The UEFA Champions League group phase continues this week, so take a look at our tips and predictions for the Group B and Group D matches. With plenty of picks and markets to choose from, don’t waste your time and join the action at Get More Sports.
PSG (Fra) vs. Bayern Munich (Ger)
Three-Way: 1: PSG +106; X: +305 Draw; 2: Bayern Munich +275
Spread -0.5: PSG +104; Bayern Munich -109
Total +3.5: Over +112; Under -118
PSG
Paris Saint-Germain’s perfect start of the season came to an end at Montpellier as the French vice-champions dropped points in a 0:0 stalemate. Despite having the trio of fantastic forwards, the absence of Neymar proved to be the primary cause of inefficiency in the attack, as Edinson Cavani and Kylian Mbappe failed to find the net. Still, the Saints are still at the top of the Ligue 1, with a point ahead of the reigning champions Monaco, and lack of goals wasn’t a problem in the opening round of the UEFA Champions League, when PSG destroyed Celtic in Glasgow, 5:0.
PSG played nine matches so far in the 2017/18, winning eight of them before the mentioned draw with Montpellier last weekend. They scored 28 and conceded only four goals, which is a bit more than 3.5 goals per contest on average and this matchup with the Bavarians is certainly looking promising in that regard. Bayern never won in Paris in the previous three matches in the Champions League, as the hosts were victorious on all three occasions, and judging by PSG’s home form this year, the Germans will have a lot to do to come away with three points in the bag.
Edinson Cavani has been in an excellent form this season as he already scored nine goals and added two assists to his name, while Neymar is right behind him with five goals, but also, a team-high five assists. The pair of Argentineans Angel Di Maria and Javier Pastore is sidelined with thigh and muscle injuries, respectively, while Neymar should be okay to play after missing the game at Montpellier with a minor toe injury.
BAYERN MUNICH
Same like PSG, Bayern didn’t have the best of times in the domestic league last weekend following their 2:2 draw at home against Wolfsburg. However, their dominant performance in the opening game of the UEFA Champions League with Anderlecht is what pleased the fans, but it’s not going to be that easy in the French capital on Wednesday night. Still, having a 2:0 lead at the halftime and then conceding a pair of goals in the second half has to be concerning for Carlo Ancelotti. So, PSG could exploit the fact that Manuel Neuer is still injured as Sven Ulreich is not good enough to be the No. 1 keeper in the club of Bayern’s stature.
The Bavarians played nine matches so far in the 2017/18 campaign, winning seven of them, along with a defeat and a draw. They scored 25 and allowed seven goals, which is just over 3.5 goals per contest on average, almost the same record like PSG’s, so we can expect a goal-glut at Parc des Princes. The only loss they suffered this year was at Hoffenheim, and the fact that they don’t have a positive record when playing in Paris can be a bit discouraging for Bayern.
Robert Lewandowski is the team’s leading scorer with 11 goals thus far, but he lacks adequate support as the next player who follows him on the goal-scoring chart is Arjen Robben with just two goals. Although ten other different players scored a goal, it seems that Bayern doesn’t have the right answer in the attack in case Lewy is having a bad day. Still, the Bavarians are the compact machine, and they are playing like a team more than relying on individuals, which is the case with PSG, so they have a decent chance to come away from Paris with a positive result. As I said, Neuer is out for the rest of 2017 with a metatarsal fracture, while the left-back Juan Bernat is still sidelined with a ligament tear, and should be back in a month time. David Alaba missed the previous five matches with an ankle injury but will travel with the team and could be handed a start at left-back for this Champions League game, following Rafinha’s bad performance against Wolfsburg. Thiago Alcantara was held out of Wolfsburg game as a precaution, and he also joined the team on a trip to Paris, so the midfielder has a solid chance to play on Wednesday night.
PSG (Fra) vs. Bayern Munich (Ger) – Match Prediction
Even though PSG allowed just four goals thus far, I don’t think their defense is as good as the current record shows, so Bayern shouldn’t have problems to find the way to the home team’s net. Also, the French side has fantastic forwards, and it would be surprising if they fail to score against average Ulreich, so I expect to see goals on both ends. However, the Bavarians are aware that they are very vulnerable and that their defense has not been very good lately, which is why I think that they will pay much more focus on their defensive game in this match, locking up all holes towards their goal. Therefore, I think that the most likely scenario here will be the under.
MY PICK: Under 3.5 goals (-118)
Sporting (Por) vs. Barcelona (Spa)
Three-Way: 1: Sporting +750; X: +475 Draw; 2: Barcelona -208
Spread +1.5: Sporting -116; Barcelona +114
Total +3.5: Over +121; Under -125
SPORTING
Sporting is in an excellent form this season as they still didn’t suffer a defeat, but the latest couple of draws against Maritimo in the cup and Moreirense in the Primeira Liga raised some eyebrows among the fans. Still, it doesn’t look that they should be worried, especially not after a great 3:2 victory over Olympiakos in Greece in the first round of the UEFA Champions League. The Lions won the tilt in the opening half with three quick goals, and the Greek champions only managed to soften the loss with a pair of goals late in the game. It’s going to be hard to avoid defeat to Barcelona, but it seems that Sporting wasn’t this good in years, so I wouldn’t be surprised if they manage to snatch a draw at Estadio Jose Alvalade.
Sporting played 11 matches so far in 2017/18, recording eight wins and three draws, two of which came in the previous pair of games. They scored 24 and allowed seven goals, which is almost three goals per contest, but when it comes to home games, it is an entirely different story. Sporting has not been efficient at home as it is the case in away matches, scoring just five goals in five games, but at least their defense is solid, conceding only a goal. On the other hand, when they play away from home, Sporting bagged 19 goals in six outings, so it’s going to be interesting to see how they’ll cope with Barcelona on Wednesday night. They met twice in the 2008/09 season of the Champions League; Barcelona won 3:1 and 5:2.
The central midfielder Bruno Fernandes is the team’s top scorer at the moment with six goals to his name, while the right-wing Gelson Martins and striker Bas Dost are following him with five goals each. The left-wing Marcos Acuna is the best assist-maker with five, and with both him and Martins in the starting lineup, Sporting are looking very dangerous. Adrien Silva is suspended until the end of 2017, while the forward is sidelined with a hand injury and is unavailable for this clash.
BARCELONA
Except for two Super Cup games with Real Madrid and two defeats, Barcelona won all other matches, including a surprisingly easy 3:0 victory over the Italian champions Juventus in the opening round of the UEFA Champions League. They were a bit lucky in the most recent game against Girona as the home team scored a couple of own goals before Luis Suarez settled the final score, but I don’t believe they will have an easy job when in Lisbon on Wednesday night.
Blaugrana played nine matches this season and recorded seven victories and two losses against arch-rivals Real Madrid in the aforementioned Super Cup. Barca scored 26 and conceded seven goals, which is more than 3.5 goals per contest on average, but when it comes to away matches, they scored just below two goals per contest and considering Sporting’s solid home defense, it’s not going to be easy-peasy for the visitors. If Sporting avoids allowing an early goal, their confidence will grow stronger, and anything could happen, so Barcelona mustn’t underestimate the Portuguese side.
Leo Messi is Barca’s leading scorer with 11 goals to his name thus far, but the lack of support from Luis Suarez is what should concern Ernesto Valverde at this point of the season. Although the Uruguayan scored a goal at Girona, it was only his second of the campaign, while Paulinho and Denis Suarez also bagged a pair of goals. It is only a matter of time when “El Pistolero” will start terrorizing the opposing defenses, and this encounter could prove to be an opportunity for the former Liverpool forward. Ousmane Dembele will miss the remainder of 2017 with a thigh muscle rupture and is expected to be back in the mid-January, while the midfielder Rafinha is out with a meniscus injury.
Sporting (Por) vs. Barcelona (Spa) – Match Prediction
I believe Sporting can cause trouble to Ter Stegen and Barcelona defense, so I am backing them to score at least one goal, while that shouldn’t be the problem for the visitors. That being said, I opt for both teams to score on this one.
MY PICK: Both teams to score YES (-149)
