There are plenty of interesting match-ups on Wednesday’s Champions League fixture list, with plenty of sides still vying to qualify for the knockout stages in the penultimate round of matches.
We have picked out a range of selections to create a five-fold acca featuring the likes of Galatasaray, PSV, Arsenal and Real Madrid.
- Galatasaray to beat Man Utd
- PSV to beat Seville
- Arsenal to win to nil v Lens
- Real Madrid to beat Napoli
Galatasaray vs Manchester United
Manchester United have claimed just one victory from their four Champions League group stage matches and that came via a 1-0 Old Trafford win over Copenhagen.
Andre Onana's last-gasp penalty save prevented the Danes from drawing level in that tie and United were beaten by Bayern Munich, at home to Galatasaray and in Copenhagen.
Bayern’s dominance at the top of the group has given United a chance of qualification, but the sun may set on their hopes in Istanbul.
Erik ten Hag’s men were 3-0 winners over Everton in the Premier League on Sunday, but that was a contest where the Toffees won the shot count 18-9, and if Sean Dyche’s side would have been slightly more proficient in front of goal, it may not have been as comfortable for the Red Devils.
United have lost eight of their last 16 matches and only three of their last six. The Red Devils were hammered 3-0 by Newcastle, 3-0 by Man City, they lost 4-3 in Copenhagen, and while Galatasaray are short of the level of Newcastle and City, they are a capable side.
United’s latest three victories have come against Fulham, Luton and Everton, and they needed a last minute winner to beat the Cottagers, and a Victor Lindelof effort from a set-piece to see off the Hatters.
Galatasaray have won nine of their 11 home matches this season and Bayern Munich are the only visiting side to have won at RAMS Park this term. Gala won 3-2 in the reverse fixture in Manchester and United will be without the suspended Marcus Rashford on Wednesday evening.
GALATASARAY TO BEAT MAN UNITED
Sevilla vs PSV
The Eredivisie is not viewed as one of the highest qualify leagues in Europe, but PSV do rate a top-level side.
The Eindhoven outfit have lost only one of the 22 all-competition matches this season and that reversal came against an excellent Arsenal side at the Emirates.
Peter Bosz’s men had to settle for a 2-2 draw against Seville at the Philips Stadion, but PSV had 62 per cent possession, 18 shots and eight corners in that contest and they look overpriced to win in Spain.
Of course, it’s easy to dismiss PSV’s form on the basis that they are competing in a sub-standard domestic competition, but Bosz’s men have scored 36 times and allowed only seven goals in reply in their last 12 matches. That level of performance has to be taken seriously, and it can be argued that a clash with Seville is barely a step-up from what PSV are facing week in, week out domestically.
Seville have won only one of their last 11 matches and that was a Copa del Rey victory over fifth-tier Quintanar del Rey.
Los Nervionenses have bags of European pedigree, but they look a shade of the great sides of the past this season and PSV can collect three points.
Arsenal vs Lens
Arsenal’s 1-0 victory over Brentford on Saturday made it only seven goals in nine Emirates contests this term and just six goals allowed in their last seven games.
William Saliba and Gabriel have formed a formidable partnership at the heart of the Arsenal defence and the Gunners also have the additional midfield protection offered by the outstanding Declan Rice.
Arsenal have seen eight of their last ten victories come to nil and that looks a solid play when they welcome Lens to the Emirates on Wednesday night.
The Gunners have attracted a fair amount of criticism this season, which has centered around Mikel Arteta’s temerity to sign a goalkeeper, but Arsenal are top of the Premier League table, they have been champions Man City and their only top-flight defeat came in controversial circumstances against Newcastle at St James’ Park.
Areta’s men only allowed the Magpies two shots on target in that Premier League tie and the north London side have conceded just 16 shots on target in their last seven matches.
Gabriel Jesus and Martin Odegaard returned to Arsenal’s attack at the weekend and the Gunners cut a well-balanced and structured side.
Lens were 2-1 winners in the reverse fixture, but the Blood and Gold only had three shots on target in that contest and the two goals that were scored came from outstanding efforts.
That’s unlikely to be repeated in London and Arsenal should limit their French opponents on the way to another European victory.
Real Madrid vs Napoli
There is a heavyweight Champions League tussle between Real Madrid and Napoli on Wednesday night and it’s a game that Los Blancos should win.
The overall standard of La Liga has dropped, but Real have lost only one of their 14 Spanish top-flight matches this season and they appear a rejuvenated side.
Carlo Ancelotti’s have won all four of their group stage matches and that includes a 3-2 win over Napoli in Italy. It can be unwise to overstate the importance of one player in an 11-man team by Jude Bellingham has been driving Real to some excellent performances this season.
Napoli have won only four of their last nine matches, they were held by Union Berlin on matchday four and the home defeat to Empoli that followed was even more concerning.
The Blues did win 2-1 at Atalanta on Saturday, but that wasn’t an entirely convincing victory and Walter Mazzarri’s men are starting to build a rather patchy profile.
Real had the luxury of withdrawing some of their key players early into their 3-0 cruise at Cadiz on Sunday and Los Blancos are well placed to extend their perfect Champions League group stage record.
