- Champions League football returns for Matchday 5
- The new league phase is into its second half
- Only the top eight automatically reach last 16
The Champions League enters the second half of the new 'league phase' this week, as the competition reaches Matchday 5 and results really start to matter.
Two thirds of the clubs involved will reach the knockout stages but only the top eight will go straight into the last 16 and eliminate the need to play an additional two-legged tie. In this congested football calendar, that in itself is more than enough motivation to perform.
Among the big clubs currently outside the top eight are Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Arsenal and Manchester City. Paris Saint-Germain aren't even in the top 24 as it stands.
Tuesday night brings nine more fixtures, split across early and late kick-off times. Bayern hosting PSG, with both desperate for a win, is the picks of the games, but Arsenal and Manchester City each have intriguing tasks. Barcelona are also in action against this year's surprise package.
Here's predicts the outcome for all nine of Tuesday's Champions League fixtures.
Tuesday 26 November
In the 17:45 (GMT) kick-offs, AC Milan are coming into this week's European commitment off a mixed run in Serie A but have won their last two in Europe and will fancy themselves to take maximum points against Slovakia's point-less Slovan Bratislava.
Also up early are Atletico Madrid as they also head east to face Sparta Prague in the Czech capital.
Manchester City are looking to end an astonishing five-game losing streak across all competitions with the visit of Feyenoord to the Etihad Stadium. The Dutch side do travel well and impressed with back-to-back away wins over Girona and Benfica earlier in the competition but were soundly beaten at home by Red Bull Salzburg last time out in Europe.
The Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys plays host to Barcelona against Brest. The latter, despite struggling domestically in Ligue 1, have been the Champions League's unexpected force so far this season and are actually one point ahead of the Catalan giants through four games.
In a repeat of the 2020 final, Bayern Munich welcome Paris Saint-Germain to Bavaria. Neither club has thrived in Europe this season, although since an embarrassing demolition at the hands of Barcelona on Matchday 3, Bayern have won six games across three competitions. PSG have had no issues dominating Ligue 1, but their only Champions League win so far came on Matchday 1.
Inter should make comfortable work of RB Leipzig at San Siro. The reigning Italian champions are yet to concede in European competition this season, while Leipzig have lost four in a row and have only averaged one goal per game across those defeats.
Injuries and suspension could threaten to derail Atalanta's similar run of four successive clean sheets in the Champons League. Even so, Young Boys aren't likely to get anything else.
Bayer Leverkusen are within grabbing distance of the top eight and a home game against Red Bull Salzburg is a great opportunity to set themselves up for a strong end to the league phase.
Last but not least, Arsenal are the first Champions League club to face Sporting CP since Ruben Amorim took up position at Manchester United. Amorim's last European game inflicted a statement win on Pep Guardiola and Manchester City in Lisbon and Sporting didn't exactly skip a beat with a 6-0 victory over lower league opposition in the Taca de Portugal to start Joao Pereira's reign. But Arsenal are back in form if their sweeping Premier League win over Nottingham Forest is anything to go by.
Kick-off time (GMT) | Fixture | Prediction |
|---|---|---|
17:45 | Slovan Bratislava vs AC Milan | 0-3 |
17:45 | Sparta Prague vs Atletico Madrid | 0-1 |
20:00 | Man City vs Feyenoord | 3-1 |
20:00 | Barcelona vs Brest | 3-0 |
20:00 | Bayern Munich vs PSG | 3-1 |
20:00 | Inter vs RB Leipzig | 2-0 |
20:00 | Young Boys vs Atalanta | 1-2 |
20:00 | Bayer Leverkusen vs Red Bull Salzburg | 2-0 |
20:00 | Sporting CP vs Arsenal | 0-1 |
