There is going to be a fair bit of betting interest this week in the European football scene and in particular in its most prestigious competition, the Champions League. The tournament returns this week with the third round of matches in the Group Stage of the competition and each of the eight groups has already seen some teams excel, some teams disappoint and there have also been a number of shock results along the way. In fact, Sheriff Tiraspol’s 2-1 win over Real Madrid on Matchday 2, in the Bernebeu, is arguably one of the biggest shock results in Champions League history and one which leaves the unheralded Moldovan side top of their group, which also includes Shakhtar Donetsk and Inter Milan. So it is fair to say that there is a huge amount of interest in this weeks action in the Champions League, especially for the four Premier League sides involved in the competition. If you are going to use up some of your bet365 Credits on a bet, by using the remaining balance from your Bet365 Bonus Code welcome offer, then we have gone through each of the 16 games taking place this week to give you our top Match Result tip for each game. You can then decide if you want to bet on these games singly, or perhaps put several together to form your own accumulator bet. Remember too, if you are based in the United States and are following all the Champions League action from a state where sports betting is legal, then check out BetRivers Sportsbook excellent Champions League betting service for some great action. Let’s crack on with our preview of all 16 games across the two nights of action in the Champions League this week. READ: UEFA Champions League to hold Semi-finals this week

UEFA Champions League – Matchday 3 Preview

Tuesday 19^th October

• Besiktas V Sporting Lisbon (5.45pm)

After two defeats from their previous two games, both these teams badly need a win here but I am not sure they are going to get it. On paper, they look well matched with Sporting’s slight advantage in quality and form perhaps offset by Besiktas being at home. This will be a close one and I think a draw is the likely outcome. Match Result – Draw – 23/10

• Club Brugge v Manchester City (5.45pm)

Club Brugge have been tricky to beat in competition, drawing their home game with PSG in a game that they probably should have won. However, after losing in Paris, Man City know they cannot afford to lose here too, so I am backing them to come away with a trademark away win here. Match Result – Manchester City to win – 1/4

• Ajax Amsterdam v Borussia Dortmund

Two of the more entertaining teams to watch in Europe meet in Amsterdam in what should be a cracking game. Dortmund have the edge in terms of experience and attacking quality but I feel Ajax are a very talented young side and as such, a draw looks likely to be the outcome here between two sides with maximum points so far. Match Result – Draw – 14/5

• Atletico Madrid v Liverpool

Liverpool cracked in five goals at Watford at the weekend, but Atletico Madrid away will be a much tougher prospect. The Spanish Champions have a very strong defense and they beat Liverpool home and away a couple of years ago to knock them out this competition. As such, I am backing the home side to inflict Liverpool’s first loss of the group stage. Match Result – Atletico Madrid to win – 21/10

• FC Porto v AC Milan

AC Milan have lost both games in this tournament so far, in very tough circumstances, but I feel they will get something against a Porto side that were thumped 5-1 by Liverpool last time out but who I feel will be able to get at AC Milan more and perhaps do enough to claim their second point of the group stage. Match Result – Draw – 12/5

• Inter Milan v Sheriff Tiraspol

After a stunning win in Madrid against Real, Sheriff are the surprise leaders of Group D and thet head to Inter Milan who are without a win in the competition as yet. However, it is hard to see lightning striking twice for the Moldovan’s here and as such, I would expect the experience and quality of Inter to be the key difference between the teams. Match Result – Inter Milan to win – 2/11

• Paris St Germain v Red Bull Leipzig

Red Bull Leipzig have had a tough start to the group phase losing to both Manchester City and Club Brugge. They now face a double-header against Group leaders PSG with the first game in France and I think they are going to struggle here. Given PSG’s squad, anything less than a good win here will be a disappointment. Match Result – Paris St Germain to win – 4/9

• Shakhtar Donetsk v Real Madrid

I don’t think this Real Madrid side is anywhere near as strong as some of their top teams in past years but they should still be good enough to bounce back from their shock defeat to Sheriff Tiraspol last time out and claim something on the road here, which they may well need in what looks like being a very tight group. Match Result – Draw – 7/2

Wednesday 20^th October

• Barcelona v Dynamo Kyiv (5.45pm)

It’s been a torrid campaign for Barcelona so far in the Champions League and they sit bottom of the group. However, I think they will earn their first points of the campaign here against the weakest of the four teams in this group, but it will not be a vintage Barcelona performance and they are going to have to grind out the win. Match Result – Barcelona to win – 1/4

• FC Salzburg v Wolfsburg (5.45pm)

Wolfsburg have had a miserable start to the Bundesliga season and with two draws in their opening two games in the group, they haven’t really set their CL campaign alight either. Salzburg top this group and come into this game in great form and with home advantage, I am expecting them to win the battle of the ‘burgs. Match Result – FC Salzburg to win – 23/20

• Benfica v Bayern Munich

Both these teams have started their group phase with two wins and both will be confident of making the knockout phase, but I think Bayern are much the stronger of the two teams here and I would be hugely surprised if the Germans don’t pick up another three points here to take a clear grip on Group E. Match Result -Bayern Munich to win – 2/5

• Chelsea v Malmo FF

Chelsea are second in Group H after losing in Italy to Juventus, but they should pick up three more points here against the weakest team in the group. Malmo have not scored a goal and conceded seven in their last two games in the Champions League. I can’t see their fortune or record improving any in this game. Match Result – Chelsea to win – 1/10

• Lille v Sevilla

Three of the four games in Group G have finished as draws, which goes to show how evenly contested this group is. This game is a good example of that as I feel that this game will likely end up all square as though Sevilla are the better team, I feel, Lille at home are very tough to beat and as such, the draw looks the bet to make here. Match Result – Draw – 23/10

• Manchester United v Atalanta

It has not been a comfortable ride for Man Utd in Group F, a loss to Young Boys was followed up by a last gasp win over Villarreal, and now they face group leaders Atalanta, who have drawn with Man City and beaten Liverpool and Everton away from home in recent years. United badly need a win after a poor result at the weekend and I think they will just about get it. Match Result – Manchester United to win – 3/4

• Young Boys v Villarreal

Young Boys did beat Manchester United at home, but I think they may find Villarreal a much more difficult prospect. The Spaniards are masters on the counter attack and they should have earned a point at Old Trafford last time out. This time, I think they will learn from that and come away with a vital win here. Match Result – Villarreal to win – 23/20

• Zenit St Petersburg v Juventus

Juventus sit at the top of Group H with maximum points and are yet to concede a goal in the competition so far this season. I am backing them to earn a narrow win over a Zenit side that are well organised but who tend to struggle to score goals against the top teams in Europe. Match Result – Juventus to win – 23/20 *Kick off times are 8pm unless otherwise stated. All odds were correct with bet365 Sport as of 8.45am on Monday 18^th October 2021.

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