The UEFA Champions League festivities continue! Wednesday brings the second half of Matchday 3. Can anyone halt Qarabag’s surge? Will Marseille snag points in Portugal? And crucially, can Igor Tudor hold his Juventus job after facing Real Madrid? We aim to uncover answers with the TipsGG expert team.
Athletic Bilbao vs Qarabag
Who could’ve predicted Qarabag topping the table with maximum points after two rounds, while Athletic languish at the bottom without a goal? Sure, the Basques faced tough foes, but this is the Champions League—no flukes, and two wins aren’t luck.
Last season, Athletic boasted La Liga’s stingiest defense, conceding 29 goals in 38 games. Now, after nine rounds, they’ve leaked nine goals, and six in two Champions League matches, scoring just one. Yet, recent La Liga stabilization—wins over Mallorca and a draw with Elche—halted their skid, though convincing play eludes them. Their last league outing yielded four shots (one on target) and a 0.25 xG, underscoring attacking woes against bottom-table sides, a potential killer in Europe.
Qarabag are flying: unbeaten since late August, they lead the Azerbaijan Premier League. After three qualifying rounds, they stunned Benfica away (sparking Bruno Lage’s sacking) and Copenhagen at home (2:0). Away, they’re beasts—seven straight wins across competitions, four in Europe.
Gurban Gurbanov’s 17-year tenure is a modern marvel, turning the “Stallions” into European regulars.
Qarabag can extend their streak in this form. For Athletic, it’s a must-win to stay in the playoff hunt. I see goals both ways.
Bet: Both Teams to Score – Yes with odds of 2.02
Athletic need this badly—no room for error. But Qarabag, buoyed by success, will strike and contest fiercely. The Azeris can score and push for points.
Bet: Both Teams to Score – Yes with odds of 2.02
Galatasaray vs Bodo/Glimt
Galatasaray started strong—one loss in 11 matches. But what a loss: leading 1-0 at 8′, they crumbled 1:5 to Eintracht. They rebounded with an emotional 1:0 over Liverpool via Osimhen’s penalty. Turkish clubs are unpredictable—beating giants but dropping points via emotion or discipline.
Bodo/Glimt’s historic Champions League campaign: two 2:2 draws vs Slavia Prague and Tottenham. Their strength? Kjetil Knutsen’s seven-year organization. The “Yellow Horde” recall fond Istanbul memories—2:1 over Besiktas in 2023 Conference League.
Despite bookmaker favoritism, Galatasaray face a tricky foe. Stars like Osimhen, Icardi, Sane, Gundogan, Sallai abound, but football’s about execution. I see parity, with Norwegians upsetting.
Bet: Bodo/Glimt Individual Total Over 1 with odds of 1.81
Chelsea vs Ajax
Chelsea aren’t thrilled with their start but approach Ajax in good nick—three straight wins across competitions, climbing in the league and Champions League. Note their home European form (nine wins in 12) and scoring prowess (second in Premier League goals).
Ajax look unconvincing, unlikely to compete away in London. They opened with two clean-sheet losses, sitting fourth in the Eredivisie. Expect attacking intent—they’ve scored 18 in eight away Champions League games—but their defense is porous: no shutouts, 20 conceded in 11 away European ties.
Anticipate goals and a home win.
Bet: Chelsea to Win + Total Goals Over 3.5 with odds of 2.25
Real Madrid vs Juventus
Under Xabi Alonso, Real have lost twice—to PSG (0:4) at the Club World Cup and Atletico (2:5) in the derby. Otherwise, spectacle abounds, scoring twice minimum. El Clasico looms, so squad management is key, but no underestimation.
Real lead post-two rounds with two wins. In La Liga, they’re solid, beating Getafe post-break (red card-aided, but Mbappe’s 11-game scoring streak shines).
Juventus wallow: after a 4:4 Dortmund draw, five straight draws, then a 0:2 to Como. Fans demand response, but Tudor’s side flipping it at Bernabeu seems doubtful.
Juventus’ flaws make points unlikely against Real. Home side wins convincingly.
Bet: Real Madrid Handicap (-1.5) with odds of 2.22
Real thrive against open play—like Juventus’. Expect host dominance and easy goals.
Bet: Real Madrid Individual Total Over 2 with odds of 1.97
Sporting vs Marseille
Rui Borges’ arrival elevated Sporting—20th Portuguese title and cup win. But Champions League stability lags: no wins in four under him last season, current struggles vs elites (losses to Benfica, Porto, Napoli; draw vs Braga).
Marseille play resolute—no draws in 10, all three losses slim away (Rennes, Lyon, Real). De Zerbi’s five-win streak signals peak form.
Bookies favor Sporting, but Marseille’s cohesion and De Zerbi’s European prep give them edge.
Bet: Marseille Handicap (0) with odds of 2.25
Alternative Bet: Marseille Double Chance (X2) + Total Under 3.5 with odds of 2.41