Group A was always the main focus of this season’s Champions League, after the draw pitted Manchester City and Paris Saint Germain together.
The two European powerhouses are now set to battle it out at the Etihad Stadium, as they fight to secure top spot in the group.
There are also key games for the likes of Atletico Madrid, Borussia Dortmund and Inter Milan, as the knockout stages of the competition loom large.
Pep Can Outsmart Poch
Back in 2019, Mauricio Pochettino thwarted Pep Guardiola’s attempts to lift the Champions League Trophy with Man City, as his Spurs team knocked out the Citizens in the quarter finals.
Poch returns to the Etihad with his current team with question marks surrounding his future, as the Argentinian looks to be the top target for managerless Manchester United.
With that cloud hanging over the PSG boss, this could be the best time for City to face the French giants and, in the process, seal top spot in Group A.
The hosts have bounced back from their defeat in Paris to win their other three group games to date and can be backed at 8/15 to claim another victory on Wednesday night.
PSG are on a seven-game unbeaten run but their away form will be a concern for Pochettino and their backers. The Ligue 1 leaders have won just one of their last four on the road and have failed to win any of their last three away in the Champions League – which includes a 2-0 loss at the Etihad last season.
Riyad Mahrez scored both goals in that fixture and with Kevin De Bruyne missing, the Algerian could start again, with the former Leicester man is 9/5 to score at anytime.
Atletico to Grind Out Crucial Win
Atletico Madrid are facing the prospect of dropping into the Europa League, as they head into Wednesday’s clash with AC Milan.
The two teams were expected to battle it out with Liverpool for the two Group B qualification places, but it’s not worked out like that.
Diego Simeone’s men are going into Matchday Five in third with just four points from their first four matches and a point behind Porto, who travel to Anfield.
Atletico have looked a shadow of their former selves this season, but recent home performances look like they have gone back to basics. Their last two home games have seen Atletico win 3-0 and 1-0 and another win to zero over Milan can be backed at 6/4.
Dortmund and Inter in Trouble
Borussia Dortmund and Inter Milan are sat second in their respective groups, but are in real danger of missing out on the Champions League knockout stages.
Dortmund have lost their last two Group C encounters and are away to Sporting Lisbon on Wednesday, knowing that defeat will see the Portuguese side leapfrog them.
Sporting have won six in a row at home in all competitions and are 31/20 to claim a crucial three points, while Dortmund can be backed at 8/5.
Meanwhile, Inter are just a point ahead of Sheriff Tiraspol heading into Matchday Five, when the Italian champions are at home to Shakhtar this week.
With the visitors almost certainly set to finish bottom, Inter will see this as a big chance to not only cement a qualifying position but also to close the gap on Real Madrid.
Simone Inzaghi’s side drew 0-0 in Donetsk in September but they have discovered their form in Serie A recently and are 5/18 to claim a crucial win over Shakhtar.
*All odds correct at time of writing.
