CHAMPIONS LEAGUE MD1 TIPS: GUNNING FOR GOALS & YAMAL ON TARGET
The wait is finally over.
The Champions League is back and it wastes no time pitting Europe’s elite against one another across 18 blockbuster fixtures, including Athletic Club vs Arsenal, Bayern Munich vs Chelsea and Newcastle vs Barcelona.
Looking to make top value plays ahead of Matchday 1? We’ve got you…
Tip 1 – Over 2.5 goals & Viktor Gyokeres to score in Athletic Club vs Arsenal @ 9/4
Our first tip for Champions League Matchday 1 features two teams dripping in history and tradition in their respective domestic leagues – and who have actually already played one another already in 2025.
We’re of course talking about Athletic Club and Arsenal. The pair meet again only a month or so after their clash in the Emirates Cup, a game won 3-0 by the Gunners and headlined by Viktor Gyokeres heading home his first goal for the club after signing from Sporting CP.
Much has been said about Gyokeres’ effectiveness in the Premier League but, in the Champions League, he’s already proven to be quite a menace.
The Sweden international scored six goals in eight appearances in the competition last year, including a hat-trick against Manchester City.
Playing at home is likely to bring more out of Athletic this time around but Mikel Arteta’s men will want to have their presence felt early after coming within touching distance of the final last year.
Simply put: there will be goals.
Tip 2 – Bayern Munich-Chelsea draw @ 17/5
That’s right, we’re going for a full-time repeat of the 2012 final – only this one won’t be heading to penalties and there’s no Didier Drogba to bail Chelsea out should they need a late equaliser.
Luckily for them the Club World Cup winners have a youthful, attacking squad capable of troubling anyone, even Bayern Munich in Germany. Historically the Bundesliga champions have had the Blues’ number, beating them four times and losing only once.
But time moves fast in football and these are two completely different teams going into the first week of a new Champions League campaign. And, on form, there’s not a lot separating them.
Bayern have started perfectly in the Bundesliga, announcing themselves with a 6-0 statement win over RB Leipzig on the opening day. Chelsea, meanwhile, remain unbeaten in the Premier League and showcased how effective they can be in front of goal with the 5-1 hammering of West Ham.
Two strong, attack-minded teams; both full of belief, both difficult to beat… we’re calling it a draw for a reason and, at 17/5, you may also.
Tip 3 – Lamine Yamal over 1.5 shots on target vs Newcastle @ Evens
Newcastle may have some giants on their team but it’s a tall task coming up against Barcelona on Matchday 1 and expecting to get out unscathed.
Hansi Flick’s men went 10 games undefeated last time around, the longest unbeaten streak in the competition until they were bested by Inter in arguably one of the greatest ties in Champions League history.
Integral to that run, their La Liga triumph and everything they’ve done and will do was one Lamine Yamal.
The 18-year-old Spain international continues to delight in La Liga and is already averaging 2.33 shots on target per game for Barca – a stat that will no doubt carry over to European football’s grandest stage.
Whether he’s cutting inside from the right, taking a shot from distance, or going for the spectacular, he will be a goal threat throughout this game at St James’ Park.
And try the Magpies will in keeping Yamal quiet but far better teams have tried and failed, making Evens for him to have over 1.5 shots on target all the more appealing, if you fancy it?
Odds correct at time of publication but subject to change.
