The UEFA Champions League returns this week and with solely 4 video games remaining within the league part, the strain is on a number of groups to carry out because the race for the highest eight spots heats up.
Liverpool are the final staff standing with an ideal report, although they could face their greatest take a look at but on Wednesday once they tackle reigning champions Actual Madrid, who may use an enormous outcome after an up-and-down begin to their European season. Bayern Munich are in an analogous place with simply six factors out of their opening 12, however they may face a Paris Saint-Germain staff who’re on the skin wanting in at a spot within the prime 24 with simply 4 factors from their opening 4 video games.
Listed below are our skilled picks for this matchday:
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Tuesday
Bayern Munich vs. PSG
Participant to observe: Michael Olise – PSG look susceptible nearly in all places in Europe however a left flank with out Nuno Mendes goes to be one thing Bayern can get at. Olise wants no second invitation to go at his opponents; if he rediscovers his early season type there will likely be hassle forward for the guests. —James Benge
Man of the match: Harry Kane – Regardless of the end result of the sport, we will anticipate lots from the English striker who already scored 5 targets within the opening 4 video games, and likewise 14 targets in 11 Bundesliga video games. PSG may also win the match, nevertheless it’s very probably Kane will rating at the very least one aim in opposition to the French aspect. — Francesco Porzio
Prediction: Bayern 1-2 PSG — Luis Enrique’s Parisiens desperately have to win whereas Vincent Kompany’s Bavarians stay onerous to foretell in Europe. PSG are usually higher once they have their backs in opposition to the wall whereas being away from Parc des Princes will arguably swimsuit the French champions. The Germans won’t need to be leapfrogged by Paris so anticipate a recreation which sees each side rating. –Jonathan Johnson
Finest guess: Harry Kane to attain (-120) – I’ll not love aim scorers at minus odds however Harry Kane additionally is not most goalscorers. With 20 targets in solely 17 appearances this season in all competitions, that is the definition of preserving it easy. Kane is on penalties and PSG are susceptible to defensive errors which wil present loads of alternatives to hit the again of the online at house. — Chuck Sales space
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Barcelona vs. Brest
Participant to observe: Marc Casado – Whereas Barcelona’s type has remained fairly encouraging of late the protection is wanting a little bit susceptible, with out a clear sheet for the reason that beautiful win over Actual Madrid final month. Holding midfielder Casado can ease the pressure on the backline. With and with out the ball, he appears to be sturdy within the sort out, however what Barcelona will actually be in search of is a recreation the place they dictate possession and territory. — James Benge
Man of the match: Raphinha – Spanish star Lamine Yamal will probably not be a part of the sport in opposition to Brest on Tuesday, however Barcelona can rely on different gamers comparable to Brazilian star Raphinha, who already scored 5 targets within the opening 4 video games of the Champions League, and has been in all probability the very best participant thus far for the aspect coached by Hansi Flick. — Francesco Porzio
Prediction: Barcelona 3-0 Brest — Though Brest have held their very own admirably thus far this Champions League, Barca will likely be cautious of happening to French opposition once more and this time they need to make mild work of their opponents. With type beginning to flip in opposition to Eric Roy’s aspect in Ligue 1, anticipate the Catalan giants to reveal a restricted visiting aspect which has now been disadvantaged of the injured Pierre Lees-Melou. — Jonathan Johnson
Finest guess: Each groups to attain (+100): Barcelona often is the extra gifted staff by leaps and bounds, however that hasn’t stopped them from conceding targets and even dropping factors at occasions once they should not. Solely preserving three clear sheets of their final 10 matches and permitting their opposition to attain in 4 straight, even with Brest not being at full energy coming into this conflict, they’re going to discover a solution to rating a aim. — Chuck Sales space
Wednesday
Liverpool vs. Actual Madrid
Participant to observe: Kylian Mbappe – Within the absence of Vinicius Junior he will be again in his favored left wing spot and Mbappe will likely be acutely conscious that the eyes’ of the world will likely be on him in what might be the most important conflict of the league part. We all know how the Frenchman tends to carry out below the highlight. He could possibly be actually, actually good. — James Benge
Man of the match: Mo Salah – Regardless of the phrases stated after the final weekend, when the striker stated he has not acquired any new contract proposal from his staff, all of the eyes will likely be on the Egyptian participant who’s having one other nice season at Liverpool. To date, he scored one aim within the opening 4 video games of the Champions League but additionally 10 within the 12 Premier League matches he has performed to this point. — Francesco Porzio
Prediction: Liverpool 2-1 Actual — It has been a difficult begin to the season for Actual whereas Liverpool look sturdy throughout each the European and home scenes with prime spot within the Premier League but additionally Champions League. Los Blancos have to be higher than they’ve been with Kylian Mbappe nonetheless struggling to achieve his finest type. Anticipate a slim Reds win on one other massive Anfield event.
Finest guess: Over 3.5 targets (+132) – When Actual Madrid are counted out of a match is once they’re at their finest, however with these two sides assembly, targets are on the menu. Mohamed Salah cannot be stopped and Liverpool’s protection has additionally been conceding extra possibilities as of late. Not having Vinicius Junior will come as a blow for Los Blancos however that does not imply that they will not have loads of attacking energy to deal with. — Chuck Sales space
Aston Villa vs. Juventus
Participant to observe: Teun Koopmeiners – Watching nearly anybody in black and white this season has been a grim expertise and this does not really feel like the sport that neutrals needs to be switching over for on Wednesday night time. Nonetheless if anybody may go away an impression on the Villa Park devoted it needs to be Koopmeiners, who ought to see this recreation as a chance to stamp management on a midfield that appears off it with out the ball. — James Benge
Man of the match: Kenan Yildiz – The Turkish expertise has been among the best gamers for Juventus this season and the Bianconeri want a win in opposition to the aspect coached by Unai Emery that’s not residing his finest second since he took cost of the English staff. Yildiz wants to point out his expertise exterior Italy and the sport at Villa Park could be the best place to do it. — Francesco Porzio
Prediction: Villa 1-1 Juve — It has been a powerful begin to Villa’s Champions League return though issues are slowing down proper now after a loss to Membership Brugge. Large European nights at Villa Park have already seen Bayern crushed and it ought to carry Unai Emery’s aspect once more right here. Juve are simply exterior of the primary UCL contenders as they’re additionally in Serie A. With that in thoughts, a rating draw sounds about proper. — Jonathan Johnson
Finest guess: Draw (+220) – Two groups who can grind any soccer match to a halt will meet within the Midlands and a draw feels just like the almost definitely outcome. Each Villa and Juventus have been in a position to rating opportunistic targets, however one of many unintended effects of the brand new League Part is that it incentivizes not dropping so long as you defat the groups that you’ll want to defeat. — Chuck Sales space