Wednesday brings us a trio of thrilling UEFA Champions League matchups, and we’re diving into each one with in-depth analysis and betting recommendations.
Before we get started, let’s quickly glance at the latest outright odds. Liverpool lead the pack as favourites at 4/1, with defending champions Real Madrid and Arsenal hot on their heels at 6/1. Barcelona are next at 13/2, while Manchester City and Bayern Munich follow closely at 7/1. The remaining contenders are priced at 16/1 or higher.
Click here for all the latest Champions League Outright Betting
PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN v MANCHESTER CITY – Click here to bet
Paris Saint-Germain will welcome Manchester City to the Parc des Princes on Wednesday evening in what promises to be an electrifying UEFA Champions League clash. With two of Europe’s heavyweights facing off, this game is set to capture the imagination of football fans across the globe.
Paris Saint-Germain, currently 1st in Ligue 1, are riding an incredible eight-game winning streak in all competitions, most recently securing a 2-1 victory away to Lens on Saturday. In Europe, PSG will want to replicate their most recent outing, a dominant 3-0 win away to Salzburg, which has kept their hopes for a qualification playoff alive. Despite a strong domestic campaign, PSG currently sit 25th in the Champions League standings with 7 points from 6 matches and know that a positive result here is crucial if they are to secure a potential spot in the knockout rounds.
Champions League Form: W2 D1 L3
In Europe, PSG have been fairly balanced, averaging 1 goal scored per game, while also conceding 1 goal per game. With 67% of their Champions League matches (4 out of 6) featuring 2 goals or fewer.
Manchester City come into this match on the back of a commanding 6-0 victory away to Ipswich on Sunday, maintaining an unbeaten run of three wins and two draws in their last five matches. However, the Citizens are currently 22nd in the Champions League standings with 8 points after a disappointing 2-0 defeat away to Juventus in their most recent European outing, which has left their qualification prospects hanging in the balance.
Champions League Form: W2 D2 L2
City have been strong in attack, averaging 2.16 goals per game in Europe, but their defensive vulnerabilities have been evident, conceding 9 goals at an average of 1.5 goals per match. Over 2.5 goals have featured in 67% of their European fixtures (4 out of 6), contrasting with PSG’s more cautious approach, which has seen fewer goals in their games.
Head-to-Head
This will be the 7th meeting between these two, with Manchester City holding the advantage historically with 4 wins, 1 draw, and 1 defeat. However, PSG will be looking to turn the tide in front of their home crowd, where they tasted success in their most recent meeting in Paris against City in the 2021/22 season, triumphing 2-0 that day.
Betting
Paris Saint-Germain 15/10
Draw 11/4
Manchester City 33/20
Verdict
Despite their shaky European form, there are signs of improvement for Manchester City, and with PSG also facing their own challenges, this could be a tightly contested match. City will be hoping to salvage something positive from this encounter, but their defensive struggles could make it difficult for them to claim all three points. A low-scoring draw wouldn’t be a surprise here, especially with both teams likely to take a cautious approach.
Suggested Bet: Full Time Result, Draw at 11/4
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CELTIC v YOUNG BOYS BERN – Click here to bet
Celtic will welcome Young Boys to Celtic Park on Wednesday evening in a crucial UEFA Champions League clash. While Young Boys are already out of contention, Celtic still have everything to play for as they aim to keep their European aspirations alive.
Celtic are enjoying a stellar domestic season, sitting atop the Scottish Premiership with a 13-point lead over Rangers. Over the weekend, they edged out Kilmarnock 2-1 in the Scottish Cup, extending their unbeaten streak to five matches in all competitions (four wins, one draw). Brendan Rodgers’ side remain in the mix for European qualification, currently sitting 21st in the standings with 9 points. Their most recent Champions League outing was a hard-fought goalless draw away to Dinamo Zagreb, marking their second consecutive draw in the competition.
Champions League Form: W2 D3 L1
Celtic have shown attacking intent in Europe, averaging 1.67 goals scored per match, but their defence has been equally vulnerable, conceding the same number per game. Goal-heavy encounters have been a hallmark of their campaign, with 67% of their matches (4 out of 6) featuring 4 or more goals.
Young Boys Bern, in stark contrast, are enduring a nightmare season in Europe. They are rooted to the bottom of the Champions League standings with 0 points, having suffered six consecutive defeats. Their domestic struggles are just as evident; they played out a 0-0 draw at home to Winterthur over the weekend, leaving them 9th in the Swiss Super League. Caretaker manager Joël Magnin has his hands full as the team continues to struggle on all fronts.
Champions League Form: W0 D0 L6
Toothless in attack, the Swiss side have averaged just 0.5 goals per game while conceding a staggering 3.67 per match. Unsurprisingly, goals have been a recurring theme in their matches, with 3 goals or more featuring in 83% of their games in Europe this campaign (5 out of 6 matches).
Head-to-Head
This Wednesday marks the third European meeting between these two sides, with Celtic unbeaten in their previous encounters, recording one win and one draw against Young Boys. Their most recent clash dates back to the 1993/94 season in the Europa League, where Celtic secured a narrow 1-0 victory.
Betting
Celtic 7/20
Draw 5/1
Young Boys Bern 7/1
Verdict
It comes as no surprise that Celtic are clear favourites going into this clash on Wednesday. Young Boys’ dire form in Europe, coupled with their lack of cutting edge up front, leaves little to suggest they can trouble the hosts. With playoff contention no longer a reality for the visitors, motivation will undoubtedly be lacking. For that reason, I expect Celtic to deliver a comfortable, clinical victory at Celtic Park.
Suggested Bet: Handicap, Celtic -1.5 at 17/20
ARSENAL v DINAMO ZAGREB – Click here to bet
Arsenal will look to maintain their strong European campaign when they face Dinamo Zagreb at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday. With both teams heading into this fixture under different circumstances, it promises to be an intriguing battle.
The Gunners come into this match after a 2-2 draw at home against Aston Villa over the weekend, a result that keeps them in 2nd place, although still 6 points adrift of league leaders Liverpool. In Europe, Mikel Arteta’s side currently occupy 3rd place with 13 points, following a commanding 3-0 victory over Monaco in the previous round
Champions League Form: W4 D1 L1
Arsenal have been particularly impressive defensively in Europe, conceding just twice, averaging 0.33 goals per game. In attack, they have averaged 1.83 goals per match, finding the back of the net 11 times so far in their European campaign. Given their solid defensive record, it’s no surprise that under 2.5 goals have featured prominently in 67% of their matches (4 out of 6) in this competition.
Dinamo Zagreb are coming off a 1-1 draw against Jagiellonia in their third club-friendly fixture. With competitive football yet to resume, the Croatian outfit may struggle to keep pace with Arsenal at the Emirates. Currently occupying 3rd place in the Croatian Football League, 7 points adrift of Rijeka, they will look to Europe to maintain a qualification playoff spot, sitting just inside the required top 24 in 24th place with 8 points. Zagreb secured a valuable point away to Celtic last November, finishing 0-0, but they face a tough task here against an in-form Arsenal side.
Champions League Form: W2 D2 L2
Over the course of 6 games, Dinamo Zagreb have averaged 1.67 goals scored per match and 2.5 goals conceded per match. With over 2.5 goals appearing in 50% of their fixtures (3 out of 6), those figures could change dramatically after Wednesday’s clash in London.
Head-to-Head
These two sides have faced each other four times in the Champions League, with Arsenal emerging victorious in three encounters and losing just once. Their most recent meeting was on Match day 5 of the 2015/16 season, where Arsenal secured an impressive 3-0 victory.
Betting
Arsenal 1/8
Draw 17/2
Dinamo Zagreb 20/1
Verdict
After failing to score in their last two European outings, I believe the visitors will face another tough challenge here at the Emirates. I expect Arteta’s side to respond to Saturday’s result with a more clinical performance, especially defensively. A victory could potentially see Arsenal secure an automatic spot in the next round, depending on the results elsewhere.
Suggested Bet: Arsenal To Win To Nil, Yes at 7/10
Click here for all of this week’s European football action
Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
