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Football | UEFA Champions League | Matchday 4 | Preview

By Chris Sampson

  • Chelsea visit Milan in vital Group E clash
  • Big nights ahead for Celtic and Spurs
  • Liverpool visit Ibrox in “Battle of Britain” round two
Europe – It promises to be an intriguing week of Champions League action for the six British clubs involved.

The Matchday 3 fixtures are reversed for Matchday 4 as the UEFA Champions League group stage moves towards the business end. Manchester City are in an excellent position, Liverpool can strengthen their position while it is too close to call in Chelsea and Tottenham’s groups. Celtic need a win and Rangers are looking to get off the mark.

A.C. Milan v Chelsea 11.10.22 20:00

A.C. Milan bounced back from last week’s defeat at Stamford Bridge with a three-nil win over Juventus. Chelsea enjoyed a routine home win over struggling Wolves as their good form under Graham Potter continues. Group E is extremely tight and a win from either side would put them in a great position going into the final two matches.

Celtic v RB Leipzig 11.10.22 20:00

RB Leipzig were convincing winners against Celtic last week, though the Hoops will be hoping that a packed Celtic Park can help them to turn things around. Despite some positive signs in their performances, Celtic have only one point from three games and need a win on Tuesday if they are to have any hope of progressing.  Ange Postecoglou knows that his side will have to be aware of Leipzig’s potency on the counter attack, with the likes of Christopher Nkunko, Andre Silva and Timo Werner more than capable of punishing Celtic if they overcommit. With the home side needing a win it could be an interesting night. Leipzig drew away at Mainz 05 on Saturday, remaining stuck in midtable, while Celtic, who made six changes ahead of Saturday’s trip to St Johnstone, needed an injury time winner to claim victory.

FC Copenhagen v Manchester City 11.10.22 17.45

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Manchester City can guarantee progress to the next stage with a win. Not that there appears to be any doubt that Pep Guardiola’s unbeaten side will be in the draw for the knockout stages. City swept Southampton aside on Saturday while Copenhagen failed to win at home again, and now have just one victory in the past seven games across all the competitions.

Rangers v Liverpool 12.10.22 20:00

Liverpool make their first competitive visit to Ibrox after comfortably beating Rangers at Anfield. Sunday saw their stuttering start to their league campaign continue, Jurgen Klopp’s side losing a pulsating and tempestuous game against leaders Arsenal at the Emirates. Rangers, without a point from three Champions League fixtures, will have been pleased to get back to domestic action at the weekend when they defeated St Mirren four nil. The atmosphere is sure to be electric at Ibrox and Liverpool have been less than convincing this season, so Rangers will be hoping to get some points on the board. Liverpool will know a victory will go a long way towards helping them secure qualification for the knockout stages and that a draw should still leave them in a good position.

Tottenham Hotspur v Eintracht Frankfurt 12.10.22 20:00

Tottenham Hotspur and Eintracht Frankfurt come together in what promises to be a closely fought contest. Last week’s match in Germany finished goalless and the two teams are only separated in the table on goal difference. Frankfurt suffered a three-nil defeat at VfL Bochum 1848 this weekend and remain in eighth place in the Bundesliga. Tottenham won one nil away to Brighton and sit in third place in the Premier League. They will be hoping to make home advantage count. Antonio Conte tweaked his formation to put an extra man in central midfield at Brighton, leaving two up front. It will be interesting to see if he sticks with this on Wednesday.

The Champions League Matchday 4 fixtures take place on Tuesday October 11 and Wednesday October 12.