The UEFA Champions League returns with round four in the group stages, as our soccer expert previews games taking place across Europe, sharing his betting tips for the biggest games.

 

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Atlético Madrid vs Celtic (Tuesday 20:00 UTC)

Celtic travel to Spain to play in the Civitas Metropolitan Stadium, Madrid for this Group E clash. Their last duel ended in a 2-2 draw just two weeks ago, and it's the Spanish side who are the clear favourites once more to secure all three points on offer. As it's now all or nothing for The Hoops, gaining three points is critical if they hope for any chance of advancing to the last-16.

Madrid's surprise 2-1 defeat to Las Palmas in the La Liga recently was not the best preparation for their return to continental action. Though they'll be confident of success here at home to their recent Scottish opponents. They boast an excellent team who will now return to play in front of a home crowd, and with an unbeaten record in this competition so far to continue - victory here is vital for their chances of finishing top of the group ahead of Feyenoord and Lazio.

Diego Simeone's men have won all five home La Liga games this season, while impressively scoring at least two goals in every game, though their only home runout in Europe was a sublime 3-2 success over Feyenoord. Álvaro Morata scored the solitary goal in domestic proceedings last weekend, and the Spanish international also bagged a brace against their Dutch rivals. He currently stands in second place with seven goals in the domestic league, a feat he shares with teammate Antoine Griezmann. Total - Match Over 3.5 at 8.62.

The veteran Frenchman has risen like a phoenix after transferring from Barcelona, with the thirty-year-old having nine goals to his tally across all competitions in thirteen appearances already, in comparison he had sixteen goals and nineteen assists to his name in 22/23. Commenting before his last match at Celtic Park he was under no illusions that the battle ahead would be easy, "Celtic are a team who consistently win their league, score a lot of goals and will be a very difficult game away. This group is wide open. This is not an easy group. As far as we are concerned, there is no room for complacency."

The Glasgow side currently has one point, three behind third-placed Lazio. A 2-0 opening defeat at Feyenoord seemed to be a portent of things to come, as the game was a furious affair and ultimately, they ended the bout with nine players. Brendan Rodgers' side has hit double figures for fouls in all three European matches thus far, and on account of this match's significance in particular, we could well see more of the same. Celtic Handicap - Match +1.5 at 1.934.

The other defeat was a 1-2 at the hands of Lazio at home and tragically the winning goal came five minutes into added time. Securing their first point in the reverse fixture weeks past; Kyogo Furuhashi and Luis Palma twice put them in front only for the aforementioned Griezmann and Morata to equalise on both occasions.

Top of the Scottish Premiership goalscorers is Matt O'Riley with six goals, he'll be pivotal in contributing to the attack, as he also boasts three assists this season. In contrast to their forthcoming Iberian opponents, The Bhoys enjoyed a victory in domestic affairs with a 3-0 away win over Ross County, further cementing their first-place lead in the table. The same result, albeit, in favour of their forthcoming hosts is at 8.70 (Correct Score 3-0).

Atlético remains unbeaten in their seven European encounters with Celtic, with four wins and three draws. It'll take a mammoth effort for the away side to clinch victory here, break that record and reignite their European campaign.

1x2 1.295 5.73 10.23

 

FC Copenhagen vs Manchester United (Wednesday 20:00 UTC)

The Red Devils travel east to Parken for their second Group A encounter with Byens Hold. The hosts are currently in fourth place with just one point after three matches. Drawing 2-2 with Galatasaray in their first match but losing 2-1 to Bayern Munich at home in their second match, was followed by a tight 1-0 loss to Manchester United at Old Trafford. The Danish champions face a tougher challenge as they head into a do-or-die match, as a win is critical for any hopes of survival.

Manchester United will be looking to continue their winning momentum in the Champions League after defeating Copenhagen 1-0 in their previous match. Erik ten Hag’s team were given the promise of a better tomorrow in the form of two unlikely heroes - goal scorer Harry Maguire and goalkeeper Andre Onana who saved a crucial penalty from Jordan Larsson deep into injury time. Garnering a much-needed three points puts United back in contention to proceed into the group stages, however, it’ll be doubtful they’ll wrestle the top spot from Bayern.

There are heroes abound lately, as last weekend Bruno Fernandes made a Fergie Time goal to finish the away game at Fulham 1-0. The victory pushed The Reds up the Premier League table where they currently sit in eighth position, with eighteen points. The club's captain has been in excellent form this season and is unequivocally one of the most important players for the underachieving side's ambitions. Correct Score 2-1 at 13.68.

Copenhagen themselves enjoyed a victory over Randers last weekend in the Danish Superliga. There were goals abound, with The Lions falling behind twice though fighting back to end proceedings 4-2. Another victory cements their position at the top of the table for another week, as rivals Brondy and Midtjylland nip at their heels. Although there was a last-gasp tragedy from the penalty spot in Manchester two weeks ago, the Swedish international forward Larsson has scored five goals and contributed two assists across all competitions this season and has had a prolific impact after transferring from FC Schalke 04 over the summer.

Talk of the town however is another Swedish player, Roony Bardghji. The seventeen-year-old continues to carry his team on his back in the Danish Superliga with his impressive performances so far, culminating in nine goals across all competitions. His latest accolade was against Midtjylland where he came off the bench to score in the seventy-seventh minute of the round of sixteen clash of the Danish Cup, ending the match 1-0. We can well expect much more of him in the future, as Europe's major clubs have taken note and will eventually come knocking. FC Copenhagen To Score? Yes at 1.432.

An extremely tough match to call, especially after the last battle between these two. The statistics were virtually on par for shots and possession alike, so it'll well come down again to some personal moments of magic from key players on both sides to give the edge.

1x2 4.11 3.85 1.854

 

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Arsenal vs Sevilla (Wednesday 20:00 UTC)

The Gunners return to Champions League action as they face Sevilla at the Emirates in this Group B match, their Premier League unbeaten run now a thing of the past after their weekend visit to Tyneside. The last match between these teams went in favour of The Reds, as they overcame the Europa League holders 2-1 two weeks ago. Back-to-back successes over the Andalusians will pretty much see them into the knockout rounds with two games left to play. Sevilla Match - Handicap +1.5 at 1.97.

Mikel Arteta's men succumbed to a contentious Anthony Gordon winner in the sixty-fourth minute. The goal was awarded after no less than three separate checks in the VAR room - for an offside, a foul and to determine whether the ball had gone out of play. The Reds boss slammed what he saw as incompetent referring to blame for the loss, regardless his side's eleven-game top-flight unbeaten streak has come to a dramatic end. Indeed, the match could've gone a lot worse, with Kai Havertz and Bruno Guimaraes both swerving potential red cards. Questions will be asked why they didn't present more opportunities of their own with their 60% possession.

The humbling defeat at St James Park let Arsenal drop to fourth position in the Premier League table. However, there isn't much scope for despair, as the Gunners are at the top of their Champions League quartet with six points. The only potential threat to their crown comes from RC Lens who are one point behind them. Both PSV Eindhoven and forthcoming opponents Sevilla wallow with only two points apiece. An exceptional goal from Brazilian international Gabriel Jesus early on in the second half allowed the side to prevail. The stage is set, and the door is open to the knockout rounds, with three more games to go there is ample opportunity to proceed now. Though they will no doubt miss injured English international striker Bukayo Saka and recent addition Jurrien Timber.

Former Uruguay manager Diego Alonso's Champions League debut for Sevilla was initially going well up until Jesus's sublime piece of skill and pass released Gabriel Martinelli for a simple finish late in the first half. Los Patangana's have not got a single win thus far in Europe's top-flight this season, as they lie narrowly above PSV on goal difference in third place. The mire continues in domestic affairs as the Europa League champions currently sit at an astonishing fifteenth position, with four points from their last five games, grabbing more wins is proving elusive. Perhaps another draw will be on the cards here for Sevilla, as they've recorded a drab six draws and two losses from their last eight top-tier European games on the road. The last time they visited the Emirates Stadium was 2007, where they were resoundingly beaten 3-0. Another result of the same is at 9.16.

This should be a fairly straightforward affair for Arsenal, with home advantage and good form on the continent to boot. However, it’s well anticipated that Sevilla won’t be travelling north to London solely for a participation medal, as they seek to reignite their wavering season and renew the glories of old.

1x2 1.30 5.78 9.76

 

Champions League - Match Day 4 Fixtures (UTC)

Tuesday 7th November

Dortmund vs Newcastle (17:45)

Shakhtar Donetsk vs Barcelona (17:45)

Lazio vs Feyenoord (20:00)

Porto vs Antwerp (20:00)

Man City vs Young Boys (20:00)

Milan vs PSG (20:00)

Atlético Madrid vs Celtic (20:00)

Crvena zvezda vs RB Leipzig (20:00)

 

Wednesday 8th November

Real Sociedad vs Benfica (17:45)

Napoli vs Union Berlin (17:45)

Copenhagen vs Man Utd (20:00)

RB Salzburg vs Inter (20:00)

Bayern Munich vs Galatasaray (20:00)

Arsenal vs Sevilla (20:00)

PSV vs Lens (20:00)

Real Madrid vs Braga (20:00)

 

**Odds are subject to change. Odds accurate as of 10:00 UTC Tuesday 7th November**

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