UEFA Champions League Predictions: Matchday 11/26

The Champions League has saved a series of its most high-profile meetings for Matchday 5.

Barcelona travel to Chelsea for a blockbuster clash on Tuesday evening, but the battle of the giants continues on Wednesday. Arsenal vs Bayern Munich, a European competition with a storied past, is back with a repeat of the UEFA Super Cup as Tottenham Hotspur go head-to-head with Paris Saint-Germain.

Liverpool, Real Madrid and Inter were among the other giants in action in a packed evening of continental chaos.

This way Sports Illustrated Thinks Wednesday’s Champions League matches will come out.

Start time: 5.45pm GMT / 12.45pm ET / 9.45am PT

Copenhagen and Kairat Almaty have faced remarkably similar campaigns. They have both managed to score a single point in four league stage fixtures and are separated by just one strike in the goal difference stakes.

Neither have strong ambitions to reach the knockout stages, but strange things have happened, with both wins in the Danish capital raising expectations a bit.

However, don’t expect any thrilling encounters, as there have been only four goals scored between them in the league stage.

Prediction: Copenhagen 1-0 Carat

Start time: 5.45pm GMT / 12.45pm ET / 9.45am PT

Pafos have surprised opponents during their first Champions League campaign. Expected to compete for the wooden spoon, the Cypriot team has taken five points from four matches and even defeated Villarreal in their most recent encounter.

Their relatively good performances against the Monaco team have continued in questionable form, with the dismissal of Adi Hutter and the arrival of Sebastian Pocognoli doing nothing to change their fortunes.

The Ligue 1 outfit, who are level on points with Paphos, have lost their last two matches 4-1 and know victory on Wednesday is vital. They might just snatch three points.

Prediction: Paphos 1-2 Monaco

Start time: 8pm GMT / 3pm ET / 12pm PT

The Champions League’s best defense will be tasked with thwarting the competition’s most devastating attack when Arsenal host Bayern in one of the most regularly contested battles during the modern era.

The two sides have fought ten duels in the last 12 years, with Bayern dominating in previous meetings. The Bundesliga giants knocked Mikel Arteta’s side out of the Champions League in 2023-24 after beating the Gunners at the quarter-final stage.

They are two of Europe’s form teams and should provide a thrill in North London for home supporters, traveling fans and neutrals. Both clubs enjoyed big wins at the weekend and could hardly be more confident heading into the clash.

Goals are expected despite Arsenal’s superb backline, with Harry Kane set to deliver on his return to north London, but it is difficult to pick a winner.

Prediction: Arsenal 2-2 Bayern Munich

Start time: 8pm GMT / 3pm ET / 12pm PT

Both Atletico Madrid and Inter have earned fame for their challenging defenses in recent European campaigns, but it is the latter that has proven impenetrable in Europe this term. Last year’s Champions League finalists have allowed just one goal in four matches, with Atleti conceding an astonishing nine.

However, on home soil and enjoying five consecutive wins, Diego Simeone will be determined to see a more consistent defensive performance from his side against Inter’s myriad attacking threats.

This is another tie that could go either way, but Atleti have won eight of their nine home matches this season and can pull off another tight win on Wednesday.

Prediction: Atletico 1-0 Inter

Start time: 8pm GMT / 3pm ET / 12pm PT

Ivan Juric could not last long in the Atalanta dugout, failing to capture the imagination as a replacement for legendary coach Gian Piero Gasperini. Raffaele Palladino has been appointed as his successor, but lost his first match to Napoli at the weekend.

A first European outing with La Dea could yield a similar result against an attack-minded Eintracht Frankfurt team that is hell-bent on outclassing its opponents.

They have already been involved in three 5-1 results in Europe, as well as two 4-3 clashes and a 6-4 win in the Bundesliga. Their attacking prowess and defensive instability should give the match a crack, but the hosts will be favorites to take the lead.

Prediction: Eintracht Frankfurt 3-2 Atalanta

Start time: 8pm GMT / 3pm ET / 12pm PT

Eight defeats in 11 matches have increased the pressure on Liverpool ahead of the upcoming trip to PSV Eindhoven, with the 3-0 defeat at home to Nottingham Forest at the weekend a new low for the Reds during Arne Slot’s reign.

Redemption is on the cards as Liverpool look to make the Champions League their positive outlet this season amid a poor performance in their Premier League title defence, but their current form makes them an unpredictable unit.

PSV, who have an aggressive mentality to punish poor Liverpool defence, beat the Reds 3-2 in Europe last season but could be on the wrong end of the same score on this occasion.

Prediction: Liverpool 3-2 PSV Eindhoven

Start time: 8pm GMT / 3pm ET / 12pm PT

Real Madrid, like Liverpool, is going through a difficult period, although on a much smaller scale. Three matches without a win and the ongoing conflict between Vinicius Junior and Xabi Alonso have increased the pressure on the Spanish giants.

Back-to-back draws with Rayo Vallecano and Elche have reduced their La Liga lead, while defeat to Liverpool in their most recent European tour saw them drop their perfect European record. Things don’t go exactly according to plan.

However, against an Olympiacos team that has managed only two points in the league stage, Madrid should get back to winning ways and regain some confidence.

Prediction: Olympiacos 1-2 Real Madrid

Start time: 8pm GMT / 3pm ET / 12pm PT

Champions League winner vs Europa League champion. A repeat of this year’s UEFA Super Cup is planned.

Paris Saint-Germain, who won the Super Cup on penalties, host Tottenham Hotspur this Wednesday, looking to heap more misery on the Lilywhites – who were demolished by north London rivals Arsenal at the weekend.

PSG lost to Bayern Munich in their last European outing but have still impressed on the continent, with wins over Atalanta, Barcelona and Bayer Leverkusen – even taking seven points from the latter. They will be expected to punish an inconsistent Spurs team at the Parc des Princes.

Spurs are sure to have some magic in Paris, but they will be significant underdogs.

Prediction: PSG 3-1 Tottenham

Start time: 8pm GMT / 3pm ET / 12pm PT

Sporting vs Club Brugge isn’t the most attractive clash of the Champions League rounds, but it should be an evenly contested affair between two sides striving for qualification to the knockout stages. The upcoming battle in Lisbon could be decisive for his chances.

Club Brugge surprisingly drew 3-3 with Barcelona before the November international break, boosting their bid to at least make the Top 24, while Sporting’s draw at Juventus boosted their chances of progressing.

There should be plenty of drama and hopefully goals in Wednesday’s match.

Prediction: Sporting 2-2 Club Brugge

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