The Champions League is back with exciting clashes and a few surprises in store for the fans. With teams in great form and others trying to catch their breath this season, the duels promise to be fierce and full of twists and turns.
Between classic clashes and unexpected clashes, we analyze four games that could define the course of the competition. Check out our predictions for Club Brugge vs Aston Villa, Borussia Dortmund vs LOSC Lille, PSV vs Arsenal and Real Madrid vs Atlético de Madrid and see what to expect from these thrilling matches.
Club Brugge vs Aston Villa
My prediction 1-1. Last time these two met in November of last year only a single goal separated them. After Club Brugge’s surprising display vs Atalanta they could seriously threaten the “Villans. However, don’t sleep on Unai Emery’s men. The winter transfer did bring the addition of some formidable firepower in the form of former United wonderkin Marcus Rashford and Spanish international Marco Asensio. This fixture could turn out to be the sleeper hit of the whole match day.
Borussia Dortmund vs LOSC Lille
My prediction BVB 2- 0 LOSC. Dortmund is tricky team to pin down as of late. They currently are 10th in Bundesliga, yet managed to qualify within the top ten of the Champions League new table format. Serhou Guirassy is as of now leading the charts with 10 goals in the competition and is almost a shoo-in to score in the match. Lille do count with the services of a young and dynamic squad but are currently 5th in League 1. For this tide I see Dortmund edging out a victory at home.
PSV vs Arsenal
My prediction PSV 0-1 ARS. Much like Club Brugge, PSV seem to be a bit of a dark horse in this years competition. A solid squad with a healthy blend of explosive young players and experienced veterans, PSV managed to turn the tide on Italian giants Juventus during the knockoff round playoff and could deal the “Gunners” some damage. As for Arsenal the struggle for trophies under Arteta continues, the absence of Bukayo Saka is deeply felt in their goalscoring chances from open play. Currently, they are 2nd in the Premier League, yet their chances for a league title seem to be fading as Liverpool’s extraordinary form positions them as the runaway winners. As for the clash between these two, I see the first leg ending on a minimum advantage in Eindhoven for the London side.
Real Madrid vs Atlético de Madrid
My prediction Real Madrid 2-2 Atlético de Madrid. The night’s main event, “El Derbi de Madrid”. One of the great fixtures in Champion’s League history, so far this century we’ve been treated to two finals between these two. On this first leg at the Bernabéu, Real Madrid are going to have to manage without their mercurial captain Fede Valverde who’s out do to injury, yet they do retain the advantage of playing on home ground. For their part Atlético have been in fine form this year, sitting 3rd in La Liga, right under “Los Blancos”. Both sides are packing quite a punch in terms of the firepower up front, Mbappé is back to his goalscoring ways and Simeone is able to deploy Sørloth and Julián Alvarez for his team. I see this being an absolute nail bitter of a march, with the possibility of being topped only by the return leg at the Metropolitano next week.