Find out where the value lies when the league phase of the Champions League returns this week.
The Champions League is back after the international break and a number of high-quality match-ups are on offer across Tuesday and Wednesday.
The pick of the fixtures undoubtedly comes from Madrid, where reigning champions Real host Borussia Dortmund at the Santiago Bernabeu in a repeat of last season’s final.
Three of the four English clubs have favourable home ties, with Arsenal, Aston Villa and Manchester City facing Shakhtar Donetsk, Bologna and Sparta Prague respectively, while Liverpool must navigate a tricky trip to RB Leipzig.
- ARSENAL TO BEAT SHAKHTAR DONETSK TO NIL
- PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN TO BEAT PSV & BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE
- ATALANTA TO BE
- AT CELTIC
- BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE IN BARCELONA V BAYERN MUNICH
- MANCHESTER CITY TO BEAT SPARTA PRAGUE AND OVER 2.5 GOALS
Arsenal vs Shakhtar Donetsk
Arsenal have started their Champions League campaign brightly with four points from their opening two fixtures and they can make it successive home wins in this competition on Tuesday night when they host Ukrainian champions Shakhtar Donetsk,
The Gunners relied on the heroics of goalkeeper David Raya to come away with a point from Atalanta on matchday on, before producing a fine display to beat Paris Saint-Germain 2-0 in their last European fixture.
Shakhtar, meanwhile, have failed to win either of their opening two fixtures and what will be the biggest concern for manager Marino Pusic will be the lack of firepower up front, with the Miners failing to score in either game.
Mikel Arteta will be confident that his impressive defence can keep out the misfiring visitors and a home shutout victory could well be on the cards.
ARSENAL TO BEAT SHAKHTAR DONETSK TO NIL
Paris Saint-Germain vs PSV
French giants PSG have been strong at home this season in all competitions but, after being soundly beaten by Arsenal in their last European excursion, the Parisians may not have things all their own way on Tuesday.
Luis Enrique’s side kept a clean sheet in their only other home continental fixture this season - a 1-0 victory over Girona - but this shutout was the first time in three Champions League matches that they have kept out the opposition attack.
This could provide PSV with plenty of belief that they can trouble the hosts on Tuesday, especially given that the Dutch outfit comfortably lead the way in terms of goals scored in the Eredivisie.
While their domestic form is unwavering, PSV have struggled to replicate this form away from the Netherlands and, after coming unstuck in their last continental trip - a 3-1 loss to Juventus - a goal may be as good as it gets for the visitors, with the hosts looking a good bet to hold on for the win.
PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN TO BEAT PSV & BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE
Atalanta vs Celtic
Celtic’s domestic dominance took a hit at the weekend as they dropped points for the first time this season in a 2-2 home draw with Aberdeen and Brendan Rodgers’ men could come unstuck once again in Europe when they visit last season’s Europa League winners Atalanta.
The Bhoys started off their Champions League campaign with an emphatic 5-1 home victory over Slovan Bratislava, but their good work from matchday one was completely undone in their following fixture as they were hammered 7-1 by Borussia Dortmund in Germany.
Atalanta, on the other hand, are yet to concede in this year’s competition and have lost just one of their last four matches at the Gewiss Stadium - with their last appearance in front of their own fans seeing La Dea comprehensively dispatch Genoa 5-1.
Celtic have largely struggled when playing away from home in Europe and, against a dangerous Atalanta side, they may come up short once again.
ATALANTA TO BEAT CELTIC
Barcelona vs Bayern Munich
Two of the continent’s biggest clubs go head-to-head on Wednesday night with Bayern Munich’s visit to Barcelona and an enthralling encounter could be on the cards at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys.
Barca recovered from their shock opening Champions League defeat at Monaco to thrash Young Boys 5-0 at home, however, recent meetings with Bayern have not provided much joy, with the Catalans losing each of their last three meetings with the Bavarians.
Bayern will hope this recent dominance can steer them towards victory however Vincent Kompany’s side were not overly impressive in their last European fixture - falling to a 1-0 defeat at Aston Villa.
The final result may therefore be too close to call in this encounter but, with the likes of Robert Lewandowski and Harry Kane on show, there should be more than enough quality for the two sides to find the back of the net on the night.
BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE IN BARCELONA V BAYERN MUNICH
Manchester City vs Sparta Prague
Reigning Premier League champions Manchester City are yet to concede a goal in this year’s competition and Pep Guardiola’s side should have far too much quality for Sparta Prague.
The Citizens got their first three points on the board in their last Champions League match - a comfortable 4-0 win over Slovan Bratislava - and the English side have not lost a competitive fixture at the Etihad in 90 minutes in 2024.
The Czech side, meanwhile, have not won any of their last two away matches in all competitions, with their last fixture away from the epet ARENA seeing them lose 2-1 to bitter rivals Slavia.
Very few sides can compete with City at their best and five of their six home matches this season in all competitions have seen over 2.5 goals.
With the star quality that City possess, a comfortable, high-scoring victory for Guardiola’s side looks a real possibility.
MANCHESTER CITY TO BEAT SPARTA PRAGUE AND OVER 2.5 GOALS
