Champions League

Ajax and Borussia Dortmund are dominating Champions League Group C but the Dutch outfit have been more impressive in their victories. Erik ten Hag has assembled a side which looks comfortable going forward but also doesn’t mind doing the dirty work when out of possession.

Chelsea have laboured through their first couple of Champions League games but will be eyeing a smooth success versus Malmo. The Swedish outfit lost 3-0 at Stamford Bridge in the Europa League a few seasons ago and have looked out of their depth at this level.

Man Utd have been involved in two dramatic Champions League matches and would love a smooth success when hosting Atalanta. La Dea currently top Group F with four points, one more than the Red Devils, but may find their first trip to Old Trafford a daunting proposition.

Liverpool are sitting pretty at the top of Champions League Group B but now face a tricky double-header versus Atletico Madrid. Los Colchoneros beat the Reds twice at the last-16 stage two seasons ago and have since signed former Anfield favourite Luis Suarez.

Manchester City will be determined to get their Champions League campaign back on track when visiting Club Brugge after a loss to PSG. The Belgian outfit are actually a point above the Citizens in Group A following a bright start, so can’t be discounted lightly.

Chelsea look to have little to fear but past reputations when visiting Juventus in Group H of the Champions League. The Italian outfit only just sneaked into this competition and have been far from convincing on the domestic front again since the new season started.

United will be hoping to gain some revenge for last season’s Europa League final heartbreak when entertaining Villarreal. However, past history points to a stalemate, as these teams had drawn four previous Champions League matches before that tie went to penalties.

Barcelona received a timely boost by beating Levante in La Liga and can build on that when visiting Benfica in the Champions League. The Portuguese outfit are unbeaten this term, with 10 wins and two draws, but it is easy to pick holes in their European efforts.

Manchester City beat PSG twice in last season’s Champions League semi-finals but may settle for a draw at the group stage this term. This match comes between two Premier League blockbusters versus Chelsea and Liverpool, so the Blues will have to watch energy levels.

Liverpool have fond memories of visiting Estadio Do Dragao and can prove too strong for Porto in the Champions League again. The Reds won 5-0 here in 2018 on route to reaching the final and prevailed 4-1 at this venue the following year before going on to lift the trophy.

Ajax made a statement when thrashing Sporting Lisbon on Matchday 1 and are expected to make short work of Besiktas in Amsterdam. The visitors have already lost at home to Dortmund in Group C and look one of the weakest teams in this season’s Champions League.

Liverpool and AC Milan have met in two previous Champions League finals, winning one apiece, and do battle in a tough Group B this season. With Atletico Madrid and Porto also present in this pool, picking up maximum points on home turf could prove crucial for the Reds.

Manchester City set out on the latest bid to end their Champions League hoodoo by hosting an out-of-sorts RB Leipzig side in Group A. The Blues made it all the way to the final last season and have regularly been clinically efficient during the pool stage in recent years.