UEFA Champions League 2018-19: Matchday 2 predictions

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Matchday 1 saw some intense, jaw dropping, astounding, dumfounding, and shocking action. Where Messi scored a hattrick and one-upped himself against his eternal rival Ronaldo. It will be another week where Messi would prevail as Ronaldo received a one game suspension for 'supposedly' physically accusing a player who dived in the box.

Matchday 2 promises the same amount of action if not more, with some exciting matches lined up from October 2 to 4.


Group A - Atletico Madrid, Borussia Dortmund, Club Brugge, AS Monaco

Real Madrid v Atletico Madrid - La Liga
Atletico Madrid will be looking to make an impression

Atletico Madrid vs Club Brugge

After recording a difficult 2-1 win over Monaco in their first matchup, Atletico will be looking to cement top position in Group A when they host Club Brugge at their Estadio Wanda Metropolitano. The Spanish side are a force to be reckoned with when playing at home and seeing that they can count on key players for the game, we are tempted to put our money on Los Rojiblancos. Club Brugge eventually failed to grab something from their match against Dortmund, meaning that the visitors should be low on confidence ahead of the trip to Madrid.

Prediction: 3-0


Borussia Dortmund vs AS Monaco

Despite failing to impress in their opener against the Belgium club, Dortmund eventually won the match. The Millionaires were very fortunate to pick up all three points from the Club Brugge game. The Bundesliga side aim to move one step closer to booking their place in the Champions League knockout stages and they'll probably think of hammering the French side seeing that they hammered Nurnberg 7-0 in their last home game. Monaco made a very slow start to the season and we believe that the Ligue 1 side are going to return home empty-handed.

Prediction: 2-1

Group B - FC Barcelona, Internazionale, PSV, Tottenham Hotspur

Real Sociedad v FC Barcelona - La Liga
Messi has made a promise to the Barca fans

PSV vs Internazionale

Phillips Stadion will host Wednesday’s game between PSV and Internazionale. PSV were hammered by Barcelona 4-0 at Camp Nou in the opening match despite making an incredible start to their season in the domestic campaign. The Dutch champions, though, are definitely capable of matching Inter in front of home fans and we predict that they are going to grab something from their second game. The Nerazzurri did well to beat Tottenham at their Stadio Giuseppe Meazza in their first group match but they'll find the atmosphere a bit brash for their liking.

Prediction: 1-1


Tottenham Hotspur vs FC Barcelona

Tottenham Hotspur and FC Barcelona face each other at the legendary Wembley Stadium in what is expected to be a real doozy match. Spurs are desperate to grab something from Wednesday’s match as they failed to get anything from their fine performance against Inter. Maurizio Pochettino’s troops are a real force to be reckoned with at home but Barcelona are a different level altogether despite their blip in form. We think that Barcelona might just edge past Tottenham at Wembley where Los Cules wouldn't mind making new memories!

Prediction: 1-2

Group C - Red Star Belgrade, Liverpool, Napoli, Paris Saint Germain

Tottenham Hotspur v Liverpool FC - Premier League
Can Mo Salah do it again this season?

Paris Saint Germain vs Crvena Zvezda

Its David vs Goliath at the Parc des Princes in round 2. PSG are seen as favourites to win Wednesday’s game against minnows Crvena zvezda and we predict that the Ligue 1 champions are going to prove their worth on the field. The likes of Neymar Jr, Edinson Cavani and Kylian Mbappe are very likely to make life difficult for the opposition defenders and anything but a routine one sided home win will be a major surprise.

Prediction: 4-0


Napoli vs Liverpool

All the eyes will be on Stadio San Paolo when Napoli and Liverpool face each other. The Neapolitans dropped two crucial points in a goalless draw with Crvena zvezda in Belgrade, but it has to be duly noted that they failed to turn their dominance into goals. The Serie A side need to grab something from Wednesday’s football match against Liverpool if they want to stay in the running for a berth in the knockout stages.

Prediction: 1-2

Group D - Schalke 04, Galatasaray, Lokomotiv Moscow, Porto

FC Porto v Desportivo das Aves - Portuguese Super Cup
Porto are looking for the top spot in the group!

Lokomotiv Moscow vs FC Schalke 04

Lokomotiv Moscow are the hosts when they play Schalke 04 at their RZD Arena. The Russian side faced all sorts of problems at the back in a 3-0 loss to Turkish giants Galatasaray, but a victory over German side Schalke 04 will surely see them regain some much needed confidence. Schalke did well to share the spoils with Porto, but seeing that they have been struggling to find their form at the start of the new domestic campaign, we do not believe that the visitors will be capable of spoiling Lokomotiv’s party in the Russian capital.

Prediction: 1-0


Porto vs Galatasaray

Galatasaray will be hoping to build on the 3-0 win over Lokomotiv Moscow when they take on Portugese giants, Porto at Estadio do Dragao in their second game. The Turkish side has been producing mindblowing performances all season, but Wednesday’s match against Porto will be anything but a walk in the park. It is very well known that Galatasaray are tough to beat at home, but their away record is anything but good. We firmly believe that the two teams are going to share the spoils at Estadio Do Dragao. The two sides have never met before in the Champions League.

Prediction: 1-1

Group E - AEK Athens, Ajax, Benfica, FC Bayern Munchen

Real Madrid v Bayern Muenchen - UEFA Champions League Semi Final Second Leg
Lewandowski has a habit of scoring in the Champions League!!

AEK Athens FC vs SL Benfica

Tuesday’s match at Olympiako Stadio Spyros Louis pits together AEK Athens and Benfica in a gladiator match. The Greek side were all over the place at the back in a 3-0 loss to Ajax, but it is known that they play better at home than on the road. AEK need to grab something from the upcoming clash if they are to keep their hopes of making it to the knockout stages alive, therefore, we strongly believe that the hosts are going to give their all on the field.

Prediction: 1-1


FC Bayern Munich vs Ajax

German giants Bayern will be looking to pick themselves up from a shocking 2-0 loss to Hertha Berlin in the Bundesliga when they host Dutch side Ajax at their Allianz Arena. The mighty Bavarians kicked off their Champions League campaign with a routine 2-0 win over Benfica and a victory over the visitors will see them cement pole position in Group E. Ajax did well enough to beat AEK Athens 3-0 in their opener, but Bayern Munchen have turned their Allianz Arena into a real fortress and so we think that Bayern will emerge triumphant.

Prediction: 3-0

Group F - Lyon, Manchester City, Shakhtar Donetsk, 1899 Hoffenheim

SSC Napoli v Manchester City - UEFA Champions League
Guardiola telling everyone who the top scorer will be!

TSG 1899 Hoffenheim vs Manchester City

WIRSOL Rhein-Neckar-Arena will play host to Tuesday’s game between Hoffenheim and Manchester City. The German side produced a fine display and were on the verge of beating Shakhtar in Donetsk but, the Ukrainians eventually scored a late equalizer as Hoffenheim let their guard down. Pep Guardiola’s men aim to regroup after a shocking 2-1 loss to Olympique Lyon and we predict that they are going to leave their hearts on the field. A man to watch will be Kun Aguero, and we believe that he will prove a handful for the opposition defenders.

Prediction: 1-3


Lyon vs Shakhtar Donetsk

Olympique Lyonais and Shakhtar face each other at Groupama Stadium. Lyon went over themselves to beat Manchester City at Etihad Stadium and that is the main reason why they are seen as hot favourites to win their second game. A man to watch in the home team will be former Man Utd flop Memphis Depay and the pacey Dutchman is likely to pose a big threat for the opposition defense. A lively contest is on the horizon, but we believe that the hosts are going to get the better of the visitors.

Prediction: 2-1

Group G - CSKA Moscow, Viktoria Plzen, Real Madrid, AS Roma

Athletic Club v Real Madrid CF - La Liga
The main man at Madrid?

CSKA Moscow vs Real Madrid

All eyes will be on VEB Arena as CSKA Moscow and Real Madrid square off against each other. CSKA came from behind to share the spoils with Viktoria Plzen in their 2-2 matchup, but they face a herculean task in Tuesday’s match against Real Madrid. Los Blancos, on the other hand, recorded an easy 3-0 win over Roma at their Estadio Santiago Bernabeu. New coach Julen Lopetegui is doing a good job with Real Madrid and we predict that they are going to make the top spot their own.

Prediction: 0-2


AS Roma vs Viktoria Plzen

After failing to impress in their season opener, AS Roma will be looking to give fans something to cheer for when they host Viktoria Plzen at the Stadio Olimpico. The Romans are a real force at home and given the importance of the match we are tempted to put our money on the Giallorossi. Viktoria Plzen dropped a two-goal advantage in a 2-2 draw with CSKA. One of the men to watch for the home side will be Turkish wonderboy Cengiz Under

Prediction: 3-0

Group H - Young Boys, Juventus, Manchester United, Valencia CF

Juventus v US Sassuolo - Serie A
He'll be missing matchday 2!

Juventus FC vs BSC Young Boys

Juventus will be looking to cement top position when they host Young Boys at their Allianz Stadium in Turin. The Bianconeri did well to beat Valencia CF at Estadio de Mestalla in the opening match of their campaign and they are definitely able of beating BSC Young Boys on home soil. Summer signing Cristiano Ronaldo misses the match through suspension. In Cristiano Ronaldo’s absence a man to watch for the home team will be Argentine sensation Paulo Dybala, who found the net in a 2-0 win over Bologna.

Prediction: 2-0


Manchester United vs Valencia CF

After suffering a soul crushing loss to heavy spenders, West Ham United in the Premier League, United will be looking to give fans some relief when they host Valencia at Old Trafford. The Red Devils made an enviable start to their campaign, beating BSC Young Boys 3-0 on the road, but they will have a much bigger fish to fry in Tuesday’s match against Valencia. Los Che suffered a 2-0 loss to a ten-man Juventus side and no doubt, they are eager to grab something from the Old Trafford clash.

Prediction: 2-1

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Edited by Emeka Monyei