Matchday 4 of the 2023/24 UEFA Champions League is upon us as some of the tournament giants attempt to seal their places in the last 16.
Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Manchester City and Barcelona all have 100% win records from their opening three games, while the likes of Inter, Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain are well placed to reach the knockout rounds.
It’s a big round of fixtures for teams like Celtic, AC Milan and Manchester United, all of whom desire victories to keep them in contention heading into their last two group games.
Here’s how 90min reckons this week’s Champions League fixtures will pan out.
Tuesday 7 November
The euphoric high of Newcastle‘s 4-0 thumping of Paris Saint-Germain was tempered by a 1-0 home defeat to Borussia Dortmund on the last matchday. The two teams meet again on Tuesday in one of the two early kick-offs, with the Magpies hoping their crushing injury list doesn’t disrupt their consistent run of form.
Nobody has managed to stop Barcelona so far in Group H, though Shakhtar Donetsk ran them pretty close last time out. While that game ended 2-1 in the Catalans’ favour, Xavi’s side will hope for a more convincing victory and a response to their rather tepid effort against Real Sociedad, where they still managed victory.
Celtic need their first win quickly if they are to play European football early next year but a mammoth task awaits away at Atletico Madrid.
|
Kick-off time (GMT) |
Fixture |
Group |
Prediction |
|---|---|---|---|
|
17:45 |
Borussia Dortmund vs Newcastle United |
F |
1-1 |
|
17:45 |
Shakhtar Donetsk vs Barcelona |
H |
0-2 |
|
20:00 |
Atletico Madrid vs Celtic |
E |
2-0 |
|
20:00 |
Lazio vs Feyenoord |
E |
1-1 |
|
20:00 |
AC Milan vs Paris Saint-Germain |
F |
0-2 |
|
20:00 |
Red Star Belgrade vs RB Leipzig |
G |
1-2 |
|
20:00 |
Manchester City vs Young Boys |
G |
4-0 |
|
20:00 |
Porto vs Royal Antwerp |
H |
2-0 |
PSG‘s aforementioned embarrassment at St James’ Park has been sandwiched by wins over Dortmund and AC Milan. The Rossoneri have made the worst start of the giants in Group F and may see their winless run continue, especially if Kylian Mbappe is on top form.
Young Boys must have been quaking in their boots watching Manchester City‘s demolition of Bournemouth at the weekend. However, the Swiss side gave an excellent account of themselves in the two sides’ first meeting, only falling to defeat due to Erling Haaland’s second-half double. There is, however, significant doubt over the Norwegian’s fitness.
Wednesday 8 November
Manchester United know a win at Kobenhavn would give their knockout stage hopes a major boost. The Red Devils snuck a late 1-0 win over Fulham at the weekend and another tight encounter could be on the cards, though the Red Devils are slight favourites to squeeze over the line.
Group A’s other tie sees runaway leaders Bayern Munich host a Galatasaray squad laced with eccentric talent including Mauro Icardi, Wilfried Zaha and Dries Mertens. Bayern will be buoyed by their thumping win in Der Klassiker on Saturday.
|
Kick-off time (GMT) |
Fixture |
Group |
Prediction |
|---|---|---|---|
|
17:45 |
Napoli vs Union Berlin |
C |
3-0 |
|
17:45 |
Real Sociedad vs Benfica |
D |
2-1 |
|
20:00 |
Bayern Munich vs Galatasaray |
A |
3-1 |
|
20:00 |
Kobenhavn vs Manchester United |
A |
1-2 |
|
20:00 |
Arsenal vs Sevilla |
B |
1-0 |
|
20:00 |
PSV Eindhoven vs Lens |
B |
2-2 |
|
20:00 |
Real Madrid vs Braga |
C |
2-0 |
|
20:00 |
Salzburg vs Inter |
D |
1-2 |
Arsenal‘s win at Sevilla helped Mikel Arteta’s side take a firm grip on Group B, though the Spaniard will want to avoid any more “embarrassing” VAR calls when the Europa League holders side visit the Emirates.
Real Madrid couldn’t find a goal against Rayo Vallecano on Sunday as they were held to a 0-0 draw. Manager Carlo Ancelotti is sweating on the fitness of Jude Bellingham and his absence against Braga would deprive Los Blancos of their biggest threat in the final third so far this season.
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