December 22, 2024
Benfica vs Atlético Madrid
Another expected entertaining clash on matchday two is between Benfica and Atlético Madrid.
The two side will be meeting for the third time in the Champions League group phase. Both sides have won one each with a 2-1 scoreline.
Meanwhile, Benfica has failed to win any of their home games in the competition last campaign. They also lost to a Spanish side in the run, a 1-0 defeat to Real Sociedad. Overall, they have prevailed just once in their last seven home games in Europe.
Atleti’s recent away record in the UCL is not very good either, with a sole victory in their last nine road games. That includes a 2-1 reverse to Porto at this stage two years ago. They went unbeaten in the group stages last year, earning a 4-2-0 record.
Prediction: Benfica 1 vs 2 Atlético Madrid
Aston Villa vs Bayern Munich
Aston Villa faces German giants and favourites, Bayern Munich on their return quest to the Champions League.
Meanwhile, Villa’s European triumph came at the expense of Bayern, winning 1-0 in Rotterdam. The victory is also their most recent victory against a German team in Europe.
However, they are up against a different Bayern, who dismantled Dinamo Zagreb 9-2 on matchday 1. The Bavarians are unbeaten in their last five games against Premier League opponents (3-2-0), including two wins over Manchester United at this stage last fall. Overall, Bayern has a 28-19-16 record in Europe against English teams.
Prediction: Aston Villa 0 vs 4 Bayern Munich
Liverpool vs Bologna
Liverpool will be facing Bologna, another Italian team, after defeating AC Milan on opening day of the 2024/25 season
However, the Reds’ last continental home game ended in a 3-0 lose to Atalanta in the Europa League quarterfinals in April. Still, playing against Bologna is expected to be a walkover for Arne Slot’s Liverpool.
Meanwhile, Bologna is playing their first game against an English club in a major European club competition. They are also competing in their maiden group phase in Europe, as their best continental showing was in the 1998/99 UEFA Cup, where they reached the semifinals.
Liverpool is expected to triumph comfortable against Bologna, despite playing away from home.
Prediction: Liverpool 4 vs 1 Bologna
Lille vs Real Madrid
Lille will have the tedious task of facing defending UCL champions Real Madrid in their matchday 2 clash.
Meanwhile, the French side are winless in their last four continental home games against Spanish teams. Facing a Real Madrid team, who are unbeaten in the UCL in 2023/24, and are on a run of 14 games in the competition without defeat, looks more like an Herculean task.
Real Madrid will however need to be more clinical on the attack to get the better of Lille. The winners of the last UCL campaign struggled to win the first game against Stuttgart. They have also struggled in the attack this season, and are mostly finding footings in the second half of games.
However, Carlo Ancelotti’s side are still a tough side for Lille and are favourites to win the game despite the absence of Kylian Mbappe.
Prediction: Lille 1 vs 3 Real Madrid
RB Leipzig vs Juventus
RB Leipzig and Juventus clash as the German team will be facing an Italian club in Europe for the third time.
The Germans are also playing in their sixth consecutive season in the tournament. However, they are winless in their last three. Playing against a recuperating Juventus could bring them back to winning ways.
Juventus’ last UCL meetings with a Bundesliga side came at this stage five years ago where they won Bayer Leverkusen. They also won both legs against Freiburg in the UEL last 16 in 2022/23. However, they have failed to win any of their last five UCL away matches though, losing four in that run.
The game is expected to be an interesting contest.
Prediction: RB Leipzig 1 vs 1 Juventus
Other Matches Predictions
Sturm Graz 3 vs 0 Club Brugge
Shakhtar Donetsk 1 vs 3 Atalanta
Girona 2 vs 0 Feyenoord
Dinamo Zagreb 2 vs 3 AS Monaco
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