Champions League Tips: Could Frankfurt shock Spurs at a great price?

The Champions League returns this week, with matchweek three marking the midway point of the group stage - read on for expert Greg Lea’s preview of the biggest games on Tuesday.

Ajax v Napoli

Kick-off: 8pm Tuesday

Napoli have made a blistering start to their continental campaign, blitzing Liverpool 4-1 at home before winning 3-0 at Rangers last time out. After two games, no team in the competition has a better record than Luciano Spalletti’s men, who are also sitting pretty at the top of Serie A. The fans at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona are daring to dream once more.

Ajax will offer a stern test of their credentials, though - particularly in Amsterdam. They thrashed Rangers 4-0 on home turf on matchday one and are averaging four goals per game at the Johan Cruyff Arena in the Eredivisie.

This should therefore be an entertaining encounter. I fancy both teams to find the back of the net after the break.

Selection: Both teams to score in the second half @ 2.66

Eintracht Frankfurt v Tottenham Hotspur

Kick-off: 8pm Tuesday

Tottenham suffered their first defeat of the Premier League season last time out, going down 3-1 to Arsenal in the North London derby. It wasn’t their first loss in all competitions, though: Antonio Conte’s side were beaten 2-0 by Sporting CP on matchday two of the Champions League, leaving them with work to do in Group D.

Despite being one of the best managers in Europe, Conte has a curiously mediocre record in the Champions League. He has always seemed to prioritise domestic matters, and it would not be a surprise if he is looking beyond Tuesday’s game and towards this weekend’s trip to Brighton.

Frankfurt have won three games on the bounce in all competitions, so an upset is perhaps more likely than a price of 3.7 suggests.

Selection: Eintracht Frankfurt to win @ 3.7

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Inter v Barcelona

Kick-off: 8pm Tuesday

Inter reached the knockout stage of the Champions League for the first time in a decade last season. They also came extremely close to retaining the Serie A title, missing out to rivals AC Milan by a single point. Yet just a couple of months into the 2022/23 campaign, their scudetto hopes look slim, and they face an uphill battle to get out of their Champions League group.

Lady Luck did not smile on the Nerazzurri in the draw, as they were picked out alongside Barcelona and Bayern Munich in the group of death. Inter did beat Viktoria Plzen last time out, but defeat on Tuesday would leave them playing catch-up in the race for the top two.

Barcelona were unfortunate to lose to Bayern on matchday two, and I expect them to get the job done here. Note that Inter have conceded in both halves in four of their last six Serie A matches, as well as the 2-0 defeat by Bayern last month.

Selection: Barcelona to score in both halves @ 2.54

Liverpool v Rangers

Kick-off: 8pm Tuesday

Liverpool’s stuttering start to the season continued at the weekend, as they drew 3-3 with Brighton at Anfield. No-one at the club will be panicking just yet, but the Reds have mostly been unconvincing this term and their previous solidity appears to have deserted them: Jurgen Klopp’s side have conceded two or more goals in four of their nine games in all competitions.

Rangers have struggled in the Champions League, losing 4-0 to Ajax and 3-0 to Napoli last month. They will hope to take advantage of the Reds’ defensive difficulties, and while the home team should ultimately prove too strong, this is unlikely to be a low-scoring affair.

Selection: Over 3.5 goals @ 1.89

Recommended trades

Ajax v Napoli: Both teams to score in the second half @ 2.66
Eintracht Frankfurt v Tottenham Hotspur: Eintracht Frankfurt to win @ 3.7
Inter v Barcelona: Barcelona to score in both halves @ 2.54
Liverpool v Rangers: Over 3.5 goals @ 1.89