The 2015/16 UEFA Champions League competition Pool stage officially gets underway on Wednesday and Thursday mornings this week; pegging the world’s best club outfits against one another for one of the sport’s most sought-after pieces of silverware.
Matchday 1, Part One will see a number of exciting fixtures, arguably highlighted by a match between in-form English outfit Manchester City and Italian champions Juventus at the Etihad Stadium.
We’re offering the best odds on the widest range of markets for all sixteen matches on UEFA Champions League Matchday 1!
Paris St Germain vs Malmo FF
French champions PSG begin their Champions League campaign at home to Swedish champions Malmo FF, who booked their place in the pool stage with a qualifying win over Celtic. PSG made the quarterfinals of the 2014.15 tournament and are widely expected to progress even further this time around. Clear favourites in win-draw-win markets, PSG should have no issue posting a first-up win and going top of Group A.
Benfica vs Astana
Ever-present Portuguese outfit Benfica kick-off their campaign at home to surprise packets Astana, who secured their position in Group C with a 3-0 win over Slovenian side Maribor in the second qualifying round, a 4-3 triumph over Finland’s HJK in the third qualifying round and 2-1 win over Cyprus’s APOEL in the playoff round. Astana are the lowest-ranked team in the 2015/16 Champions League and probably face too great a task in Benfica first-up.
PSV Eindhoven vs Manchester United
Dutch powerhouse PSV play host to Manchester United’s Champions League return on Match Day 1. Phillip Cocu’s men appear to have returned to competition in typically slick form this season, but look likely to be matched by countryman Louis van Gaal’s Red Devils, who boast an incredible roster of talent.
Footy Freaks
Luuk De Jong scores and PSV wins: $8
Memphis Depay scores and Manchester United wins: $6
Wolfsburg vs CSKA Moscow
In Group B’s other fixture, Wolfsburg return to the Champions League against Russian giants CSKA Moscow, who will be keen to progress out of the group stage following a lacklustre showing last campaign. Wolfsburg have lost a couple of key players through recent weeks, but have proven to be a tough prospect at home for even the most polished of opposition. This match appears to have draw written all over it.
Manchester City vs Juventus
Manchester City open their Champions League account at home to 2014/15 finalists Juventus. City have made plenty of new signings leading into the competition and are yet to taste anything but success in the Premier League; posting 13 goals for and 0 against to sit comfortably atop the table. Juventus offer unbelievable value for money at $5 outsiders but City, at home in current form will probably be too good.
Footy Freaks
Wilfried Bony scores and Manchester City wins: $4
Mario Mandzukic scores and Juventus wins: $11
Galatasaray vs Atletico Madrid
Turkish giants Galatasaray play host to Atletico Madrid early Wednesday morning Australian time. Galatasaray always post good results without really setting the Champions League on fire, while Atletico on song are capable of brilliance – progressing to the decider in 2013/14 most recently. Galatasaray represent great value at their current quote and are worth consideration for an upset at home.
Sevilla vs Borussia Monchengladbach
One of the Spanish La Liga’s several great chances for success in the 2015/15 Champions League, Sevilla open their account at home to German outfit Borussia Monchengladbach. These two teams are widely tipped to finish third and fourth in Group D (below Juventus and Manchester City) so a win for either in this match could prove vital. It’s difficult to look past Sevilla at home.
Real Madrid vs Shakhtar Donetsk
Spanish giants Real Madrid begin what will likely be a long and successful Champions League campaign at the Bernabeu against Ukrainian outfit Shakhtar Donetsk. Boasting a rock-solid defence, slick midfield and multi-dimensional, potent attack, it will probably take a huge brain fade for Madrid not to win this match.
Footy Freaks
Gareth Bale scores and Real Madrid wins: $2.50
Eduardo Alves scores and Shakhtar Donetsk wins: $51