Champions League Tips & Predictions: Best Bets for Every Thursday Match

The final day of the opening week of Champions League action throws up some interesting ties, and the first week of European football comes to a close.

Kevin de Bruyne will receive a tremendous ovation on Thursday, as he returns to the Etihad Stadium with his new side, Napoli.

Newcastle and Barcelona meet at St.James' Park on Thursday, as Eddie Howe's side will look to deal with the maurauding press of Hansi Flick's Barcelona side.

We have picked out our best bets and free bookmaker offers ahead of Thursday's Champions League fixtures.

The first leg of this four-fold accumulator sees German side Eintracht Frankfurt host Galatasaray, with both sides in terrific form and looking to kickstart their European campaign with a victory.

Despite their recent form in all competitions, Eintracht Frankfurt's start to the season, accompanied by their home advantage, should give them the edge against Galatasaray. Eintracht Frankfurt have won three of their first four games in all competitions this season, including an impressive 3-1 victory away at Bayer Leverkusen.

One player who could prove to be the difference maker between the two sides is Turkish international Can Uzun. The 19-year-old has scored three goals in three matches and provided two assists for the side, who are currently fifth in the Bundesliga.

Tip: Eintracht Frankfurt to win

Manchester City’s Champions League campaign begins with a visit from Italian Champions, Napoli, in which Kevin de Bruyne will make an emotional return to the Etihad Stadium after leaving the Citizens in the Summer.

Manchester City showed signs of being back to their usual form at the weekend, as they duly dispatched local rivals Manchester United in a 3-0 scoreline. Pep Guardiola's side have been in terrific home form, as the Citizens have won six of their last seven league matches at the Etihad Stadium.

Despite Napoli being in good form themselves, they are likely to face a long night against a possession-hungry Manchester City, looking to continue from their excellent performance at the weekend.

Tip: Manchester City to win

The Magpies are back in Europe's elite competition, and they have been handed a difficult start with a home game against last season's semi-finalists Barcelona.

The slight edge goes to Barcelona in this fixture, despite Newcastle United being at home. The Magpies have only picked up one league victory this season, as they face a Barcelona side who are coming into this game unbeaten in their previous nine matches in all competitions. Both teams have scored in two of the last three matches involving Barcelona.

Tip: Barcelona to win & BTTS

The final stop takes us to Portugal, where Sporting Lisbon are overwhelming favourites against a Kairat Almaty side who knocked out Celtic earlier in the competition.

Sporting Lisbon should have no issue in dealing with the challenge from Azerbaijan Premier League Champions, FK Qarabag. The home side are in excellent form coming into this game, with four wins from their last five league matches, scoring at least twice in all four victories.

Tip: Sporting Lisbon to win

We have picked out three bookmakers and free bets for the games on Thursday in the UEFA Champions League.

Eintracht Frankfurt vs Galatasaray - TNT Sports 5, 8pm

Manchester City vs Napoli - TNT Sports 2, 8pm

Newcastle United vs Barcelona - TNT Sports 1, 8pm

Sporting Lisbon vs Kairat Almaty - TNT Sports 6, 8pm