Tuesday's Champions League predictions including Atalanta vs. Real Madrid

Dinamo Zagreb vs. Celtic (Tuesday, 5.45pm)

Unbeaten in their last three Champions League fixtures, Celtic will test their European mettle in a tough away assignment at Dinamo Zagreb on Tuesday evening.

The Bhoys sit three places and one point above their Croatian hosts in the 36-team UCL table, with both sides currently on course to enter the playoffs via the unseeded route.

We say: Dinamo Zagreb 1-1 Celtic

On paper, a Dinamo Zagreb side who have failed to score in three of their last four games meeting a Celtic outfit who have kept clean sheets in each of their last three seemingly spells success and a shut-out for the Scottish champions.

However, the Croatian giants still represent a step-up in quality for Rodgers's team, who may have to be content with just the one point again, albeit a historic one as they go unbeaten in four UCL games for the first time under the competition's current name.

Girona vs. Liverpool (Tuesday, 5.45pm)

Refreshed and raring to go after a weather-enforced domestic postponement, Liverpool seek a sixth win from six in the 2024-25 Champions League when they travel to La Liga upstarts Girona on Tuesday.

Arne Slot's men saw their proposed Merseyside derby with Everton called off at the weekend as 90mph+ winds battered British shores, while their hosts were comprehensively seen off by Real Madrid in La Liga.

We say: Girona 0-3 Liverpool

There is no doubting who the fresher set of legs will belong to on Tuesday, where Liverpool should make the most of their weekend break to put Girona to the sword without a hitch.

The hosts are ruing the absence of critical attacker Tsygankov and have struggled to mix with the European elite this season, a theme that we cannot see changing against the UCL leaders.

> Darwin dropped, who replaces Alexis? Predicted Liverpool XI against Girona

> One suspended, six stricken? Liverpool injury list for Girona clash

Atalanta vs. Real Madrid (Tuesday, 8.00pm)

A true blockbuster of a Champions League contest will take place at Stadio di Bergamo on Tuesday evening, as the reigning champions Real Madrid head to an Atalanta BC outfit that are currently top of the Serie A table.

Real Madrid have struggled in Europe this season, picking up just six points from five matches to sit down in 24th spot in the Champions League table, while Atalanta are up in fifth, boasting 11 points from their first five games.

We say: Atalanta BC 1-1 Real Madrid

Real Madrid really need a positive result on Tuesday, with a defeat unthinkable for the reigning champions considering their position in the table. Atalanta are a high-quality outfit, though, and we are finding it so difficult to back them to lose here; a draw is what has ultimately been settled on, and we are expecting it to be a brilliant game of football.

> Vinicius, Rodrygo returns: How Real Madrid could line up against Atalanta

> 29-goal frontline: How Atalanta could line up against Real Madrid

> Bellingham, Vinicius, Rodrygo updates: Real Madrid injury news vs. Atalanta

B. Leverkusen vs. Inter Milan (Tuesday, 8.00pm)

A clash between the reigning champions of Germany and Italy will draw global gaze on Tuesday evening, as Bayer Leverkusen play host to Inter Milan in the Champions League.

Inter are one of three teams still unbeaten in the league phase and lead Leverkusen by three points in the standings - with both on track for an automatic place in the last 16.

We say: Bayer Leverkusen 1-1 Inter Milan

While Leverkusen may finally penetrate Inter's rock-solid rearguard, their lack of a conventional striker could cost them a chance to defeat their Italian counterparts.

The Nerazzurri are past masters at soaking up pressure, and they have both the composure and confidence to strike hard on the counter.

Brest vs. PSV (Tuesday, 8.00pm)

PSV Eindhoven will look to extend their superb recent form when they travel to Brittany to face Brest in the Champions League on Tuesday.

UEFA regulations mean that the game will be played once again over 100km away in Guingamp, but that has not affected Brest's performance in this competition so far.

We say: Brest 0-3 PSV Eindhoven

Despite winning just one of their last 19 away games in the Champions League, PSV are unbeaten in six games against French clubs, including on their trip to Paris Saint-Germain on matchday three where they drew 1-1, and against weaker opposition, they will be fancied to take all three points, given their superb recent form.

Only Barcelona have managed to get the better of Brest in Europe this season, but a run of form that has seen them now lose five of their last seven games suggests Roy's side are starting to suffer with the demands of European football.

Brugge vs. Sporting Lisbon (Tuesday, 8.00pm)

Portuguese giants Sporting Lisbon will be aiming to bounce back from three straight defeats when they travel to Club Brugge in the Champions League on Tuesday night.

Sporting are currently 10th in the Champions League table, picking up 10 points from their opening five matches in the competition, while Club Brugge are 22nd, collecting seven points from their first five games.

We say: Club Brugge 1-1 Sporting Lisbon

Club Brugge are not losing football matches at the moment, and they will fancy their chances of overcoming a wounded Sporting outfit; the Lisbon giants are a quality side, though, and we are expecting them to be good enough for a share of the spoils in this European clash.

Salzburg vs. PSG (Tuesday, 8.00pm)

Luis Enrique will be under huge pressure to win when he takes his Paris Saint-Germain side to Red Bull Salzburg in the Champions League on Tuesday.

Both clubs are in serious danger of missing out on the knockout stages, being among the biggest underperformers in the league phase so far.

We say: Red Bull Salzburg 1-3 Paris Saint-Germain

There was a lot on the line when these two met in the Europa League group stage in 2011-12, with Salzburg's 3-1 home win late in the section helping them edge PSG out, but it is tough to see a repeat scoreline here given their disastrous season so far.

Despite their own troubles, PSG have the talent to dominate proceedings, and if they can rediscover their shooting boots, then three points will be theirs to relieve some pressure on manager Enrique.

RB Leipzig vs. Aston Villa (Tuesday, 8.00pm)

With one side aiming to improve their chances of qualification, and the other apparently bound for Champions League elimination, RB Leipzig will host Aston Villa on Tuesday night.

While luckless Leipzig have lost all five games so far, Villa have accrued 10 points and are still in the mix for a top-eight finish.

We say: RB Leipzig 2-1 Aston Villa

Having pushed some continental heavyweights close without tasting success so far, Leipzig are overdue a first Champions League win of the season.

As Aston Villa's defence is still suspect - and they do not tend to travel well - the talent-packed Bundesliga side should prevail.

> Emery's dilemma: Duran or Watkins? Predicted Aston Villa lineup vs. RB Leipzig

Shakhtar vs. Bayern (Tuesday, 8.00pm)

Vincent Kompany's Bayern Munich will hope to push towards the Champions League's top eight on Tuesday when they face home team Shakhtar Donetsk at Veltins-Arena.

The Ukrainian hosts are in 26th place with four points after five matchdays in the Europe's premier competition, losing 3-2 against PSV Eindhoven on November 27, while the Bavarians are in 13th place with nine points and beat Paris Saint-Germain 1-0 on November 26.

We say: Shakhtar Donetsk 1-3 Bayern Munich

Bayern could take some time to settle into the game considering they have a number of injury absentees in their defence and attack, and it would be surprising if they managed to keep a clean sheet.

However, Shakhtar have proven to be defensively vulnerable in the Champions League, and it is difficult to see how they overcome the visitors' quality.

Written by

Ben Sully