Last Updated on October 1, 2023 5:34 pm by Erwin Noguera
The emotions of the 2023/24 edition of the UEFA Champions League continue, and next week, we will have the actions of Matchday 2 of the Group Stage.
There is no doubt that we will have a week full of really interesting matches that, without a doubt, will not let us sit still in our armchairs for a single second. All the teams know how important it is to get three points at the start of the tournament, as these could be key to qualifying for the round of 16.
Given the current state of affairs in European soccer, there is no doubt that anything can happen, as Manchester City’s absolute dominance seems to have diminished. Likewise, just because the Citizens have lost two games in a row does not mean the team will collapse completely.
The best soccer clubs in Europe and the world will take the field between Tuesday and Wednesday of next week to leave blood, sweat, and tears to try to take the 3 points.
Here is a preview of the best matches on matchday 2 of the UEFA Champions League 2023/24 Group Stage.
Champions League Matchday 2 – Inter vs. Benfica – Info
When:
Tuesday, October 3 – 15:00 ET at San Siro
Moneyline odds:
Inter -123
Benfica +320
Draw Offs:
+280
Where can I watch it?
Star+ and Paramount+
There is no doubt that Inter is one of the favorites to comfortably advance to the round of 16 of this edition of the Champions League. The Nerazzurri are currently going through a difficult moment in Serie A, but we all know and are sure of this team’s level of play and determination.
Inter knows that this match is fundamental for their aspirations to be first in the group, as Salzburg started very well, beating Benfica on the first matchday. However, the team needs to turn the page after irregular results in recent weeks to step up and get the 3 points in this match.
The Nerazzurri come into this matchday after crushing Salernitana this Serie A weekend with a 4-0 scoreline.
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On the other hand, we have Benfica, one of the most popular clubs in Portuguese soccer. Benfica is in second place in the overall standings of the Portuguese Primeira Liga, only 1 point behind Sporting Lisbon.
However, the team has had a great start to the season, as they have 6 wins in 7 games played in the local league. Likewise, as we have mentioned, the Eagles started their Champions League campaign on the wrong foot, as Salzburg crushed them at home with a score of 0-2. Now, they will have the complicated task of visiting Inter, who will surely go all out in this match.
Benfica comes into this match in high spirits after an excellent victory over their historical rivals in the Portuguese league, Porto, with a 1-0 score.
There is no doubt that we will have a really exciting, intense, and hard-fought match. However, we expect the home side to pull out all the stops to take the 3 points home. As a result, our betting selection is a victory for Inter Milan.
Inter vs. Benfica Betting Pick: Inter
Champions League Matchday 2 – Lens vs. Arsenal – Info
When:
Tuesday, October 3 – 15:00 ET at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis
Moneyline odds:
Lens +450
Arsenal -170
Draw Offs:
+320
Where can I watch it?
Star+ and Paramount+
Lens needs to regain the form that led them to be runners-up in Ligue 1 in the 2022/23 season; of that, there is no doubt. Also, facing such a strong opponent as Arsenal at home can help the team wake up and start showing signs of good level.
Lens is ranked #13 in the Ligue 1 standings with a terrible record of 2 wins, 1 draw, and 4 losses in 7 matches. In addition, Racing was held to a 1-1 draw by Sevilla in the first matchday of this UEFA Champions League Group Stage.
However, everything seems to indicate that the team is waking up little by little since the French team comes into this matchday after winning its last two matches in the local tournament, the last one being against Racing Strasbourg with a 1-0 score.
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On the other hand, we have Arsenal, a team fighting for the Premier League leadership. Now more than ever, they must take advantage of the situation since Manchester City lost two consecutive matches for the first time in many months.
The Gunners have everything in their hands to strike a blow in both the Premier League and the Champions League, as let’s remember that on the first matchday, they crushed PSV with an excellent 4-0 score. However, Lens is a much more organized team and, above all, more dangerous.
Arsenal come into this matchday after a 1-0 win over Brentford in the EFL Cup and a 4-0 win over Bournemouth in the Premier League.
While Lens is a very difficult team to beat when they play at home, the level of play and confidence that Arsenal brings is great. As a result, our betting selection will be a visitors’ win.
Lens vs. Arsenal Betting Pick: Arsenal
Champions League Matchday 2 – Napoli vs. Real Madrid – Info
When:
Tuesday, October 3 at 15:00 ET at the Estadio Diego Armando Maradona
Moneyline odds:
Napoli +165
Real Madrid +153
Draw Offs:
+260
Where can I watch it?
Star+ and Paramount+
Napoli started their 2023/24 Serie A season with many problems, as they didn’t get 3 points until matchday 3. However, the team’s performance has improved too much these last few weeks, and, as we mentioned, they come into this match against Real Madrid after scoring 8 goals in their two most recent games.
The Neapolitans know beating Real Madrid is not easy, even at home. However, they are also clear that this version of the Spanish team is not the best, so they must take advantage to get the 3 points.
Napoli got off to a good start in the Champions League with a 2-1 away win over Braga. Moreover, the Italian team came to this match after beating Udinese (4-1) and Lecce (4-0) in Serie A.
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On the other hand, we have Real Madrid, a team that leads the LaLiga EA Sports standings at this point of the season with only 1 point difference concerning FC Barcelona, who are in second place.
Los Merengues have not displayed their best level of play at the beginning of the season; this is more than clear. However, the individual level of their players and, above all, of their new addition, Jude Bellingham, has been spectacular.
On the other hand, the White team arrives on this second day of the Champions League after beating Union Berlin in the first match of Group C and, in addition, they are coming from crushing UD Las Palmas (2-0) and Girona by 3-0.
We expect a duel with a lot of intensity and, above all, with many scoring chances. However, the odds of the points being shared are high. As a result, our betting selection is a draw on the scoreboard.
Napoli vs. Real Madrid Betting Pick: Draw
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