Champions League Matchday 3 Preview

Europe’s elite football competition is back and ready to show us what we’ve been missing since the last time the continent’s greatest sides took on one another.



Following a three-week break from Champions League games, the biggest club event is finally back and ready for action on Matchday 3. So far there have been some pretty good and entertaining games between clubs, while tonight should prove to be even better as teams might have built up a hunger inside them after not playing the competition for 3 weeks.



A total of 8 matches will be played today while the rest of them will see action tomorrow as part of Matchday 3, gambling news reports. Tonight’s encounters will take teams one step closer to the next round where the real battles will begin with knockout rules in place.

Groups E and G will feature some exciting matches

The first game on the agenda is CSKA Moscow versus Manchester City (Group E) which starts at 18:00 CET. Currently, CSKA are sitting in last place with 0 points in a group that has proven to be quite challenging. Bet365 ranks them outsiders 5.50 (9/2) despite playing at home, while Man City are regarded as favorites in the game with odds of 1.70 (7/10).

• PSG still without star man Ibrahimovic


• Barcelona made a slot start to their campaign


• Bayern Munich a force to be reckoned with

Group E also features the likes of 2013 Champions League winners Bayern Munich and also AS Roma. Bayern sit atop of the group with 6 points from two games, while Roma is trailing behind in second with 4 points. Although the Italians will be playing at their home ground, they don’t seem to stand a chance against the mighty Bavarian powerhouse.



Mobile betting provider Bet365 believes that Bayern will secure another 3 points tonight 1.85 (17/20) considering the immense talent within their ranks. Placing a wager on Over 2.5 Goals 1.75 (3/4) also seems like a pretty good idea taking into account Roma’s propensity to score. While Robert Lewandowski maintains odds of 2.20 (6/5) to score anytime.



Chelsea will take on Maribor as they aim to build on their first place in Group G. Their run in the Premier League has seen them go undefeated, something that they might try to replicate in their Champions League quest as well. Considering they’ll be playing at Stamford bridge tonight, they are viewed as obvious favorites 1.17 (1/6) by Bet 365.



Placing a wager on Loic Remy to score a goal 1.80 (4/5) looks to be the more profitable option to pursue. Group G will also see a game between Schalke and Sporting, where the former will aim to secure a win 2.15 (23/20) and get the all-important three points. The Germans are currently in second place behind Chelsea with 2 points from two games.

Groups F and H boast promising encounters

APOEL will square off against PSG where star striker Ibrahimovic is still not expected to start due to his prolonged heel injury. APOEL are stranded at the bottom of Group F with a single point, while PSG stand in first place with 4 points. Les Parisiens managed to put on an impressive performance against Barcelona beating them 3-2, last time they palyed.



Now they are hoping to replicate their performances against APOEL. Online sportsbooks in France have outlined them strong favorites in the encounter 1.53 (8/15), while Edinson Cavani has been earmarked to score 2.05 (21/20), per Bet365. PSG’s attacking midfielder also boasts some chances of adding his name to the scoresheet with odds of 2.63 (13/8).



Barcelona will host Ajax at the Nou Camp in a match where they are the undisputed favorites for the win. They have been given very assuring odds 1.13 (1/8), which doesn’t seem to be too lucrative an option to pursue for punters. Placing a bet on Result/Both Teams to Score market may prove more profitable with odds being 2.60 (8/5) for Barcelona & Yes.



Barcelona are currently in second place with only 3 points having lost against PSG three weeks ago. They had a slow start to their Champions League campaign so the club will be looking to add some vital points tonight as they aim to once again become a dominant force in European football.



Porto prepares to face Athletic Bilbao at home where they will seek to hold the top spot of their group and make progress with their current 4 points. Athletic has a long way to go and must defy great odds if it is to make some difference. The hosts currently enjoy favorite odds of 1.73 (8/11) and they won’t be looking to slip up at home.



Shakhtar will visit BATE Borisov in an encounter where the hosts are not automatic favorites. Shakhtar is third (2 points) behind BATE (3 points) so this match will prove the perfect timing to improve their position and take a better standing in the Group H. Bet365 has given the Ukrainians odds of 2.05 (21/20) to seal a win and secure 3 points.