Sevilla lock horns with Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal
The UEFA Champions League is back in action with another round of matches this week as Sevilla lock horns with Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal side in an important encounter at the Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan on Tuesday. Arsenal are currently in second place in the Premier League standings and have been fairly impressive so far this season. The Gunners were held to a disappointing 2-2 draw by Chelsea in their previous game and will need to take it up a notch this weekend.
Sevilla, on the other hand, are in 13th place in the La Liga table at the moment and have not been at their best this season.
Arsenal have a good historical record against Sevilla on the European stage and have won one out of the two matches played between the two teams, with the other game ending in a draw.
Arsenal have shown marked improvement under Mikel Arteta and will now need to prove their mettle in Europe. The likes of Gabriel Martinelli and Martin Odegaard have been impressive in recent weeks and will need to step up to the plate in this match.
Sevilla can pack a punch on their day but have been plagued by inconsistency this season. The Andalusians are playing in their own backyard, however, and could keep the Gunners at bay. Credit: sportskeeda.com
Manchester United welcome Danish outfit Copenhagen
Third time could be the charm for Manchester United in the Champions League, as the Red Devils welcome Danish outfit Copenhagen to Old Trafford for Tuesday’s Group A clash.
Erik ten Hag‘s men remain without a single point in the section after two matches, while their visitors sit one point and one place better off than their more esteemed hosts.
No other fourth-placed team in the 2023-24 Champions League has managed as many as Man United’s five goals across the opening two matchdays, but with defensive vulnerabilities rearing their ugly heads, the Red Devils’ return to the big time has been a torrid affair thus far.
Ten Hag’s team could be forgiven for falling short against perennial German champions Bayern Munich, but the panic button could have been pushed after an embarrassing 3-2 home loss to Galatasaray, where Rasmus Hojlund‘s brace was in vain as the Turkish side capitalised on the Red Devils’ ongoing frailties.
Copenhagen are an extremely tough nut to crack away from home, but the Red Devils still possess goal threats from all areas of the field, and we have faith in Ten Hag’s side to belatedly get off the mark in the Champions League, but it may not be too pretty.
Credit: sportsmole.co.uk
Galatasaray, Bayern Munich in top of the table clash
Galatasaray and Bayern Munich put their unbeaten Champions League records on the line during a top-of-the-table Group A clash at Rams park on Tuesday evening. The hosts left Manchester United’s Old Trafford base with a stunning 3-2 win on matchday two, while Thomas Tuchel‘s team also came from behind to sink Copenhagen 2-1.
Yet to suffer a single defeat since the new term commenced, Galatasaray have a 23-game unbeaten sequence to protect when Bayern pay a visit to their Istanbul base, and top spot in the section will be theirs if they can send Tuchel’s team back to Bavaria empty-handed.
Bayern’s ranks remain depleted ahead of their taxing journey to Istanbul, where none of Noussair Mazraoui (muscle), Manuel Neuer (leg), Dayot Upamecano (hamstring), Gabriel Marusic (ACL), Raphael Guerreiro (hip) or Tarek Buchmann (hamstring) should be present.
Bayern’s injury crisis worsened in their recent success over Mainz, where midfielder Leon Goretzka suffered a suspected broken finger, while Serge Gnabry is closing in on a return from a fractured forearm
A ravaged Bayern backline should be there for the taking for an in-form Galatasaray crop, who have scored multiple goals in 11 of their last 12 fixtures and can play with the handbrake off against Tuchel’s charges.
However, Buruk’s defence may not have the answers to an onslaught or two from the visitors’ own attacking stars, and while we expect a captivating affair with the net rippling a few times, we place our faith in Bayern to emerge victorious yet again.
Credit: sportsmole.co.uk
Real Madrid to maintain perfect run as they travel away to Braga
Real Madrid will be bidding to make it three straight wins in the Champions League when they continue their Group C campaign away to Braga tonite.
Los Blancos are top of the section on six points from an available six, three clear of third-placed Braga, who have won one and lost one of their first two games in what is a difficult group. Braga will bring a five-game winning run into this match, which has included victories in their last three league games, and a total of 16 points from eight fixtures has left them fourth in the Primeira Liga table.
Real Madrid, meanwhile, have triumphed in their opening two matches in this season’s competition, beginning Group C with a 1-0 win over Union Berlin before beating Napoli 3-2 in Italy last time out.
Los Blancos are already in charge of the section on six points, while they are top of the La Liga table, boasting 25 points from their opening 10 matches of the season.
Real Madrid have won 10 of their 12 games in all competitions this season, though, while their overall record against Portuguese opposition is strong, winning 14, drawing two and losing five of their previous 21 matches.
Braga will enter this match in excellent form, and there is no question that they have the players to hurt Real Madrid on Tuesday night. We are expecting the Portuguese outfit to score, but the away team’s experience and additional quality should allow them to secure an important three points.
Credit: sportsmole.co.uk
