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Liverpool v Atletico Madrid
The last time these two teams met with Liverpool as the host, Atletico won in extra time to knock out the then defending UCL champions. Liverpool is now back at Anfield with a full force crowd behind them ready to exact revenge. As good as the Reds have been this year they have been a little shaky in defense and that was seen again this weekend when they conceded two 2nd half goals to Brighton and ended up splitting the points. Atletico played well in the reverse fixture between these two before an Antoine Griezmann red card and a Mohammed Salah penalty did them in. Liverpool sit comfortably in 1st place in the group which means I expect Atleti to be the aggressive one here and earn a point.
The Bet: Draw
Prediction: Liverpool 1-1 Atletico Madrid
Manchester City v Club Brugge
Manchester City were embarrassed this past weekend when they went down a man to Crystal Palace and lost 2-0. The defeat was a shock and surely they will come out here at home against their lesser Belgium competition and send a message that they are still among the world's best. Club Brugge have played very well in this competition so far, knicking points off of PSG and RBL. I expect them to find a goal here with a strong front man in Charles De Ketelarae but other than that Man City should dominate this game making any bet here difficult to take. Phil Foden has been in great form and draws the false 9 position today which means he is good value to score and comes in at plus money on most sportsbooks.
The Bet: Phil Foden to Score
Prediction: Man City 3-1 Club Brugge
RB Leipzig v Paris Saint-Germain
Leipzig is a good team but they have had terrible results so far in the Champions League. The energy drink squad is 0-3 to start their campaign and are in desperate need of points if they have any chance at playing more European football this year. They played hard in the reverse fixture against PSG but lost on a late penalty. PSG has not been themselves all year despite their strong record. Leo Messi was supposed to come in and light the world on fire but he has been a disappointment so far and will miss this game due to injury. Nevertheless PSG has Neymar and Mbappe up top which should be enough firepower to give them goals. The biggest loss for their team, however, is Marco Veratti, who is their holding midfielder and the key to formation success. That loss will be felt in the midfield when they eventually concede.
The Bet: Parlay-Both Teams to Score+Over 2.5 Goals
Prediction: RBL 1-2 PSG
Borussia Dortmund v Ajax
This has the possibility of being the most entertaining match of the day. Dortmund play a great brand of attacking football, and to many's surprise, Ajax have been the best team in the UCL so far. The Dutch side is a perfect 3-0 and has outscored their opponents 11-1. If Dortmund were fully healthy, meaning a fit Erling Haaland, I would like the Black and Yellow to get the 3 points here but without their star striker I see this game tilting Ajax’s way. Sebastien Haller has been in great form and he will be attacking a Dortmund back line that only has 3 clean sheets in their last 14 matches in all competitions.
The Bet: Ajax to Win (Draw No Bet)
Prediction: Dortmund 1-2 Ajax
Sporting CP v Besiktas
This will be the nothing game of the day. Both Dortmund and Ajax are clear favorites to advance out of this group and Besiktas is so far behind the rest that 3rd place is all but locked up for Sporting. Regardless, both teams will be playing hard to secure some points here in Portugal. Sporting has the stronger squad depth, with proven players up front, in the midfield, and at the back. Besiktas will need some lucky bounces to contend in this one and even then it still might not be enough. Sporting won the reverse fixture 5-1 and now they get to play at home where they are more comfortable. As long as the hosts come ready to play, the 3 points are there for the taking.
The Bet: Sporting to Cover -1.5
Prediction: Sporting 3-0 Besiktas
FC Sheriff v Inter Milan
The Cinderella of the group stage, Sheriff Tiraspol, gets to play hosts to the massive Inter Milan in this matchup. Sheriff have won games against Real Madrid and Shakhtar Donetsk and are in a legitimate position to continue playing European football into the knockout rounds. They lost in the reverse fixture to Inter by a score of 3-1, but playing in Moldova (or Transnistria depending on your political allegiance) should give them a boost. Inter is a far better team and I’m sure their strength will shine through in the end. One of my favorite players on Inter is Lautaro Martinez, a young star Argentine who will lead the line for his squad today. I see him getting on the stat sheet against the lesser competition.
The Bet: Lautaro Martinez to Score
Prediction: Sheriff 1-3 Inter Milan
