Champions League group stage tips: Arsenal, Man City and Celtic feature
Sam Barnard, Assistant Sports Editor | September 12, 2016
Five Champions League group stage tips
The 2016/17 Champions League group stage kicks off this week, so Coral pick out five top tips to take for the opening day on September 12th, featuring pools A-D.
Barcelona v Celtic is arguably the fixture of the day, but Arsenal and PSG will have something to say about that as they battle at the Parc des Princes. Manchester City also play on Tuesday evening as they host Borussia Monchengladbach.
Read on to find out our five Champions League group stage tips…
Arsenal to win and both teams score
Arsenal are in confident mood as they limber up ahead of crunch clash with PSG.
PSG and Arsenal have had identical starts to their respective league seasons, gaining seven points from four games, however it is the north Londoners who come into this Group A clash in the better form having won their last two.
The Parisians, on the other hand, have claimed just a point from their last two – conceding four goals in the process – which suggests that the Gunners can take full advantage.
With both teams looking shaky at the back, but promising in attack, back Arsenal at a super 6/1 to win with both sides scoring.
Scott Sinclair to score anytime v Barca
Scott Sinclair is in flying form for Celtic, and features among Coral’s five Champions League group stage tips for September 13.
Celtic face outright 3/1 Champions League favourites Barcelona at the perfect time in Group C it seems, as the Spanish giants were shocked 2-1 by newly-promoted Alaves at the Nou Camp at home on Saturday.
On top of that, the Hoops were in smashing form earlier in the day when they demolished bitter Old Firm rivals Rangers 5-1, and have netted in six of their last eight duels with the Catalan kings.
While Moussa Dembele took most of the plaudits for his perfect hat-trick, former Aston Villa attacker Sinclair grabbed himself his fifth goal in as many league and cup games this season. After netting in each of those appearances so far, back him at a thrilling 8/1 to score anytime once more.
Man City to score four or more goals
Man City will be hoping to smash in the goals again after fine start to Premier League season.
English superpower Man City have started life under Pep Guardiola perfectly, winning all four of their Premier League matches to date – including most recently on the road against derby rivals Manchester United.
The Citizens also top the table in terms of goals scored, and managed to net four past Stoke City in the second matchweek.
Man City faced upcoming Group C opponents Gladbach in last year’s group stage too, defeating them 4-2, so are tempting 3/1 shouts to put four or more past them again.
PSV and Atleti to share spoils
PSV and Atleti battled out two draws in normal time in the Champions League last 16 last season.
Atletico Madrid travel to PSV Eindhoven as they begin their European campaign in Group D, though haven’t had the best of starts after two draws and a victory in La Liga so far.
PSV have fared better, being undefeated two by claiming 13 points from five matches in the Eredivisie, suggesting this could be a close clash.
The two teams also met in last year’s Champions League last 16, where they battled out two 0-0 draws in 90 minutes – before Atleti went on to win in penalties. Another share of the spoils is priced at 23/10.
Lewandowski to hit a hat-trick v Rostov
Bayern Munich superstar Robert Lewandowski already has two hat-tricks to his name this season.
Robert Lewandowski has continued to prove that he is one of, if not, the best striker in the world right now, having already hit two hat-tricks this season against Werder Bremen in the Bundesliga and Carl Zeiss Jena in the DFB-Pokal.
The prolific Pole was also on target last time out against Schalke and should have no trouble finding the net multiple times against Russian outfit Rostov.
Therefore, back Lewandowski at 6/1 to bag another treble of goals in this Group D game.
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