3 Champions League storylines to watch during matchweek three
Published:
1) Napoli’s quest for history
If results fall their way in matchweek three, Napoli will achieve something that Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern Munich haven’t managed in the Champions League. In fact they’d complete a feat never before seen in the competition.
A win against Besiktas at home would take the Italian side to nine points with a 100 per cent record. If Dynamo Kiev and Benfica draw in the Ukraine, then the Partenopei will have sealed a last-16 spot at the earliest point in the tournament’s history.
We go 4/11 that Napoli keep to their end of the bargain.
2) Pep returns home
Although all the focus will be on Pep Guardiola going back to the club where he lifted the European Cup as both a player and manager, the reality is that this is a relative homecoming for a number of Manchester City men.
Assistant coach Mikel Arteta began life in the Catalan club’s vaunted academy. Left-winger Nolito was a Blaugrana player between 2008 and 2011 (although he only made two first-team appearances), while goalkeeper Claudio Bravo was the Spaniards’ goalkeeper just last season.
In arguably the match of the round, we make Guardiola’s new club 9/2 to triumph over his first, with the La Liga-based hosts 11/20.
3) Home streak to break Celtic’s German hoodoo
Brendan Rodgers’ men are on a four game unbeaten run at home in the Champions League, having followed up consecutive wins in the qualifying round with an impressive draw against Manchester City in the group phase.
They’ll need to draw on the strength that run has given them against Borussia Monchengladbach next though, a historically grey cloud hanging over them against German opposition.
Celtic have failed to score in their last two home games against visitors from the western Europe country and have gone five games without a win.
We are offering 21/10 that their fortunes change.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
