Champions League Tips: Expect an improved Chelsea performance on Wednesday

There were plenty of surprises on matchday one of the Champions League, including defeats for Liverpool and Chelsea. Will they bounce back this week? Greg Lea tells all.

Sporting v Tottenham Hotspur

Kick-off: 5.45pm Tuesday

Tottenham left it late to pick up all three points against Marseille last week, but Richarlison’s brace ensured they made the perfect return to the Champions League after a two-year absence. The postponement of Saturday’s trip to Manchester City will have given Tottenham more time to prepare for this fixture, which must stand them in good stead.

Sporting have made an indifferent start to their domestic campaign with just three victories from their first six matches in the Primeira Liga. However, they showed their class in a 3-0 triumph over Eintracht Frankfurt on matchday one in this competition.

Spurs’ speed in transition and superior attacking quality could be the decisive factors in this enticing clash in Lisbon.

Selection: Tottenham to win @ 2.02

Bayern Munich v Barcelona

Kick-off: 8pm Tuesday

Robert Lewandowski returns to the Allianz Arena on Tuesday after making a superb start to his Barcelona career. The Poland international scored within five minutes of coming off the bench in their win against Cadiz at the weekend and took his tally to nine goals from six matches.

Despite the form of Barcelona’s marksman, Bayern Munich will start as favourites to win this match. Barcelona have improved greatly in the last 12 months, but Bayern posted two 3-0 victories against them in last season’s group stage and are further along in their development under Julian Nagelsmann. 

Bayern will seek a fast start on home turf, but Barcelona possess plenty of firepower of their own. Expect an entertaining first half with numerous goals.

Selection: Over 1.5 first half goals @ 1.99

Liverpool v Ajax

Kick-off: 8pm Tuesday

Liverpool produced one of their worst performances of the Jurgen Klopp era last time out as Napoli thrashed them 4-1 at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. The Reds have made a poor start to the campaign and need to get back on track when Ajax visit Anfield on Tuesday.

Jurgen Klopp: will hope his side bounce back after a humiliating defeat against Napoli

Liverpool look brittle at the back - they have conceded in five of their first seven games in 2022/23 - while Ajax hit four past Rangers last week and will be confident of causing trouble for their English opponents.

However, it is not easy to win at Anfield and I expect Klopp’s side to get the job done in front of their fans.

Selection: Liverpool to win and both teams to score @ 2.56

Chelsea v Red Bull Salzburg

Kick-off: 8pm Wednesday

Graham Potter will take charge of his first game as Chelsea manager on Wednesday as Red Bull Salzburg visit west London. This might only be matchday two of the Champions League, but the Blues cannot afford to lose again following their unexpected slip-up against Dinamo Zagreb.

Potter has not had much time to work with his new players, so we should not expect to see too many changes from Chelsea. Nevertheless, they will hope to benefit from the fabled ‘new manager’ bounce. 

Goals shouldn’t be an issue against a Red Bull Salzburg side that conceded eight goals in six games at this stage last year. Don’t underestimate the Austrian challenger, but Chelsea should get the three points with sharp attacking play.

Selection: Chelsea to score in both halves @ 1.93

Manchester City v Borussia Dortmund

Kick-off: 8pm Wednesday

While Manchester City’s players were putting their feet up over the weekend, Borussia Dortmund lost 3-0 against RB Leipzig. The German club may have eased to a 3-0 victory over FC Copenhagen on matchday one, but the imbalances in this team mean they could face a fight to reach the round of 16.

Man City: supremely difficult to beat at home in the Champions League

City have a remarkable home record in the group stage of the Champions League - they have won 10 of their last 11 matches at the Etihad Stadium, and six of those have been by a three-goal margin or more. Another one-sided encounter is a distinct possibility here.

Selection: Man City -2.5 on the Asian Handicap @ 2.38

Rangers v Napoli

Kick-off: 8pm Wednesday

A 4-0 loss to Ajax has put Rangers under immense pressure as they welcome Napoli to Glasgow. 

The ‘Ibrox factor’ should not be underestimated as Red Star Belgrade, Braga, RB Leipzig and Union Saint-Gilloise all came up short here within the last 12 months. But Napoli will be full of confidence following their demolition of Liverpool and a fantastic start to the Serie A season. 

They should not have too many issues breaching their opponents’ backline, but Rangers will come out fighting in a bid to bounce back from their opening day humiliation against Ajax. Goals could be on the cards in this one.

Selection: Over 3.5 goals @ 2.8

Recommended trades

Sporting v Tottenham: Tottenham to win @ 2.02
Bayern v Barcelona: Over 1.5 first half goals @ 1.99
Liverpool v Ajax: Liverpool to win and both teams to score @ 2.56
Chelsea v Salzburg: Chelsea to score in both halves @ 1.93
Man City v Dortmund: Man City -2.5 on the Asian Handicap @ 2.38
Rangers v Napoli: Over 3.5 goals @ 2.8