Champions League overview: Arsenal, Man City and Man Utd all in action

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The Champions League returns this week and we have a number of mouthwatering games to look forward to as Europe’s elite prepare to do-battle. Let’s take a closer look at some of the key matches including those games involving the Premier League teams.

Lens vs Arsenal

Arsenal are in north France to take on Lens on Tuesday night. The Gunners kicked-off Group B with a resounding 4-0 win over PSV Eindhoven at the Emirates Stadium two weeks ago so they can take control of the group with another win this evening.

Mikel Arteta’s men maintained their unbeaten record in all competitions with a 4-0 win over Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium on Saturday. Bukayo Saka continued his fine goal-scoring form with another goal, while Martin Odegaard, Kai Havertz and Ben White were also on target on the south coast. The win means Arsenal are now joint second in the Premier League and just one behind behind leaders Manchester City after their shock loss to Wolves.

The Gunners also registered a win over Brentford in the EFL Cup and drew 2-2 with Tottenham in a thrilling North London Derby recently, so they head in to tonight’s game in fine form. Arteta may be tempted to rest some key men ahead of Sunday’s huge showdown with Man City, but Arsenal should have enough depth to see-off Lens no matter what team is put out.

The French outfit shouldn’t be underestimated, though. They were one of the surprise packages last season as they finished second in Ligue 1, just one point behind PSG, so Arsenal should expect a tough game at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis on Tuesday night.

Fortunately, Saka has recovered from a knock that he picked up at the weekend and will be in the squad. Thomas Partey could also return having resumed full training in recent days after making a swift recovery from a groin injury. Leandro Trossard is also back in contention but Gabriel Martinelli is still working his way back from a hamstring injury while Jurrien Timber won’t play again this season after undergoing ACL surgery.

Prediction: Lens 1-2 Arsenal

Man Utd vs Galatasaray

Manchester United will look to get back to winning ways when they take on Galatasaray at Old Trafford. The Red Devils have endured a tough start to the new season and slumped to a shock 1-0 defeat at home to Crystal Palace at the weekend.

It was their fourth Premier League defeat of the season and it’s left them sitting 10th in the table, so Erik ten Hag is under pressure to get their campaign back on track after overseeing their worst start to a league season in 34 years.

United also tasted defeat in their opening Champions League Group A game after losing 4-3 away to Bayern Munich. Despite the close scoreline, Man Utd were outclassed on the night and could have lost by a greater margin, so they desperately need to beat Galatasaray and get their first points on the board.

The Turkish giants head to Old Trafford after maintaining their unbeaten start to the Super Lig season with a 2-1 win over Ankaragucu at the weekend. Gala have now won six of their opening seven games and got a 2-2 draw with Copenhagen in their opening Group A fixture so they can’t be taken for granted.

They also have a dangerous attack that boasts Mauro Icardi, Wilfried Zaha, Dries Mertens and Hakim Ziyech so Man Utd will have to be on theri guard. The good news for Erik ten Hag is the Turks don’t travel well and haven’t won any of their last 10 games in England.

This is a good opportunity for Man Utd to get back to winning ways and if you want to attend the game in person, you can buy Champions League tickets at Seatsnet. The match is likely to be sold out so you need to hurry if you want to get hold of a ticket.

Prediction: Man Utd 2-1 Galatasaray

RB Leipzig vs Man City

Champions League holders Man City continue the defence of their trophy when they face a tough trip to Germany to take on Leipzig on Wednesday night.

City finally got their hands on the European Cup with a narrow win over Inter Milan back in June and they are favourites to retain the trophy this season. Pep Guardiola’s men beat Red Star Belgrade 3-1 in their opening Group G game two weeks ago but know this match will be a lot tougher.

Leipzig have made an impressive start to the new season having won seven and lost just one of their nine games in all competitions. They also won their opening Group G game 3-1 at home to Young Boys, so they sit joint top of the table with Man City.

The two teams are red hot favourites to progress to the knockout stages, but top spot is up for grabs and this game could go a long way to determining who goes through as group winners.

City picked up where they left off last season as they won their opening six Premier League fixtures. However, they slipped up at the weekend after suffering a shock defeat away to Wolves, so Guardiola will be demanding a positive response from his squad on Wednesday night.

Prediction: Leipzig 1-1 Man City

Newcastle vs PSG

Newcastle continue their Champions League adventure with a mouthwatering clash with Paris Saint-Germain at St James’ Park. After booking their return to Europe’s elite competition for the first time in over two decades, Newcastle were handed a nightmare draw after being pitted against PSG, Borussia Dortmund and AC Milan in Group F.

Eddie Howe’s men brought home a hard-fought 0-0 draw away to Milan in their opening game, and they’ll now hope to get another positive result against French champions PSG in their first home game.

The Magpies head into the game in fine form having humiliated Sheffield United 8-0 recently while they also dumped Man City out of the EFL Cup. A 2-0 win over Burnley at the weekend made it three wins on the bounce so Newcastle should be in confident mood ahead of this match.

PSG kicked off their Champions League campaign with a 2-0 win over Dortmund at home. However, they aren’t at their consistent best as they lost at home to Nice recently and were held to a 0-0 draw by Clermont Foot at the weekend. So Newcastle will be encouraged they can get a result against the French giants on home soil.

Prediction: Newcastle 1-1 PSG

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