Get our predictions for this week’s big games in the Champions League…
It’s already matchday four in the Champions League and there are some mouthwatering ties to come this week.
There will be several reunions when Real Madrid visit Liverpool while Arsenal will hope to maintain their remarkable defensive record when they go to Slavia Prague. The tie of the week is in Paris with PSG hosting Bayern Munich in a clash between two teams expected to go deep in the competition.
Here, we pick out the best games and offer some thoughts around the outcomes.
Table of Contents
TUESDAY
Slavia Prague v Arsenal (5.45pm)
Arsenal haven’t conceded a goal since September, offering a platform for Mikel Arteta’s side to record nine successive wins in all competitions.
There has been a lot of talk around a reliance on set-pieces but the Gunners have the ability to strike from all over the field.
They will be too good for a Slavia side whose squad has been built on a fraction of the budget enjoyed by Arsenal.
They can boast their own unbeaten record having lost none of their opening 14 games in the Czech league, however, this is a major step up in class.
Prediction: Slavia Prague 0-2 Arsenal
Liverpool v Real Madrid (8pm)
Another fascinating clash between two of the most storied clubs in Europe.
Liverpool got the win they so badly needed to end a dismal run in the Premier League by beating Aston Villa on Saturday night with a solid all-round performance.
Whether a repeat will be good enough against Madrid remains to be seen.
Former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso returned to Anfield last season with Bayer Leverkusen and watched his team get battered 4-0 – Luis Diaz netting a hat-trick. It is unlikely he will suffer the same fate this time round.
Madrid are in fine form, winning 13 of 14 games in all competitions, with the only defeat a 5-2 loss at city rivals Atletico.
And while there is still a slight concern over the form of Vinicius Jr, Kylian Mbappe is flying and Jude Bellingham appears fit and close to his very best. Ex-Reds full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold will make his first return to Merseyside.
Prediction: Liverpool 1-2 Real Madrid
PSG v Bayern Munich (8pm)
It wouldn’t come as much of a surprise if this turned out to be the final come May 30, 2026.
PSG are the defending champions and the dominant force in France against Bundesliga holders Bayern, who have conquered Europe six times.
Ousmane Dembele, Vitinha, Harry Kane and Manuel Neuer headline an all-star cast at the Parc des Princes.
It is likely there will be goals given the attacking talent on show and both sides will be eager to lay down an early marker.
Prediction: PSG 2-1 Bayern
Spurs v FC Copenhagen (8pm)
It was not a great weekend for Spurs. Saturday evening’s 1-0 defeat at home to Chelsea was damaging enough but the pictures of Micky van de Ven and Djed Spence ignoring coach Thomas Frank at the final whistle suggested it is not currently a happy camp.
The good news is they have a swift chance at redemption when they host FC Copenhagen tomorrow night.
FCK are fourth in the Superliga following Saturday’s 3-2 defeat of Fredericia but have struggled in Europe, gaining just a solitary point from games with Borussia Dortmund, Qarabag and Bayer Leverkusen.
Prediction: Spurs 3-0 FC Copenhagen
WEDNESDAY
Qarabag v Chelsea (5.45pm)
Chelsea’s victory at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was a welcome relief following the defeat to Sunderland the weekend before.
Enzo Maresca still garners little praise for the job he’s doing at Stamford Bridge but Club World Cup champions Chelsea are still very much in the conversation for silverware domestically and in Europe.
Qarabag had been the surprise package, winning their first two games before coming unstuck at Athletic Bilbao last time out.
This is the kind of game the Londoners need to be winning if they want to finish in the top eight.
Prediction: Qarabag 1-2 Chelsea
Club Brugge v Barcelona (8pm)
Barcelona bounced back from their Clasico setback against Elche at the weekend, although it was not a vintage performance from Hansi Flick’s side. The loss of midfield metronome Pedri for several weeks will be tough to overcome even though Fermin Lopez continues to be a bright spark for the Catalans.
Despite their worries, they ought to be too good for a Brugge side thrashed 4-0 by Bayern Munich in their last European tie.
Prediction: Club Brugge 0-2 Barcelona
Man City v Borussia Dortmund (8pm)
Erling Haaland needs little added incentive to stay on the goal trail but he may get it from facing his former club Borussia Dortmund tomorrow night.
The Norwegian goal machine has netted 17 times this season already, more than half City’s combined total of 31, including two more in yesterday’s win over Bournemouth.
If there is a glimmer for Dortmund it is the fact they have the second-best defensive record in the Bundesliga behind Bayern and looked solid again in Friday night’s 1-0 win at Augsburg.
Prediction: Man City 3-0 Dortmund
Newcastle v Athletic Bilbao (8pm)
Newcastle were abject in losing 3-1 at West Ham yesterday and boss Eddie Howe will expect a massive improvement against Athletic Bilbao. United seem to reserve their best for European nights at home and it is a difficult fixture for Athletic.
The visitors suffered the disappointment of losing the Basque derby to Real Sociedad on Saturday and sit 11th in La Liga.
Prediction: Newcastle 3-1 Athletic Bilbao
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: 101greatgoals.com
