arteta chooses to keep things tight, which could mean a low-scoring affair. Arsenal to avoid defeat and under 3.5 goals could be a smart bet.**
**Atletico vs RB Leipzig** Atletico Madrid kick off their Champions League campaign at the Wanda Metropolitano against Bundesliga outfit RB Leipzig. Diego Simeone's side have made a strong start to the season, winning four of their opening five games (D1), conceding just two goals and keeping four clean sheets in the process. Simeone has brought in some new faces this season, with the likes of Conor Gallagher, Alexander Sorloth and Julian Alvarez arriving to bolster what was already a talented squad. The addition of Alvarez in particular, should guarantee more clinical work in the final third. Atletico are typically solid at home, and their recent record at the Wanda, 2 defeats in their last 17, means they enter this clash full of confidence. Leipzig have started the season brightly and will certainly be no pushovers. Marco Rose has led them to an unbeaten start to the new season (W3, D1) and they were unlucky to drop points against Union Berlin at the weekend despite dominating the entire game. The Germans have previous Champions League experience, reaching the semi-finals in 2019-20, and will be eager to replicate that success. Although Rose has lost key players, including Mohamed Simakan and the excellent Dani Olmo, he can still rely on the likes of Benjamin Sesko and Lois Openda to trouble the home team. **Full time prediction: Atletico’s home record is much too strong to overlook and with new attacking impetus, our bet prediction here is on a home win.**
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