Wednesday's Champions League predictions: Frankfurt to make a winning start

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Wednesday's group matches in the Uefa Champions League.

Eintracht Frankfurt v Sporting Lisbon

Where to watch

BT Sport 1, 5.45pm

Best bet

Eintracht Frankfurt
2pts 11-10 Betfred, Hills

Match preview

Europa League winners Eintracht Frankfurt came crashing back to earth with a 6-1 defeat to Bayern Munich in their opening Bundesliga game, but Oliver Glasner's team have steadied the ship and they should get their Champions League campaign of to a winning start.

They have not lost since that humbling and a 4-0 victory over RB Leipzig would have been just the ticket as they line up against Sporting, who have had their own sticky start.

The Portuguese outfit claimed a 2-0 win at Estoril at the weekend but, while a defeat against Porto was perhaps not a big surprise, a 2-0 reverse against Chaves certainly was.

Frankfurt also filled their boots with a 4-3 win at Werder Bremen and, now they are back in the swing of things, they should claim an opening group victory.

Atletico Madrid v Porto

Where to watch

BT Sport 7, 8pm

Best bet

Under 1.5 goals
1pt 11-5 bet365

Match preview

These teams played out a goalless draw when they met in the Spanish capital in last season's group stage and there would be no surprise if it was a similar story on Wednesday.

Diego Simeone's Atletico are renowned for their defensive strength and it is noticeable that 13 of their last 16 Champions League matches have featured fewer than three goals.

It could be worth chancing that there are even fewer in this clash, particularly as Porto, who won the Portuguese title by six points last term, mustered a total of just four goals in their six games in the 2021-22 Champions League.

Atleti have scored just four goals in their last eight home Champions League games so the precedents are there for this one to be a slow burner.

Barcelona v Viktoria Plzen

Where to watch

BT Sport 6, 8pm

Best bet

R Lewandowski to score two or more goals
2pts 7-5 bet365

Match preview

Barcelona are regarded as the biggest certainties on Wednesday's Champions League coupon and they should have few problems claiming an opening victory against Czech hopefuls Viktoria Plzen.

The off-the-field issues at Camp Nou have claimed most of the headlines recently but Xavi's side will be delighted with the start they have made to the Spanish campaign.

Barca have scored 11 goals in their last three matches, including a 3-0 success at Sevilla at the weekend, and they could hit top gear against a team who have had to fight their way through three qualifying rounds to reach this stage.

Robert Lewandowski has settled well since his move from Bayern Munich and the competition's third-highest goalscorer should be able to make hay against opponents who look out of their depth.

Club Brugge v Bayer Leverkusen

Where to watch

BT Sport 8, 8pm

Best bet

Club Brugge draw no bet
1pt 7-5 bet365

Match preview

This match presents a classic Champions League dilemma as a team who are struggling in a tough domestic league come up against one flying at a perceived lower level.

Bayer Leverkusen have lost four of their five matches in the Bundesliga this season and, while they enjoy favouritism for their trip to Belgium to face Club Brugge, it is tempting to take a chance on the home team to triumph.

The difference in the league quality may mean it would be prudent to follow the draw-no-bet route, but Brugge should be confident after bagging four straight victories.

Spanish striker Ferran Jutgla is leading the way with five goals and the Belgian outfit may see this as a great chance to make a flying start.

Inter v Bayern Munich

Where to watch

BT Sport 5, 8pm

Best bet

Bayern Munich to win & over 2.5 goals
1pt 6-4 Coral

Match preview

All the ingredients are there for a cracking game between two teams who have 13 triumphs in this competition between them.

Bayern have lost just one of their last 18 Champions League group matches and that's bad news for Inter, who have triumphed in just three of their last 12 home games in the competition.

The Germans look a good bet to come out on top, but it is worth pairing that match selection with there being more than three goals in the contest.

Bayern have scored 20 goals in their five Bundesliga matches this season, while all five of Inter's league games have featured at least three goals, so both defences could be in for a busy night at the San Siro.

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