In this matchup, we take a look at another two matches of the highest caliber as Cypriot champions APOEL, who was expectedly beaten by Real Madrid in their last Champions League match, take on Tottenham, who will still be celebrating their 3:1 victory over a tough Borussia Dortmund side. In the other game, a high-flying Besiktas will host an RB Leipzig side chasing their first Champions League win.
APOEL (Cyp) vs. Tottenham (Eng)
Three-Way: 1: APOEL +1100; X: +480 Draw; 2: Tottenham -256
Spread +1.5: APOEL -104; Tottenham +102
Total +2.5: Over -132; Under +140
APOEL
As expected, the defending European champions Real Madrid proved to be too much for APOEL as they were pushed aside in a 3:0 defeat. Two goals from arguably the best player in the world Cristiano Ronaldo and an acrobatic overhead kick from defender Sergio Ramos sunk the 26-times Cypriot champions to their first defeat of what will likely be the first of many in the Champions League 2017/18 season. That being said, the Cypriot side can be proud of themselves in keeping the score to a respectable 3:0 in what will be their toughest fixture of this campaign.
With their European loss, a domestic loss followed at home to Anorthosis in the Cypriot First Division. Then, more points were dropped with a goalless away draw to Aris, placing themselves in 11th position. As previously seen, league form often does not correlate with European form, for example, Leicester City who finished 12th in the Premier League last season but reached the Quarter Finals or Chelsea who finished 6th the year they won the Champions League. One beacon of hope for recovery may be attacker Igor de Camargo who is in good form, scoring two in his last three league appearances.
Manager Georgios Doniswill has a fully fit squad other than winger Georgios Efrem who is out with a wound.
Tottenham
Tottenham Hotspur has started their Champions League campaign in the opposite way to their last campaign with a very impressive 3:1 win over Borussia Dortmund. Spurs’ Son Heung-Min opened the scoring with an early 4th-minute goal, but it was Harry Kane who was the difference with two goals winning the game for his side and a man of the match performance. It was also just their second win in their last twelve attempts at Wembley, their temporary home while the new White Hart Lane stadium is being completed.
Harry Kane has now scored six goals in seven appearances this season and has staked his claim as one of Europe’s top strikers with his two goals. If he continues to carry his league form into Europe, he could find himself in contention for Ballon d’Or, which is a topic that has rightly recently been brought up for discussion. In addition, his league form has helped the Spurs to decent form in the Premier League, having been unbeaten in their last four games, winning twice. They will have to improve if they are to compete for the title, but Tottenham and Harry Kane, in particular, have always been known for slow starts in recent seasons.
Manager Mauricio Pochettino will be without winger Erik Lamela (hip), left-back Danny Rose (intraarticular ligament crack) and defensive-midfielder Victor Wanyama (knee). Attacking midfielder Dele Alli and defender Jan Vertonghen will also be unavailable due to suspension.
APOEL (Cyp) vs. Tottenham (Eng)- Match Prediction:
Historically, Tottenham would see themselves slip up in games like this in Europe, but recent signs have told us that they mean business this Champions League campaign and will be a force to be reckoned with. Add to that that Tottenham is simply a stronger side than APOEL and will probably prove to be too much for their Cypriot opponents.
In general, I would go for a simple Spurs win, but since the odds are not too appealing, I will go with the over 2.5 goals as my safe pick that should bring you some money. Also, expect Harry Kane to get back on the scoresheet too.
MY PICK: Over 2.5 goals (-132)
Besiktas (Tur) vs. RB Leipzig (Ger)
Three-Way: 1: Besiktas +229; X: +262 Draw; 2: RB Leipzig +145
Spread +0.5: Besiktas -139; RB Leipzig +129
Total +2.5: Over -123; Under +118
Besiktas
Besiktas achieved a fantastic result at Porto with a 3:1 victory to help spring themselves towards qualification. Three clinical goals from Talisca, Cenk Tosun, and Ryan Babel ensured victory over a side who would have hoped to have done better with their nine shots on target to Besiktas’ three.
The fifteen-times Turkish champions have been in good domestic form, having been unbeaten until their last fixture against rivals Fenerbahce, losing 2:1 in a passion-fueled match away from home which saw several red cards being issued. The result may still be on the minds of the Besiktas players coming up to their Champions League fixture, and they will have to keep their heads up to get a positive result. All things considered, another three points would put Besiktas in a great position to qualify for the next stage of the Champions League competition.
Unfortunately for Besiktas and manager Senol Gunes, they will still be missing a star player, winger Gokhan Tore, who will be out until November with a knee injury. Defender Atinc Nukan (cruciate ligament rupture) and Gokhan Gonul (operation) will also be missing through injury.
RB Leipzig
A dull affair at home to Monaco saw all of the game’s action confined to just two minutes from the 32nd minute. The 32nd minute saw Leipzig open the scoring through Emil Forsberg finishing into the bottom left corner, but they could only manage to hold on to their lead for just two minutes as Monaco scored the equalizer. Neither team could forge further chances throughout the game, with Leipzig having the only other shot on target and there only being 4 shots over the duration of the match.
Drawing to one of last season’s Champions League semi-finalists is nothing to be scorned at, and RB Leipzig will have been happy not to lose in their first ever match in the competition. That being said, the German side’s form seemed to suffer following their bout with Monaco, drawing to Borussia M’gladbach and losing to Augsburg. Since then they recovered with a 2:1 win over Eintracht Frankfurt, where Timo Werner scored his fifth goal of the season. Werner will be hoping to realize his potential in Europe with a goal on Tuesday, the first of what should be many for a striker with as much potential as he possesses.
Manager Ralph Hasenhuttl will be without keeper Fabio Coltorti through a muscular injury, while center-forward Jean-Kévin Augustin is doubtful with a knock.
Besiktas (Tur) vs. RB Leipzig (Ger) – Match Prediction:
With Besiktas at home and coming off a strong result against Porto, they will make it difficult for RB Leipzig. Equally, Leipzig will try to frustrate their opponents and nick a goal or two on the counter, and if not, they would probably be happy with a point and then go for the three points in the home leg. Because of this, I am expecting another close low-scoring game.
MY PICK: Under 2.5 goals (+118)
