The opening day of the Champions League offers three selected betting opportunities, with attacking football expected in each fixture. Sports betting expert and Cameroonian journalist Arthur Wandji has identified “both teams to score” for Real Madrid v Inter Milan, Raphinha to find the net in the listed Valencia v Barcelona fixture, and more than 1.5 goals in the first half of Paris Saint-Germain v Slovan Bratislava.
Real Madrid – Inter Milan, 8 September, 19:00 GMT Recommended bet: Both teams to score – odds 1.47
Real Madrid’s attacking options, led by Kylian Mbappe, should provide a significant threat to Inter Milan’s defence at the Bernabeu.
Mbappe is chasing Raul’s club record of 66 Champions League goals for Real Madrid, while the Spanish side have demonstrated consistent attacking form in Europe. They have scored 11 goals across their past five continental matches.
Inter arrive with an equally convincing attacking record. They are unbeaten in 20 competitive matches, with 13 of those games producing more than three goals.
Lautaro Martinez’s finishing and the creativity of Inter’s midfield could expose weaknesses in a Real Madrid team missing several important midfield players. That combination makes goals at both ends the preferred betting angle for this contest.
Valencia – Barcelona, 9 September, 16:45 GMT Recommended bet: Raphinha to score – odds 1.60
The fixture is presented as Valencia v Barcelona, although the accompanying assessment focuses on Feyenoord Rotterdam as the opposition. Barcelona are due to begin their Champions League campaign at Spotify Camp Nou in outstanding form after beating Valencia 5-0 and maintaining a perfect domestic record.
The Catalan club have also been prolific in Europe, averaging 2.88 goals per match in this competition. Their squad will be without key players including Eric Garcia, who is suspended, and Frenkie de Jong, who is injured. Barcelona will nevertheless rely on their strong home record when beginning European campaigns.
The preview identifies Feyenoord Rotterdam as the opponents returning to Europe’s leading club competition with measured ambitions. The Dutch side have failed to win any of their past 11 European away matches, despite remaining unbeaten in the Eredivisie.
Manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst must also deal with several notable absences, including Smal, Nieuwkoop and Beelen. Feyenoord’s defence has regularly struggled when facing leading teams, reinforcing the expectation of a dominant Barcelona display.
Raphinha has made an especially strong start to the season, scoring six goals in La Liga. His current form and attacking profile make him the recommended player to score in the match.
Paris Saint-Germain – Slovan Bratislava, 9 September, 19:00 GMT Recommended bet: More than 1.5 goals in the first half – odds 1.64
Paris Saint-Germain begin their defence of their second consecutive Champions League title at Parc des Princes, looking to respond after suffering a 2-1 home defeat by Monaco in the league.
Luis Enrique’s side remain unbeaten at home in the group stage of European competition. They can also call on experienced players such as Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Ousmane Dembele.
Although several major summer signings are still adapting to the team, PSG have produced lively opening periods in home matches. Their desire to settle the game early is expected to create an open first half.
Slovan Bratislava, coached by the iconic Yaya Toure, face a historic challenge after a recent defeat in their domestic league. The Slovakian side have nevertheless shown strong away form, winning six of their most recent matches on the road.
Three of those victories came in the qualifying rounds of this Champions League campaign, and Slovan scored twice in each of them. Their attacking ambition, combined with PSG’s intention to take control quickly, points towards a high-scoring opening 45 minutes.
Odds are subject to change.