Two European heavyweights will square off in the Champions League on Wednesday night, as Real Madrid welcome Juventus to the Santiago Bernabeu.
Real Madrid kicked off their bid for what would be a record-extending 16th European crown with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Marseille during the opening round of league phase action.
Things were a lot more comfortable for Xabi Alonso’s side when they crushed Kairat Almaty 5-0 on matchday two, in a game that brought up all three of my recommended bets.
On the domestic front, Real Madrid moved back to the top of La Liga with a narrow 1-0 win away at Getafe on Sunday night.
As for Juventus, they have kicked off their continental campaign with a pair of high-scoring draws against both Borussia Dortmund and Villarreal.
Igor Tudor’s team will head to the Spanish capital fresh off the back of suffering their first Serie A defeat of the season, crashing to a 2-0 loss away at Como at the weekend.
How the bookies view it: Real to rack up another win
Real Madrid are short-priced 11/20 favourites on Boylesports as they look to make it three wins on the bounce in this season’s Champions League.
Juventus are as big as 9/2 on Boylesports to take top honours while a share of the Santiago Bernabeu spoils has been priced up at 16/5 with the same firm.
Head to head: Real seeking repeat
The two teams crossed paths at the Club World Cup earlier this summer, with Real Madrid running out 1-0 winners on that occasion. That makes another Los Blancos victory alongside under 4.5 goals an eye-catching option to consider here at 10/11 on Boylesports.
Players to watch: Mbappe to make his mark?
Kylian Mbappe looks too short to side with as an anytime goalscorer option here but backing the French ace to fire alongside a Real Madrid win will bring about an attractive 21/20 shot on Bet365.
Dusan Vlahovic bagged a brace during Juventus’ barnstorming 4-4 draw with Borussia Dortmund on matchday one. The Serbian sharpshooter is a 5/2 anytime goalscorer option on Wednesday night.
Predicted line-ups
Real Madrid remain without the services of injured defenders Antonio Rudiger, Dani Carvajal, Dean Huijsen, Ferland Mendy and Trent Alexander-Arnold.
As was the case against Como on Sunday, Juventus boss Tudor is again set to be without injured quartet Arkadiusz Milik, Bremer, Fabio Miretti and Juan Cabal.
Real Madrid: Courtois; Valverde, Militao, Asencio, Carreras; Tchouameni, Camavinga; Mastantuono, Guler, Vinicius; Mbappe
Juventus: Di Gregorio; Gatti, Rugani, Kelly; Kalulu, Locatelli, McKennie, Cambiaso; Conceicao, Yildiz; Vlahovic
Anything else catch the eye?
Given his goalscoring exploits this season, the aforementioned Mbappe looks a touch of value to score two or more goals during this contest at 10/3 on Betfred.
The Real Madrid megastar has already racked up five goals across his two appearances in this season’s Champions League, bagging a brace against Marseille and then a hat-trick away at Kairat.
It’s also worth noting that Mbappe has hit multiple goals in two of his nine outings in La Liga this term.
That doesn't augur well for a Juventus side that have shipped six goals across their opening two Champions League assignments of the season.
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