Wednesday's Champions League predictions including Barcelona vs. Bayern Munich

Atalanta vs. Celtic (Wednesday, 5.45pm)

Three weeks on from a dismal defeat in Dortmund, Celtic will aim to get their Champions League campaign back on track against Atalanta BC when the teams meet on Wednesday.

The Hoops head for Bergamo having just seen their perfect domestic start ended, while Atalanta have posted three straight wins either side of the international break.

We say: Atalanta BC 2-0 Celtic

Having had their fingers burnt by trying to go toe-to-toe with Dortmund, surely Celtic will take a more measured approach against in-form Atalanta.

Nonetheless, their defensive frailties will still be exposed by a home side now finding their rhythm after a summer of uncertainty and disruption.

Brest vs. B. Leverkusen (Wednesday, 5.45pm)

Surprise package Brest will continue a remarkable Champions League adventure on Wednesday, when they welcome German champions Bayer Leverkusen to their European headquarters at Stade Roudourou.

Playing home fixtures in Guingamp as their home ground failed to meet UEFA regulations, the Ligue 1 upstarts have won both matches so far, joining Leverkusen near the top of the league-phase standings.

We say: Brest 1-2 Bayer Leverkusen

Despite keeping successive clean sheets in Europe, Leverkusen have conceded 13 goals in their first seven league games, while Brest have already proven their potential on the counter-attack.

Les Pirates could breach their visitors' defence, then, but Xabi Alonso's free-flowing side have all the weaponry required to score at least twice at Stade Roudourou.

Atletico vs. Lille (Wednesday, 8.00pm)

After recording very different results last time out in the Champions League, Atletico Madrid and Lille will lock horns at the Metropolitano on Wednesday evening.

While Atleti were thumped by Benfica in Lisbon, an intrepid Lille side toppled reigning champions Real Madrid, leaving the pair level on three points in the standings.

We say: Atletico Madrid 2-1 Lille

Lille have lost the ball in their defensive third more often than any other side in the Champions League this season (20), while only two teams have won possession in that part of the pitch more often than Atletico Madrid, suggesting the hosts can make some high turnovers.

While Atleti are still struggling at the back, they are also a formidable prospect on home turf, and their visitors do not tend to travel well.

Barcelona vs. Bayern (Wednesday, 8.00pm)

In one of the standout games on matchday three of the Champions League, five-time winners Barcelona will host six-time champions Bayern Munich.

With both teams on three points after two games, another defeat here could put either side in danger of dropping out of the top 24.

We say: Barcelona 3-1 Bayern Munich

Barca have been near-perfect under Flick, and had it not been for the early red card against Monaco, they may be on maximum points, so will be confident of ending their awful run of results against the Bavarians here.

In comparison, Bayern have been much less consistent since Kompany's arrival, have dropped plenty of points domestically, and looked hapless at times against Villa in their last European outing, so they could face another difficult night.

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Benfica vs. Feyenoord (Wednesday, 8.00pm)

Benfica and Feyenoord will look to continue their fine recent form when they lock horns at the Estadio da Luz in the Champions League on Wednesday.

Both sides have lost only once this season, and are in decent shape in the 36-team Champions League standings, but are lagging behind dominant forces in their domestic leagues.

We say: Benfica 2-0 Feyenoord

Feyenoord are certainly showing signs of improvement, but there is no doubting Benfica's superiority on paper, and there are fewer sides in better form on the continent right now.

The 4-0 win over Atletico on matchday two was a statement of intent from a Benfica side that quite often fall short in this competition, and a third win from three will see them put one foot in the knockout round already.

Salzburg vs. Dinamo Zagreb (Wednesday, 8.00pm)

Two sides still searching for their maiden triumph of the new-look 2024-25 Champions League clash at the Red Bull Arena on Wednesday, as Red Bull Salzburg welcome Croatian foes Dinamo Zagreb.

Pep Lijnders's side were embarrassed at home to French upstarts Brest last time out, but their visitors fared better against Ligue 1 opposition, earning a creditable 2-2 draw against Monaco.

We say: Red Bull Salzburg 2-2 Dinamo Zagreb

Defending is not in either side's dictionary, but both managers' commitment to attacking gives rise to a truly entertaining affair at the Red Bull Arena, where Dinamo Zagreb will no doubt be partially affected by their manager's suspension.

However, given how frail the hosts are at the back, the Croatian visitors will surely be good enough for a slice of the spoils, albeit one that will leave both sides still searching for that elusive victory.

Man City vs. Sparta Prague (Wednesday, 8.00pm)

The English champions take on the best in Czechia in Wednesday's Champions League clash as Manchester City play host to Sparta Prague at the Etihad Stadium.

These two teams, who have never previously faced each other in European competition, have accumulated four points from their opening two matches, with the Citizens occupying eighth spot in the UCL table and the Maroons sitting just two places further back in 10th.

We say: Manchester City 3-1 Sparta Prague

Sparta Prague have scored in all 19 of their competitive matches in all tournaments so far this season and they will fancy their chances of making the net ripple against a leaky Man City defence that has struggled to deal with counter-attacks in recent weeks.

However, the Citizens are a formidable force on home soil and they should have enough quality on show to outscore their opponents en route to claiming maximum points.

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RB Leipzig vs. Liverpool (Wednesday, 8.00pm)

Soon to be bonded by the one and only Jurgen Klopp, RB Leipzig and Liverpool lock horns in Wednesday's Champions League league phase encounter at the Red Bull Arena.

The Reds have already eased to victory over Bologna and AC Milan in this year's new-look competition, but their Bundesliga hosts are yet to pick up a point.

We say: RB Leipzig 1-2 Liverpool

Leipzig appear to have shored up defensively since the Juventus capitulation, although Liverpool are a different kettle of fish to Mainz and Heidenheim, and the Reds have our vote to make it 11 from 12 under Slot.

However, do not be surprised to see this one decided late on; Leipzig have conceded a record 17 goals in the last 10 minutes of Champions League games since the start of the 2019-20 campaign.

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Young Boys vs. Inter Milan (Wednesday, 8.00pm)

Unbeaten Inter Milan will visit pointless Young Boys on Wednesday evening, as both teams resume their Champions League campaign.

Heading into the clubs' meeting at Stadion Wankdorf, three-time European champions Inter have picked up four points without conceding a goal, while their hosts have endured a nightmare start to the new league phase.

We say: Young Boys 0-2 Inter Milan

Not only have Inter kept 10 clean sheets in their last 16 Champions League matches, but they also boast a serious threat up front.

Given the recent woes of a struggling Young Boys side, the Italian champions should establish a lead before shutting up shop and conserving some energy for a huge league game at the weekend.