Champions League Matchday 2 Odds, Picks & Predictions (2024)
The UEFA Champions League (UCL) returns this week, featuring 18 matches between Tuesday and Wednesday. From a betting perspective, we're looking to build on a 2-0-1 Matchday 1. Let's dive into my top plays on this pitch for this midweek European action.
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Champions League Matchday 2 Preview & Best Bets (2024)
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
Borussia Dortmund (-215) vs. Celtic (+500), DRAW (+400) | O/U 3.5 (+130/-165)
One of the Tuesday afternoon matches sees Scotland's Celtic F.C. make the trip to Germany to take on last year's runner-up, Borussia Dortmund. Both teams collected wins in their opening matches two weeks ago. Kickoff is set for Tuesday at 3:00 p.m. ET from SIGNAL IDUNA PARK in Dortmund, Germany.
Both of these offenses lit up the scoreboard in their UCL openers a couple of weeks back. For the hosts, they cruised past Club Brugge 3-0 on the road. As for Celtic, they won 6-0 at home against Slovan Bratislava. I'm taking this total down to the alternate line of 3.0 goals and playing the over.
The BVB have seen plenty of high-scoring games recently, featuring at least three goals in each of the last four contests. The average combined score over the four-match sample size is 5.3 goals. At home, Borussia Dortmund is averaging 3.3 goals per match over their last three competitive matches across all competitions. Celtic's also been rolling, going 9-0-0 in their last nine competitive matches. They've out-scored their opposition 33-4 over the nine-match sample size. Let's sit back and enjoy these dynamic offenses on Tuesday - give me the over.
Bet: Over 3.0 Goals (-130)
Girona (+105) vs. Feyenoord (+240), DRAW (+265) | O/U 2.5 (-160/+120)
There are two early matches on Wednesday, one of which pits Spain's Girona against the Netherlands' Feyenoord Rotterdam. The Dutch club took a 4-0 beating at home in their opener against Bayer Leverkusen, while Girona was edged out 1-0 on the road against Paris Saint-Germain. This contest kicks off on Wednesday at 12:45 p.m. ET from Municipal de Montilivi in Girona, Spain.
Girona has been in pretty ugly form as of late, going winless in their last four matches across all competitions. That includes La Liga contests against Barcelona (L: 4-1), Valencia (L: 2-0) and Rayo Vallecano (D: 0-0), most recently. On the domestic front, the White and Reds are just 2-2-3 out of the gate this season.
Being that the hosts haven't been playing well and their offense is non-existent, I think it's worth a flier on Feyenoord in this spot. I'll play them in the 'double chance' market, where we'll cash our bet if they either win or draw. Aside from the 4-0 shellacking at the hands of Leverkusen, the Rotterdam club is unbeaten in their last seven competitions (2-5-0). They're still getting used to life in the post-Arne Slot Era, but new skipper Brian Priske and his men have a favorable spot to pick up a continental point (or three) on Wednesday. Let's back Feyenoord to come away with a result in the match.
Bet: Double Chance: Feyenoord To Win or Tie (-135)
Aston Villa (+320) vs. Bayern Munich (-135), DRAW (+310) | O/U 3.5 (+120/-160)
One of the marquee matches on Wednesday afternoon sees Bayern Munich travel to England to take on Aston Villa. The Villans cruised to a 3-0 road win over Young Boys in their UCL opener, while Vincent Kompany and his squad decimated Dinamo Zagreb 9-2 at home a couple of Tuesdays ago. This match is set for Wednesday at 3:00 p.m. ET from Villa Park in Birmingham, England.
The Kompany Era in Munich is off to a roaring start, as his men have gone unbeaten in eight matches this year. Before a 1-1 draw against Leverkusen on Saturday, Bayern had been 7-0-0 across all competitive competitions under Kompany. They've out-scored the opposition 33-5 over the seven-match stretch. I simply think they're in too good of form right now to have a letdown on the road here. Plus, they'll get an extra day of rest as Aston Villa plays their league game on Sunday against Ipswich Town.
Aston Villa has been in excellent form as well, but we have seen them suffer a loss when stepping up to take on a tough Arsenal team (L: 2-0) back on August 24th. This will easily be their toughest test on both the domestic and international front, and I can see them slipping up here. Unai Emery's side may also be short-handed when they host the German giant, as John McGinn (hamstring) will miss the Ipswich clash, while fullback Matty Cash (thigh) is questionable. I'll back the tried-and-true Bayern Munich against this up-and-coming Aston Villa side.
Bet: Bayern Munich Moneyline (-135)
Make sure to check out our other best bets for Sunday: