Arsenal, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Inter Milan are among the European giants in Champions League action on Tuesday as matchday two is the focus of attention.
The Gunners go to Lens looking to make it two wins from two, Bayern are at Danish outfit FC Copenhagen, Inter host Benfica and there’s a big showdown in Naples between Italian champions Napoli and European heavyweights Real.
Bayern should be too good for their opponents, similarly Arsenal are expected to see off Lens, while Inter are favourites to beat Benfica.
Napoli and Real Madrid are two teams who should go far in the competition and they could end up cancelling each other out.
In all, there are eight matches in Europe’s premier competition to look forward to on Tuesday and here we run down the action.
- Bayern Munich to win & over 2.5 goals v Copenhagen
- Arsenal to win to nil v Lens
- Inter Milan to beat Benfica
- Draw in Napoli v Real Madrid
FC Copenhagen vs Bayern Munich
Bayern were comfortably the better side when they beat Manchester United 4-3 last month in their Group A opener and a trip to Denmark should not hold too many fears for the six-time European champions.
Bayern are fancied to challenge in this season’s competition and by many they are viewed as Manchester City’s closest rivals.
They usually navigate these sorts of tests in the group stage comfortably and they should come away with three points while adding to their goal tally.
Thomas Tuchel’s side have scored 28 goals in eight matches in all competitions this term and they should prove a class above Copenhagen as they aim to rack up an impressive away win.
Copenhagen are top in Denmark after picking up a healthy 22 points from their first 10 games but taking on Bayern in the continent’s biggest club competition is a big step up.
BAYERN MUNICH TO WIN AND OVER 2.5 GOALS
Kane and Sane in sparkling form
Lens vs Arsenal
Lens are unlikely to trouble the unbeaten Gunners despite being on their own patch and Mikel Arteta’s side can come away from France with another win, while keeping a clean sheet in the process.
Arsenal have won to nil in five of their games so far this term in all competitions, including in their last two matches. They won 1-0 at Brentford in the League Cup and then they trounced Bournemouth 4-0 in the Premier League at the weekend.
Another of those shutouts came on matchday one when they thumped PSV Eindhoven 4-0 at home and they’re now preparing to face arguably weaker opposition.
It would be no surprise to see another convincing Arsenal win with their defence expected to keep the opposition out. The hosts have managed just seven goals from their first seven Ligue 1 matches.
Going forward, Arteta’s men are also clicking with key men Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus and even the previously-criticised Kai Havertz all also enjoying themselves of late.
Jesus getting back to his best
Inter Milan vs Benfica
Inter are sitting pretty at the top of Serie A after winning six of their first seven games, and they know a home success over Benfica in Europe will get their Champions League campaign moving in the right direction.
Inter were held to a 1-1 draw at Real Sociedad in their Group D opener but Portuguese giants Benfica suffered a worse fate - going down 2-0 to RB Salzburg in what was one of the shocks in the opening slate of games.
The Super Eagles have started well domestically and are second in the table in Portugal with six wins from seven games, but this looks like being a tough night for the visitors.
Inter last won the European Cup under Jose Mourinho in 2010 but they came mighty close last season when they were narrowly beaten by Manchester City 1-0 in the final in Istanbul.
They will want more of the same in 2023-24 and a home win after drawing their opener will be the aim if they want to ensure they have a smooth passage into the knockout phase again this year.
Martinez starring for Inter
Napoli vs Real Madrid
Napoli’s home game with Real may well be the game of the night on matchday two with excitement expected at the Diego Maradona Stadium between two experienced European clubs.
Both sides kicked off their Champions League campaigns with a victory - Napoli edging out Sporting Braga 2-1, while Real just got the better of Union Berlin 1-0 at home thanks to Jude Bellingham’s late intervention.
With both also making good starts domestically, this could be a closely-run thing in Naples.
The hosts are third in Serie A after four wins, two draws and a defeat from their first seven games, while Real are top in Spain thanks to a record of seven wins from their first eight outings.
Napoli have star men like Victor Osimhen, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Giovanni Di Lorenzo to rely on, while Real’s roster of of A-list talents includes free-scoring English midfielder Bellingham, sparkling forward Vinicius Jr and reliable veterans Toni Kroos and Luka Modric.
These two look evenly-matched and a draw may well suit both parties with Tuesday’s opponents likely to be fighting it out for top spot in Group C come the new year.
NAPOLI AND REAL MADRID TO DRAW
Experience of Modric and Kroos vital for Real
Other Games
Meanwhile, on a busy Tuesday, Manchester United will be looking to get back to winning ways when they host Galatasaray in Group A, while, in Arsenal’s group, PSV Eindhoven welcome Sevilla.
Union Berlin entertain Braga in Group C, with both teams looking for their first points, and Real Sociedad go to RB Salzburg in Group D.
