The Champions League returns this week, with six Premier League teams in action.
Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Newcastle and Tottenham are all part of the League Phase, while Paris Saint-Germain are the defending champions.
There are so many fantastic fixtures to look forward to on Matchday 1, and ahead of all the kick-offs across the continent, we decided to have a quick catch-up with NetBet brand ambassador Ray Parlour, in order to get his thoughts.
Check out what Ray had to say below, and do not forget, you can use our Bet Builder customisation tool on every single Champions League match this season. Create your own bet with increased odds, and play your way!
Hi Ray. How do you think the 6 Premier League teams will fare in this season’s League Phase?
Ray says: “Starting with Arsenal, it’s a good draw for them and you would hope for a Top 8 finish. Some tricky games of course, but on paper, nothing too difficult, apart from maybe Inter Milan away. Liverpool have a tough set of games, including clashes with Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid, but sometimes these matches bring out the best in them. Liverpool will be close to the Top 8, of that I’m sure. Man City have a decent set of fixtures and should be around the Top 8 come January. Real Madrid away is a tough game and starting at home to Napoli won’t be easy either, but I reckon City will be just fine. Chelsea and Spurs have to believe they can finish in the Top 16 by picking up crucial points from their home games and achieving the odd win away from home. Newcastle may struggle to qualify for the play-offs, but as we saw last time they were in the Champions League, St James’ Park is a very tough place to go for any side.”
Are Paris Saint-Germain still the team to beat in the Champions League?
Ray says: “Yes, PSG and Liverpool would be my favourites for the competition this year. PSG will be super confident about defending their crown, even after losing the Club World Cup final to Chelsea, while Liverpool will believe they have acquired the missing piece for European competition in the brilliant Alexander Isak. The Swede can certainly help fire Arne Slot’s side to glory with his goals, but PSG are still the slight favourites in my view.”
If you had to pick some players who you think will be top of the scoring charts at the end of the season, who would they be?
Ray says: “Erling Haaland is never far away and always scores plenty of goals for Man City in this competition. Harry Kane at Bayern Munich will be looking to score a few against the smaller teams he comes up against, and he will also be extra motivated when he returns to Arsenal! I think Robert Lewandowski and Lamine Yamal at Barcelona can also bag plenty of goals in the League Phase – and you can never rule out Kylian Mbappe at Real Madrid, especially after his start to the season. Finally, if Bukayo Saka can stay fit for Arsenal, I think he will find the back of the net on a regular basis.”
Go on then Ray, if you had to predict who you think will be in the final next year, who would it be?
Ray says: “Well, I hope it’s Arsenal who win it. So I will go Arsenal vs PSG in the final, with the Gunners looking to avenge their semi-final loss to the French champions from last season!”
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