Matchday 2 of the 2015/16 UEFA Champions League gets underway early Wednesday morning Australian time, and will see a number of fixtures played out between key Group rivals.
Chelsea are interestingly outsiders to continue their perfect campaign start past Porto in Portugal, while Zenit St Petersburg will more than take control of Group H should they justify their favouritism over Belgian side Gent.
We’re offering the best odds on the widest range of markets for all sixteen games on 2015 UEFA Champions League Matchday 2!
Lyon vs Valencia
Consistent French outfit Lyon play host to Aussie Mat Ryan’s Valencia on Matchday 2 of the Champions League. Lyon have returned to domestic competition in typically smart form but were held to a 1-1 draw by Belgian side Gent in their first Champions League fixture, while Valencia suffered a 3-2 defeat to Zenit. Realistically this match could go either way, and a draw at current odds offers great value for money.
Porto vs Chelsea
Group G leaders Chelsea travel to Portugal to face Porto, who secured a credible draw with Dynamo Kyiv on Matchday 1. Chelsea have been far from impressive through the start of their Premier League defence, but tend to find an extra gear in European competition and are more than worth consideration at current $3 odds in win-draw-win markets.
BATE Borisov vs Roma
Belarussian minnows BATE Borisov return home following a disappointing 4-1 loss to Bayer Leverkusen on Matchday 1. Roma produced one of the best performances of the opening day of competition when holding Spanish giants Barcelona to a 1-1 draw. This is probably one of BATE’s best chances for success in the Champions League this year but realistically, they probably cannot hope for much more than a draw and will probably be on the receiving end of another comfortable loss.
Arsenal vs Olympiakos
Champions League stalwarts Arsenal play host to the ever-consistent Olympiakos at the Emirates on Matchday 2. The Gunners were comfortably seen off by Dinamo Zagreb in their first European fixture this time, and this match has definitely become a must-win as a result. Olympiakos realistically did not stand a chance against Bayern Munich in their first match and are offered a better chance for success this time, but still face an uphill fight in the clearly-favoured Gunners.
Zenit St Petersburg vs Gent
Zenit posted a particularly impressive win over Valencia on Matchday 1 and remain clear favourites to defeat Belgian side Gent on Wednesday morning. Gent held Lyon to a 1-1 draw, but face a big task in overcoming Zenit in Russia, and will have to dominate possession from the get-go if they are any chance whatsoever.
Barcelona vs Bayer Leverkusen
In what is arguably the standout fixture of Matchday 2 of the UEFA Champions League, heavyweights Barcelona play host to an in-form Leverkusen at the Camp Nou. Barca boast an incredible roster including some of the world’s best players in defence, midfield and attack, while Leverkusen have shown in recent seasons they are more than capable of big upsets. This match is sure to be a thriller.
Bayern Munich vs Dinamo Zagreb
Considered a leading contended to lift the 2015/16 UEFA Champions League trophy, Bayern Munich returned to Germany following their comfortable win over Olympiakos on Matchday 1. Zagreb always offer exceptional value for money in Champions League win-draw-win markets and that is clearly the case for their match with Bayern, but the German champions will probably be too good this time around.
Maccabi Tel Aviv vs Dynamo Kiev
Maccabi Tel Aviv are one of the lowest-ranked clubs contesting the Group stages of the 2015 UEFA Champions League and appeared so when beaten 4-0 at Stamford Bridge on Matchday 1. Kiev could only manage a draw with Porto in their campaign opener, but are deserving favourites to see off Tel Aviv on Wednesday morning.