This Champions League double matchup will see two European mammoths take on two relative minnows in Group B on Wednesday. In the first match, Anderlecht will take on Paris SG, with an in-form French side expecting to beat an Anderlecht side who are almost already doomed to an early-exit after their loss to Celtic. In the second match, five times European Cup winners Bayern Munich will host a bouncing Celtic side who will look to upset punters and German fans alike.
Anderlecht (Bel) vs. Paris SG (Fra)
Three-Way: 1: Anderlecht +2275; X: +890 Draw; Paris SG -455
Spread +2.5: Anderlecht -116; Paris SG +114
Total +3.5: Over -120; Under +114
Anderlecht
Anderlecht gave themselves little chance of progression after a 3:0 home loss to Celtic in their last Champions League match. Although they had chances, they were limited by Celtic’s tight control at the back to few clear-cut chances and were not able to be clinical with the chances they did have. Celtic, however, took their chances and inflicted a heavy-defeat.
The loss is a particularly poor one when you consider that Celtic were their main rivals for the third spot, with Bayern Munich and Paris Saint Germain extremely likely to occupy the two top spots. Anderlecht’s only hope now will be an absolute revelation against Celtic when they next meet, as a win against their other two opponents is unlikely. One player to look out for is Henry Onyekuru, as the 20-year-old Everton loanee has already scored six times this season.
Manager Rui Vitoria will have a full squad selection other than André Almeida who was, as previously mentioned, sent off in his last Champions League match.
Paris SG
Paris Saint-Germain’s 3:0 victory over German giants Bayern Munich could be a sign of a shift in power towards France, with some world-class talent on their side. And it was some Paris SG world-class talent that made the difference on the night with goals from Dani Alves, Edinson Cavani, and Neymar, who has now been involved in 40 goals in 42 Champions League appearances. Furthermore, Kylian Mbappe put in a man of the match performance with two assists while making a nuisance of himself with his pace and trickery, proving to be too difficult for the Bayern Munich defense to deal with.
With so much investment over the summer, namely in Kylian Mbappé and Neymar, it may be starting to bear its fruits with a big win over European titans being a real statement for the French side. On recent evidence, including the Champions League and their unbeaten status in Ligue 1, this PSG have to be one of the favorites to win the whole competition or at least go very far. A match against Anderlecht may give PSG further opportunity to flex their muscle and make a display of more of their attacking arsenal with players like Javier Pastore and Julian Draxler, who are not first team regulars, but capable of walking into most clubs’ first eleven.
Manager Unai Emery will be without Javier Pastore (calf), Thiago Motta (knee), Marco Verratti (adductor), Julian Draxler (flu), Layvin Kurzawa (knee) and Thiago Silva (muscle).
Anderlecht (Bel) vs. Paris SG (Fra) – Match Prediction:
A result against a star-studded Paris Saint Germain is a tougher ask of this Anderlecht side than their previous fixture against Celtic, who they failed miserably against. Paris SG won’t show any mercy either and expect the French side to further stamp their dominance on the group with force.
MY PICK: Paris Saint Germain +2.5 AH (+114)
Bayern Munich (Ger) vs. Celtic (Sco)
Three-Way: 1: Bayern Munich -526; X: +1200 Draw; 2: Celtic +2800
Spread -2.5: Bayern Munich -118; Celtic +121
Total +4: Over -103; Under -105
Bayern Munich
The German Champions suffered a humbling loss to Paris Saint Germain with a disappointing 3:0 score-line in their last fixture. The French side took the lead after just two minutes and started a difficult day for Bayern Munich. Saying that, they had a greater number of possession and chances, but lacked the clinical edge that Paris SG did not, and was consequently beaten 3:0.
Bayern Munich’s domestic start has been poor, dropping five points in their first six matches and trailing behind Borussia Dortmund in second place. This form and their Champions League loss has had dire consequences, with manager Carlo Ancelotti being sacked as a result and ex-Bayern manager Jupp Heynckes being re-installed.
Despite the poor form, manager change and most of all the loss to Paris SG, Bayern Munich should still have no issue with qualifying for the next round when considering the quality they have across the pitch, and in addition the fact that they have not failed to qualify for the next round of the competition since 2008, when they were not involved in the Champions League at all.
Jupp Heynckes will be without goalkeeper Manuel Neuer (metatarsal), winger Franck Ribery (knee ligament), left back Juan Bernat (not match fit), central midfielder Arturo Vidal (calf) and centre back Javi Martinez (shoulder) through injury.
Celtic
The one-time European Cup winners achieved a historic 3:0 victory over Anderlecht to leave themselves with a fighting chance of progressing. Celtic had a tricky first half hour to the match, but eventually, they settled and grabbed a goal in the 38th minute to kick-start an impressive performance. Their two goals in the second half ensured that Celtic ended their run of sixteen European games without a win.
The Scottish champions can be delighted with their 3:0 win, especially against a side who are their main competitors in the group. Celtic’s ambitions in a tough group, despite currently sitting in the second position, will not go far beyond a third-place finish for Europa League qualification, a competition in which they may have a chance of progressing long into the competition. That being said, Celtic will relish the chance of getting a result against the likes of Paris SG and Bayern Munich, and will, therefore, play with a heavy defensive-line and attempt to nick a goal on the counter.
Manager Brendan Rodgers without right-back Omar Gaber (minor wound), forward Ricky Van Wolfswinkel (metatarsal) and centre-back Eder Balanta (muscular problems).
Bayern Munich (Ger) vs. Celtic (Sco) – Match Prediction:
There isn’t much doubt about the winners of this game in my mind, as Bayern Munich should prove to be too strong, especially at home. That being said, Celtic are often impressive at parking the bus and could limit the goals to a few rather than many. However, if Bayern Munich gets the early goal, then the floodgates may open.
It all depends on what happens in the early moments of the game, but I do believe Bayern Munich will go for a statement win in this Champions League game, so expect them to win on AH.
MY PICK: Bayern Munich AH -2.5 (-118)
