The UEFA Champions League returns this week and with solely 4 video games remaining within the league section, 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 report, although they could face their largest check but on Wednesday after they tackle reigning champions Actual Madrid, who may use a giant end result after an up-and-down begin to their European season. Bayern Munich are in the same place with simply six factors out of their opening 12, however they are going to face a Paris Saint-Germain staff who’re on the surface trying 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 look at: Michael Olise – PSG look weak nearly in every single 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 count on rather a lot from the English striker who already scored 5 targets within the opening 4 video games, and in addition 14 targets in 11 Bundesliga video games. PSG may also win the match, but it surely’s very seemingly Kane will rating not less than one purpose towards 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 after they have their backs towards the wall whereas being away from Parc des Princes will arguably go well with the French champions. The Germans won’t wish to be leapfrogged by Paris so count on a sport which sees either side rating. –Jonathan Johnson
Finest guess: Harry Kane to attain (-120) – I’ll not love purpose 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 liable to defensive errors which wil present loads of alternatives to hit the again of the online at dwelling. — Chuck Sales space
Barcelona vs. Brest
Participant to look at: Marc Casado – Whereas Barcelona’s kind has remained fairly encouraging of late the protection is trying somewhat weak, and not using a 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 sturdy within the deal with, however what Barcelona will actually be on the lookout for is a sport the place they dictate possession and territory. — James Benge
Man of the match: Raphinha – Spanish star Lamine Yamal will seemingly not be a part of the sport towards Brest on Tuesday, however Barcelona can rely on different gamers reminiscent of Brazilian star Raphinha, who already scored 5 targets within the opening 4 video games of the Champions League, and has been most likely the very best participant to date for the aspect coached by Hansi Flick. — Francesco Porzio
Prediction: Barcelona 3-0 Brest — Though Brest have held their very own admirably to date this Champions League, Barca can be cautious of taking place to French opposition once more and this time they need to make gentle work of their opponents. With kind beginning to flip towards Eric Roy’s aspect in Ligue 1, count on 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 would be the extra proficient staff by leaps and bounds, however that hasn’t stopped them from conceding targets and even dropping factors at instances after 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 option to rating a purpose. — Chuck Sales space
Wednesday
Liverpool vs. Actual Madrid
Participant to look at: 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 largest conflict of the league section. We all know how the Frenchman tends to carry out below the highlight. He may very well 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. Up to now, he scored one purpose within the opening 4 video games of the Champions League but additionally 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 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 succeed in his greatest kind. Anticipate a slender Reds win on one other huge Anfield event.
Finest guess: Over 3.5 targets (+132) – When Actual Madrid are counted out of a match is after they’re at their greatest, 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 look at: 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 must be switching over for on Wednesday evening. Nonetheless if anybody may depart an impression on the Villa Park devoted it must be Koopmeiners, who ought to see this sport 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 probably the greatest gamers for Juventus this season and the Bianconeri want a win towards the aspect coached by Unai Emery that isn’t dwelling his greatest second since he took cost of the English staff. Yildiz wants to indicate his abilities exterior Italy and the sport at Villa Park is likely to be the correct 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 overwhelmed and it ought to carry Unai Emery’s aspect 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 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 more than likely end result. Each Villa and Juventus have been capable of rating opportunistic targets, however one of many unwanted side effects of the brand new League Section is that it incentivizes not dropping so long as you defat the groups that it’s essential to defeat. — Chuck Sales space
