This Wednesday’s slate of Champions League games offers up some incredibly intriguing ties. Giants collide, treble-winners take on a team that have conquered their local rivals and the group of death throws up another tough challenge for the new boys.
Here’s a look at some of the big ties and a full list of Wednesday’s action.
Paris Saint-Germain vs AC Milan
This is a match-up of pure European royalty. So much so that it’s easy to forget the French side have never won the competition. Meanwhile, AC Milan last lifted the trophy in 2007. The dominance of Barcelona and Real Madrid keenly affected both clubs, particularly Milan who saw La Liga overtake Serie A over the decade of the 2010s.
But the balance is shifting. Milan reached the semi-finals last season, while their rivals Inter went one better and beat them to reach the final. PSG themselves reached their highest UCL marker in 2020, when they lost the final 1-0 to Bayern Munich.
PSG may be without Lionel Messi and Neymar these days, but Kylian Mbappe’s supernatural ability still makes them favourites with the bookmakers. This one should be special.
Odds: PSG 7/10, Draw 13/5, Milan 16/5
Newcastle United vs Borussia Dortmund
Another Champions League week, another meeting with one of the biggest clubs in the world. Of course, Newcastle’s injection of Saudi Arabian cash technically makes them the biggest of them all these days. But these facts take a while to translate to the pitch and they’re not quite the finished article yet.
However, Eddie Howe’s men have acquitted themselves brilliant during the club’s first Champions League campaign in two decades. A draw with Milan and a dominant 4-1 against PSG have stood them in good stead. Dortmund are still searching for a first win in this year’s competition, though they have enjoyed an unbeaten start in the Bundesliga.
Young Boys vs Manchester City
The Swiss team know all about facing English opposition in European competition. Young Boys beat Manchester United 2-1 back in 2021. They have also met Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool and Everton over the years.
It’s not a tie that will strike much fear into Manchester City. Few things do these days. Once you’ve won the treble, complacency is the only thing left out there that can beat you. It seems highly unlikely to rear its ugly head in this one.
Odds: Young Boys 12/1, Draw 5/1, City 1/6
Full Wednesday UCL Fixtures:
17:45 Kick-Offs
Barcelona vs Shakhtar Donetsk Home
Feyenoord vs Lazio
8pm Kick-Offs
Antwerp vs FC Porto
BSC Young Boys vs Manchester City
Celtic vs Atletico Madrid
Newcastle United vs Borussia Dortmund
Paris Saint-Germain vs AC Milan
RB Leipzig vs Crvena Zvezda
*18+ | BeGambleAware | Odds Subject To Change
