The Champions League group stages are back this week and there’s plenty of exciting games to look forward to. Here are five bold predictions.
It’s the middle of September, which means the Champions League group stage is here. over the next couple of months, there will be some fantastic matchups between some of Europe’s best sides.
This week sees Cristiano Ronaldo return to Spain with Juventus, while joint Premier League leaders Liverpool play host to Ligue 1 champions PSG. There are plenty more great matches besides, so here are five bold predictions for all the action.
1. Ronaldo scores on return to Spain
Cristiano Ronaldo’s move to Juventus was the biggest business of the summer. Ronaldo leaving Real Madrid seemed crazy, but Juventus prized him away for the huge sum of £105 million — a crazy fee for a 33-year-old.
However, it’s Ronaldo’s peak physical condition that has made him this valuable, despite his age. This week he’ll travel with his new side to familiar land, when Juventus play Valencia in the Mestalla.
Most La Liga fans will have been glad to see Ronaldo’s departure considering how many goals he’s scored against each of their clubs, so Valencia can perhaps feel a little aggrieved that he’s returning so soon.
It’s even worse timing for the Spanish club as Ronaldo finally got off the mark for Juventus at the weekend. In uncharacteristic fashion, Ronaldo had not managed to score for his new club in his first three competitive matches despite having some great chances.
That “goal drought” was probably the longest he’s endured in his career since he was a Manchester United player, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see him go on to score copious amounts of goals again.
Valencia had a good season last year when they managed to finish fourth in La Liga and re-establish themselves at the top of the Spanish game, but this will be a very difficult match for them and it’s hard to look past a Juventus victory.
One thing that feels almost certain is that Ronaldo will find the back of the net and help his new side to an important three points in a group that also has Manchester United and Swiss side Young Boys.