Champions League predictions and preview

Matchday three of the Champions League continues on Wednesday and there are vital group-stage points on the line.

We have studied the fixtures and picked out five Champions League predictions, which can be backed in a 16/1-plus acca.

Champions League acca16.29/1

Manchester United vs Atalanta

A last-minute Cristiano Ronaldo strike saved Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s blushes when the Red Devils took on Villarreal on matchday two but the pressure continues to mount on the Old Trafford gaffer, with that win their only victory from their last five.

A positive result is a must following their chaotic defeat to Leicester at the weekend.

However, they are meeting Atalanta at the worst possible moment as the Group F leaders arrive on the back of a 4-1 victory at the weekend.

The Bergamo-based outfit have got back to their best of late, losing only once in their last seven in all competitions.

They are also beginning to find the target with regularity and that has to be a concern for a United side that shipped four to the Foxes at the weekend.

The hosts were fortunate to come away with victory when Villarreal were in town last month but their luck could run out here and a double chance bet on Atalanta to win or the match to end all square could prove wise as our opening Champions League prediction.

Atalanta or Draw19/20

Barcelona vs Dynamo Kyiv

It looked like another long night at the office for Ronald Koeman when Valencia took the lead after only five minutes at the weekend but his Barcelona side hit back in style to win 3-1.

Forward Ansu Fati, 18, was the star for Barca then but a similar performance is required if they are to pick up their first points in this competition.

Shackled to the bottom of Group E following two humiliating 3-0 defeats, it is beginning to look like win or bust for the Catalan giants.

They can take optimism, however, from the fact Dynamo Kyiv aren’t doing much better. They may have a point to their name but they have also drawn a blank in both games.

The hosts won both ties against the Ukrainian champions at this stage of the competition last season and can do so once again in our Champions League betting tips.

Barcelona to win2/9

Chelsea vs Malmo

Chelsea is very much a functional, if not well-oiled, machine at present and keep on churning out the results in domestic competition.

The Premier League leaders are expected to come through this tie with the Swedish champions with the minimum of fuss but Thomas Tuchel will be hoping for some stand-out performances from a few of their out-of-sorts stars.

Romelu Lukaku, Chelsea, Champions League predictions

The first of those may well be Romelu Lukaku, who hasn’t scored in club colours since matchday one’s victory over Zenit.

Considering Malmo have conceded seven in their opening two Group H fixtures, now would be the perfect time for the Belgium international to rediscover his scoring boots.

The 28-year-old can help Chelsea score over 2.5 goals as the next of our Champions League acca tips.

Chelsea - Over 2.5 goals1/2

Zenit St Petersburg vs Juventus

Following a difficult start to the season, things are beginning to click into place in Turin and not only are Juventus now climbing the Serie A table, they sit at the top of Group H with a maximum six points.

Massimiliano Allegri’s side are unbeaten in seven and have won their last five, keeping a clean sheet in their last three.

A win against Roma at the weekend was proof that the Old Lady are back and meaning business and they look set to take this trip to Russia in their stride.

Although beating Malmo 4-0 on matchday two, Zenit have lost both of their fixtures since.

They look there for the taking and this Juventus side can ensure they put one foot into the next round in our Champions League predictions.

Juventus to win5/4

Benfica vs Bayern Munich

The hosts have given themselves a great chance of progressing from Group E by taking four points from their opening two games and their form in the Portuguese top flight means they have to be taken seriously.

However, they may have bitten off more than they can chew as a rampant Bayern Munich descends upon the Estadio da Luz.

Julian Nagelsmann’s side bounced back from a Bundesliga defeat to Frankfurt by destroying Bayer Leverkusen 5-1 in a top-of-the-table clash last weekend.

Robert Lewandowski, Bayern Munich, Champions League predictions

Not only are they favourites for a 10th straight domestic crown but are the second favourites to lift this trophy at 4/1 in our Champions League odds.

They have scored 21 goals in their last five in all competitions and the goals can continue to fly here as we wrap up our Champions League betting tips with over 3.5.

Over 3.5 goals23/20
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