We’re onto Champions League Matchday 2, with 16 matchups on the horizon. Some of the intriguing ties on Tuesday’s eight-match slate include Lens hosting Arsenal and Real Madrid traveling to Napoli. Below, I’ve narrowed in on my top three plays for Tuesday’s action across Europe.
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Tuesday’s Champions League Best Bets
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
Union Berlin (-110) vs. Braga (+310), DRAW (+265) | 2.5 (+100/-125)
The Tuesday action gets underway with an early pair of matches. Union Berlin hosts Braga, and Real Sociedad hits the road to take on RB Salzburg. I’ll be focusing on the former of the two ties, as Berlin and Braga each attempt to pick up points for the first time this UCL campaign. Kickoff is slated for 12:45 p.m. ET from Olympiastadion Berlin.
Berlin is in rough form right now, having dropped their last five competitions across all leagues. That includes a 1-0 defeat on the road to Real Madrid in the Champions League opener. As for Braga, they were defeated 2-1 at home against a visiting Napoli side. However, they bounced back with a 4-2 road win over Estrela on the domestic front this past week.
Ultimately, I think goals will be at a premium in this UCL tilt. Union Berlin hasn’t scored in three consecutive matches, so you have to wonder where the goals will come from. Perhaps Kevin Behrens or Robin Gosens find the back of the net once at home, but I’m certainly not expecting much more than one goal for the Iron Ones. On the flip side, the defense has been the strength of Urs Fischer’s club. His squad has conceded just 10 goals over six competitions in the Bundesliga. Berlin knows it cannot get into a high-paced barnburner, so look for them to make this match a boring one and play to the under.
Bet: Under 2.5 (-125)
Inter Milan (-125) vs. Benfica (+340), DRAW (+295) | 2.5 (-120/-105)
One of the underrated matches on Tuesday afternoon features a battle between last year’s runner-up, Inter Milan, and Benfica. The two sides squared off last season at San Siro and drew 3-3 in the quarterfinal round, which ultimately saw Internazionale advance with a 5-3 aggregate. The Portuguese club will seek revenge as it travels to Milan. This one gets going at 3:00 p.m. ET.
I am very high on Inter Milan this Champions League campaign, so much so that I picked them to win Group D (-120) in our futures article last month. However, I wrote that piece and locked in that bet toward the beginning of the domestic campaigns, which was early on in the red-hot start of Benfica in the Portuguese Primeira Liga. The Eagles are on a tear in Portugal, starting 6-0-1 while netting the second-most goals across the league (17). I’m not sure if Inter will be able to put a plan in place to hold Benfica scoreless.
Inter has been more of a defensive powerhouse in recent history, but they’ve made some transactions and are now equally as efficient on the offensive side of the pitch. They’re 6-0-1 in Serie A play and have scored a league-leading 19 goals. Ultimately, I think we see this one turn into a high-scoring, offensive masterclass with players like Lautaro Martinez (nine domestic goals), Ã;ngel Di MarÃa (five domestic goals) and Petar Musa (three domestic goals). Let’s lock in the over in Italy on Tuesday.
Bet: Over 2.5 (-120)
Manchester United (-230) vs. Galatasaray (+600), DRAW (+390) | 2.5 (-170/+135)
The afternoon slate features a Group A battle as Manchester United gears up to host Galatasaray. Kickoff is slated for 3:00 p.m. ET from Old Trafford in Manchester, England.
Things have not been going well in Manchester, really on any front. Erik ten Hag’s club is off to a 3-0-4 start in the Premier League and they also lost a 4-3 thriller at Allianz Arena against Bayern to open up UCL play. Since the road defeat to the German giant, United beat Burnley 1-0, defeated Crystal Palace 3-0 (Carabao Cup) and lost to Crystal Palace 1-0 in the PL this weekend.
Considering this underwhelming form, I must play the road underdogs plus a goal with a plus-money payout. Perhaps this is a "get right spot" for Manchester United, but it won’t be easy against this Turkish powerhouse. Galatasaray is 6-1-0 to start their Turkish Super League campaign and they’ve out-scored opponents 14-4. They’re also an unbeaten 11-3-0 over all competitions this season. So, you’re giving me a goal with a plus sign in front of the payout against this flatlining United side? Sign me up. Let’s ride with Galatasaray on the road.
Bet: Galatasaray +1.0 (+115)
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