Bayern Munich travel to face Atletico Madrid

Bayern Munich‘s quest for an elusive Champions League title continues when they travel to face Atletico Madrid at the Wanda Metropolitano on Tuesday.

The German giants are 14th in the league-phase table with five points after three games, while their Spanish hosts are 16th with four points in the same period.

Atletico Madrid have bounced back from a shaky start to the season, as while they lost two and drew one of their opening five matches in all competitions, they have since won nine of 10 games and remained unbeaten.

The hosts managed to keep six clean sheets in that stretch, with their most recent result a 2-0 success against Levante on Saturday in La Liga.

Diego Simeone deserves immense credit for the fact his side are second in the Spanish top flight with 28 points, a tally that is just two fewer than first-placed Barcelona after 11 matchweeks.

Supporters at Wanda Metropolitano are yet to experience a defeat this season given their side have triumphed in five and drawn one of their six home clashes so far.

Bayern Munich come into the clash on the back of a 2-2 stalemate with Borussia Dortmund on Saturday in the Bundesliga, a result the left them in first place with 18 points, though they are only ahead of BVB due to goal difference.

The Bavarians’ last outing in Europe saw them draw 2-2 with Arsenal at Allianz Arena on October 21, and they also drew 3-3 with Viking FK in the Champions League on October 13.

It is impossible to ignore the injury crisis that Bayern Munich are facing in multiple departments, especially in the forward line.

There could be an opportunity for Atletico Madrid to take advantage of the fact the visitors will be missing so many attackers, and it would not be surprising if they came out on top.

Credit: sportsmole.co.uk

Barcelona host Aston Villa at Camp Nou

Unai Emery returns to the location of La Remontada on Tuesday evening, when Champions League perfectionists Aston Villa face a fierce test of their continental mettle against Barcelona at Camp Nou.

The Lions arrive in Catalonia with an unblemished record of three wins from three in the 2026-27 tournament, while their hosts’ unbeaten start came to an end at the home of holders Paris Saint-Germain on matchday three.

The La Liga champions began the season with 11 straight victories in all competitions before losing their 100% record in a crushing fashion.

Barca’s first defeat of the campaign soon became a mini-wobble, as Jose Mourinho inspired Real Madrid to an unexpected Camp Nou Clasico triumph in La Liga, but Flick’s men returned to their merciless ways on Saturday evening.

Indeed, the Blaugrana snapped their two-game losing sequence in a 6-1 annihilation of Alaves.

In fact, Barca have shipped at least one goal in nine of their last 10 games in all competitions, but they are unbeaten in 15 straight UEFA home games against English teams, last suffering defeat to Liverpool almost two decades ago.

Villa have also conceded at least twice in three of their last five away matches, and Emery’s men may be overwhelmed by Flick’s ferocious attack as their 100% UCL record comes to an end.

Credit: sportsmole.co.uk

Struggling Manchester United welcome Roma 

Struggling Manchester United head into Tuesday’s Champions League matchday four encounter against 15th-placed Roma at Old Trafford winless in nine consecutive matches.

Manchester United‘s last victory in any competition came against European debutants Sabah almost two months ago, highlighting the uphill challenge facing a beleaguered Michael Carrick ahead of what could be his final match in charge if they suffer another defeat.

Carrick received the dreaded vote of confidence less than a week ago after the 3-0 hammering by Bournemouth, but United, now 17th in the Premier League table and outside the relegation zone on goal difference, cannot keep losing indefinitely; something has to give.

Gian Piero Gasperini’s men will be in no mood to do the beleaguered hosts any favours, as the in-form Italian outfit aim to extend the Manchester club’s winless run.

The Giallorossi have reason to believe that their current form can inflict further misery on the Premier League strugglers, given their five-match unbeaten streak, which includes four victories.

United’s encouraging first half against Chelsea offered little consolation after another defeat, while their nine-match winless run makes it difficult to trust Carrick’s men against free-scoring opponents.

Roma’s defensive frailties may offer the hosts a route to goal, but Malen and company have our backing to inflict further misery on the beleaguered Red Devils.

Credit: sportsmole.co.uk

PSG to maintain 100% record as they face Villarreal

Hoping to maintain their 100% record in this Champions League campaign, Paris Saint-Germain will face Villarreal for the first time in their history at Estadio de la Ceramica in Spain.

The reigning two-time champions are one of five teams with a perfect record in the competition so far, beating Barcelona 4-2 on matchday three, while Villarreal sit 19th on three points, losing 4-3 to Liverpool in their last Champions League outing.

Competing in their sixth Champions League this season, Villarreal have had some exciting finishes this time around, though not always to their benefit.

The two-time Champions League semi-finalists have been anything but stellar defensively in this competition, conceding in 14 straight Champions League encounters, while allowing an average of 3.8 goals per match in those last 10 games.

Inigo Perez has seen his side drop points in two consecutive competitive home matches, but on Tuesday they can win successive Champions League group games at El Madrigal for the first time since 2008.

Villarreal have failed to win their last two League Phase encounters in this competition when leading in the second half, while losing their only match in Europe this season in that scenario at Anfield on matchday three.

Villarreal have been consistently poor defensively in this competition, and although PSG do not have their most potent attacking players available, they should have more than enough to punish a side as vulnerable at the back as the Spaniards have been all season.

Credit: sportsmole.co.uk