As we approach match day 3 this Wednesday in Europe, we examine two exciting fixtures in the UEFA Champions League, providing insights and betting options for you to consider.
To start, let’s take a look at the outright markets. Manchester City are currently the frontrunners at 33/10, closely followed by last season’s champions, Real Madrid, at 9/2. Arsenal are considered the next best option with odds of 15/2, while both Bayern Munich and Liverpool are available at 10/1. Barcelona enter the equation at 14/1, with the rest of the field priced at 20/1 or higher.
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MANCHESTER CITY v SPARTA PRAGUE – Click here to bet
Manchester City returns to European action this Wednesday, aiming to assert their dominance over underdogs Sparta Prague at the Etihad. Fresh from a hard-fought 2-1 win against Wolves over the weekend, the Citizens head into match day 3 in Europe full of confidence and as strong favourites for a comfortable victory. Despite currently sitting 8th in the Champions League standings with a win and a draw, City will look to build on their commanding 4-0 triumph they achieved over Slovan Bratislava.
Boasting an impressive 25-match unbeaten run in Europe, Pep Guardiola’s side look poised to secure their first home win of the campaign having drawn their last two European fixtures in Manchester. With 10 goals in their last five European games, averaging 2 per match, City should have little trouble finding the back of the net against a Sparta Prague side that has historically struggled against English opposition.
Unbeaten in their last eight European matches, Sparta Prague head to Manchester this Wednesday, seeking a far better result than their previous visit to England, where they were handed a heavy 6-1 defeat by Liverpool. Fresh off a 2-1 domestic victory, Sparta Prague sit comfortably in 2nd place in the Czech First League and will aim to carry that momentum into their Champions League clash at the Etihad.
Following a 1-1 draw away to Stuttgart on match day 2, the Maroons will likely focus on damage control against Manchester City, given the clear gulf in class between the two sides. Despite their solid start in the Champions League that finds them currently placed 10th in the standings, any positive outcome for the visitors on Wednesday would be a surprising result, even with their respectable goal-scoring record, having netted nine goals in their last five away fixtures in Europe.
Head-to-Head
These two sides have yet to face one another in a competitive match.
Betting
Manchester City 1/12
Draw 11/1
Sparta Prague 30/1
Verdict
The Citizens should have far too much quality for their visitors this Wednesday, and if the hosts hit the ground running, it could be a long evening for the Czech outfit. Backing City to win by 3 or more goals looks promising, as this match is expected to be a one-sided affair.
Suggested Bet: Handicap, Manchester City -2.5 at 15/20
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BARCELONA v BAYERN MUNICH– Click here to bet
An absorbing clash awaits as five-time Champions League winners Barcelona take on Bayern Munich at Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys this Wednesday. This fixture has generated plenty of excitement, promising to be a true spectacle in European football. Despite their challenging position in Europe, the Catalan giants, who currently sit 16th in the group standings, head into Matchday 3 off the back of a convincing 5-1 victory against Sevilla, maintaining their top spot domestically with 9 wins from 10 games.
Barcelona’s European campaign began with a disappointing 2-1 defeat away to Monaco, but they quickly bounced back with a dominant 5-0 victory at home against Young Boys. Wednesday will mark their second European home game this season, where they’ll aim to capitalize on Bayern’s struggles away from home. With 13 goals scored in their last five European home matches, averaging 2.6 goals per game, Barcelona’s attacking threat serves as a warning for what Bayern Munich could potentially face on Wednesday.
Bayern Munich enter Wednesday’s high-stakes encounter on a high, following a commanding 4-0 victory over Stuttgart in the Bundesliga—marking their fifth domestic win. Harry Kane, fresh off his sixth hat trick since joining the Bavarians, will be full of confidence as he prepares to face Barcelona on their home turf. Despite leading the standings in Germany, Bayern have yet to ignite their European campaign, currently sitting 15th with one win and one loss.
Bayern’s struggles in Europe have been evident, as they’ve yet to secure an away victory this season. Their most recent Champions League outing ended in a 1-0 defeat to Aston Villa, marking their second consecutive away loss in Europe, stretching back to last season. With a four-game winless streak on the road in European competition and just 4 goals scored during that run, Bayern will be desperate to turn their fortunes around. However, they can take confidence from their dominant record against Barcelona—a fixture that has been highly successful for the Bavarians, with six consecutive victories in their last meetings.
Head-to-Head
The last time these two sides faced each other was back in 2022, when Bayern Munich comfortably secured a 3-0 victory in this fixture.
Betting
Barcelona 27/20
Draw 3/1
Bayern Munich 18/10
Verdict
Despite a rather poor recent record against Bayern Munich, there’s a sense that Barcelona’s squad has matured since their last encounter. They now look like a team capable of dismantling any opponent on their day. Given Bayern’s ongoing struggles on the road in Europe this season, Barcelona will see this as a prime opportunity to break their losing streak and secure their first win over Bayern after six consecutive unsuccessful attempts.
Suggested Bet: Full Time Result, Barcelona at 27/20
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Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
