Champions League Acca: The Panel's Tips For British Clubs On Matchday 1
The 2024/25 edition of the Champions League gets under way this week and the best betting sites are offering markets on all 18 games taking place this week.
Five British teams are among those set to feature on matchday one, which is spread out across Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and we have predicted whether each game involving a Premier League or Scottish Premiership team will contain three goals or fewer.
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Young Boys vs Aston Villa Odds: Controlled Approach From Villa
It is a welcome dilemma, if such a thing exists, but Unai Emery has a decision to make over Ollie Watkins and Jhon Duran. The latter has had a sensational start to the season and is pushing hard for a place in the XI, but Emery has hinted that the two strikers need more time to strike up a partnership.
That suggests we will see Watkins start as usual against Young Boys, with Duran having to content himself with a place on the bench. The goals flowed for Villa at the weekend as they beat Everton 3-2, but Emery will want to see a more disciplined, controlled performance in this one.
Young Boys have had a poor start to the campaign and are eminently beatable, but control will be the order of the day for Villa as they play their first game in this competition for more than 40 years.
The Panel's Champions League Tips 1: Young Boys vs Aston Villa: Under 2.5 Goals 6/4 With Unibet
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The Panel's Champions League Predictions:
- Young Boys vs Aston Villa: Under 2.5 Goals 6/4 With Unibet
- AC Milan vs Liverpool: Over 2.5 goals - 8/13 with Coral
- Celtic vs Slovan Bratislava: Under 2.5 Goals - 13/10 with William Hill
- Manchester City vs Inter: Over 2.5 Goals - 8/13 with Ladbrokes
- Atalanta vs Arsenal: Over 2.5 Goals 8/11 With Betfred
AC Milan vs Liverpool Preview: Reds Can Be Rampant
Liverpool suffered their first blip of the Arne Slot era last time out, as the Reds went down 1-0 to Nottingham Forest at Anfield.
They will be looking to bounce back against AC Milan on Tuesday in a rematch of the 2005 and 2007 Champions League finals.
Both of those matches featured more than 2.5 goals and there is a good chance this one will too according to football betting sites.
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AC Milan thumped Venezia 4-0 at the weekend, but that was a must-win game for Paulo Fonseca, who remains under pressure.
Milan’s four Serie A games this term have contained 15 goals.
Liverpool remain an attack-minded team first and foremost, so the over is the sensible pick here.
The Panel's Champions League Tips 2: AC Milan vs Liverpool: Over 2.5 goals - 8/13 with Coral
Celtic vs Slovan Bratislava Prediction: Rodgers Under Pressure
Brendan Rodgers is under pressure to deliver the goods in the Champions League this season. Despite bringing plenty of domestic silverware to Parkhead across his two spells in charge, Rodgers has struggled to make an impact in this tournament. Anything less than a win here would lead to criticism of the manager.
Celtic have won five games on the trot in the league without conceding a single goal. That exemplary defensive record bodes well for the visit of Slovan Bratislava, who are top of the Slovak First League but recently lost 5-0 to Zilina.
The pressure to perform in Europe could weigh on the Celtic players, so while the Hoops will fancy their chances of coming out on top, this is unlikely to be a high-scoring encounter.
The Panel's Champions League Tips 3: Celtic vs Slovan Bratislava: Under 2.5 Goals - 13/10 with William Hill
Manchester City vs Inter Tips: Inter Out For Revenge
Inter will be looking to avenge their loss to Manchester City in the 2023 Champions League final, but that will be a tall order according to betting apps.
Pep Guardiola’s side boast a 100 percent record at the start of the new season and have not lost any game at the Etihad Stadium since November 2022.
Inter are a strong side, though, and they are certainly capable of giving City plenty to think about. Lautaro Martinez is one of the best forwards in Europe, while Marcus Thuram has come into his own in his second season at San Siro.
City’s firepower, led by the imperious Erling Haaland, is well known. It is difficult to envisage a low-scoring affair in Manchester.
The Panel's Champions League Tips 4: Manchester City vs Inter: Over 2.5 Goals - 8/13 with Ladbrokes
Atalanta vs Arsenal: Tough Test For Europa Winners
Arsenal have not been behind in a single Premier League away game in 2024, a run they extended with a 1-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.
This promises to be a more open affair, though, with Atalanta set to adopt their typical front-footed approach regardless of the calibre of the opposition.
The Europa League holders have consistently punched above their weight in recent years and Arsenal should not expect an easy 90 minutes on Thursday.
The Gunners also pack a punch in attack, though, and Atalanta’s defence will be severely tested by Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz and co.
The Panel's Champions League Tips 5: Atalanta vs Arsenal: Over 2.5 Goals 8/11 With Betfred
* An acca on these Champions League tips is priced at 25/1 with Coral.
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