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Charlie Nicholas predicts Arsenal and Man City Champions League results

Generic Charlie Nicholas image 10/08/2016
Image: Charlie Nicholas provides his Champions League predictions

Charlie Nicholas provides us with his predictions for the penultimate round of Champions League group stage fixtures.

Arsenal are already through and face a showdown for top spot with Paris Saint-Germain, while Manchester City need just a point in Gladbach to progress.

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City will be hoping Celtic can boost their chances of topping the group by upsetting Barcelona.

Here's what Charlie is backing in his Sky Bet tips...

Arsenal v PSG

Well it's not just top spot up for grabs but there's also the incentive for Arsenal in that they can relax for their final game if they win rather than just settle for a draw.

They haven't played well in the last couple of games but they've avoided defeats when they were struggling again, setting themselves up to beat Spurs before salvaging a draw at Old Trafford.

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Paris Saint-Germain's Uruguayan forward Edinson Cavani (R) shoots to score despite of Arsenal's Colombian goalkeeper David Ospina (L) during the UEFA Champ
Image: Edinson Cavani nets early on against Arsenal in Paris

I think they are stronger mentally even if they're not playing as well, and PSG are not the great side they once were.

PSG cannot play for the goalless draw so you expect them to come out and attack, and Edinson Cavani will be dangerous again on the break.

Mesut Ozil disappointed me immensely at Old Trafford but I still expect him to deliver here. I think Olivier Giroud deserves to start in the team but does Alexis Sanchez get a rest or does Theo Walcott drop out now? I would like Sanchez to start and to be closer to Giroud.

Charlie predicts: 3-1 and Giroud to score first - 60/1 with Sky Bet

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An update on the fitness of Arsenal's players for their game against PSG
Charlie predicts
Charlie predicts

Agree with Charlie? Follow his Sky Bet tip here.

Borussia Monchengladbach v Manchester City

This is a dangerous match. The lift City got from beating Barcelona should give them the momentum they need in this sort of game.

They've got Celtic in the final game at home so this is a must-not-lose rather than a must win, especially with Barca waiting for Gladbach.

Manchester City's Aleksandar Kolarov (left) and David Silva celebrate their win v Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League match at the Etihad
Image: Manchester City celebrate their win over Barcelona

This is one of those games where I just think they'll go pass, pass, pass and Gladbach will have to force the game and come unstuck.

David Silva and Kevin de Bruyne will be key in ensuring they dominate the game and create the chances and I'm backing Sergio Aguero to turn up and fire them through to the last 16.

Charlie predicts: 0-2 and Aguero to score first - 22/1 with Sky Bet

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Yaya Toure trained with Manchester City's squad, despite being ineligible to play against Borussia Monchengladbach

Celtic v Barcelona

What approach does Brendan Rodgers go with? Does he send his team out to go for it like they did against City?

I can confirm it will be cold up here but Barcelona always seems to enjoy the atmosphere of these games and the fans love to see these special players, so I'm not at all convinced that the stars will fail to turn up.

Andres Iniesta came off the bench to score a volley against Celtic in Barcelona's 7-0 win
Image: Barcelona romped to a 7-0 victory in the reverse fixture with Celtic

It sounds like Lionel Messi is going to make it because he sat out the weekend, which is obviously bad news for Celtic.

Celtic's instinct will be to go forward and that does play into the hands of Barcelona, who will be determined to finish top and avoid the pressure against Gladbach.

They're still the best team on the planet when the three amigos are playing, but they are still vulnerable at the back and I'm going for a goal-fest.

Charlie predicts: 2-3 and Suarez to score first - 55/1 with Sky Bet

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