Lee Phelps’ Champions League Picks: Upsets aplenty in Matchweek Two

William Hill spokesperson Lee Phelps gives his insight on the best bets for this week’s Champions League action…

The second night of Champions League action has an interesting look, with a few big-name clubs not quite playing at their peak, so there may be some value in a couple of upsets.

Goals in east Germany

Let’s start with Leipzig at home to Man City. Pep returns to the bench after his ban staring down the barrel of three straight losses and he has a dilemma. Will he play Rodri? The linchpin of his side can’t play at Arsenal, so should he give someone else gametime in his place?

This isn’t the same Leipzig side who lost 7-0 to the Premier League champions in March and it isn’t the same City either.

At around 10/3 the German side are tempting but a safer bet is probably over 3.5 goals at 6/4. RB drew 2-2 with Bayern at the weekend and City’s defence is creaking.

Upset at the Estádio do Dragão?

Porto against Barcelona is a curious match. The Spanish giants have failed to score in five of their last six away games in the Champions League and we know how good Porto are at home. At 3/1 I must take a chance on a home win.

Shakhtar overvalued?

Next a game few will be looking at: Antwerp v Shakhtar!

The Ukrainian side is over 3/1 and whilst they’re not world beaters I think they have better than a 24% chance of beating the fifth-place side in Belgium, who haven’t scored a goal in four games and were thrashed 5-0 by Barca last time out.

If you don’t want to back the away win, but can see the logic, maybe look at Oleksii Kashchuk to score at 4/1. He has netted four times for Shakhtar this term, all of them in away games.

Feyenoord to bag in Madrid

Atletico Madrid host Feyenoord. On first viewing the odds-on price for the Spanish side looks fair enough, but there is the faint whiff of an upset here with the Dutch side flying, including an opening gameday win against Celtic and a 4-0 Eredivisie win over Ajax.

I can see goals even if they don’t pull off a win and Calvin Stengs is in great form, having either scored or set a goal up in eight of his eight games in all competitions. He’s 11/2 to score at any time.

Rodgers can conquer Rome

Celtic’s loss to the Dutch league leaders did feature two men being sent off, so they’ll be hoping for better discipline and one of those famous home European atmospheres against Lazio.

The Italians fired a blank at the weekend in a 2-0 defeat to AC Milan, which means they’ve won two, drawn one and lost four in Serie A so far.

I think the Scottish side are more confident and look a bit overpriced at nearly 2/1.

Mbappe to silence St James’ Park 

Finally, what a night for Newcastle, welcoming PSG for their second Champions League night, following that draw in Milan. There’s nothing between these two in the betting and I think another draw is very possible.

In a tight game and with Eddie Howe’s side back to their best defensively, it will take some magic to break through. Step up Kylian Mbappe, who has in 12 in 12 for club and country. It’s rare you get him at odds against to score at any time so I’ll take him to light up St James’ Park at 6/5.