Matchday Four of the Champions League kicks off on Tuesday with eight games to look forward to.
Although they face contrasting tasks, both Chelsea and Manchester United are in action, but it could be another tough evening for Barcelona.
Champions Expected to Stride On
Chelsea could have been expected to experience a hangover after winning last season’s Champions League but despite a blip in the form of September’s 1-0 defeat at Juventus, they have been otherwise quietly efficient.
To date, they have beaten both Zenit Saint-Petersburg and Malmo to nil and are 20/29 to come away from this evening’s trip to the Swedish champions with another victory and a clean sheet.
Malmo are still to pick up a point or even score a goal in Group H and their plight could persuade Thomas Tuchel to play some of his fringe players, with Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Ross Barkley and Marcos Alonso amongst those who could start.
With Romelu Lukaku and Timo Werner again absent, Tuesday’s game may also provide another chance for Callum Hudson-Odoi to demonstrate his quality.
The 20-year-old provided another assist in Saturday’s comfortable 3-0 win at Newcastle and looks a decent 33/20 in the anytime market, while he is 13/5 to score first or last.
Look for goals in Bergamo
Manchester United may have kept a first clean sheet since August in Saturday’s 3-0 win at Tottenham but doubts still linger, especially with the news Victor Lindelof won’t be available after picking up a knock in training.
The Red Devils sit top of the pile in Group F but have regularly ridden their luck, losing to Young Boys and coming from behind to beat both Villarreal and Tuesday’s opponents Atalanta.
La Dea looked set to storm Old Trafford last month, leading 2-0 after 28 minutes, only for United to fight back and Cristiano Ronaldo to grab a late winner.
Another exciting contest is expected this evening in Bergamo and over 3.5 goals could be a contender considering it has landed in five of Atalanta’s last six outings across all competitions.
That comes in at 7/5 while Ronaldo to net for the fourth straight Champions League game since returning to Old Trafford is 11/10 in the anytime market.
Can Kiev Do It?
Barcelona suffered another blow on Monday with the sad news that Sergio Aguero will, unfortunately, miss the next three months as he undergoes treatment after coming off in Saturday’s 1-1 against Alaves citing chest pains.
Caretaker coach Sergi Barjuan may now look to Dutchman Luuk de Jong on Tuesday evening against Dynamo Kiev, although Ansu Fati’s recent return to fitness is timely.
Gerard Pique scored the only goal when the pair met at the Nou Camp last month, but he is also out injured and this exciting young Dynamo side may well be worth a look in the match market at 4/1.
Mircea Lucescu is a wily coach and could spring a tactical surprise. However, that doesn’t mean he’ll let his youngsters off the leash and after their cagey clash in Cataluna, there again looks value in under 2.5 goals at 21/20.
*All odds correct at time of writing.
