The first round of UEFA Champions League matches this year brings with it plenty of mouthwatering fixtures as the group stages draws closer to its finish.
Bayern Munich, Atalanta and Atletico Madrid are the top eight teams in action on Wednesday night as they look to cement their place among the top teams.
Ajax, Club Brugge and Sparta Prague are the bottom sides in action, with very little hope of qualification.
Our team has a look at the top games lined up for Wednesday and offer our predicted outcomes.
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Galatasaray vs Atletico Madrid – 8:45PM
Despite being separated by 10 places on the table, only three points separate these two teams ahead of their crucial tie.
Both have lost just once in their recent run of five matches and are keen to maintain their respectable records. It’s been 10 years since these last two sides met, with Atletico winning 4-0 over two legs.
Atletico’s away form will be something to worry about for the hosts. The Spanish outfit is unbeaten in their last five matches on the road.
Atalanta vs Athletic Bilbao – 11PM
Atalanta can finish the week in the top three if they can muster a home win against Bilbao. They are currently in fifth with 13 points.
Bilbao on the other hand come into the game in 28th with five points. The Spanish side has won only one Champions League game this season.
This will be the first competitive match between these two sides. With Atalanta already guaranteed a spot in the knockout phase at least and are tipped as favorites to come out on top.
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Bayern Munich vs Royale Union SG – 11PM
The German giants remain in second place with 15 points, three behind leaders Arsenal. Bayern face a struggling Union side who have only managed six points in six games.
Bayern have gone on a 10-match winning streak since losing to Arsenal in the UCL and are favorites to win convincingly here.
Their opponents are also unbeaten in their last five games but will need a miracle to overcome a might Bayern in front of their home crowd. This will be the first competitive match between these two sides.
Prediction – Bayern Munich to win
Marseille vs Liverpool – 11PM
With four draws in their last five matches, Liverpool are desperate to rediscover their winning formula. They are just outside the top 10 with 12 points.
16th place Marseille have nine points but have been impressive defensively, conceding just eight goals so far. However, they lost 2-0 to Nantes in their last home game and need to bounce back to avoid a repeat here.
From the three matches these sides have played against each other in the past, Liverpool have won twice, compared to Marseille’s one victory.
The reds are expected to put up a fight but with their recent run of stalemates, the same can be a possibility here.
Prediction – Both teams to score
Newcastle United vs PSV – 11PM
The hosts are coming off a frustrating barren draw against bottom club Wolves over the weekend. This means they have failed to win either of their three last games.
They welcome a PSV side who have won six consecutive matches ahead of this clash. The Dutch giants will be confident having already beaten another English side in the competition. They were 4-1 winners against Liverpool in their last UCL match.
These two sides last met in 2010 and they played out to an entertaining 2-2 draw. Newcastle have lost just one of their last 14 home games.
Prediction – Newcastle to win or draw
Chelsea vs Pafos – 11PM
New boss Liam Rosenior is out to make it three wins from his first four games in charge when the Blues host Pafos. Chelsea cannot afford a slip up and need to win if they are to qualify for the knockout stages.
The hosts are in 13th place with 10 points, while Pafos have six from their opening six matches. Chelsea lost 2-1 to Atalanta in the last round of the UCL as Pafos went down 2-0 against Juventus.
Pafos only victory in the competition came in a shock 1-0 upset against Villarreal and will need to pull off another miracle at Stamford Bridge. However, Chelsea are favorites to win convincingly.