Champions League predictions & preview: Matchday 2

Matchday 2 of the 2021/22 Champions League group stages gets underway on Tuesday, with supporters across the continent hoping to see a continuation of the drama that unfolded in the first round of games.

Manchester United were shocked by Swiss champions Young Boys in the opening game of the competition, Milan almost mounted a famous comeback at Liverpool and Barcelona were humiliated by Bayern Munich - again.

There are plenty of intriguing storylines to keep track of this time around too, with Man City and PSG, Chelsea and Juventus and Man Utd and Villarreal all squaring off.

Here are your predictions and previews for all 16 ties.


Tuesday 28 September

Ajax vs Besiktas

Sebastian Haller was Ajax's hero on matchday one | ANP Sport/Getty Images

When is it being played? Tuesday 28 September, 17:45 (BST)
Where is the match being played? Johan Cruyff Arena, Amsterdam
What TV channel is it on? BT Sport (UK), Paramount+ (US), DAZN (Canada)
Referee? Benoit Bastien (FRA)
VAR? Willy Delajod (FRA)

Ajax kicked off their Champions League campaign in incredible fashion during Matchday 1, with four goals from Sebastien Haller helping them to a 5-1 victory over Sporting.

Besiktas are dealing with a remarkable amount of injuries, so Erik ten Hag's side should make it two wins out of two on Tuesday.

Prediction: Ajax 3-1 Besiktas


Shakthtar Donetsk vs Inter

Inter are looking for their first points | Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images

When is it being played? Tuesday 28 September, 17:45 (BST)
Where is the match being played? NSC Olimpiyskiy, Kyiv
What TV channel is it on? BT Sport (UK), Paramount+ (US), DAZN (Canada)
Referee? Istvan Kovacs (ROU)
VAR? Marco Fritz (GER)

Somehow, despite peppering the Real Madrid goal for 90 minutes, Inter came away empty handed last time out. Meanwhile, Shakhtar Donetsk were stunned by lowly Sheriff.

Expect the Nerazzurri to make up for disappointing last time out by getting off the mark in the Champions League here.

Read 90min's full match preview here.

Prediction: Shakhtar Donetsk 0-2 Inter


RB Leipzig vs Club Brugge

Club Brugge drew with PSG last time out | Isosport/MB Media/Getty Images

When is it being played? Tuesday 28 September, 20:00 (BST)
Where is the match being played? Red Bull Arena, Leipzig
What TV channel is it on? BT Sport (UK), Paramount+ (US), DAZN (Canada)
Referee? Slavko Vincic (SVK)
VAR? Paolo Valeri (ITA)

Club Brugge picked up a very credible draw against Paris Saint-Germain last time out, suggesting that they will not be whipping boys this season.

RB Leipzig know victory is a must here if they are to have any chance of securing a top two spot spot over City and PSG. They have not been brilliant this season but home advantage should see them get the three points.

Prediction: RB Leipzig 2-1 Club Brugge


Paris Saint-Germain vs Manchester City

All eyes will be on Lionel Messi as Man City arrive in Paris, although he could miss out through injury | Catherine Steenkeste/Getty Images

When is it being played? Tuesday 28 September, 20:00 (BST)
Where is the match being played? Parc des Princes, Paris
What TV channel is it on? BT Sport (UK), Paramount+ (US), DAZN (Canada)
Referee? Carlos del Cerro Grande (ESP)
VAR? Juan Martinez Munuera (ESP)

In what is the undoubted standout fixture of the week, PSG host City on Tuesday evening in a game that combines on-field and geopolitical rivalries.

City got the better of their opponents in last year's semi-finals and despite the Parisians' strong start to the domestic campaign, we are not expecting anything different this time out.

Read 90min's full match preview here.

Prediction: Paris Saint-Germain 1-3 Manchester City


AC Milan vs Atletico Madrid

AC Milan ran Liverpool close on matchday one | PAUL ELLIS/Getty Images

When is it being played? Tuesday 28 September, 20:00 (BST)
Where is the match being played? San Siro, Milan
What TV channel is it on? BT Sport (UK), Paramount+ (US), DAZN (Canada)
Referee? Cuneyt Cakir (TUR)
VAR? Abdulkadir Bitigen (TUR)

This is set to be an intriguing tie as both Milan and Atletico Madrid know this is a must-win game with Liverpool likely to take top spot in Group B.

Both sides love to counter, so they could end up cancelling each other out in the end.

Read 90min's full match preview here.

Prediction: AC Milan 1-1 Atletico Madrid


Porto vs Liverpool

Liverpool got off to a winning start | Chloe Knott - Danehouse/Getty Images

When is it being played? Tuesday 28 September, 20:00 (BST)
Where is the match being played? Estadio do Dragao, Porto
What TV channel is it on? BT Sport (UK), Paramount+ (US), DAZN (Canada)
Referee? Sergei Karasev (RUS)
VAR? Bastian Dankert (GER)

After edging to a 3-2 win over Milan at Anfield last time out, Liverpool will want a more controlled display when they travel to Porto on Tuesday.

The Portuguese side are unbeaten this season and have defended especially well. Do they have enough to keep the Reds out, though? Maybe not.

Read 90min's full match preview here.

Prediction: Porto 0-3 Liverpool


Borussia Dortmund vs Sporting CP

Erling Haaland & Jude Bellingham are Dortmund's dangermen | Alex Grimm/Getty Images

When is it being played? Tuesday 28 September, 20:00 (BST)
Where is the match being played? Signal Iduna Park, Dortmund
What TV channel is it on? BT Sport (UK), Paramount+ (US), DAZN (Canada)
Referee? Srdjan Jovanovic (SRB)
VAR? Pol van Boekel (NED)

Jude Bellingham put in one of the best displays of his young career against Besiktas on Matchday 1 and Erling Haaland was also impressive.

If Dortmund are to secure a second successive Champions League win, expect the young pair to be at the centre of things.

Prediction: Borussia Dortmund 3-2 Sporting


Real Madrid vs Sheriff Tiraspol

Real Madrid's matchday one winner came from Rodrygo | Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images

When is it being played? Tuesday 28 September, 20:00 (BST)
Where is the match being played? Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid
What TV channel is it on? BT Sport (UK), Paramount+ (US), DAZN (Canada)
Referee? Lawrence Visser (BEL)
VAR? Clement Turpin (FRA)

Sheriff's opening day victory was one of the feelgood moments of the season so far but they are in for a far stiffer test this time out.

Real Madrid away is what dreams are made of, but it could easily turn into a nightmare if they are not careful.

Read 90min's full match preview here.

Prediction: Real Madrid 4-0 Sheriff Tiraspol


Wednesday 29 September

Atalanta vs Young Boys

Young Boys got off to a flying start against Man Utd | SEBASTIEN BOZON/Getty Images

When is it being played? Wednesday 29 September, 17:45 (BST)
Where is the match being played? Gewiss Stadium, Bergamo
What TV channel is it on? BT Sport (UK), Paramount+ (US), DAZN (Canada)
Referee? Felix Brych 
VAR? Sascha Stegemann

Young Boys got their European journey off to a dream start against Manchester United, stunning the 10-man Red Devils with a 2-1 victory.

Completing the trick against an Atalanta side held to a 2-2 draw with 10-man Villarreal last time out could prove challenging, even if La Dea are not quite firing on all cylinders just yet.

Prediction: Atalanta 1-0 Young Boys


Zenit St Petersburg vs Malmo

Zenit will be favourites to win this one | Visionhaus/Getty Images

When is it being played? Wednesday 29 September, 17:45 (BST)
Where is the match being played? Gazprom Arena, St Petersburg
What TV channel is it on? BT Sport (UK), Paramount+ (US), DAZN (Canada)
Referee? Anastasios Sidiropoulos
VAR? Jose Maria Sanchez Martinez

This looks like a game that will go a long way to deciding who finishes third - behind Chelsea and Juventus - in the group.

On paper Zenit are a much stronger side and one would expect them to flourish at home.

Prediction: Zenit St Petersburg 2-0 Malmo


Benfica vs Barcelona

Barcelona were soundly beaten on matchday one | David Ramos/Getty Images

When is it being played? Wednesday 29 September, 20:00 (BST)
Where is the match being played? Estadio da Luz, Lisbon
What TV channel is it on? BT Sport (UK), Paramount+ (US), DAZN (Canada)
Referee? Daniele Orsato
VAR? Massimiliano Irrati

We could have an upset on our hands here...

Benfica have been flawless in the league this season and should have won against Dynamo Kyiv last time out. Meanwhile, Barcelona are in the midst of an injury crisis and were humbled by Bayern Munich on Matchday 1. At least Ansu Fati is back for the visitors.

Prediction: Benfica 2-1 Barcelona


Bayern Munich vs Dynamo Kyiv

Bayern Munich are among the favourites to lift the trophy | Quality Sport Images/Getty Images

When is it being played? Wednesday 29 September, 20:00 (BST)
Where is the match being played? Allianz Arena, Munich
What TV channel is it on? BT Sport (UK), Paramount+ (US), DAZN (Canada)
Referee? Marco Guida
VAR? Maurizio Mariani

Dynamo Kyiv need a minor miracle to prevent Champions League favourites Bayern Munich doing the business on home ground.

Robert Lewandowski will be eager to close the gap on Haller in the Golden Boot race too.

Read 90min's full match preview here.

Prediction: Bayern Munich 4-0 Dynamo Kyiv


Manchester United vs Villarreal

Man Utd fell to a shock defeat last time out | FABRICE COFFRINI/Getty Images

When is it being played? Wednesday 29 September, 20:00 (BST)
Where is the match being played? Old Trafford, Manchester
What TV channel is it on? BT Sport (UK), Paramount+ (US), DAZN (Canada)
Referee? Felix Zwayer
VAR? Christian Dingert

Just a few months on from their meeting in the Europa League final, United host Villarreal in the continent's premier club competition.

The Yellow Submarine secured bragging rights last time out, but they are faltering this season, picking up five draws from their opening six La Liga matches. Another tie is likely the best they can hope for from this one.

Read 90min's full match preview here.

Prediction: Manchester United 1-1 Villarreal


Red Bull Salzburg vs Lille

Lille started their Champions League campaign with a draw | BSR Agency/Getty Images

When is it being played? Wednesday 29 September, 20:00 (BST)
Where is the match being played? Red Bull Arena, Salzburg
What TV channel is it on? BT Sport (UK), Paramount+ (US), DAZN (Canada)
Referee? Halil Umut Meler
VAR? Mete Kalkavan

Red Bull Salzburg have their best ever chance to qualify for the Champions League knockout stages this season and got off to a good start in Matchday 1, securing a 1-1 draw with Sevilla.

Lille, who also drew last time out, are their next opponents in what looks like it will be an even but entertaining contest.

Prediction: Red Bull Salzburg 2-2 Lille


Wolfsburg vs Sevilla

Sevilla have strong European pedigree | Fran Santiago/Getty Images

When is it being played? Wednesday 29 September, 20:00 (BST)
Where is the match being played? Volkswagen Arena, Wolfsburg
What TV channel is it on? BT Sport (UK), Paramount+ (US), DAZN (Canada)
Referee? Georgi Kabakov
VAR? Kevin Blom

The other game in the most open Champions League group of the season sees Wolfsburg take on Sevilla.

This is another open tie that is extremely tough to call, with both sides looking strong on paper. A draw seems most likely.

Prediction: Wolfsburg 0-0 Sevilla


Juventus vs Chelsea

Chelsea began their title defence with a win | DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/Getty Images

When is it being played? Wednesday 29 September, 20:00 (BST)
Where is the match being played? Allianz Stadium, Turin
What TV channel is it on? BT Sport (UK), Paramount+ (US), DAZN (Canada)
Referee? Jesus Gil Manzano
VAR? Juan Martinez Munuera

Juventus' start to the season has been putrid with the Old Lady already losing twice and only narrowly beating Spezia and Sampdoria in their last two games.

Meanwhile, Chelsea are flying and should be able to dispatch of Juve - even though they are the away side.

Prediction: Juventus 1-3 Chelsea


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Source : 90min