Tuesday fixtures
Copenhagen vs Bayern
Bayern are yet to hit top form this season, looking very questionable defensively. However, their attacking superstars in Kane and Sane will be way too much for Copenhagen to handle and it is important to acknowledge key players Neuer, Gnabry and De Ligt will all miss out through injuries.
In matchday 1, Bayern just about beat a Man Utd team in a wild, free scoring 4-3 classic. Copenhagen were so close to picking up an impressive win away at Galatasaray, but a red card proved costly and they threw away a two-goal lead late on – still a good point.
Domestically, both teams haven’t been perfect, Bayern picking up multiple 2-2 draws against the likes of Bayer and Leipzig, again highlighting their defensive frailties. Copenhagen are fresh off a surprise 2-0 defeat at home to Midtjylland.
Player to watch: Leroy Sane
Sane is in devastating form with five goals in six matches and has scored in his last three games. It is inevitable that he will score tonight.
Score prediction: Copenhagen 1-4 Bayern
Man United vs Galatasaray
Man Utd have started the season terribly and tonight is a must-win for them to get their season back on track. This is somewhat down to key players Antony, Malacia, Martinez, Sancho and Shaw all missing through a combination of injuries and unavailability. This doesn’t excuse the poor patterns of play with little identity shown by United at this moment.
Gala will be feeling very confident going into the game: they’ve got an impressive team and are in great form. Despite playing poorly in matchday 1, they found a way to steal a point. Zaha will be looking to frustrate his former club once again, and he’ll be well up for it.
Man Utd on the other hand are in poor form and suffered a toothless 0-1 defeat at home to Palace. I thought they played OK in matchday 1 against a tough Bayern side and if it wasn’t for an Onana howler or a dodgy pen given, they might have taken something.
Player to watch: Wilfred Zaha
Zaha is starting to settle in Turkey and was rewarded his first start, contributing with his first goal – he knows Utd very well and I’m relishing the chance to see him up against former teammate Wan-Bissaka once again.
Score Prediction: Man Utd 1-1 Galatasaray
Lens vs Arsenal
Lens have recovered from a surprisingly awful start, picking up back-to-back wins, but will have to step up their game big time if they want anything against an excellent Arsenal team. They will be relieved that big-signing Wahi finally opened his account at the weekend.
Arsenal have made a solid start to the season; they are winning games despite not playing especially well. However, they were superb against Bournemouth picking up a devastating 4-0 win in what was by far their best and most convincing performance so far this season.
In matchday 1, Lens picked up an impressive point away at Sevilla, which is nothing in comparison to Arsenal who smashed PSV 4-0 making a mark on their long-awaited return to the competition. I wonder if we will see some rotation from Arsenal to protect players ahead of their mouth-watering game against Man City this weekend.
Player to watch: Martin Odegaard
The skipper was in top form against Bournemouth this weekend contributing with a goal and assist; he looks to have picked up his form and will be a problem tonight.
Score prediction: Lens 0-3 Arsenal
PSV vs Sevilla
PSV have made a phenomenal start to the Eredivisie season winning seven out of seven games. Sevilla on the other hand have found a bit of form and the return of Sergio Ramos has certainly tightened them up at the back.
Both teams had a disappointing matchday 1: Sevilla would have been disappointed to drop points at home to Lens and PSV were battered by Arsenal where I expected the game to be a much closer affair.
PSV are a well-rounded free-scoring machine and I back them to dispatch of an ageing Sevilla team tonight comfortably.
Player to watch: Luuk De Jong
Former Sevilla Europa League hero, now back at PSV, De Jong has an incredible goal-scoring record and the target forward is always a handful; he will be desperate to score against his former club.
Score prediction: PSV 2-0 Sevilla
Union Berlin vs Braga
A Europa League crunch match, Union Berlin are in abysmal form losing their last five games and they haven’t scored in their last three, so will be looking to get back on track tonight. Braga have also had a disappointing start to the season, leaking goals for fun. A really hard game to predict.
Both teams put up resolute performances in matchday 1 against much better opposition and heartbreakingly both conceded right at the death to lose to Real and Napoli 2-1.
Player to watch: Robin Gosens
The attacking wing back has three goals in six matches so far, so a good chance he adds to that tally tonight.
Score prediction: Union Berlin 1-1 Braga
Inter vs Benfica
Inter got the better of Benfica convincingly in the quarters last season and Benfica will be out for revenge. Both teams in good form, with Benfica picking up a massive win against Porto when Lautaro came off the bench and bagged four against Salernitana.
Both teams dropped points on matchday 1. Benfica lost to Salzburg in a shock defeat 0-2 at home, much down to an early red card for Antonio Silva. Inter were dominated by Sociedad, but managed to pick it up in the last 10 minutes and snuck a valuable point.
Player to watch: Lautaro Martinez
Lautaro is in the form of his life starting the season with nine goals in seven games, and he has already opened his account in this season’s Champions’ League against Sociedad. Expect a goal.
Score prediction: Inter 2-1 Benfica
Salzburg vs Sociedad
First meeting of the two teams who are both in impressive form with plenty of young talented players on show with the likes of Konate and Gloukh for Salzburg, Kubo and Barrenetxea.
In matchday 1, both teams picked up an impressive result. Salzburg shocked Benfica 2-0 to pick up a superb away win. Sociedad drew against Inter but that doesn’t show the whole picture as they were by far the better side.
Player to watch: Takefusa Kubo
Five goals in seven matches to start the season, the Japanese wonderkid is in terrific form and is thriving in a variety of different positions. Let’s see if he will celebrate by twerking again if he scores tonight!
Score prediction: Salzburg 1–3 Sociedad
