5 bold Champions League predictions: Celtic shock PSG, Barca get revenge
The Champions League returns this week. Here are five bold predictions for the first round of group games.
Champions League soccer is back this week and we have made some predictions for the first round of group games. We fancy Celtic to shock PSG, Barcelona to get revenge on Juventus and more.
1. Celtic shock PSG in Glasgow
Scottish side Celtic were drawn in a group with Bayern Munich, PSG and Anderlecht, so they have their work cut out if they want to make the second round. While they might struggle away from home, the Hoops have a knack for over-performing in Glasgow.
In the past, they’ve beaten the likes of Barcelona and Manchester United at Parkhead while just last season they almost triumphed over Manchester City in an exciting 3-3 draw. So this match won’t be as straightforward as some PSG fans might think.
We fancy Celtic to cause a massive upset on matchday 1 and get the win over a PSG side filled with superstars like Neymar and Kylian Mbappe.
2. Tottenham finally win at Wembley
Tottenham have struggled in almost every game they’ve played at Wembley so far. Mauricio Pochettino’s side struggled playing there in the Champions League last season and they’ve already found it difficult in the Premier League this year.
The Argentine manager insists there’s no Wembley hoodoo and poor performances are just down to the team and nothing else. On Wednesday Spurs face off against Borussia Dortmund at Wembley in what should be a thrilling match.
Tottenham had an impressive victory over Everton at the weekend and we see them using the momentum from that match to finally get a convincing win at Wembley.
3. Manchester City struggle at Feyenoord
Pep Guardiola has won the Champions League twice in the past with Barcelona and is now aiming to do it with Manchester City. Last season his side were knocked out in the second round after an enthralling two legs with Monaco.
This year City look stronger and most importantly more defensively sound. However, they’ve always been a little unreliable when playing away from home in the Champions League. In matchweek 1 they visit Feyenoord and we’re not sure they’ll get the win.
In their away games this season, the Citizens have ground out victories over Bournemouth and Brighton but Feyenoord should provide a tougher test. City might not lose but we wouldn’t be surprised if this one ended up as a draw.
4. Lukaku bags first Champions League goals with Manchester United
Romelu Lukaku has previously played in the Champions League with his former club Anderlecht. However, while he’s not necessarily old at the age of 24, those performances came as a relatively inexperienced young striker.
Now he is the leading man at one of the biggest club’s in world soccer and he needs to score goals in order to help his side progress in Europe’s premier club competition. On matchday 1 Manchester United host Swiss side Basel in what should be an interesting game.
Lukaku has been in fine form in the Premier League and we expect this form to continue on the European stage with the big Belgian grabbing at least one goal on Tuesday night.
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5. Barcelona get revenge on Juventus
In last season’s Champions League, Barcelona pulled off one of the most amazing comebacks against PSG when they overturned a 4-0 deficit to progress to the quarterfinals of the competition.
After those heroics, many expected the Blaugrana to go all the way to the final but they were ruthlessly dismantled by Juventus in the quarters. As luck would have it the two sides have been drawn together in the group stages and Barcelona will want to get their own back.
The Catalan side have started the La Liga season in impressive form with three wins from three and no goals conceded. We fancy them to take that momentum and get a little bit of revenge on Juventus in the first round of group games.