Top 5 Bets as the Champions League Returns

It seems only yesterday that Chelsea beat Manchester City last season’s final, but ready your ears for the familiar anthem, because the Champions League is back tonight. But where are the big bets going?

Who do Manchester United play in the Champions League?

United start their campaign in Switzerland against Young Boys tonight. They also face Italians Atalanta and Villarreal of Spain in Group F.

Young Boys v Manchester United

Shirt Numbers (spread 40-43)

Old Gunnar Solskjaer has named a strong squad for the trip to Switzerland including Ronaldo, but the possibility of squad players coming into the side, plus an expectation of more than 3 goals (spread 3.05-3.25) has pushed the Shirt Number spread to 40-43. If Jadon Sancho, another big money summer signing, is in the starting line up, with the number 25 on his back, and teenage winger Anthony Elanga (number 36) get some action, surely a possibility with so many bigger games coming up, they could have a massive sway on this market.

Bruno Fernandes to Score First and Last (#Name It – Player Markets 1.9-9.1)

One of the Spreadex special bets focuses on the performance of United’s other Portuguese star, Bruno Fernandes. The crowd favourite has become a bit overlooked since Ronaldo’s arrival, having to do more defensive work and also giving up penalties to his international teammate. Fernandes scored the goal of the game in United’s 4-1 defeat of Newcastle on Saturday, and already has a hattrick to his name this season. If Ronaldo does either take the night off, or starts but goes off early, Bruno would assume penalty duties again and be given more license to attack. If he fails to score first and last, this market settles at 0, if he does it it’s settled at 100, a 90.9 point profit for buyers.

Who will Chelsea face this season in the Champions League?

As well as Russians Zenit, champions Chelsea share Group H with Sweden’s Malmo and Italian giants Juventus.

Chelsea v Zenit St Petersburg

Mason Mount (Player Performance 79-84)

Holders Chelsea ease themselves into this season’s Champions League with a first ever meeting with  Zenit. The Blues will expect nothing less than three points, but Zenit are nobody’s whipping boys, having won the Russian league for a third straight season and currently sitting top of the table this season too. After winning the trophy last season, the Blues players don’t need any extra motivation, but the midfielders will probably get some anyway. Jorginho is expected to rejoin the starting line-up tonight, and with N’Golo Kante set to be fit for the weekend game with Spurs and Christian Pulisic getting closer, there are only so many spots in the middle of the park. Mason Mount could be one of those with extra motivation to put in a shift and he’s drawn attention in the Player Performance market that awards 25 points for a goal, 10 for hitting the woodwork or an assist, 3 per pass completed and plenty more besides.

Kai Havertz (First Goalscorer industry best price 5/1)

Another midfielder keen to keep his place amid the competition for places that is about to become even more of an almighty scramble is Kai Havertz. After a slow start to his first season in England, the Germany international really found his feet towards the end of last year, culminating in grabbing that Champions League winning goal against City. Spreadex are best price across the industry at 5/1, and don’t forget if he doesn’t score the first goal but does get the last, bettors receive their stake back as a free bet.

How will Barcelona do without Lionel Messi?

Barcelona v Bayern Munich

Multi-Bookings 395-485

When Lionel Messi departed the Nou Camp, with him went the fear factor that other teams always felt coming to play in Barcelona. As if to spell out how Barca have fallen from grace, Bayern will take to the pitch as favourites, and rightly so after a strong start to the season. Robert Lewandowski is fit and firing, and former Manchester City winger Leroy Sane looks like he might be finally realising his potential. With the home side set to struggle, and the cacophony or disapproval that will bring with it from a huge, expectant crowd, Barca’s players may well be left with no option but to get physical with Bayern, rather than being given the run around. Pacey players like Sane and left back Alphonso Davies could attract extra attention, and the Multi-Bookings market, which awards 10 points per booking then multiplies the first half total by the second, will come into focus if this game turns physical.