My UCL Group Matchday 1 Predictions vs Results

Barcelona vs PSV

My predicted Winner/Score: Barcelona 3-1

Result: Barcelona 4-0

I knew Barca was the heavy favorite and are more than capable of scoring many goals against a side like PSV. I expected PSV, more specifically Hirving, to find the back of the net. He’s been linked with Barca the past few weeks and has recently said that a move to Barcelona would be a dream come true to him. This made me believe he would have an outstanding performance to convince his dream club to sign him.

Inter Milan vs Tottenham Hotspur

My predicted Winner/Score: 2-2

Result: Inter 2-1

With all the star players Spurs were down due to injury or decision to rest them, I knew they would not have an easy game. This was quite the upset having Inter score twice in the last 10 minutes as Spurs lost their lead. For a side that has been out of the UCL for years, that’s a very decent start in their season back. I’m not sure why Pochettino decided it was a good idea to rest Trippier and Alderweireld for the match. He either severely underestimated Inter or actually thought he had a formula to success without a lot of star players. My perspective is that even if it’s the lowest ranked team in the UCL, you must always go all out and start your best players to raise the chances of getting a win. If you don’t use all your cards, the other team definitely will.

Dortmund vs Club Brugge

My predicted Winner/Score: Dortmund 4-0

Result: Dortmund 1-0

I really thought Dortmund’s attack minded style would find the back of the net a couple of times without much difficulty. I definitely underestimated Brugge. Throughout the game they had one of the best defensive performances in the first matchday of the UCL. They at the very least deserved a draw and only lost to n extremely lucky goal by Pulisic.

FC Porto vs Schalke 04

My predicted Winner/Score: Porto 2-1

Result: 1-1

Going into the game I felt that Porto had a bit more quality to possibly win. In my defense, if Porto hadn’t missed their first penalty they would’ve won and my score would’ve been on point. Anyways, both teams definitely deserved a tie in this one.

Monaco vs Atlético de Madrid

My predicted Winner/Score: Atleti 2-0

Result: 2-1

Another really close one. Monaco had two shots on target compared to Atleti’s 3. With all the recent departures from Monaco and all the new arrivals to Atletico this offseason, I had a strong feeling Atletico would walk away victorious. It’s interesting to think what would’ve happened if Monaco hadn’t sold their start players the past few years.

Liverpool vs PSG

My predicted Winner/Score: 2-2

Result: Liverpool 3-2

This was the most anticipated game going into the UCL Matchday 1. It was with good reason, since both teams have arguably some of the best front three in the world. The match was close to ending in a draw but Firmino sealed the win in the 91st minute. I have to admit, I was really happy about having been close to predicting the score on this one. I was a little disappointed when Firmino scored but it was an amazing match nonetheless.

Napoli vs Red Star Belgrade

Predicted Winner/Score: Napoli 2-1

Result: 0-0

As much as I dislike Napoli, I thought they were the better side going into this match. Napoli had 20 shots with 8 on target compared to Red Star’s 6 shots with 3 on goal. They will be very disappointed to not have scored even once with that many shots. Better luck next time Ancelotti.

Galatasaray vs Lokomotiv Moscow

Predicted Winner/Score: Galatasaray 2-1

Result: Galatasaray 3-0

Galatasaray will play Porto next with confidence having won 3-0 against Lokomotiv Moscow. Although Lokomotiv were really unlucky to not have found the back of the net with a total of 12 shots with only 3 on target compared to Galatasaray’s 16 shots with 8 on target. Teams like Lokomotiv need to focus on shooting more quality shots and not just careless ones.

Juventus vs Valencia

Predicted Winner/Score: Juventus 2-0

Result: Juventus 2-0

It feels good to have gotten the right score for my team. While we moved on with a win, it wasn’t without consequences. We have now lost two more players to injury and Ronaldo will be suspended for one match following his send off. It was a costly win to say the least. So far, we are down Spinazzola, Barzagli, De Sciglio, Khedira and Costa. Regardless, I’m confident we will continue adapting and getting winning results.

Real Madrid vs Roma

Predicted Winner/Score: Real Madrid 3-1

Result: Real Madrid 3-0

I guess I mistakenly gave Roma too much of an opportunity to score, it won’t happen again. I mentioned to look out for Bale in this game and he managed to find the back of the net as predicted. Bale has been in phenomenal form so far this season but we’ll just have to see if it can carry on until the end. As for Roma, they seem to be in a rebuilding phase and not focused on winning for the near future so I’m not surprised with the result.

Manchester City vs Lyon

Predicted Winner/Score: City 4-1

Result: Lyon 2-1

This was by far the biggest upset so far this season with Nabil Fekir carrying his side to victory. Fekir provided an assist to the first goal and score the second. What a way to start the UCL season for Lyon, with a win over the reigning Premier League champions! I was fairly confident that City would have a goal scoring fest but I was definitely proved wrong. I love these kind of success stories throughout the season so congrats to Lyon.

Manchester United vs Young Boys

Predicted Winner/Score: United 2-0

Result: 3-0

This game saw Pogba carry his side to victory once again having scored two goals and assisting Martial in his first goal of the season. A very convincing win fro United despite the quality of the competition. No offense to Young Boys, but they seem to be the easiest in the group to get all three points from so far.

Bayern Munich vs Benfica

Predicted Winner/Score: Bayern 3-1

Result: Bayern 2-0

Benfica were lucky to not have conceded another goal with Bayern having come close many times. Both sides had 14 shots on target with Bayern having 2 more on target (6). It was also exciting to see Renato score on his return to Bayern from last season's loan to Swansea City which saw him regress and limited to 12 appearances. It will do him wonders to be around world class talent.

Ajax vs AEK Athens

Predicted Winner/Score: Ajax 2-0

Result: Ajax 3-1

Ajax definitely came into this match with the intention to win. They found the back of the net three times while simultaneously limiting AEK to only 4 shot the entire match compared to their total of 16. In my opinion, their current defense is what defines Ajax but it’s nice to see them more than capable of scoring.

Hoffenheim vs Shakhtar Donetsk

Predicted Winner/Score: Shakhtar 1-0

Result: 2-2

This was definitely one of the more underrated matchups. Both teams tried really hard and deserved a draw. If there would have been a winner, I would have went for Hoffenheim towards the end. With just 34% possession the entire match, they managed to get 2 more shots on target (6) than Shakhtar.

CSKA Moscow vs Plzen

Predicted Winner/Score: 2-1

Result: 2-2

I had predicted this to be a close match and that’s exactly what it turned out to be.

I also said to look out for the young and promising striker, Fyodor Chalov which managed to get his name on the scoresheet. In 8 appearances in all competitions so far this year, he has scored 7 goals and 1 assist. Depending on how his season ends, I have a feeling clubs of all levels will be looking for his signature.

My winner predictions:

9/16 56% Accurate

My score predictions:

1/16 6% Accurate

What a coincidence that the only score prediction I got on point was Juve’s! Anyways, guessed over 50% of the match winners right is fine by me. I'll look to get better results in the upcoming games. What a great start to the Champions League.