Champions League Tips: Bayern fancied to win away at Inter

The Champions League group stage begins this week, with some of Europe’s biggest clubs in action across Tuesday and Wednesday. Greg Lea previews six of the most exciting matches.

Celtic v Real Madrid

Kick-off: 8pm Tuesday

Real Madrid will begin the defence of their European crown at a rapturous Celtic Park on Tuesday. Ange Postecoglou’s side should not be underestimated, despite their status as Group F outsiders: The Australian has got Celtic playing some fantastic football, as they demonstrated in a 4-0 thrashing of Rangers at the weekend.

With the backing of a vociferous home crowd in Glasgow, Celtic could give Madrid a scare. Ultimately, though, the visitors’ superior quality should shine through. This promises to be an entertaining encounter, with the holders likely to edge it.

Selection: Real Madrid to win and both teams to score @ 3.15

Paris Saint-Germain v Juventus

Kick-off: 8pm Tuesday

Paris Saint-Germain are still waiting for their first Champions League crown, while Juventus have historically underachieved in this tournament with just two triumphs, the most recent of which was 26 years ago.

Juventus have been dumped out of the competition by Lyon, Porto and Villarreal in the last three years, so there is considerable room for improvement. Max Allegri’s tendency towards caution could be their undoing, though, with PSG well versed in exploiting reactive, defensive opponents.

Selection: PSG to win to nil @ 2.4

Sevilla v Manchester City

Kick-off: 8pm Tuesday

Manchester City’s quest for a maiden Champions League trophy goes on, while Pep Guardiola is still seeking his first victory away from Barcelona. City once again begin this campaign as the favourites to triumph – our traders price them at 3.7 – and they should negotiate the group phase with a minimum of fuss.

Sevilla have taken one point from the first 12 available in La Liga, leaving Julen Lopetegui on the brink of the sack. A ruthless City side look well equipped to take advantage of their upcoming opponents’ lack of confidence.

Selection: Man City/Man City at half-time/full-time @ 2.06

Inter Milan v Bayern Munich

Kick-off: 8pm Wednesday

Spare a thought for Viktoria Plzen, who will have to face three European heavyweights in their return to the Champions League. Inter and Bayern Munich, who will go head-to-head at the San Siro on Wednesday, will be competing with Barcelona for a top-two finish in Group C.

Simone Inzaghi’s side lost the Milan derby at the weekend and have not looked particularly convincing at the start of the Serie A season. The Nerazzurri also suffered a 3-1 defeat by Lazio, although they have secured wins against three of the division's smaller sides - Lecce, Spezia and Cremonese.

Bayern have drawn back-to-back games in the Bundesliga, but their speed in transition will cause Inter serious problems here.

Selection: Bayern to win @ 1.89

Napoli v Liverpool

Kick-off: 8pm Wednesday

Liverpool have failed to win four of their first six domestic matches this season, but last season’s Champions League runners-up will hope to kick-start their European campaign with a win at the the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium

That will not be straightforward, though. The Reds have not won in any of their three visits to Naples, where the home team will be roared on by some of the most passionate fans in Europe.

Napoli’s squad underwent considerable change in the summer transfer window, and manager Luciano Spalletti has handled the transition well. New signing Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has scored four goals already and could find the net again here.

Selection: Khvicha Kvaratskhelia to score anytime @ 4.4

Recommended trades

Celtic v Real Madrid: Madrid to win and both teams to score @ 3.15
PSG v Juventus: PSG to win to nil @ 2.4
Sevilla v Manchester City: City half-time/full-time @ 2.06
Inter Milan v Bayern Munich: Bayern to win @ 1.89
Napoli v Liverpool: Khvicha Kvaratskhelia to score anytime @ 4.4