Europe Champions League - Round 4

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Liverpool vs Real Madrid Preview:

Possible starting lineups:

Liverpool:
Mamardashvili; Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Gakpo; Ekitike

Real Madrid:
Courtois; Alexander-Arnold, Militao, Huijsen, Carreras; Valverde, Tchouameni; Guler, Bellingham, Vinicius Jr; Mbappe

Liverpool will welcome Real Madrid to Anfield in one of the most interesting matches of round 4. The Reds started the new season in excellent way. The Champions League was not an exception, Slot's men beat Atletico Madrid with 3:2 in first round. During the "Black period" Liverpool played two European matches. First they narrowly lost to Galatasaray in Istanbul, while in the third round demolished Eintracht Frankfurt. With six points collected, the Reds sit on the 10th place and the next period will be crucial. The atmosphere in the team is better after the weekend victory over Aston Villa. It wasn't easy at all, but Salah and Gravenberch made a difference. To be honest, Salah took advantage from big mistake by Emiliano Martinez, while deflection helped the second. However, Slot is still under heavy pressure and can't allow another defeat. In addition, he has big injury worries. Alisson Becker, Giovanni Leoni and Jeremie Frimpong will definitely skip the match, but two other players are rated as doubtful. Record signing Alexander Isak and Curtis Jones were both absent during the weekend due to groin problems, but could be ready in time for this match.

Real Madrid are in excellent form, they have three victories in the first three rounds of the Champions League. Los Blancos beat the French side Marseille, then demolished Kairat Almaty and finally beat Juventus. With maximal nine points from the opening three rounds, Real are sharing the first place with PSG, Bayern Munich, Inter and Arsenal. Xabi Alonso's men are also on the top of La Liga. Overall, they played 14 competitive games across all competitions and won 13 of them. The atmosphere in the squad is positive, while the players confidence is very high. However, the lone defeat was really painful, for two reasons: first, they lost to city rivals Atletico; second, they conceded five goals in a humiliate 5:2 defeat. Alonso has some injury and suspension worries ahead of this match. Dani Carvajal, Antonio Rudiger and David Alaba are all unavailable for the trip to Anfield. Trent Alexander-Arnold has fully recovered from injury and he is in contention for a start against his former club. It will be interesting to see the fans reactions.

Liverpool vs Real Madrid Prediction:

Liverpool won 2:0 against Aston Villa during the weekend and the "million dollars question" is if the crisis come to its end? I believe Arne Slot thinks the Reds are back to winning days, but is that true? Lets see how they won? Salah took advantage from big mistake by Emiliano Martinez, while deflection helped Gravenberch to score the second. The clean sheet against Villa was exactly what Liverpool needed, but Real Madrid are class above Aston Villa. To stop Mbappe, Vinicius Junior, Bellingham, Guler and other super stars means a small miracle. Don't forget Slot is still under heavy pressure, as well as captain Van Dijk. It is true Liverpool beat Real a year ago, but under different circumstances. Liverpool have six defeats on the last eight matches across all competitions and the players confidence isn't high. On contrary, Real are in series of six victories and they should continue their winning series.

Liverpool vs Real Madrid Pick: Real Madrid to win @ 2.62 with Pinnacle

 

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Paris Saint-Germain vs Bayern Munich Preview:

Possible starting lineups:

Paris Saint-Germain:
Chevalier; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Mendes; Vitinha, Zaire-Emery, Neves; Kvaratskhelia, Dembele, Barcola

Bayern Munich:
Neuer; Laimer, Upamecano, Tah, Bischof; Kimmich, Pavlovic; Olise, Harry Kane, Luis Diaz; Jackson

Both Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich are enjoying a winning start of the Champions League. Both teams have nine points and they will try to continue their winning series. Paris Saint-Germain are title holders, something that pleased Nasser Al-Khelaifi. The Qatar billionaire brought all the best coaches and players, like Ancelotti, Pochetino, Unai Emery, Neymar, Lionel Messi and Mbappe, but without success. Nobody believed that coach Luis Enrique could make a difference. But he did. It wasn't smooth, but Enrique and his players managed to secure the knock-out stage, and then have eliminate three heavyweights in the names of Liverpool, Aston Villa and Arsenal. "Save the Best for Last" is a song by American singer and actress Vanessa Williams, released in 1992. That happened in the final when PSG demolished Inter 5:0. The current results in Europe are still good. Paris Saint-Germain won 4:0 against Atalanta, beat 2:1 Barcelona and 7:2 Leverkusen in the opening three rounds of the Champions League. Enrique has some issues ahead of this match as Ilya Zabarnyi serves a suspension after being sent off against Leverkusen, while Desire Doue remains sidelined with a thigh injury.

As I wrote above, Bayern Munich have a perfect start in the new season. The Bavarians are first in Bundesliga, but also have a perfect record in the Champions League. Bayern have nine points and they will try to maintain the winning series. Bayern managed to beat Chelsea, Pafos and Club Brugge, scoring 12 goals on the mentioned three games. They also have a perfect record in Bundesliga, winning every single match so far. The actual form could be rated as fantastic, they beat Borussia Monchengladbach 3:0, won 4:1 against Koln, and dominated Bayer Leverkusen with a 3:0 triumph last Saturday. Bayern are five points clear at the top of the Bundesliga and second in the Champions League with nine points. They are only behind PSG due to inferior goal difference. Kompany has some concerns ahead of this match. Left-back Alphonso Davies is still recovering from a cruciate ligament injury, and he is anticipated to return to action next month. Jamal Musiala is working his way back from a broken leg.

Paris Saint-Germain vs Bayern Munich Prediction:

PSG have been fantastic under Luis Enrique. They have maximal nine points after three rounds in the Champions League. What is important to be mentioned, PSG outplayed Barcelona as guests and won 2:1 in the second round. The Parisians were impressive when they visited Leverkusen in the third round. Not only they won, but scored seven goals in 7:2 victory. PSG look too strong at the moment. The home advantage is on their side. However, the key reason for my pick is connect with the managers. Luis Enrique is more experienced than Vincent Kompany. According to me, this could make a difference.

Paris Saint-Germain vs Bayern Munich Pick: Paris Saint-Germain to win @ 2.46 with Pinnacle

 

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Manchester City vs Borussia Dortmund Preview:

Possible starting lineups:

Manchester City:
Donnarumma; Nunes, Stones, Dias, Ait-Nouri; Gonzalez; Savinho, Reijnders, Foden, Doku; Haaland

Borussia Dortmund:
Kobel; Schlotterbeck, Anton, Bensebaini; Couto, Nmecha, Bellingham, Svensson; Beier, Brandt; Guirassy

Manchester City will welcome the German outfit Borussia Dortmund to the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday night. Both sides have collected seven points from three matches so far, but Borussia sit one place higher thanks to superior goal difference. The Citizens have started the new season in solid way. They easily beat 10-men Napoli 2:0 in the first match, then drew 2:2 with Monaco and won 2:0 against Villarreal in Spain. I think Guardiola is satisfy with the results, despite the fact they dropped two points at the Principality. Manchester City were good in domestic Premier League as they secured a 3:1 win against Bournemouth on Sunday. Haaland was the key name on that game after scoring a brace. Guardiola has the majority of his players available for this match, including Rodri. However, Mateo Kovacic remain sidelined with an ankle injury.

As I wrote above, Borussia Dortmund also have seven points after three rounds. They were unlucky to drop two points in Turin, conceding twice in the stoppage time. BVB were more successful in the next matches, beating Athletic Bilbao and FC Copenhagen. It is interesting to be mention that Borussia have scored four goals in each of those three games. First time it was only enough for draw, while the next two games brought maximal six points. Interesting, Borussia also won two in a row in Bundesliga, but those victories were narrow and low scoring. Niko Kovac's men won 1:0 against FC Koln and Augsburg. The Croatian coach has three injury worries ahead of the trip to England. The young Julien Duranville is definitely sidelined with a shoulder injury, while Nico Schlotterbeck and Niklas Sule are rated as doubtful. However, the last news from the medical department are optimistic and both are both expected to recover in time.

Manchester City vs Borussia Dortmund Prediction:

Manchester City have an exceptional European record against the German teams. The Citizens have won each of their last 11 competitive home matches against Bundesliga opposition. Guardiola will try to maintain the successful series and I think they are closer to the victory. I am well aware of the fact Dortmund managed to score four goals on each of the three games, though Manchester City are level above the other teams (Juventus, Bilbao and Copenhagen). Nevertheless, I expect at least four goals overall at Etihad. Manchester City will go for victory, but Borussia Dortmund are not a team that will play catenaccio. And finally, Haaland. He is able to score four alone. At the end isn't important who will score, it is important this match to produce four goals.

Manchester City vs Borussia Dortmund Pick: Over 3.5 goals @ 2.12 with Pinnacle