Frank LorenzoThe UEFA Champions League is back with great games in the match day 1, but let’s talk about winners and predictions for the first set of matchups.
The UEFA Champions League is back with great games in the match day 1, but let’s talk about winners and predictions for the first set of matchups.
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16
Real Madrid vs Basel -714 vs Basel +1400 | Draw +775
There’s no room for an upset here as Real Madrid is the best team of the two. The merengues have suffered losing two of the three games in La Liga this season, but Basel shouldn’t be a problem to win and get back on track.
There is a controversy at the Madrid as fans want to see new signing Keylor Navas over criticized Iker Casillas.
“[Iker] Casillas has a lot of experience and knows these kind of situations well. We have analysed together what is happening, and it’s a problem of continuity. We lose balance when we don’t have control of the match. I wouldn’t change my squad for any other in Europe, though. Fans watch what happens on the pitch. If we play well they support us and if we don’t they ask for more. It’s to be expected”, explained coach Carlo Ancelotti.
If I were you, I’ll take them in the spread as well as I expect a three-goal victory margin. Real Madrid is the ultimate favorite in the UEFA Champions League odds for the 2014-15 season.
Prediction: Real Madrid 4-0.
Borussia Dortmund +107 vs Arsenal +260 | Draw +230
These two teams played last season, and the away squad won each of the two meetings. The Germans won’t have playmaker Marco Reus due to an injury, and he’s the best player they have on the roster.
Before Arsenal’s win, BVB had been triumphant in seven successive home UEFA Champions League games. Arsenal has played well in the English Premier League; they seemed like a team built to win big games like this one.
Prediction: Arsenal.
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17
Bayern Munchen -159 vs. Manchester City +400 | Draw +290
The last time Man City visited Allianz Arena they unexpectedly won 3-2 after being down in the scoreboard. Citi’s record away from home against Bundesliga teams is W2 D0 L5.
Bayern’s overall home record against English opposition is W11 D6 L3. The Germans’ have a passing game that drives most teams crazy, and that should be the difference maker in this one.
Also, in 10 games Citi’s coach Manuel Pellegrini is 1-9 against Bayern’s Pep Guardiola. They met a lot when they coached in Spain.
“When I looked at the draw it surprised me a bit,” Pellegrini said. “I do not think it is good to repeat the group almost exactly like the year before.
“I don’t think it is right that the teams who play a qualification round because they finish fourth in their league [such as Arsenal] are in pot one, where the strongest teams should be. In our group we have the champions of Germany, England and Russia, so it seems a bit unbalanced. I would like to see teams who play qualification go in pot four, and all the champions of their respective leagues in pot one. I think that the champions of England and the champions of Germany deserve to be in pot one. The two leagues are among the best in Europe, and the champions should not have to keep playing each other straight away.”
Prediction: Bayern Munchen.
