We are now reaching a very crucial stage of the Champions League as with half the Group Stage matches now played, we are now starting on the final three matches with this weeks’ Matchday 4 games taking place on Tuesday and Wednesday evening.
So far, it has been an intriguing trio of games for teams involved in the Group Stages.
Some teams have flown out of the blocks and won all three of their games to stand on the cusp of qualification for the knockout stage.
But there are some notable names that have struggled in these opening three fixtures and who could well struggle to qualify for the knockout phase.
In this article, we are going to take a look at each of the eight groups at the midway stage of the campaign and then give you our tips for the two games coming up in that group this week.
We will also indicate whether any team can clinch a place in the knockout phase should they get the necessary result or results in their group this week.
As usual, all odds provided come from bet365 Sport and were correct at the time of writing but may change in the run up to kick off in each game.
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Let’s now take a look at each of the Groups current standing and the games taking place this week, plus our top tip for each one.
Champions League Group Stage Tables & Data
This week, fixtures on Tuesday 11th October will feature teams from Groups E,F,G and H.
Wednesday 12th October will see games taking place from Groups A,B,C and D.
Kick off times are 8pm UK Time unless stated otherwise in brackets after the game.
If any team can qualify for the knockout phase this week, then this is indicated under the current group standings.
The Top Two teams in each group qualify for the Knockout Phase, while the team finishing third, highlighted in italics, will drop into the Playoff Stage of the Europa League in the New Year.
Group A
Group A Standings
Napoli – 9pts (+11)Liverpool – 6pts (0)Ajax Amsterdam – 3pts (-2)Rangers – 0pts (-9)
A win for Napoli over Ajax this week would mean the Neapolitans are confirmed as one of the qualifiers from Group A, but not the group winners.
Defeat for Rangers against Liverpool would mean they could not qualify for the knockout stage.
Group B
Group B Standings
Club Brugge – 9pts (+7)FC Porto -3pts (-3)Bayer Leverkusen – 3pts (-1)Atletico Madrid – 3pts (-3)
If Club Brugge beat Atletico Madrid, then they will be confirmed as qualified from the Group.
Also if Brugge win and FC Porto and Bayer Leverkusen draw, then Brugge will be confirmed as Group B winners.
Group C
Group C Standings
Bayern Munich – 9pts (+9)Inter Milan – 6pts (+1)Barcelona – 3pts (+1)Viktoria Plzen – 0 pts (-11)
Bayern Munich will be confirmed as qualified from Group C if they beat Plzen this week and Inter Milan either draw or defeat Barcelona. If Barcelona win then Bayern will not be mathematically confirmed and will need one additional point from their remaining two games to qualify,
Group D
Group D Standings
Sporting Lisbon – 6pts (+2)Tottenham Hotspurs – 4pts (0)Eintracht Frankfurt – 4pts (-2)Marseille – 3pts (0)
No teams can confirm their qualification from Group D on Matchday 4.
Group E
Group E Standings
Red Bull Salzburg – 5pts (+1)Chelsea – 4pts (+2)Milan – 4pts (-1)Dinamo Zagreb – 3pts (-2)
No teams can confirm their qualification from Group E on Matchday 4.
Group F
Group F Standings
Real Madrid – 9pts (+6)Shakhtar Donetsk – 4pts (+2)Red Bull Leipzig – 3pts (-3)Celtic – 1pt (-5)
Real Madrid will qualify from Group F with a win over Shakhtar Donetsk.
They will also win the Group if they beat Shakhtar Donetsk and the other game between Celtic and Leipzig finishes either as a draw, or a win for Celtic.
Group G
Group G Standings
Manchester City – 9pts (+10)Borussia Dortmund – 6pts (+5)Sevilla – 1pt (-7)Copenhagen – 1pt (-8)
If Manchester City and Borussia Dortmund win then they will both confirm their qualification from Group G for the knockout phase.
Group H
Group H Standings
Paris St Germain – 7pts (+3)Benfica – 7pts (+3)Juventus – 3pts (0)Maccabi Haifa – 0pts (-6)
If either PSG or Benfica win the game between them and Juventus lose to Maccabi Haifa, then the winner of the PSG v Benfica game would qualify for the knockout stage.
Let’s now recap the tournament so far, with a look at some of the leading goalscorers and which players have landed red cards thus far in the Group Stages.
Champions League Top Goalscorers 2022/23
5 Goals – Erling Haaland (Man City), Frantzdy Pierrot (Maccabi Haifa), Mislav Orsic (Dinamo Zagreb), Victor Boniface (Bodo Glimt)4 Goals – Adama Traore (Ferencvaros), Amahl Pellegrino (Bodo Glimt), Goncalo Ramos (Benfica), Ibrahima Wadji (Qarabag), Kady (Qarabag), Leroy Sane (Bayern Munich)
The list includes goals scored in the pre-qualifying rounds for the Group Stages of the Champions League.
Players shown in italics are at teams eliminated from the Champions League and now playing in the Europa League.
Champions League Group Stage Red Cards
Antonio Adan (Sporting Lisbon)Chancel Mbemba Mangulu (Marseille)Jeremie Frimpong (Bayer Leverkusen)Dusan Tadic (Ajax)Mehdi Taremi (FC Porto)James Sands (Rangers)Pavel Bucha (Viktoria Plzen)
Champions League Fixtures – Matchday 4
Tuesday 11th October
Group H – Maccabi Haifa v Juventus (5.45pm)
I wasn’t massively impressed with what Juventus offered in their 3-1 win over Maccabi last week, but I think they should still be strong enough to get the win here, even if Maccabi make it difficult once again. Back Dusan Vlahovic to score at any time here for Juventus at 5/4.
Group G – Copenhagen v Manchester City (5.45pm)
City were 5-0 winners when these teams met last week. I can’t see Copenhagen doing much better in the home game either to be honest, so strong are City at the moment. Go with Erling Haaland to score first for Manchester City here as a 7/4 chance.
Group E – Dinamo Zagreb v Red Bull Salzburg
Zagreb may not be the strongest team on the road, but they are dangerous at home, beating Chelsea earlier on this season. This is a tough test for Salzburg who top this group and I feel they’ll be happy to earn a share of the spoils here. I’d back the draw here at 23/10.
Group E – AC Milan v Chelsea
Chelsea were excellent last week in beating Milan 3-0 and I fancy the English team to continue their recovery from a slow start in the group with another win here against a Milan side that have not impressed when facing the bigger teams in Europe. Chelsea to win and both teams to score is a tempting 7/2 bet here.
Group F – Celtic v Red Bull Leipzig
Leipzig defeated Celtic 3-1 in Germany and I actually feel they stand a good chance of doing likewise in this game too, where I feel Celtic’s defence will struggle with the pacy and inventive quality of the Leipzig counterattack. Leipzig to win and both teams to score is a good bet at 9/4.
Group F – Shakhtar Donetsk v Real Madrid
Shakhtar Donetsk have done superbly well to even be playing in this competition, let alone collect four points, but I feel they will come unstuck here against a Real Madrid side who have made a great start to defending the title they won last year. Take Real to win and both teams to score – no at 6/4.
Group G – Borussia Dortmund v Sevilla
Dortmund were easy winners in Spain, winning 4-1 and I think Sevilla are in for another difficult night here. Bet365 have boosted the price on a Dortmund 3-1 victory from 11/1 to 14/1 and I think that is a fantastic value bet for this game.
Group H – Paris St Germain v Benfica
These two teams played out an intriguing draw last week. PSG had most possession but Benfica perhaps the best of the chances. With Messi injured, PSG could find this tough against a well organised Benfica side, but I am backing them to win. There’s a nice Bet Builder Boost offered at bet365 of Neymar scoring anytime, Verratti to be booked and over 8 corners in the match which is 11/1.
Wednesday 12th October
Group A – Napoli v Ajax Amsterdam (5.45pm)
After crushing Ajax 6-1 last week in Amsterdam, you cannot really say anything other than a Napoli win at home is expectd, especially after the Italians beat Liverpool 4-1 in their other home game. It could be a long night for the Dutch side. Take Napoli to win and both teams to score at 7/4.
Group B – Atletico Madrid v Club Brugge (5.45pm)
Club Brugge have been the surprise package of the Champions League winning all 3 of their games without conceding a goal. Atletico away though is a tough ask and I think the Belgian side will be more than happy to take a point here, so take the draw at 10/3 with bet365.
Group A – Rangers v Liverpool
Liverpool beat Rangers 2-0 last week but a 3-2 loss at Arsenal followed and the Reds have a couple of injuries to worry about. Rangers at home are decent but not really at the top Champions League level. I expect Rangers to score, but Liverpool to win so Liverpool to win and both teams to score at 8/5 looks a solid bet.
Group B – Bayer Leverkusen v FC Porto
Things have been so topsy turvy in this group that picking a winner is very tough. All four teams seem well matched, with Brugge leading the way comfortably and given that last week Porto ran out 2-0 winners, I am backing the draw here at 13/5.
Group C – Barcelona v Inter Milan
Inter Milan got away with a handball against Barcelona much to manager Xavi’s anger and I think the Catalan side will be primed for revenge here. At home, they should be inspired to put their qualification hopes back on track. Take Robert Lewandowski to be the first goalscorer at 3/1.
Group C – Viktoria Plzen v Bayern Munich
Plzen have been outclassed in all their game so far, not surprising considering their opponents in this group. It won’t get any better here against a Bayern Munich side who could land another comfortable win here. Take Bayern to land a 3-0 win here at 6/1.
Group D – Sporting Lisbon v Marseille
Sporting have produced some good results in this group to lead it ahead of Spurs and Frankfurt but they were beaten in a bad-tempered game in Marseille and with their keeper suspended for this game, I am backing the French side to land a surprise win and you can back Marseille to win at 19/10.
Group D – Tottenham v Eintracht Frankfurt
These teams fought out a 0-0 draw last week, but Spurs probably had the better of that game and I’d expect them to be a bit more clinical in front of goal at home and as such, I am backing Tottenham to win 2-0 which is a 13/2 shot.
