On Wednesday night, the UEFA Champions League will be at half-time, leaving four games for each team to aim for their spot in these stages. After a wild, goal-filled Matchday 3, Matchday 4 figures to be even more exciting with many smaller clubs looking to punch above their weight against some of the European giants. But how does each game play?
Here is our expert reading for this meeting:
Each match stream is live on Paramount+, your home for every Champions League game all season long, plus pay, highlights and studio coverage of the top eight.
Champions League Tuesday schedule
Game of the day: Barcelona v Aston Villa. vs
Player to watch: Nicolas Jackson, Aston Villa The Senegalese striker is in excellent form, with his eight goals coming from shots barely half the value in xG, not bad for a player who had something of a reputation as a bit of a finisher whose greatest skill was getting chances on the roll. Alciati will fancy their chances in Barcelona’s top line. If he keeps the hot streak going, he only needs one opening to score. – James Benge
Man of the match: Rafinha, Barcelona. Another impressive start to the season for the Brazilian striker, who has already scored 17 goals in his opening 12 games in all competitions, also delivering three assists. It is a great form and next to their team they also want to show their potential outside of Spain where they are expected to be one of the candidates to win the final tournament. — Francis Porzio
Prediction: Barcelona 2, Aston Villa 1 — Aston Villa will be ready to face the new Barcelona and they will probably have their moments in the most interesting matches. Barcelona, though, have enough attacking firepower to keep Villa out of challenges. Expect players like Raphinha and Lamine Yamal to rise to the occasion. — Pardeep Cattry
Best bet: Ross Barkley to have 1+ shots on target (+30); He rose up under United as Emeric Barkley popped up from deep in the middle of the field to devastate. While Barcelona have plenty of firepower in attack, a lack of defensive depth will mean that Villa will have chances to create, and Barkley is someone who will have the chance to put a few shots on target. It also has the added benefit of being out of town for hitting penalties, which adds opportunities. — Charles Booth
Here is our expert reading for this meeting:
Wednesday’s Champions League schedule
Game of the day: RB Leipzig vs. Mon
Game to watch: Antonio Nusa, RB Leipzig With six assists and four goals in the Bundesliga this season, 21-year-old Nusa has the look of a player who can establish himself as one of Europe’s best young attackers. Prove what he can do against Matthew Nunes and the rest of the Manchester City defence, and there will certainly be shouts from Premier League clubs. — James Benge
Man of the match: Erling Haaland, Manchester City — This is one of those games when the Norwegian striker delivers. He has already moved to RB Leipzig several times since he played for Borussia Dortmund before moving to Manchester City. Haaland, who has scored four goals so far in two Champions League matches this season, will need to lead his team to victory after the disappointing defeat against Brighton over the weekend at the Etihad Stadium. — Francis Porzio
Prediction: RB Leipzig 0, Manchester City 3 — RB Leipzig started the season in a rough start, which makes them an untimely meeting against Manchester City. On the part of Enzo Maresca, it is still a work in progress, but it is likely to be a challenge on Wednesday, when they can easily overcome their opponents. — Pardeep Cattry
Best bet: Erling Haaland to score first (+290); After scoring against Brighton over the weekend, Haaland saw his seven-match scoring streak come to an end in Premier League play, and what better way to proceed from that than by continuing one in the Champions League. While Haaland didn’t play against AEK Athens, he has four goals in just two Champions League appearances and will be a key focus yet in the away trip to the German side and with City looking to get off to a fast start, the Norwegian will be able to provide. — Charles Booth