THE Champions League kicks off tonight – a couple of hours earlier than usual.
UEFA have introduced staggered kick-off times that allow armchair punters to watch Inter Milan v Spurs then Liverpool v PSG and stagger home from the pub.
Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool were the great entertainers last season as they blew away allcomers before being crushed by Real Madrid at the last hurdle in Kiev.
Can't see Klopp changing tact on Tuesday and that should mean goals galore in Group C against a PSG outfit who boast their own array of world-class attackers in the shape of Neymar, Kylian Mbappe and Edinson Cavani.
On the other side it's Mo Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino – although the Brazilian is a minor injury doubt.
Fifteen of PSG's last 16 Champions League matches have gone over 2.5 goals and average 4.2 a game.
Last season Liverpool's 15 CL clashes averaged 4.4 per game so betting on over 2.5 goals, over 3.5 and even over 4.5 will be popular.
Over 2.5 pays just 1-2 so let's go with over 3.5 at 31-25 with Marathonbet while over 4.5 pays 3-1 at 888sport.
PSG rarely beat elite sides on the road and Liverpool could have the edge but 13-10 is a little short so consider Liverpool and both to score at 12-5 with McBookie.
Mane has been the Reds' most impressive attacker and is 7-1 with McBookie to score first.
Mbappe has four goals in three Ligue one matches and one for France against Holland. He was rested at the weekend and is 7-4 at Betfred to net.
In Group B Inter v Spurs is again tough to call but there should be goals. Past meetings saw the home men win 4-3 and 4-1 in the San Siro and I'm on both to score.
The other early game is Barcelona v PSV and it's difficult to see anything but a convincing win for the home men. They are of course short at 1-9 so finding value isn't easy. On an acca Barca and over 2.5 goals at 4-11 with Coral is OK.
Lionel Messi will always be popular to score first at 23-10 with McBookie but Philippe Coutinho is a decent option at 13-2 with Unibet. His price is high so to score at any time you can have 10-7 with the same firm.
The other game in Group C, where sides in effect are playing for third place behind Liverpool and PSG, sees Red Star Belgrade entertain Napoli.
Red Star are dominating in Serbia with seven wins out of seven – in fact they are unbeaten in 30 in all competitions – but the Champions League groups is a different level and they'll struggle in this company. However, they'll be dogged at home and could hold an Italian side under new boss Carlo Ancelotti.
The Serbs look a shade on the big side at 8-1 with bet365 so what about Red Star +2 on the accas.
Group A should see Atletico Madrid top ahead of Dortmund and Monaco with Bruges filling bottom spot.
Bruges take on Dortmund tonight while we'll see how Monaco are shaping up as they entertain Atletico.
The Belgians have lost nine of their last 10 in the Champions League and it could be 10 out of 11 with the Germans evens at bet365 and McBookie. Goals have a chance too with over 2.5 goals paying 7-10 at Marathonbet.
Atletico's ground will host the Champions League Final and they'd love to be there although it's asking a lot and their 1-1 home draw with Eibar at the weekend was a shocker.
Monaco have started poorly too and this could be a narrow Atletico win at 5-6 with Betfred. Add under 2.5 goals to that and it pays 5-2 at Betway.
Group D is wide open with Lokomotiv Moscow the top seeds and they start away to Galatasaray. It's the Russians' first appearance in tournament for 15 years and they could struggle having started the season with nine points in seven league games.
Gala are always tough to beat at home and best bet here could be the Turks at 3-4 with bet365.
Schalke v Porto is tough to call as well but the Germans have started with three league defeats so I'll leave this one alone with Porto not being the best of travellers.
For a group winners fourfold I'm on Man City, Juventus, Real Madrid and Barcelona and that pays 5-2 at McBookie.
As far as the outrights go I'm chancing Man City at 6-1 with Sky Bet. Pep Guardiola has a big and strong squad and this must be his main aim this season. Barcelona are second favourites at 13-2 ahead of Juventus, PSG and Real Madrid.
Recommended Bets
- Inter v Spurs btts (5.55pm)
- Liverpool v PSG over 3.5 goals
- Coutinho to score
- Borussia
- Dortmund
- Atletico Madrid & under 2.5 goals
- Man City/Juve/Real/Barca to win groups
- Man City to win Champions League
In December 2020 we sadly 
