Champions League Betting Tips: Premier League sides set to dominate

Andy Schooler previews this week’s Champions League matches involving English sides, including Aston Villa v Bayern Munich – a repeat of the 1982 final. 

Arsenal v PSG

Tuesday, 20:00, Amazon Prime Video

This isn’t a vintage PSG team and they struggled past Girona on matchday one. They kept a clean sheet that night, winning 1-0 thanks to a last-minute goal, but have conceded in five of their seven games so far this season, including all three away.

Arsenal create plenty and should get chances here. They will want a positive result having only drawn their opener and the man to follow looks to be Bukayo Saka.

He’s around even money to score or assist, a bet he’s landed regularly over the past year or so. Saka delivered for his backers in 23 of his 35 Premier League games last season, plus five of nine in this competition. So far this term, he’s had a goal or an assist in five of six league matches.

The England international takes penalties and corners – which the Gunners have been deadly from of late – so should have plenty of opportunities to land this.

Recommended Bet: Bukayo Saka to score or assist @ 1.98

Slovan Bratislava v Manchester City

Tuesday, 20:00, TNT Sports

This looks an ideal chance to take advantage of the SBK Bet Builder tool. Up against the team who started as favourites to finish bottom of the new ‘league phase’ of the competition, City are just 1.06 to secure the three points.

However, by combining a few elements we can get an odds-against price about a City win. Slovan lived up to those low expectations on matchday one, being crushed 5-1 by Celtic, another side hardly tipped to set the tournament on fire.

City should be able to win this by three clear goals – they have made a habit of dismissing the minnows in this competition over the years – and that gets the nod. City to win both halves also looks worth including – that’s happened in three of their five victories so far this season, with Pep Guardiola’s side scoring their first goal inside 20 minutes in all five of those matches.

Finally, put them down to win to nil. This is a massive step up for the Slovakian league leaders and they will be seeing very little of the ball, you’d imagine.

Recommended Bet: City to win by 3+ goals, City to win to nil & City to win both halves @ 2.14

Aston Villa v Bayern Munich

Wednesday, 20:00, TNT Sports

Younger readers may struggle to believe this is a repeat of the 1982 final of this competition but that’s the case and, 42 years on, it has the potential to be a cracking game.

The return of top-level European football to Villa Park will ensure the crowd are massively up for this and Villa have started the season well. They are already high up the Premier League table and won 3-0 at Young Boys on matchday one of the Champions League.

Bayern threw down the gauntlet themselves, smashing Dinamo Zagreb 9-2. Harry Kane scored four that night and will again be a big threat.

However, my focus is on Jamal Musiala and the problems he will likely cause Villa. Playing in behind Kane, he’s the most-fouled Bayern player this season and it may prove a tough night for Youri Tielemans.

The Villa midfielder has commited 2+ fouls in five of his seven games this season and so I’m a tad surprised to see him on offer at 2.32 for a repeat in this one, given who will be operating in his area of the pitch.

Recommended Bet: Youri Tielemans 2+ fouls @ 2.32

Liverpool v Bologna

Wednesday, 2000, TNT Sports

I accept that Bologna are tournament newcomers but the Italian sides are rarely pushovers and Liverpool look short enough here in most markets to me. This therefore looks like a game worth taking a a big price in.

While not convinced Liverpool are going to waltz to victory, it certainly shouldn’t be ruled out. After all, they’ve already won 3-1 in Milan in this competition, while Bologna have won only one of their seven games this season.

If the Reds do manage to get on the goal trail, it’s worth following Luis Diaz again.

I put the Colombian up on these pages for a goal on Saturday but he didn’t deliver. However, he’s started the season in fine form and I’m tempted by the 9.6 on offer about him scoring twice here.

This is something he’s managed twice already this season, including last time out at Anfield when Bournemouth were the visitors.

Bologna hve kept just one clean sheet in seven games, shipping three away to Napoli and two at Como.

Recommended Bet: Luis Diaz to score 2+ goals @ 9.6

Recommended Bets

Back Bukayo Saka to score or assist in Arsenal v PSG @ 1.98
Back Man City to win by 3+ goals, City to win to nil & City to win both halves v Slovan Bratislava @ 2.14
Back Youri Tielemans 2+ fouls in Aston Villa v Bayern Munich @ 2.32
Back Luis Diaz to score 2+ goals in Liverpool v Bologna @ 9.6