As mentioned in my tip on the other Group E match, this group looks incredibly competitive so these first matches are incredibly important for teams to establish themselves as the head of the pack.
Tottenham had suffered a somewhat stuttering start to the season after last season’s incredible title chase. That was until they went to Stoke on Saturday and thrashed their opponents 4-0 with key striker Harry Kane finally netting his first goal of the campaign.
Spurs will play their Champions League matches at Wembley this season whilst construction continues at their normal home ground of White Hart Lane. Club legend Gary Lineker has said he worries for his former team in this as there is nothing quite like home and the surroundings will be totally different. Having said that, to have about 80,000 Spurs fans backing them as well as being on a big pitch, which will suit Spurs, Mauricio Pochettino’s men should not struggle too much. This opening match against Monaco will be a good indicator of how they adapt to their new European home.
2004 Champions League runners-up AS Monaco have made a flying start to the Ligue 1 season and sit top of the tree ahead of favourites Paris Saint-Germain. Having said that, they do not seem to be the strongest at the back and have only kept one clean sheet in the league and rely heavily on the goal-scoring talents in their side – although their leading scorer is right back and penalty taker Fabinho.
Although they may not truly be at home, you would expect Pochettino’s men to come out on top here. They are the better side on paper and should take advantage of Monaco’s leaky back-line, although I would still expect Monaco to score at Wembley on Wednesday.
Both Teams to Score is the more conservative bet at 19/20 but you can add a Spurs win to that for a very nice 14/5.
Son Heung-min was strongly linked with a move back to Germany this summer and his manager Pochettino has recently expressed his relief that the South Korean did not leave the club. The 24-year-old has Champions League experience from his time at Bayer Leverkusen and will once again get the chance to shine on the big stage.
He bagged a brace at Stoke on Saturday and his excellent strike for his second shows the South Korea international is brimming with confidence. You can back Son to score at 23/10.
See all of today’s tips here.