Tonight sees the return of the Champions League with the start of the group phase. Liverpool start the defence of their crown with a trip to Napoli, while Chelsea host Valencia.
The Reds had difficulties at this same ground in Naples last year, losing 1-0, and will have to be at their best to get three points. They brushed past Newcastle on the weekend but did concede first and have yet to look as defensively secure as last season.
With that in mind we’ll take a punt on Napoli striker Dries Mertens scoring during the game. He’s started the season brightly, scoring four in six games for both club and country.
Chelsea return to the Champions League after winning the Europa League last season. But this season new manager Frank Lampard has trusted in youth given the team’s transfer ban.
This has resulted in volatility – scoring 10 in their last three games but having conceded 11 in their opening five Premier League matches. Valencia conceded five over the weekend, admittedly against Barcelona, and so we think goals are likely, probably at both ends!
This tends to suggest that anytime goal bets could be profitable. We’ll side with Chelsea newcomer Christian Pulisic to put his European experience to good use.
Recommendations:
Napoli/Liverpool: Mertens to score anytime, 1 pt, at 23/10, Paddy Power
Chelsea/Valencia: Pulisic to score anytime, 1 pt, at 3/1, Paddy Power
And 1 pt on the Mertens/Pulisic double, at approximately 12/1, Paddy Power
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