Champions League Betting Tips: Arsenal to win and Manchester United to lose

The Champions League is back this week and here is our preview of five matches taking place on Wednesday.

Arsenal vs PSV

8pm, TNT Sports 1

Arsenal demonstrated their ability to win ugly on Sunday, as they edged out Everton at Goodison Park. There was nothing pretty about their 1-0 win, but Mikel Arteta will have been delighted with the grit and determination his players showed.

The Arsenal boss would dearly love another clean sheet when PSV come to London. But the Gunners have only shut out one of the last 11 visitors to the Emirates Stadium in all competitions.

Arsenal should ultimately prove too strong for PSV in this one, but goals at both ends is a distinct possibility.

Tip: Arsenal to win and both teams to score at 2.88

Bayern Munich vs Manchester United

8pm, TNT Sports 2

Manchester United are on the cusp of crisis after three defeats in their first five Premier League games. And with this trip to the Allianz Arena next up, the situation is likely to get worse before it gets better. 

Bayern Munich are a force to be reckoned with in front of their own fans, and it is hard to see how United will be able to handle them. The Red Devils have shipped 10 goals in their last four outings - not the type of record to inspire confidence ahead of such a tricky contest.

It is hard to look past a comfortable victory for Bayern as two European giants begin their continental campaigns.

Tip: Bayern Munich -1.5 handicap at 2.26

Benfica vs Red Bull Salzburg

8pm, TNT Sports 7

Benfica were one of the group stage's most impressive performers last term, winning four games and drawing two despite being drawn alongside Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich.

The Portuguese side are the favourites to win this opener, but Red Bull Salzburg should not be written off. They have made a blistering start to the campaign in Austria, scoring 18 goals in their first seven games and dropping points on one occasion.

The Champions League represents a significant step up, but Salzburg can find the net in Lisbon.

Tip: Both teams to score at 1.89

Real Sociedad vs Inter

 8pm, TNT Sports 3

Inter were the Champions League runners-up last term, and they gave Manchester City a tough game in the final. Repeating the feat will not be easy, but a 5-1 thrashing of arch-rivals AC Milan at the weekend means Inter head to San Sebastian in good spirits.

Despite being linked with a move away from San Siro every summer, Lautaro Martinez is still an Inter player. He has made an excellent start to the season, scoring five goals in four Serie A outings - no one in Italy's top tier has managed as many.

This will not be an easy encounter for Inter, but Martinez can continue his fine scoring form against Real Sociedad.

Tip: Lautaro Martinez to score any time at 2.89

Sevilla vs Lens

8pm, TNT Sports 6

Neither of these teams has enjoyed a positive start to the season. Sevilla finally won their first game of 2023/24 at the weekend, but they are only outside the La Liga relegation zone on goal difference at the time of writing.

Lens have fared even worse: after collecting one point from a possible 15, Frank Haise's side are rock-bottom of Ligue 1. After such a dismal start to the domestic season, they may place less importance on the Champions League, which is essentially a bonus.

Sevilla are tough to beat on home turf in continental competition, so they should get the job done on matchday one.

Tip: Sevilla to beat Lens at 1.89

Recommended bets

Arsenal vs PSV: Back Arsenal to win and both teams to score at 2.88
Bayern Munich vs Manchester United: Back Bayern Munich -1.5 handicap at 2.26
Benfica vs Red Bull Salzburg: Back both teams to score at 1.89
Real Sociedad vs Inter: Back Lautaro Martinez to score any time at 2.89
Sevilla vs Lens: Back Sevilla to beat Lens at 1.89