Check out Tuesday's Champions League preview and best bets
Check out Tuesday's Champions League preview and best bets

Champions League betting preview: Best bets and stats for Tuesday's action, including Manchester City and Tottenham


The third matchday of the Champions League group stages takes place this week. George Pitts looks ahead to Tuesday's action.

Recommended bets

1pt Bruno Petkovic to score anytime in Shakhtar Donetsk v Dinamo Zagreb at 16/5

1pt Kevin De Bruyne to score anytime in Man City v Atalanta at 9/4

1pt Red Star to have 4+ shots on target v Spurs at 7/4

For details of advised bookmakers and each-way terms, visit our transparent tipping record


Shakhtar Donetsk v Dinamo Zagreb (1755 BST)

Man City's Group C rivals face off in Ukraine in the early kick-off and they both have one win to their name, having both beaten Atalanta and lost to City.

A player well worth looking at in the scorer market is Dinamo's Bruno Petkovic, available at a best price of 16/5 to score anytime.

The Croatian has scored 10 goals in 18 appearances for club and country this season and should lead the line for the visitors. He is yet to score in two Champions League appearances this season, but his displays in other competitions - and on the international stage - show he knows where the back of the net is.

The 25-year-old is, along with Mislav Orsic, their biggest threat in the final third and he looks good value to score against a defence which has shipped four goals already in Europe this term.

Best bet: Bruno Petkovic to score anytime at 16/5


Manchester City v Atalanta

Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne
Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne

Pep Guardiola's side can make it three from three as they host Serie A side Atalanta, in their first Champions League campaign and without a win so far in Group C.

City are favourites to win and they may see it as a good opportunity to go gung-ho later in the campaign if their Premier League title hopes fade further.

Guardiola says his side are not ready to win the trophy yet, but his squad is one of, if not the, best in Europe and they will take some stopping.

They usually take no prisoners at the Etihad, often thrashing lesser opponents in recent seasons and Atalanta could be in for a tough night. In terms of scorers, Sergio Aguero and Gabriel Jesus are odds-on, but the 9/4 price on Kevin De Bruyne sticks out.

The Belgian is key for City in both the Premier League and Champions League - in their two domestic defeats, he started on the bench against Norwich and missed the loss to Wolves. He averages two shots per game in the Champions League and makes good late runs into the box.

He usually pulls the strings for City - with nine assists in as many games this season. He chips in with goals, two so far, and can capitalise against an Italian side who shipped four goals on their last away day in Europe (v Zagreb).

Best bet: Kevin De Bruyne to score anytime at 9/4 (General)


WATCH: Highlights from every game in second round of Champions League group stage games with Opta stats

Champions League highlights: Watch all the goals from the second round of group games
Champions League highlights: Watch all the goals from the second round of group games


Tottenham v Red Star Belgrade

Mauricio Pochettino's Tottenham have won just one of their last seven matches in all competitions
Mauricio Pochettino's Tottenham have been out of sorts

Tottenham's sticky patch is well documented and they will be keen to ease talk of a crisis by bouncing back from their 7-2 drubbing against Bayern last time out.

Whether Red Star can capitalise on that in north London remains to be seen, but the Serbian side can at least trouble a disjointed back line.

Spurs' defence was exploited on a number of occasions by Watford on Saturday and the Hornets could have been two or three up had they taken their chances.

Red Star average around 14 shots per game in the Champions League this term and you can back them to get at least four shots on target at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium at an appealing 7/4. They may get on the score sheet and, if not, four shots on goal to test Paulo Gazzaniga is not a difficult ask.

Best bet: Red Star to have 4+ shots on target at 7/4


Champions League: Five things from matchday two of Europe's elite competition

Champions League review: Five things from the second round of group games
Champions League review: Five things from the second round of group games

Odds correct as of 1430 BST on 21/10/19

Follow Sporting Life on social media - find us on Facebook here or tweet @SportingLifeFC

Related Champions League links


Responsible gambling

We are committed in our support of responsible gambling. Recommended bets are advised to over-18s and we strongly encourage readers to wager only what they can afford to lose.

Sky Bet's responsible gambling tools are detailed here and if you are concerned about your gambling, please call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133, or visit begambleaware.org.

Like what you've read?

MOST READ FOOTBALL

Join for Free
Image of stables faded in a gold gradientGet exclusive Willie Mullins insight, plus access to premium articles, expert tips and Timeform data, plus more...
Log in
Discover Sporting Life Plus benefits

FOOTBALL TIPS