Champions League predictions: Group stage matchday 4

Matchday 4 of the 2023/24 UEFA Champions League is upon us as a number of the match giants try and seal their locations within the final 16.

Bayern Munich, Actual Madrid, Manchester Metropolis and Barcelona all have 100% win data from their opening three video games, whereas the likes of Inter, Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain are effectively positioned to succeed in the knockout rounds.

It is a large spherical of fixtures for groups like Celtic, AC Milan and Manchester United, all of whom need victories to maintain them in rivalry heading into their final two group video games.

Here is how 90min reckons this week’s Champions League fixtures will pan out.

Tuesday 7 November

The euphoric excessive of Newcastle‘s 4-0 thumping of Paris Saint-Germain was tempered by a 1-0 dwelling defeat to Borussia Dortmund on the final matchday. The 2 groups meet once more on Tuesday in one of many two early kick-offs, with the Magpies hoping their crushing harm record does not disrupt their constant run of kind.

No one has managed to cease Barcelona thus far in Group H, although Shakhtar Donetsk ran them fairly shut final day trip. Whereas that sport ended 2-1 within the Catalans’ favour, Xavi’s aspect will hope for a extra convincing victory and a response to their fairly tepid effort in opposition to Actual Sociedad, the place they nonetheless managed victory.

Celtic want their first win rapidly if they’re to play European soccer early subsequent yr however a mammoth process awaits away at Atletico Madrid.

PSG‘s aforementioned embarrassment at St James’ Park has been sandwiched by wins over Dortmund and AC Milan. The Rossoneri have made the worst begin of the giants in Group F and may even see their winless run proceed, particularly if Kylian Mbappe is on prime kind.

Younger Boys will need to have been quaking of their boots watching Manchester Metropolis‘s demolition of Bournemouth on the weekend. Nevertheless, the Swiss aspect gave a wonderful account of themselves within the two sides’ first assembly, solely falling to defeat because of Erling Haaland’s second-half double. There’s, nevertheless, important doubt over the Norwegian’s health.

Wednesday 8 November

Manchester United know a win at Kobenhavn would give their knockout stage hopes a significant enhance. The Purple Devils snuck a late 1-0 win over Fulham on the weekend and one other tight encounter might be on the playing cards, although the Purple Devils are slight favourites to squeeze over the road.

Group A’s different tie sees runaway leaders Bayern Munich host a Galatasaray squad laced with eccentric expertise together with Mauro Icardi, Wilfried Zaha and Dries Mertens. Bayern will likely be buoyed by their thumping win in Der Klassiker on Saturday.

Arsenal‘s win at Sevilla helped Mikel Arteta’s aspect take a agency grip on Group B, although the Spaniard will wish to keep away from any extra “embarrassing” VAR calls when the Europa League holders aspect go to the Emirates.

Actual Madrid could not discover a aim in opposition to Rayo Vallecano on Sunday as they had been held to a 0-0 draw. Supervisor Carlo Ancelotti is sweating on the health of Jude Bellingham and his absence in opposition to Braga would deprive Los Blancos of their greatest menace within the ultimate third thus far this season.

READ 90MIN’S OTHER CHAMPIONS LEAGUE MATCHDAY 4 PREVIEWS