Thursday 22 October 2020 13:50, UK
Charlie Nicholas provides us with his latest round of Champions League predictions, as three Premier League sides look to build on fine opening round results while Tottenham look to bounce back.
Spurs travel to CSKA Moscow desperate not to be left adrift at the bottom on Group E after losing at home to Monaco, while Tuesday also sees Leicester attempt to build on a contrasting start to their campaign, having thumped Club Brugge 3-0.
Then, on Wednesday night, Arsenal host Basel on the back of a credible draw at Paris Saint-Germain, while Manchester City travel to Celtic following vastly different results in Group C.
Here's what Charlie is predicting, plus his Sky Bet tips...
This is a tough game for Spurs and an awkward one because of their opening result. They might feel like they have to really go for it, which is dangerous.
It's a good time to go to Moscow in terms of weather, but the travel is still a problem. They didn't finish the game particularly well against Middlesbrough and there will have been very little time between returning to London and setting off to Russia.
Heung-Min Son was brilliant on Saturday but I think Spurs will still miss Harry Kane, so I think they'll have to settle for a draw, which would still be a good result.
Charlie predicts: 1-1 and Dele Alli to score first (40/1 with Sky Bet)
This is another really dangerous game and the sort that I anticipate Leicester might struggle with, where they're meant to go out and control the game.
The goals they're letting in are a bad sign as well. We know they lack pace at the back but it's really concerning when they're letting in goals from set-pieces.
Porto sell a lot of players every summer but they still have a lot of quality. This is a great group for Leicester but they need to learn how to start controlling the ball in these games.
They struggled to do that on Saturday and Porto will defend deep and leave Claudio Ranieri's men stretched. I hope I'm wrong but I fear for Leicester here.
Charlie predicts: 1-2 and Andre Silva to score first (40/1 with Sky Bet)
This isn't as easy as some people will think, but the one thing I always say is when Arsenal start quick they can beat anybody.
Chelsea were poor at the weekend but Arsenal were very, very good, especially the way they started the game, which is when they counter-attack with purpose.
I think the competition for places is very important. Francis Coquelin has done well but his injury will see Granit Xhaka get the chance he deserves, so the squad is in a healthy place, although I'm still not convinced by Alexis Sanchez leading the line.
If Arsenal start quick I expect another comfortable victory and the game to be done within the hour, but if they fail to do that then Basel can be a stubborn team to break down.
Charlie predicts: 3-0 and Theo Walcott to score first (35/1 with Sky Bet)
I covered Man City at the weekend and I'm not feeling good about Celtic's chances, even with Kevin De Bruyne out and a special atmosphere behind my old team.
Celtic will be driven on by the crowd and it is a fantastic place on these European nights, but I can't see that bothering Pep Guardiola's team and it will even spur them on because they're a big-time team.
However, City weren't great defensively against Swansea, who could have scored more than once, so I think there's a chance of Celtic scoring, and I can also see them having a decent amount of possession.
However, with the form Raheem Sterling is in, scoring an absolutely brilliant individual goal against Swansea, and the way Sergio Aguero is playing in such control of everything he does, I fear that Celtic's lack of pace at the back will be exposed.
Charlie predicts: 1-3 and Aguero to score (18/1 with Sky Bet)
