The UEFA Champions League returns this week and with solely 4 video games remaining within the league part, the stress 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 file, although they may face their greatest check but on Wednesday after they tackle reigning champions Actual Madrid, who may use an enormous consequence after an up-and-down begin to their European season. Bayern Munich are in an identical 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 high 24 with simply 4 factors from their opening 4 video games.
Listed here are our knowledgeable picks for this matchday:
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Tuesday
Bayern Munich vs. PSG
Participant to observe: Michael Olise – PSG look weak nearly all over the place 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 kind there can be bother forward for the guests. —James Benge
Man of the match: Harry Kane – Regardless of the end result of the sport, we will anticipate so much from the English striker who already scored 5 objectives within the opening 4 video games, and likewise 14 objectives in 11 Bundesliga video games. PSG may also win the match, however it’s very probably Kane will rating a minimum of one purpose in opposition to the French facet. — Francesco Porzio
Prediction: Bayern 1-2 PSG — Luis Enrique’s Parisiens desperately have to win whereas Vincent Kompany’s Bavarians stay exhausting to foretell in Europe. PSG are typically higher after 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 wish to be leapfrogged by Paris so anticipate a recreation which sees each side rating. –Jonathan Johnson
Finest wager: Harry Kane to attain (-120) – I could not love purpose scorers at minus odds however Harry Kane additionally is not most goalscorers. With 20 objectives in solely 17 appearances this season in all competitions, that is the definition of holding 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 residence. — Chuck Sales space
Barcelona vs. Brest
Participant to observe: Marc Casado – Whereas Barcelona’s kind has remained fairly encouraging of late the protection is wanting a bit of weak, with no clear sheet because the gorgeous win over Actual Madrid final month. Holding midfielder Casado can ease the pressure on the backline. With and with out the ball, he seems to be robust 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 depend on different gamers reminiscent of Brazilian star Raphinha, who already scored 5 objectives within the opening 4 video games of the Champions League, and has been in all probability the very best participant up to now for the facet coached by Hansi Flick. — Francesco Porzio
Prediction: Barcelona 3-0 Brest — Though Brest have held their very own admirably up to now this Champions League, Barca can be cautious of taking place to French opposition once more and this time they need to make mild work of their opponents. With kind beginning to flip in opposition to Eric Roy’s facet in Ligue 1, anticipate the Catalan giants to show a restricted visiting facet which has now been disadvantaged of the injured Pierre Lees-Melou. — Jonathan Johnson
Finest wager: Each groups to attain (+100): Barcelona stands out as the extra proficient staff by leaps and bounds, however that hasn’t stopped them from conceding objectives and even dropping factors at occasions after they should not. Solely holding three clear sheets of their final 10 matches and permitting their opposition to attain in 4 straight, even with Brest not being at full power coming into this conflict, they’re going to discover a method to rating a purpose. — 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 can be acutely conscious that the eyes’ of the world can 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 beneath the highlight. He might be actually, actually good. — James Benge
Man of the match: Mo Salah – Regardless of the phrases mentioned after the final weekend, when the striker mentioned he has not acquired any new contract proposal from his staff, all of the eyes can be on the Egyptian participant who’s having one other nice season at Liverpool. To this point, he scored one purpose within the opening 4 video games of the Champions League but in addition 10 within the 12 Premier League matches he has performed thus far. — Francesco Porzio
Prediction: Liverpool 2-1 Actual — It has been a difficult begin to the season for Actual whereas Liverpool look robust throughout each the European and home scenes with high spot within the Premier League but in addition Champions League. Los Blancos must be higher than they’ve been with Kylian Mbappe nonetheless struggling to succeed in his greatest kind. Count on a slender Reds win on one other large Anfield event.
Finest wager: Over 3.5 objectives (+132) – When Actual Madrid are counted out of a match is after they’re at their greatest, however with these two sides assembly, objectives 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 ought to be switching over for on Wednesday evening. Nonetheless if anybody would possibly go away an impression on the Villa Park trustworthy it ought to be Koopmeiners, who ought to see this recreation as a possibility 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 facet coached by Unai Emery that’s not residing his greatest second since he took cost of the English staff. Yildiz wants to indicate his expertise exterior Italy and the sport at Villa Park could be the fitting 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. Huge European nights at Villa Park have already seen Bayern crushed and it ought to carry Unai Emery’s facet once more right here. Juve are simply exterior of the principle UCL contenders as they’re additionally in Serie A. With that in thoughts, a rating draw sounds about proper. — Jonathan Johnson
Finest wager: 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 most definitely consequence. Each Villa and Juventus have been in a position to rating opportunistic objectives, however one of many uncomfortable side effects of the brand new League Part is that it incentivizes not dropping so long as you defat the groups that it is advisable defeat. — Chuck Sales space
