After a blistering set of opening fixtures, in which 44 goals were scored, the Champions League is back for Matchday 2.
Without doubt, the standout game of the week is PSG vs Manchester City. A repeat of last season’s Champions League semi-final, City will be looking to get one over on their opponents once again.
Manchester United will also be eager to avenge their Europa League final defeat when they welcome Villareal to Old Trafford.
Tuesday
PSG vs Manchester City (Group A)
This is a tough one to call.
PSG have started Ligue 1 like a house on fire, winning all 8 of their games as they attempt to regain their domestic crown.
The Parisians failed to beat Club Bruges in their opening Champions League fixture, however.
City, on the other hand, put six past RB Leipzig and were simply stunning against Chelsea at the weekend, dominating the European Champions from the off.
If they play to that standard in the French capital, they will have too much for their opponents, even with a front three of Neymar, Mbappe and Lionel Messi, the Argentinian facing the boss with whom he won two European Cups with.
SCORE PREDICTION: 1-2
FC Porto vs Liverpool (Group B)
Despite finding themselves 2-1 down at half-time, Liverpool played AC Milan off the park at Anfield two weeks ago, eventually getting the result they deserved against the Italian giants.
They have been in fine goalscoring form so far this season, even if the defensive side of their game has been lacking.
The Reds also like their trips to Porto, scoring a total of nine goals across their last two visits.
They should therefore have more than enough to go two from two in Group B, even if the 2004 winners did secure a good point at Atletico Madrid on Matchday 1.
SCORE PREDICTION: 1-3
AC Milan vs Atletico Madrid
With these two teams likely competing for second place in Group B already, this is a huge game.
AC Milan have started the season far better than their opponents, winning five of their opening six games to sit second in Serie A.
But Atletico Madrid are always a resolute and dangerous prospect under Diego Simeone, and the Spanish champions will be keen to get back to winning ways after going down 1-0 to Alaves on Saturday.
SCORE PREDICTION: 1-1
Borussia Dortmund vs Sporting Lisbon (Group C)
Despite suffering defeat to rivals Borussia Monchengladbach at the weekend, Borussia Dortmund have enjoyed a good start to the season, often conceding goals in games but also bagging a bucketload themselves.
The German team also enjoyed a brilliant opening day win at Besiktas, Erling Haaland getting on the scoresheet once again alongside 18-year-old Jude Bellingham.
Sporting, on the other hand, were thrashed 5-1 by Ajax. They could be on the end of a similar result here.
SCORE PREDICTION: 4-1
Shakhtar Donetsk vs Inter Milan (Group D)
Shakhtar Donetsk suffered arguably the most embarrassing result of Matchday 1, the Champions League regulars losing 2-0 to Moldovan minnows Sheriff Tiraspol.
Inter also suffered defeat in their opening game, albeit to 13-time winners Real Madrid.
This could be a tight game, but the Italian’s quality should shine through in the end.
SCORE PREDICTION: 1-2
Real Madrid vs Sheriff Tiraspol (Group D)
What a result for Sheriff Tiraspol in Matchday 1, the Moldovan champions beating Shakhtar Donetsk in their first ever game in the Champions League group stage.
If they repeat it at the home of the competition’s most successful team, it would arguably be one of the biggest shocks the tournament has ever seen.
Real Madrid, back playing at the Bernabeu after the completion of construction work, currently sit top of La Liga, and should comfortably overwhelm their opponents.
SCORE PREDICTION: 4-0
Wednesday
Benfica vs Barcelona (Group E)
Are Barcelona in trouble of not even making it out of the group stages?
It’s early days, of course, but lose this and they may very well be.
The Catalan giants are a shadow of their former selves, meaning Benfica should go into this game full of confidence, especially considering they sit top of the Primeira Liga having won all 7 of their opening fixtures.
SCORE PREDICTION: 2-2
Bayern Munich vs Dynamo Kyiv (Group E)
Who remembers when Bayern were in crisis after not winning a game in preseason under new boss Julian Nagelsmann?
Top of the Bundesliga after five wins and one draw from their opening six games, the German club have made a mockery of those that doubted them.
Also enjoying a 3-0 win against Barcelona on Matchday 1, destroying their opponents in their own back yard, the six-time winners look the real deal as they attempt to reclaim their European crown.
SCORE PREDICTION: 4-0
Manchester United vs Villareal (Group F)
This is a big game for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
After losing three of his last four, including the Champions League opener at Young Boys, the Norwegian can ill afford another defeat with the talent he has at his disposal.
Unai Emery’s Villareal will look to frustrate their hosts, just as they did to great effect in last season’s Europa League final.
Under the lights at Old Trafford, however, it may not yield the same result.
SCORE PREDICTION: 2-0
Juventus vs Chelsea (Group H)
The battle of the two-time European champions, Chelsea come into this fixture on the back of a humbling by Manchester City, their seeming invincibility shattered after a dominant performance by Pep Guardiola’s men.
Juventus, by contrast, have had a reverse of fortunes after their disappointing start to the season, winning their last three on the bounce in all competitions.
It could be a cagey game in Turin, or it could be a barnstormer. With Chelsea looking to get back to winning ways, the former is perhaps more likely.
