After a 20-day hiatus due to the international break, the UEFA Champions League is set to return this week, reigniting the thrill of Europe’s most prestigious tournament.
Tuesday marks the kick-off of the third round of league phase matches, with teams beginning to battle for crucial points that could define their path to the knockout stages.
In this article, we take a closer look at a selection of these matches and pick out our top tips and best booking code (odds at time of writing):
Arsenal vs Shakhtar Donetsk
Looking to bounce back from a disappointing first defeat of the season, Arsenal host Shakhtar Donetsk on Tuesday evening. The hosts sit on four points from their opening two matches, while the visitors sit on one point from their two games.
Arsenal suffered defeat in their last game against Bournemouth, but the Gunners will be desperate to return to winning ways in the Champions League before they face Liverpool in the league next weekend.
Shakhtar have already shown their inferiority to some of the bigger sides in Europe, including losing 3-0 to Atalanta last time out, leading us to believe the hosts will win this one comfortably.
Arsenal to win by more than 2 goals, 1.99
READ: How you can win N1 Million This UCL Matchday!
Aston Villa vs Bologna
Aston Villa head into this game in fantastic form, undefeated in their last nine matches, winning both Champions League matches in that run, including a historic victory against Bayern Munich at home.
Bologna, in comparison, have won just one of their 10 matches across all competitions this season, with seven draws and two losses. Taking that into consideration, Aston Villa should make it three wins from three in this season’s Champions League.
Aston Villa to win, 1.70
PSG vs PSV
PSG head into this one looking to bounce back after a 2-0 defeat to Arsenal in round two of this competition, leaving them with just three points from their opening two games.
That defeat is their only loss of the season so far, with the French giants winning seven and drawing two of their remaining matches, leaving them in fantastic form heading into this one.
PSV are also in spectacular form, winning nine of their 12 matches this season, losing two and drawing one, though they have been shown their level in the Champions League, grabbing just one point from their first two games.
While both are heading into this one in strong form, the hosts undoubtedly boast the stronger squad, leading us to believe they will win here.
PSG to win by 2 goals, 3.70
Real Madrid vs Borussia Dortmund
In a repeat of last season’s Champions League Final, Real Madrid take on Borussia Dortmund for matchday three of this year’s league phase.
The hosts have already lost once in the Champions League this year, failing to score in a 1-0 defeat to Lille last time out, a result that will give Dortmund confidence heading into this one, though the Spanish side have bounced back with two wins in the following games.
Dortmund have had a mixed start to their campaign, winning seven, losing two and drawing one of their opening matches, though both defeats have come in their last five outings.
The German side will fancy themselves as the underdogs to cause problems for Real Madrid, but ultimately Los Blancos should once again prove too strong for Dortmund and secure a win.
Real Madrid to win, 1.52
Best Booking Code @19.03:
37986V – Bet Here
