The UEFA Champions League will see some incredible spectacles with the best European sides clashing heads on Wednesday night, and now we can take a look at the first round of fixtures which will hopefully live up to the hype surrounding the competition.
For now, we take a look at Group G, where Porto will take on Besiktas, with both teams hoping to bring their domestic form to European form. In the other game RB Leipzig will host Monaco, with both teams coming off the back of incredible seasons and will be keen to show Europe that they can continue their successes.
FC Porto (Por) vs. Besiktas (Tur)
Three-Way: 1: FC Porto -164; X: +345 Draw; Besiktas +662
Spread -1: FC Porto -105; Besiktas +106
Total +2.5: Over +104; Under -106
FC Porto
Porto has been in fine form coming up to their first Champions League game, having won all five of their first five domestic league games. Their winning run has seen them take first place in the table, and the 27 times Premeira Liga champions will hope that they can maintain their position and finally retain their title after five seasons without winning.
Last season Porto finished second in their domestic league meaning that they qualified directly for the group stage of European’s top competition. The Portuguese side will be looking to progress from the group stage and go one better than last season when they were knocked out by Juventus in the Round of 16. Porto is a team with serious pedigree within Europe, and have won the European Cup / Champions League twice. In addition, they often progress through the group stages, and although there are no standout players, their history and the teams they have been pitted against suggest that they have a good chance.
During the offseason Porto made just two additions to their side, notably attacking midfielder Oliver Torres joining from Atletico Madrid. Leaving the club was a number of key players, including forward André Silva to AC Milan, defensive midfielder Ruben Neves to Wolves and defender Bruno Martins Indi to Stoke City.
Manager Sergio Conceiçao will be without keeper Fabiano after he suffered from a cruciate ligament rupture last season, while attacker Vincent Aboubakar will be out through suspension.
Besiktas
The reigning Turkish champions have started the season well, picking up ten points from their first four games and currently sitting in first place. Furthermore, Besiktas has not failed to score in any match since March.
As they won the Turkish Super Lig Besiktas qualified for the Champions League proper for the second season in a row. Last season they finished 3rd in their group, losing just one of their games, so they’ll rate their chances especially in a group with no huge world superpowers. Furthermore, Besiktas has a decent squad with the likes of attacker Alvaro Negredo and Oguzhan Ozyakup and should be able to compete with all the teams in their group.
Besiktas had some coups over the transfer window, signing the likes of center-back Pepe from Real Madrid on a free, center-back Gary Medel from Inter and forward Alvaro Negredo from Valencia, both for under 3 million euros. Although the Turkish side lost nine players, including a few first team players, their additions more than make up for their losses.
Unfortunately for Besiktas and manager Senol Gunes, they will be without one of their star players, winger Gokhan Tore who will be out until November with a knee injury. Senol Gunes will also be without defender Atinc Nukan (cruciate ligament rupture) and Gokhan Gonul (operation) through injury.
FC Porto (Por) vs. Besiktas (Tur) – Match Prediction:
Porto fans will expect their side at home to win this game, but Besiktas tends to get good Champions League draws if last season was anything to go by, including four draws last campaign, two of those against Portuguese champions Benfica. Furthermore, I don’t believe this is the strongest Porto side we’ve seen, and not nearly as potent as their 2003-04 Champions League winning side, therefore a draw would not surprise me.
MY PICK: DRAW (+345)
RB Leipzig (Ger) vs. Monaco (Fra)
Three-Way: 1: RB Leipzig +131; X: +276 Draw; 2: Monaco +242
Spread -0.5: RB Leipzig +125; Monaco -128
Total +2.5: Over -128; Under +129
RB Leipzig
RB Leipzig has had an incredible story since their inception just eight years ago. The German side started in the fifth tier of German football and went on an upwards trajectory all the way to the Bundesliga in just seven seasons. In their first season in the top flight, they finished as runners-up in the domestic German league. Although it is an incredible achievement, it is known and should be noted that there was a serious investment made from the beginning by Red Bull.
Finishing in the second position meant that RB Leipzig qualified for the Champions League, which is, of course, the first time in their history. Furthermore, having the funds to use that they do, they have some top-rate players in their squad, including the young forward Timo Werner, who’s performances earnt himself in the German international squad where he has made eight appearances and scored six time, and Naby Keita, who is subject to a 70 million pound plus deal to Liverpool at the end of the season, but who is unfortunately injured for the game ahead.
As expected, RB Leipzig spent heavily over the transfer window, including midfielder Kevin Kampl joining from Bayer Leverkusen for 20 million euros and forward Jean-Kevin Augustin for 15 million euros. Ten players left the German side, including young winger Oliver Burke joining West Brom for 15 million euros.
Manager Ralph Hasenhuttl will be without keeper Fabio Coltorti and central midfielder Naby Keita as they both have muscular problems, while left midfielder Emil Forsberg is doubtful as a result of a cold.
Monaco
The French champions have been in excellent league form, winning all four matches including a 6:1 thrashing of Marseille in their last game; last season’s title win was also just as much of a fairytale as RB Leipzig’s rise, although Monaco may be perceived more as heroes than the Leipzig pantomime villains. Their form will be particularly encouraging considering the number of key players that left over the summer.
Monaco hasn’t been involved in European football as much as they’d like in recent years, although last season they did make it all the way to the semi-final, going beyond all expectations. This time, qualifying directly as French champions, they would do well to repeat last year’s European run, but will at least expect to progress through the group stages.
The French side had a troublesome summer, losing many key players such as Kylian Mbappé, Bernardo Silva, and Tiemoué Bakayoko. Although Monaco’s summer was somewhat traumatic, their traumas may have been lessened by recent results and some astute signings to replace the holes left by departures.
Manager Leonardo Jardim will have a fully fit squad other that keeper Loic Badiashile who is out with a shoulder injury.
RB Leipzig (Ger) vs. Monaco (Fra) – Match Prediction:
This will be a fascinating match between two teams who have both had incredible journeys but are also in somewhat of a transition. Both teams will love to win as a statement of intent and who will win is not certain, but we will get a greater idea of where these teams are really at, at the moment.
It’s a difficult match to call, but with both teams seemingly able to score, the safest bet would be to go for some goals.
MY PICK: Over 2.5 goals (-128)
