By tradition, the game week in the UEFA Champions League is divided into two days. On Wednesday, we are waiting for fantastic battles involving Barcelona, Man City and Dortmund, as well as Chelsea. So as not to get confused in the flow of top football, the TipsGG expert team has prepared forecasts and betting options for the most interesting games for you.
Qarabag vs Chelsea
Both clubs have two wins and one loss after three rounds of the Champions League.
If most fans perceive the victories of the “aristocrats” as a matter of course, then the successes of the “riders”, especially the victory over Benfica, became a certain sensation. However, Qarabag has been demonstrating stability and quite quality play on the European arena for not the first year.
Gurban Gurbanov’s team had one more day to rest after the championship match, which will obviously affect the freshness of the players. The hosts are known for their fast and dangerous counterattacks, and at home, the “riders” fear no authorities.
Undoubtedly, Chelsea remain the favorites of the pair — even despite the long flight and possible rotations in the lineup. In the last eight away matches of the “blues” in all tournaments, both teams scored in six cases.
I expect that this time too, there will be no mutual goals.
Bet: Both Teams to Score – Yes (odds 1.80)
Pafos vs Villarreal
In Cyprus, two clubs will meet who, after three rounds, still have not won a single victory.
Despite this and the obvious problems with discipline, Pafos leaves a rather pleasant impression: in two matches in a row, the team played with a numerical disadvantage from the first half, but managed to hold out, and in the meeting with Kairat, they were even close to victory, but luck that evening was on the side of the Kazakhs, who were lucky not to concede.
The “Yellow Submarine” approaches the match after a series of three dry wins and will undoubtedly try to continue the successful run. However, Pafos is unlikely to become a “punching bag” — especially at home, where the Cypriots act with great enthusiasm and quickly transition to attack through the flanks.
I expect open football in which both opponents will play on colliding courses. Pafos often earns corners, even in the minority: four in the match with Kairat. I suggest paying attention to this.
Bet: Pafos Individual Total Corners Over 3.5 (odds 1.96)
Brugge vs Barcelona
Despite the status of an obvious underdog in the pair, Brugge is capable of creating problems for the opponent. Largely due to the state of the Catalan defense. Hansi Flick continues to search for the right formula for his team in defense. But so far, it is a continuous method of trial and, of course, errors. 17 goals conceded since the start of the season in all matches speak for themselves. Claiming titles with more than one goal from an opponent on average per game will be difficult.
Brugge demolished Monaco in their only home Champions League match this season, but the four goals conceded by the “Monegasques” are indicative for another reason. The “black and blue” are traditionally good at home against any opponent. Of course, the hosts are unlikely to impose their football on Barcelona, but given the existing holes in the defense and the traditional corridors through which one can freely walk on the guests’ half, the hosts will claim not even one, but two goals. However, in response, the Belgians will concede more: the “blaugranas” have enough resources and opportunities in attack.
Since the beginning of the season, Barcelona has played 14 matches in all tournaments. But they managed to keep a clean sheet only in three. All games fell on the domestic arena and modest opponents: Mallorca, Valencia, and Getafe. In the Champions League, the series of conceded goals is six matches (14 goals). I think that in this match, we will also see goals from both teams, so I bet on a large number of shots.
Bet: Total Shots Over 26.5 (odds 1.72)
Marseille vs Atalanta
Having produced a very cool stretch, Marseille suddenly slowed down and is now trying to regain the lost energy. A cool spurt allowed the “Provencals” to wedge into the fight for the first place in Ligue 1, but in the Champions League, things are not so good – only one win after three rounds, although among the rest of the opponents there are teams from which it is not only possible, but necessary to gain points.
Atalanta under Juric’s leadership is frankly disappointing. The intermediate tenth place in Italy, several unnecessary loss of points with obvious league underdogs, and a setback in the Champions League with Prague’s Slavia (0:0), which potentially could cost the team a ticket to the next round, since ahead of the Italians are very serious opponents.
Marseille survives amid a large number of injuries. Despite the absence of seven important footballers at once, Les Phocéens have not lost a single home match yet, while not ideal, but almost optimal Atalanta does not win at all, and on the road has only managed to win one team so far.
Bet: Marseille to Win (odds 2.08)
Newcastle United vs Athletic Bilbao
In the championship, things are going with varying success for the “Magpies”, but in the Champions League, Eddie Howe’s subordinates demonstrate stability and confidence. Even the lost game in the first round, against Barcelona, in which, by the way, Newcastle conceded the only goals in three games, left a pleasant impression.
Unlike the Englishmen, Athletic cannot boast of stability. Especially on the road, where the “lions” have earned only one win in the last six meetings. Currently, the Basques have a two-match winless streak, and it is unlikely that it will be interrupted precisely in England.
Newcastle looks more organized, physically stronger, and more confident in their abilities. I do not see how Athletic could create serious problems at St. James’ Park.
Bet: Newcastle to Win (odds 1.51)
Manchester City vs Borussia Dortmund
Manchester City continues to demonstrate high control and stability, maintaining the usual rhythm of play and dominance in the center of the field. An almost full squad allows playing in the optimal lineup, however, a tight schedule may affect freshness. The key for the hosts will be efficiency in the final third: just take Haaland and his incredible number of won aerial duels (over 60%) as an example.
Dortmund under Kovač’s time has learned to combine pragmatism with sharp play on the speeds, maintaining a balance between defensive depth and vertical transitions. Their success will depend on how accurately they manage to withstand the pressure of City and at the same time maintain the ability to instantly break out from under it through Brandt and Bayer.
The initiative will likely remain with the hosts, but the resilience and counterattacking discipline of the guests make the result less predictable than it seems at first glance.
Bet: Both Teams to Score + Total Over 2.5 (odds 1.8)
Alternative Bet: Erling Haaland Total Shots Over 5 (odds 1.83)
Benfica vs Bayer Leverkusen
Another confrontation of clubs that so far do not know the taste of victory in the current edition of the Champions League.
Benfica, along with Ajax, are the main losers of the tournament: after three rounds, they have zero points and the last places in the group. However, in domestic competitions, the Portuguese have gained form — three straight “dry” wins in the championship and cup. But the current opponent is of a completely different level.
After Hjulmand’s arrival, the “pharmacists” lost only twice: to PSG and Bayern. However, numerous injuries affect the German team’s capabilities. Therefore, dreaming of the championship is out of the question, but fighting for a place in the most prestigious European cup is quite possible.
Taking into account the home factor, the importance of the match, and the motivation of the hosts to finally earn their first points, I expect Benfica to secure a narrow victory or at least a draw.
Bet: Benfica Win by 1 Goal or Draw (odds 1.86)
Inter vs Kairat
Inter, before resuming the Champions League, held a difficult away match with Verona, earning a victory not without a share of luck. Moreover, now Christian Chivu is trying to keep all footballers in tone in a tight schedule, giving playing practice. In the game with Kairat, almost the main lineup will come out, which will try to resolve the issue of the winner as quickly as possible.
Kairat did the main thing — won the Kazakhstan champions title and now can play in the Champions League for pleasure. In terms of results, there is little pleasant, given the thrashings from Sporting and Real, as well as a home game close to victory against Pafos. But the Almaty team gains invaluable experience, so in Milan, no one should expect an easy life for the Kairat footballers.
I assume that Inter, despite the opponent’s boldness, will demonstrate the difference in class.
Bet: Inter Individual Total Over 3.5 (odds 1.78)