Matchday 3 of the Uefa Champions League gets under way on Tuesday night when our focus is on Arsenal v Atletico Madrid and Villarreal v Manchester City
Arsenal v Atletico Madrid
Arsenal are one of six teams to have taken maximum points from their first two UCL matches. A 2-0 win in Bilbao was followed by another 2-0 victory at home to Olympiacos on Matchday 2 and Martinelli was on target in both of those matches.
With six wins, one draw and one defeat Arsenal top the EPL standings three points clear of Manchester City and four in front of Liverpool and they have won seven and drawn one of their last eight across all competitions, keeping six clean sheets in the process.
Atletico are back in England for a second time after their tournament started with a 3-2 defeat at Anfield. They were 2-0 down in 6 minutes in that game before a brace from Llorente looked like securing a point only for Liverpool to find a winner in the 92nd minute. On Matchday 2 Atletico thrashed Frankfurt 5-1 in Madrid with five different players finding the net.
Atletico have won four, drawn four and lost one of their La Liga matches and they are in fourth position, eight points off the pace being set by Real Madrid.
The Verdict
Clean sheets are commonplace for Arsenal but this represents a good test against a free scoring Atletico side. I’m with both teams to find the net.
Bets: Both teams to score? Yes at 19/20 with Sportingbet
Note prices quoted are subject to change
Villarreal v Manchester City
Villarreal went down 1-0 away to Spurs on Matchday, conceding early on through a goalkeeping error. They hosted Juve on Matchday 2 and Mikautadze had them 1-0 up at half time, Juve fought back to take the lead before a 90th minute equalizer from Veiga saw the game finish all square at 2-2.
Villarreal are going well in La Liga, currently in third spot, five points behind Barcelona and seven adrift of Real Madrid and their home record in that competition comprises of four wins and one draw.
City welcomed de Bruyne back to Manchester in Round 1 where they saw off Napoli 2-0. Their task was simplified when Napoli were reduced to 10 men after 21 minutes and second half goals from Haaland and Doku saw City home and dry. On Matchday 2 away to Monaco a first half brace from Haaland had them 2-1 in front at half time and it stayed that way until the Ligue 1 side squared things up with a 90th minute penalty.
City are up to second position in the EPL standings, three points behind Arsenal and then have won six and drawn two of their last eight in all competitions.
The Verdict
Villarreal need a result and their home form warrants respect even against a City side who are improving. I’m leaning towards the draw.
Bets: Match Result Draw at 3/1 with Sportingbet
Note prices quoted are subject to change