The Champions League returns this week with Matchday 7 of the league phase and all 18 games still have something riding on them.
While only Liverpool and Barcelona are mathematically through, several other teams are battling to avoid going into the Knockout phase play-off round.
Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund face tricky away tests against
Feyenoord and Bologna, while Lille's bid to stay in the top eight could be derailed by Liverpool, who still have a 100 per cent record.
The tussle at the bottom is even more interesting, however, as holders Real Madrid cannot afford any more slip-ups and one of Manchester City or Paris Saint-Germain could miss out if they lose Wednesday's crunch clash at the Parc des Princes.
- ASTON VILLA TO BEAT MONACO
- LIVERPOOL VS LILLE - BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE
- BARCELONA TO BEAT BENFICA
- ARSENAL TO SCORE OVER 2.5 GOALS VS DINAMO ZAGREB
- MANCHESTER CITY TO BEAT PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN
Bet On The Champions League
Monaco vs Aston Villa
Back-to-back defeats have derailed Monaco's Champions League campaign and they know another loss at home to Aston Villa could see them fall into a precarious position.
Their domestic results have also suffered lately, with Adi Hutter's side without a win in four Ligue 1 games, including a defeat at bottom-placed Montpellier last weekend.
Monaco were brushed aside 3-0 by Arsenal before Christmas and that should fill Villa with plenty of confidence given they are coming off a 2-2 draw at the Emirates Stadium.
Unai Emery's side have adjusted well to managing the demands of the Premier League alongside high-profile games in Europe's top competition.
They have won three of their last four matches and two of their three away games in Europe this term — a run that puts them in a good position to take all three points at Stade Louis II.
ASTON VILLA TO WIN
Liverpool vs Lille
Lille might not be able to deny Liverpool a seventh win in a row in this year's competition, but they have enough ability and tactical nous to make a good game of their trip to Merseyside.
Les Dogues moved above Monaco into third place in the French top-flight with a 2-1 win over Nice on Friday and will be glad of the extra day's rest going into this test against the relentless Reds.
Arne Slot's side were made to wait for the three points by Brentford last weekend, but they have lots of momentum and no major absentees for this contest.
Liverpool have not conceded a goal in Europe for over 500 minutes of football, but that run could come to an end on Wednesday.
Lille surprised Real Madrid 1-0 at home and scored three against their neighbours Atletico in the Spanish capital, so they are good enough to get on the scoresheet at Anfield.
BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE
Benfica vs Barcelona
Barcelona head to Lisbon looking to maintain their impressive form in this season's Champions League. The Catalan giants have won five of their six matches so far, scoring 21 goals in the process.
Hansi Flick's side have been much more consistent on the road than at their temporary home of Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys, where they have lost three of their last four games.
Barca have won five and drawn two of their last seven away games, albeit that run includes their 5-2 Spanish Super Cup destruction of Real Madrid in Saudi Arabia.
Nevertheless, they should prove too tough for Benfica, who have won only one of their last seven home games in the Champions League.
BARCELONA TO WIN
Arsenal vs Dinamo Zagreb
Arsenal return to the Emirates Stadium looking to continue their strong home form in the Champions League. The Gunners have won all three of their home matches, scoring six times and not conceding once.
But while Mikel Arteta's side have been efficient in Europe, they have been wasteful at home, contriving to lose domestic cup clashes against Newcastle and Manchester United when on top.
Dinamo Zagreb will provide a stern test on Wednesday as they begin life under new coach Fabio Cannavaro.
The Croatian champions have scored eight goals across their three away Champions League clashes and remain firmly in the mix to go through.
But they have a propensity to crumble under pressure — capitulating in the second half of their 9-2 away defeat to Bayern Munich on matchday 1.
The Gunners should be able to fire home enough goals to ensure a comfortable evening, even if they cannot keep a clean sheet.
ARSENAL TO SCORE OVER 2.5 GOALS
Paris Saint-Germain vs Manchester City
Nobody would have expected these two European heavyweights to be in such a parlous position after six games, but here we are.
Manchester City, the champions of Europe two seasons ago, are down in 22nd place in the standings after winning only two of their matches so far.
PSG's outlook is even worse after Luis Enrique's side lost three and drew one of their last five Champions League encounters.
The Parisiens' problem has been putting the ball in the back of the net. They create plenty of chances, but apparently have no one capable of applying a clinical finish.
City now seem to be back on track after a couple of big wins in the FA Cup and Premier League, with Phil Foden shaking off his early-season rust to return to form.
The Citizens can all but ensure they move into the knockout phase with a victory and do almost irreparable damage to one of their rivals' chances by winning on Wednesday.
MANCHESTER CITY TO WIN
