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It's matchday four in the Champions League, and there's all to play for as the tournament gathers pace. Defending champions PSG sit in pole position after four matches, with the Parisians one of five teams boasting a 100% record. PSG lead Bayern Munich, Inter Milan, Arsenal, and Real Madrid. Interestingly, there are just three points between PSG in first and Galatasaray down in 14th, meaning everything could change in the blink of an eye.
Flashscore's football writer and experienced sports gambling expert, Frank Monkhouse, brings readers his Champions League preview and predictions. He selects the most exciting fixtures from the midweek programme, highlights the form worth knowing, and promotes generous betting odds. The aim is to help you find winners, beat the bookies and boost your betting balance. You can follow his selections as a single, choose your favourites to create an accumulator or take us on.
Slavia Prague vs Arsenal, Tuesday, 17:45 BST
We open the show with Slavia Prague vs Arsenal as the home team target a win that'll improve their chances of reaching the knockout stages. Slavia Prague enter matchday four with their UCL stats showing two draws against one defeat, with only two goals scored and five conceded. Critics feel things could go from bad to worse for Prague against Arsenal.
Mikel Arteta takes his English Premier League leaders into this match with a perfect record. The Londoners are fourth in the league with nine points on the board. They've scored eight goals and conceded none, making the visitors one of only two yet to drop points or a goal at this level. Another victory and a clean sheet would suit Arsenal just fine.
Here, we have a home team that's yet to win a game, having conceded five goals, playing a visiting side with a 100% record and yet to concede. If this match follows the form, Arsenal will win with a bit to spare. The Brits are in better shape, field a more talented team, and have a real chance to hit the front with a strong away win. Keep it simple and back Arsenal.
Tip: Arsenal win @ 27/100 (bet365)
Bet explanation: If Arsenal win, your bet wins.
Liverpool vs Real Madrid, Tuesday, 20:00 BST
Moving to a huge game at Anfield as two of the biggest names in the competition go head-to-head. Liverpool host Real Madrid in a fixture that has been a final before. The Reds are struggling domestically and could lose their EPL crown, but have won two of their previous three in this competition, collecting six points from nine.
Real Madrid arrive on Merseyside five places above their hosts in fifth. They are one of the select few with a 100% record, winning all three previous starts, scoring eight goals and conceding one. Interestingly, Real Madrid has scored the same number of goals as their opponents, but bring a stronger defence. Will that solid backline prove the difference?
Things aren't going well for Liverpool in the Premier League, and they've sunk to seventh in the league following four defeats on the bounce. Tuesday gives Arne Slot and his men a welcome distraction from chasing EPL points, but I expect Blancos to pile on the pressure. The Spaniards are top of La Liga and haven't put a foot wrong in this tournament to date.
Tip: Real Madrid or draw @ 4/7 (bet365)
Bet explanation: You want either the away win or a draw here.
PSG vs Bayern Munich, Tuesday, 20:00 BST
Another blockbuster on matchday four pairs the defending champions with one of the early betting favourites. PSG impressed when winning this trophy last season, smashing Milan in the final. They didn't add the Club World Cup in the summer as many expected, but are sitting pretty at the top of the UCL table. Will PSG prove they're still the main attraction?
Beating PSG in Paris won't win Bayern Munich the European Cup just yet, but it would be a huge result and an important statement from the Germans. Munich eased into their challenge by winning each of their first three games, scoring 12 goals and conceding two. The Bundesliga giants know they'll leapfrog PSG with an away win, and that's exactly their intention.
The winner of this match will have a great opportunity to go on and finish top of the league, advancing to the knockout stages with confidence. It's easy to make a strong case for either side, but we're sticking with the stats. A bet on under 3.5 goals would've landed you a profit in each of the previous five meetings of these teams. Add under 3.5 goals to your accas.
Tip: Under 3.5 goals @ 1/1 (bet365)
Bet explanation: PSG vs Bayern Munich must finish with fewer than four goals scored by both teams combined.
Qarabag vs Chelsea, Wednesday, 17:45 BST
Moving to Wednesday, we begin with an intriguing match involving underdogs Qarabag and FIFA World Club Cup champions Chelsea. Pundits fear the worst for a home team that started well, but know they must respond quickly after suffering their first defeat last time. Qarabag has two wins against that loss, scoring six goals but conceding five.
Could Chelsea add the European title to their trophy cabinet after upsetting the odds in the United States in the summer? The Blues from Stamford Bridge opened with a defeat, but fired back to win their next two. Chelsea have scored seven and conceded four, and I expect the Brits to collect a few more goals at Qarabag. Victory would put them in a handy position.
Chelsea have struggled for consistency in the opening months of the new season. They've shown flashes of their best, but were well beaten on matchday one and lost three of their previous five in the EPL. Can Chelsea go all the way? That remains to be seen. We've not had the best of them yet, but they have the quality needed to secure a third win in a row.
Tip: Chelsea win @ 19/50 (bet365)
Bet explanation: If Chelsea beat Qarabag, you beat the bookmakers.
Club Brugges vs Barcelona, Wednesday, 20:00 BST
Club Brugge welcome Barcelona for a tantalising match played under the bright lights. The stadium will be packed to capacity, with millions more following the play live on TV. Brugge hope to secure one of the biggest wins in their history, but start down in 20th after losing their last two at this level. Seven goals conceded in three games don't inspire confidence.
Barcelona arrive in town as a serious contender to win the Champions League next spring. The La Liga stars have won two of their first three, scoring nine goals and conceding four. There's still plenty more to come from this star-studded squad, but they are moving in the right direction and aim to hit top speed by the knockout fixtures when things get serious.
Brugge certainly won't roll over for their big-name opponents. The home players will feed off an electric atmosphere and plan to hit Barca on the counter. I expect the visitors to remain patient, build from the back, and punish any mistakes made by the Brugge defence. The gulf in class between the two teams will be evident at the full-time whistle.
Tip: Barcelona win @ 8/15 (bet365)
Bet explanation: You're backing Barca in the match-winner market at fair odds.
Marseille vs Atalanta, Wednesday, 20:00 BST
The final game in our Champions League midweek preview sees France take on Italy as Marseille roll out the red carpet for Atalanta. The locals are holding their own in the middle of the pack, but have won one and lost two games so far. Everyone connected to Marseille knows that anything less than a win would damage their chances of progressing from the league.
Atalanta are one place higher in the Champions League than their hosts, with a point more on the board. The Italians lost their first match, but are unbeaten since, winning their second and drawing the third. They've taken four of the last six points available, meaning they'll start this match with high spirits. A win would give Atalanta a great chance of going through.
There's very little between these sides on paper, and I'm confident that'll show when the match begins. Marseille are below Atalanta in the league table, but have scored more goals and conceded fewer. Those stats and the home advantage encourage us to take a chance on Marseille claiming an important win on their patch.
Tip: Marseille or draw @ 3/10 (bet365)
Bet explanation: If Marseille beat Atalanta or the match ends in a draw, your bet wins.
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The odds, correct at the time of publication, are subject to change.