The world’s most prestigious domestic soccer tournament is back. We’ve got you covered for Wednesday, September 14, as the UEFA Champions League Group Stage Matchday 2 fixtures provide significant promise from a betting perspective.
The Champions League odds are widely available as we return with our carefully selected UCL best bets and Bonus Betting predictions.
Continue reading for our Champions League group stage soccer picks for the midweek fixtures involving Manchester City vs. Borussia Dortmund and Maccabi Haifa vs. PSG.
Manchester City FC vs. Borussia Dortmund
Wednesday, September 14, 2022 – 03:00 PM EDT at Etihad Stadium
Team News and Game Facts
? Dortmund’s injury list continues to grow, including names like Gregor Kobel, Sebastien Haller, Mahmoud Dahoud, Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, and Mateu Morey.
? Kyle Walker and John Stones are still questionable for City as both players missed the Matchday 1 meeting versus Sevilla.
? Man City is unbeaten in 6 consecutive UCL home meetings.
? Over 2.5 goals have landed in Dortmund’s previous 5 Champions League games.
Manchester City Analysis
Kick a Man While He’s Down
With his former Borussia Dortmund star in toe, Pep Guardiola will be licking his lips as a wounded BVB squad is faced with a visit to the Etihad following a 3-0 dismantling from RB Leipzig in German domestic action this past weekend.
Former Dortmund man Erling Braut Haaland is the new star man at City. His goalscoring capabilities inside the world’s most challenging soccer league haven’t altered since his arrival, and now the 22-year-old will undoubtedly hope to make a statement against his former employers on Wednesday afternoon.
Guardiola’s squad – like all English teams playing in European fixtures – have enjoyed a rested weekend after the death of Queen Elizabeth II postponed all fixtures in the UK. But this doesn’t alter what the Citizens were accomplishing beforehand, netting 17 goals in their previous four home fixtures while remaining unbeaten in their first seven games of the new season.
Borussia Dortmund Analysis
Tall Orders
After losing 3-0 at the weekend, to travel to England and face the most talent-rich team in the country and find a result is a difficult ask. Their weekend defeat ended a three-game consecutive win streak alongside three clean sheets, and although Dortmund has been prolific in the final third, they aren’t the same without Haaland leading the line.
Since 2017, Dortmund has competed in 17 Champions League away games, and not one of those meetings ended in a draw (won 7, lost 10). Their previous meeting with the Citizens ended in a 4-2 misery in the 2020/21 quarter-finals, and now they’ll have Haaland facing the opposite side.
Manchester City vs. Borussia Dortmund: Pick and Prediction
The available UCL odds naturally favor Manchester City to dominate this game, and I agree.
These clubs have blossomed into a positive relationship off the pitch, but Terzic’s men don’t have the depth to outperform the Citizens on their own turf.
Haaland and company will make a statement, and BVB will return to Germany with their first UCL loss of the season.
Score Prediction: Manchester City 4 – 1 Borussia Dortmund
Soccer Pick: Man City Win Half-Time/Full-Time (-175) [175$ stake returns $100 profit] at FanDuel
Maccabi Haifa FC vs. Paris Saint-Germain FC
Wednesday, September 14, 2022 – 03:00 PM EDT at Sammy Ofer Stadium
Team News and Game Facts
? PSG has scored at least 1+ goal in their previous 9 Champions League games.
? Over 2.5 goals have landed in PSG’s last 3 UCL away games.
Paris Saint-Germain Analysis
Mbappe and Neymar Don’t Need to Be Best Friends
The dramatics surrounding the off-pitch relationship between Kylian Mbappe and Neymar can be speculated from dusk till dawn, but this didn’t prevent the all-star PSG tag team from sending Juventus home as the losing side in the Champions League opener last week.
A naughty chip from Neymar fell into a thunderous volley from Mbappe to dent the Serie A side before doubling PSG’s lead before half-time. And in their return to domestic action, none other than Lionel Messi was there to assist Neymar in gifting their squad another 3 points on the board and an added boost of confidence heading into their midweek UCL travels to Israel.
Les Parisiens are riding a four-game win streak. They’re also unbeaten in 2022/23 and are now looking to score at least three goals on the road for a 9th game running. In addition, they can match Real Madrid’s record of achieving 40 consecutive group-stage games that have stood firm between 2008/2015.
Maccabi Haifa Analysis
Just Here to Take Part
Maccabi Haifa’s first UCL group-stage game in 13 years ended as most anticipated last week. And while they did put up a fight in the first half against Benfica, the inevitable soon arrived as the club’s UCL history became a little uglier.
It’s the third time in the club’s history they’ve competed on the grandest stage of European soccer, and their group-stage losing streak is now at 7. Another loss would see the Israeli side become the second team in Champions League history to lose eight consecutive games without scoring a goal.
Maccabi Haifa vs. Paris Saint-Germain: Pick and Prediction
The available UCL odds at the best sportsbooks give PSG all of their confidence, and rightfully so. I’d close my bookmaker’s account and never gamble again if PSG lost this fixture, as your wagering confidence in the Paris squad should be 99.9%.
Of course, PSG struggled in their Champions League away fixtures last term, but they’ve literally been gifted with the least threatening team in the tournament this time around. Don’t overthink the satiation; Mbappe, Neymar, and Messi will tear their opponents apart.
Score Prediction: Maccabi Haifa 0 – 5 Paris Saint-Germain
Soccer Pick: PSG -2.5 (+100) [100$ stake returns $100 profit] at Caesars Sportsbook
