December 22, 2024
The UEFA Champions League continues with matchweek 2 of the new league phase. Here is a preview of each match to occur this week.
Arsenal vs Paris Saint-Germain
Arsenal and PSG will clash for the fifth time in UEFA club competition on Tuesday, with the French side looking for their first-ever win against the Gunners.
Arsenal also boast a 15-8-5 all-time record against French teams in Europe, one of their best against any country. The North London outfit would hope to continue the feat, as they face the French champions. Also, Mikel Arteta’s side will also chase for a win, following their darw with Atalanta, on matchday one.
Last term semi-finalist, PSG, are with a good run in the French league. They also won in their first UCL. However, they have an awful record against Arsenal, with no single win in five meetings. They were also beaten 4-1 by Newcastle in their most recent trip to England.
Following their impressive run this season, Luis Enrique’s side will be expected to turn the tables against English sides, as they face Arsenal.
Prediction: Arsenal 1 vs 0 Paris Saint-Germain
Bayer Leverkusen vs AC Milan
German champions, Bayer Leverkusen will be welcoming Italian side and seven-time UCL winners AC Milan to the BayArena.
The last time Leverkusen met an Italian side, ended disastrous for them. The clash against Atalanta cost them an incredible unbeaten run and the Europa League final.
While have a nine-game unbeaten run at home in Europe, Die Werkself have only prevailed once in 10 continental outings versus sides from the Serie A. Xabi Alonso boys will hope to extend their home run and avoid a defeat against Milan.
Meanwhile, Milan played to a 0-0 draw at Borussia Dortmund last fall away, before falling 3-1 at home. Remarkably, since their last UCL title back in 2006/07, they have seldom defeated a German team in Europe, going 0-4-1. The Rossoneri have also won once in their last six road ties in the competition.
Prediction: Bayer Leverkusen 2 vs 1 AC Milan
Borussia Dortmund vs Celtic
Borussia Dortmund’s first home game of this season’s Champions League comes against Celtic.
The last season’s finalists have kept seven clean sheets in their last 10 UCL games. Dortmund also defeated Celtic in both legs of their 1992/93 UEFA Cup second round clash en route to their final defeat against Juventus.
The German giant are favourites as they clash against the Scottish champions.
However, Celtic’s last away win in the UCL was seven years ago at Anderlecht. Surprisingly, the 3-0 success in Brussels also came on matchday 2. In the eight games since, they have lost all but one of them.
The Hoops lost both group games to RB Leipzig two years ago, and have not beaten a German side since 2018/19, which also came against Leipzig. They will face a herculean task in defeating Dortmund away from home.
Borussia Dortmund 3 vs 2 Celtic
Barcelona vs Young Boys
Five-time UCL winners Barcelona faces off against Switzerland’s Young Boys. The Catalans are heavy favourites as the Swiss side are considered to be underdogs.
Barca last faced Swiss opposition in Europe16 years ago, drawing 1-1 with Basel at home in the group stage. They have only failed to win, once in four meetings against a Swiss side.
Coming from a disappointing loss to Osasuna during weekend, Hansi Flick’s boys are expected to whip Young Boys in the clash.
Meanwhile, Young Boys have never won an away group game at the tournament. They however don’t seem likely to break the jinx as they face Barcelona.
Prediction: Barcelona 7 vs 1 Young Boys
Slovan Bratislava vs Manchester City
Debutant Slovan Bratislava are welcoming reigning champions, Manchester City on matchday two.
Slovan last faced an English team in Europe in the 2019/20 UEL group stage, losing both games to Wolverhampton Wanderers. In 12 games against English teams, they have just two wins (2-2-8).
However, they are the underdogs in the clash as they face the English champions.
Despite drawing their last three games in the UCL, City is currently on a 24-game unbeaten run in the competition. Curiously, the Cityzens have scored exactly three goals in each of their last five away games. The game in the Slovak capital will be their first against a team from the country.
Prediction: Slovan Bratislava 0 vs 5 Manchester City
Other Matches Predictions:
RB Salzburg 3 vs 1 Brest
Sturm Graz 3 vs 0 Club Brugge
Stuttgart 2 vs 2 Sparta Praha
Internazionale 3 vs 0 Crvena zvezda
PSV Eindhoven 1 vs 3 Sporrting CP
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