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The UEFA Champions League returns this week and with just four games remaining in the competitive phase, the pressure is on several teams to perform as the race for the top eight spots heats up.
Liverpool are the last team with a perfect record, although they may face their biggest test yet on Wednesday when they take on reigning champions Real Madrid, who could do with a big result after an up-and-down start to their European season. Bayern Munich are in a similar position with just six points from their opening 12 games, but they will face a Paris Saint-Germain team who are on the outside looking for a top 24 spot with just four points from their first four games. .
Here are our expert picks for this match day:
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Tuesday
Bayern Munich vs PSG
Player to watch: Michael Olise – PSG look vulnerable almost everywhere in Europe, but a left flank without Nuno Mendes will be something Bayern can achieve. Olise doesn’t need a second invitation to take on his opponents; If he rediscovers his early season form, there will be problems for the visitors. —James Benge
Man of the Match: Harry Kane – Despite the outcome of the match, we can expect a lot from the English striker, who has already scored five goals in the first four games, as well as fourteen goals in eleven Bundesliga games. PSG could also win the match, but it is very likely that Kane will score at least one goal against the French side. — Francesco Porzio
Prediction: Bayern 1-2 PSG — Luis Enrique’s Parisiens desperately need to win, while Vincent Kompany’s Bavarians are difficult to predict in Europe. PSG are generally better when their backs are against the wall, while staying away from the Parc des Princes probably suits the French champions. The Germans do not want to be outdone by Paris, so expect a match in which both sides score. –Jonathan Johnson
Best bet: Harry Kane to score (-120) – I may not like low-chance scorers, but Harry Kane isn’t the best goalscorer either. With twenty goals in just seventeen games this season in all competitions, this is the definition of keeping it simple. Kane is on penalties and PSG is prone to defensive mistakes, which offers plenty of opportunities to get behind the net at home. –Chuck Booth
Barcelona vs Brest
Player to watch: Marc Casado – While Barcelona’s form has remained quite encouraging of late, the defense is looking a little vulnerable, without a clean sheet since the stunning win over Real Madrid last month. Retaining midfielder Casado can relieve pressure on the backline. With and without the ball he looks strong in the tackle, but what Barcelona will really be looking for is a game where they dictate possession and territory. –James Benge
Man of the match: Raphinha – Spanish star Lamine Yamal is unlikely to be part of Tuesday’s match against Brest, but Barcelona can count on other players such as Brazilian star Raphinha, who has already scored five goals in the first four matches of the Champions League and is likely to be been. the best player yet for the team coached by Hansi Flick. –Francesco Porzio
Prediction: Barcelona 3-0 Brest – While Brest have held their own admirably so far in this Champions League, Barca will be wary of finding themselves among the French opposition again and this time they will have to go lightly on their opponents. With form starting to turn against Eric Roy’s side in Ligue 1, expect the Catalan giants to field a limited visiting side, now bereft of the injured Pierre Lees-Melou. –Jonathan Johnson
Best bet: both teams to score (+100): Barcelona may be the most talented team by leaps and bounds, but that doesn’t stop them from conceding goals and even dropping points when they shouldn’t. They have kept just three clean sheets in their last ten games and allowed their opponents to score in four consecutive games, even though Brest were not at full strength in this match, they will find a way to score a goal. — Chuck Booth
Wednesday
Liverpool vs Real Madrid
Player to watch: Kylian Mbappé – In the absence of Vinicius Junior, he will return to his favorite spot on the left wing and Mbappe will be well aware that the eyes of the world will be on him in what is likely to be the biggest clash of the competition phase. We know how the Frenchman performs in the spotlight. He could be really good. –James Benge
Man of the Match: Mo Salah – Despite the words after last weekend, when the striker said that he has not received a new contract offer from his team, all eyes will be on the Egyptian player who is having another great season at Liverpool. So far, he has scored one goal in the first four matches of the Champions League, as well as ten in the twelve Premier League matches he has played so far. — Francesco Porzio
Prediction: Liverpool 2-1 Real — It’s been a tough start to the season for Real, while Liverpool are looking strong on both a European and domestic level with a top position in the Premier League as well as the Champions League. Los Blancos need to be better than before, with Kylian Mbappe still struggling to reach his best form. Expect a narrow win for the Reds on another big occasion at Anfield.
Best bet: Over 3.5 Goals (+132) – When Real Madrid are taken out of a game they are at their best, but now that these two sides meet, goals are on the menu. Mohamed Salah is unstoppable and Liverpool’s defense has also been conceding more chances lately. Not having Vinicius Junior will be a blow for Los Blancos, but that doesn’t mean they won’t have enough attacking power. — Chuck Booth
Aston Villa vs Juventus
Player to keep an eye on: Teun Koopmeiners – Seeing almost everyone in black and white has been a stark experience this season and this doesn’t feel like the match the neutrals should be switching over for on Wednesday night. Still, it should be Koopmeiners who should see this match as an opportunity to gain control of a midfield that looks shaky without the ball. — James Benge
Man of the Match: Kenan Yildiz – The Turkish talent has been one of the best players for Juventus this season and the Bianconeri need a win against the side led by Unai Emery, who is not having his best moment since taking charge of the England team. Yildiz needs to showcase his skills outside Italy and the match at Villa Park may be the right place to do that. — Francesco Porzio
Prediction: Villa 1-1 Juve — It’s been a strong start to Villa’s return to the Champions League, although things are currently slowing down following the defeat to Club Brugge. Big European nights at Villa Park have already beaten Bayern and it should be Unai Emery’s side again here. Juve are just outside the main UCL contenders as they also play in Serie A. With that in mind, a draw sounds pretty good. — Jonathan Johnson
Best bet: Draw (+220) – Two teams that can bring any football match to a standstill meet in the Midlands and a draw seems the most likely outcome. Both Villa and Juventus have been able to score opportunistic goals, but one of the side effects of the new phase of the competition is that it encourages not to lose, as long as you beat the teams you need to beat. — Chuck Booth