After normal domestic programming resumed after the international break, we got a taste of the Christmas feast fans have coming their way, with non-stop action over the festive period. This will continue this week with a full round of European clashes.
As the new Champions League table format begins to take shape, teams will have a clearer vision of what they need to do in order to qualify for the next stage of club football’s most prestigious competition.
As with every gameweek, we’re looking forward to some huge matches, loads of drama and bags of goals. So read on as we take you through our picks for this week’s Champions League fixtures.
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Liverpool and Real Madrid to Draw @ 3.65
The featured game of this Champions League round will see a repeat of the 2022 final. With Real coming out on top on that day, Liverpool and new boss Arne Slot will be keen to assert themselves as a force in European football, and there’s no better opportunity than beating Real at Anfield.
The Reds’ league form has been stellar as they sit atop the Premier League pile and they’ll feel confident hosting the reigning European champions. Real on the other hand have been patchy this season, staring down a run of Champions League clashes that could very well see them struggle for qualification.
But Los Blancos thrive in Europe and feel at home in the competition. They won’t fear anyone and their vastly talented squad is more than capable of beating any side on their day. This one is too tough to call and we think it could end in a stalemate.
Juventus to Beat Aston Villa @ 3.05
Both of these sides are something of a sleeping giant in European football currently. Hard to pin down in the league due to inconsistent form, they both sit just outside of their aspirations but with the view to rectifying their patchy form as quickly as possible.
Juve are currently 6th in the Serie A but lie only two points adrift from leaders Napoli. Whereas Villa sit in 9th, with a very manageable gap of two points to third placed Chelsea. But in Europe, Villa lost their last game due to a bizarre error from Tyrone Mings, and will look to get back into winning form with tough games on the horizon that will be crucial to their qualification.
But faced with a packed schedule and a tough test in the Old Lady, we think the Italian side will have what it takes to defeat Villa on this occasion.
Manchester City Vs Feyenoord Both Teams to Score @ 2.00
This may go under the radar for mutual fans as a straightforward win for Guardiola’s side, and understandably so. But we have this pegged as one of the more intriguing games of this Champions League match week.
And although it seems a foregone conclusion that City will take three points at home, we think Feyenoord will make them work for it. City are in one of the worst runs of form in memory, with even Bernardo Silva admitting the team are in a “dark place”. But the Catalan manager claimed he loves challenges like this and will be looking to make a statement this week.
But it will take time and we think their upward swing will include some challenges, meaning both teams will get on the scoresheet.
Bayern Munich to Beat PSG @ 1.61
Another clash worthy of the headlines going into this week, but transitional periods for two of Europe’s elite may mean this is an even more interesting face off than ever before. PSG are still recovering from the loss of Kylian Mbappe to the bright lights of Real Madrid, though they are, as usual, comfortably on top of the league domestically.
But in Europe they have struggled with losses to Atletico Madrid and Arsenal, leaving them in 25th place, outside of any qualification places. So a win is crucial for the Parisians if they want to have any sort of impact on the competition this season.
After the end of their long title reign last season, Bayern Munich are desperate to get back to the top both domestically and on Europe’s biggest stage. Bayern are showing flashes of manager Vincent Kompany’s Burnley side, capable of comfortably dispatching less capable teams, but struggling to compete against those who can match them for quality.
But this will be a perfect litmus test of what we can expect from Bayern this season. And it’s one we think they’ll pass.
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