This Wednesday, we take a look at two crucial UEFA Champions League encounters that are sure to set the pulse racing, once again offering insights along with betting options for you to consider.
Before doing so, let’s investigate the current outright market odds on offer: Manchester City remain favourites at 29/10, with reigning champions Real Madrid close behind at 4/1. Arsenal is the third favourite, priced at 7/1, followed by Barcelona at 15/2 and Liverpool at 8/1. Bayern Munich are considered outsiders, listed at 9/1, with the remaining contenders available at 20/1 or higher.
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BAYERN MUNICH v BENFICA – Click here to bet
Bayern Munich will host Benfica at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday evening in what promises to be a captivating encounter. Currently sitting atop the Bundesliga and boasting an unbeaten start to their domestic campaign, the Bavarians secured a commanding 3-0 victory over Union Berlin this past weekend in preparation for this week’s European outing.
In the Champions League, Bayern have not had the best of starts, with their most recent encounter resulting in a heavy 4-1 defeat away to Barcelona, marking back-to-back defeats in Europe. Vincent Kompany’s side currently occupies 23rd place in the standings, with just one win and two defeats thus far. Given their position, Bayern know they are running out of games if they are to secure a place in the next phase. A home victory this week will certainly help improve their current run of form in Europe.
This season, Bayern average 3.33 goals per game in Europe while conceding an average of 2.33. Over 2.5 goals have featured in 67% of those encounters overall (2 out of 3 matches), with 100% of those matches arriving at home (1 from 1 match).
On the other hand, Benfica find themselves in 3rd place in the Primeira Liga, reflecting yet another competitive domestic season. They managed to secure a hard-fought 2-1 victory away to Farense over the weekend, boosting their confidence ahead of their trip to Munich.
In the Champions League, Benfica have fared slightly better than the opponents they face this week, having registered 2 victories along with 1 defeat in their opening three matches, placing them 13th overall in the group phase after their disappointing 3-1 defeat at home to Feyenoord on match day 3—a result that many would not have expected.
This season, Benfica average 2.33 goals per game in Europe while conceding an average of 1.33. Over 2.5 goals have featured in all three matches overall (100%), with two occurring at home and one on their travels.
Head-to-Head
The last two meetings between these teams occurred in the 2021/22 season of the UEFA Champions League, where Bayern Munich comfortably routed Benfica 4-0 in the reverse fixture before defeating them 5-2 in Munich.
Betting
Bayern Munich 3/10
Draw 11/2
Benfica 15/2
Verdict
Having played two consecutive matches on the road in Europe with nothing to show for their efforts, Bayern return home this week, well aware that anything less than all three points could prove disastrous for their Champions League campaign. While Benfica may have had the better start of the two, Bayern’s quality should prevail in what is largely expected to be a one-sided affair.
Prediction: Handicap, Bayern Munich -1.5 at 15/20
PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN v ATLÉTICO MADRID – Click here to bet
Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) will welcome Atlético Madrid to the Parc des Princes in what promises to be one of the more interesting fixtures taking place this week. Currently sitting comfortably at the top of Ligue 1 with a six-point cushion over their nearest rivals, Monaco, PSG enter Europe off the back of their 1-0 league win at home to Lens this past weekend, marking their eighth league win of the season and extending their unbeaten run to five matches across all competitions.
In the Champions League, PSG have yet to make much of an impression, with 1 win, 1 draw, and 1 defeat from their opening three matches. They currently occupy 19th place in the group phase standings following their recent 1-1 draw at home against PSV on match day 3. This Wednesday marks their second-to-last home fixture in the group phase, and with Manchester City still set to visit Paris, PSG will be well aware that this is a match they must target if they are to make a mark in Europe this season.
This season, PSG average 0.66 goals per game in Europe while conceding an average of exactly 1 goal per game. Under 2.5 goals have featured in all three matches overall (100%), with two occurring at home and one on their travels.
Meanwhile, Atlético Madrid visit Paris in relatively high spirits despite languishing 10 points adrift of first-place Barcelona in La Liga, currently sitting 3rd in the standings following their 2-0 home win over Las Palmas this past weekend. Diego Simeone’s boys will make the trip to France hoping to secure a positive result that will keep them in the hunt for European glory.
In this season’s Champions League campaign, Atlético Madrid appear to be struggling, having secured just one win while suffering two defeats so far. Following consecutive losses in Europe—uncharacteristically conceding seven goals in a 4-0 defeat away to Benfica and a 3-1 defeat at home to Lille—cracks seem to be appearing in what was once an ultra-consistent team, particularly on the defensive front. As a result of this poor run of form, the Rojiblancos sit outside of qualification spots in 27th place, knowing that a positive result away to PSG at the halfway stage of the group phase is non-negotiable.
This season, Atlético Madrid averages 1 goal per game in Europe while conceding an average of 2.66. Over 2.5 goals have featured in all three matches overall (100%), with two occurring at home and one on their travels.
Head-to-Head
Yet to meet in the Champions League, these two sides last faced each other in 2018, when PSG prevailed 3-2 in the International Champions Cup held in Singapore.
Betting
Paris Saint-German 8/10
Draw 27/10
Atlético Madrid 4/1
Verdict
With both teams struggling in Europe, this is likely to be a relatively tight encounter, despite Atlético Madrid looking fragile at the back. Given PSG’s recent inability to create much of an impression upfront, a cautious bet on two goals or fewer could be worthwhile in this must-win match for both sides.
Suggested Bet: Totals, Under 2.5 at 1/1
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Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
