CHAMPIONS LEAGUE – GAMEWEEK 4
Real Madrid vs AC Milan
Los Blancos are yet to hit full flow this season and have now lost two of their last five matches in all competitions, including a humiliating 4-0 defeat to arch-rivals Barcelona in the latest edition of El Clasico a week ago. They have not played since that defeat and will be rested and ready to go for tonight’s clash in the Bernabeu.
Milan have only ever won once at Real, which came in the group stage of the 2009-10 Champions League and they arrive here in patchy form. The Rossoneri lost their first two UCL games but a comfortable 3-1 win against Brugge last time out will give them some confidence.
I can only see a home win tonight. Check our Real Madrid vs AC Milan markets here.
Prediction – Real Madrid -1.5 @ 2.17
Liverpool vs Bayer Leverkusen
Xabi Alonso's long-awaited Merseyside return arrives with Leverkusen facing a Liverpool side that have won their opening three league phase encounters to sit joint-top of the table with Aston Villa. The Bundesliga champions impressively beat Feyenoord and Milan in their first two games before drawing away at surprise-package Brest on Matchday 3. Leverkusen have been slow out of the blocks in the Bundesliga, drawing four of their last five domestic games, slipping seven points behind Bayern Munich at the top.
Liverpool, meanwhile, continue to impress with Arne Slot at the helm. They came from behind on Saturday to defeat Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday which saw them climb to the top of the Premier League. Slot's Reds have lost just once in all competitions this term and are brimming with confidence. Check our Liverpool vs Bayer Leverkusen markets here.
Prediction – Under 2.75 @ 2.20
Sporting Lisbon vs Manchester City
Ruben Amorim adds an increased level of intrigue to tonight’s clash in Lisbon. The Portuguese manager will join Manchester United on Nov 11th and a win tonight would be the perfect way to endear himself to the Red Devils faithful.
Sporting Lisbon have been excellent this season, the current Portuguese Champions have won all ten of their league games this season, scoring 35 goals and only conceding 3. The hosts are unbeaten in their last 15 in all competitions and are on a six-game winning streak.
Man City lost away to Bournemouth on Saturday which followed being knocked out of the EFL Cup by Tottenham last Wednesday. Their quality will never be in doubt but they will need a high level of performance to come away with a win here. View our Sporting Lisbon vs Manchester City markets here.
Prediction – Under 2.75 @ 2.13
Club Brugge vs Aston Villa
Champions League leaders Aston Villa aim to extend their perfect start when they visit the Jan Breydelstadion on Wednesday. They arrive in Belgium after a humiliating loss away to Tottenham on Sunday and will look to bounce back here. Villa are a conundrum at the moment, defensively sound in the UCL (3 shutouts in 3 games), but they have only kept one clean sheet in ten games in the EPL.
They face a Brugge team unbeaten in their last five domestic games but who only have one win in this seasons UCL. They have only kept a clean sheet in one of their last six games and I fancy goals tonight. View our Club Brugge vs Aston Villa markets here.
Prediction – Over 2.75 @ 2.06
Inter Milan vs Arsenal
With their Premier League title challenge already in disarray, Arsenal have some domestic mistakes to rectify in Wednesday's Champions League blockbuster clash with Inter Milan at San Siro. With news that their talismanic sporting director, Edu, has resigned, it has been an eventful week in North London after Saturday's loss away to Newcastle. Things don’t get any easier on the pitch with this trip to Milan.
The Gunners face an in-form Inter side who are now just one point behind Napoli in the Scudetto and have been won seven of their last eight matches across all competitions. Inter have yet to concede in this season UCL and will be a difficult opponent for this Arsenal side. View our Inter Milan vs Arsenal markets here.
Prediction – Inter Milan -0.25 @ 2.30
Paris Saint Germain vs Atletico Madrid
Both teams would be expecting to be involved at the business end of the UCL stages but results so far are painting a different picture. PSG sit 19th while Atleti occupy 27th place after an uninspiring opening three rounds.
PSG obviously sit on top of the uncompetitive Ligue 1 table but defeat away to Arsenal and an unconvincing draw at home to PSV in round 2 means that a win here tonight is vital. Luis Enrique has won just six of 15 UCL games since arriving at the Parc des Princes, with a win ratio of 40% being the lowest of any PSG manager to oversee at least 10 Champions League matches.
Atletico have lost two of their opening games and will look to carry their solid domestic form into tonight’s clash in Paris. Last season's 3-1 win at Feyenoord is Atleti's sole success in 10 Champions League away games - a period that includes seven defeats - so maybe it’s time to throw off the shackles and go for it. View our Paris Saint Germain vs Atletico Madrid markets here.
Prediction – 1x2 Draw @ 3.75
