Michael Owen: UEFA Champions League Matchday Two

Champions League games don’t get much better than this! That was a brilliant City performance and result away at Chelsea on Saturday, and that should kick-start their season. They looked like the best team in England for a reason on Saturday and Guardiola must have been delighted. PSG obviously have so much attacking talent with Messi, Mbappe and Neymar, but I still worry about the balance of the team, and they’ve not looked convincing this season.

City eliminated them in the semi’s last season, winning 2-1 in Paris in the first leg. I don’t think they’ll win this time, but I don’t think they’ll lose either. A draw would still be a good result and I’m tipping a 1-1 draw here.

Liverpool started their Champions League campaign with that thrilling win at home to AC Milan. Their league form has been a little inconsistent, but I fancy them to have a strong season in Europe. They always do well in Europe under Klopp and have knocked Porto out in the knockout stages twice under him.

Porto are always an awkward side to face in Europe. They’ve got loads of experience at this level, most notably the ageless Pepe at the back. That was an excellent, and deserved, point away at Atletico Madrid in their first game and this is far from an easy away trip. Still, the Reds have won 4-1 and 5-0 here under Klopp and I don’t think it will be that routine this time around but I’m still predicting a 2-0 Liverpool win.

This is a must-win for United after some disappointing results. The defeat to Young Boys on matchday one was a shock and ultimately one that Solskjaer must feel was preventable. Ronaldo’s signing galvanised the club but after a couple of bad results, the pressure is back on Ole. Villareal are an organised side but have had a strange start to their La Liga season, drawing five of their first six. Unai Emery is obviously an experienced manager in Europe, but I think United will have too much for them. I’m going for a 2-0 United win.

I’ve got to say, I didn’t see that performance against Man City coming. That was a rare poor showing from Chelsea under Tuchel, but I’d expect him to get a response from his side here. I still think Chelsea have a good chance of retaining this trophy. Juventus have started their Serie A season in poor form and frankly, don’t look quite the side they once were. I would never write them off, particularly with Allegri back at the helm, but I fancy Chelsea to come back from Turin with a win. 1-0 Chelsea is my prediction.