The extended competitions of European competitions pose a huge problem this season: Which games should you prioritize? But don’t worry, we’ve picked out the best Champions League and Europa League games for you, once again, this week.
Tuesday, November 5th
Sporting x Manchester City – 20:00
As the fourth round of the Champions League kicks off, there’s a feast of football to enjoy this Tuesday night, with some of the world’s biggest clubs in action. In one of the most interesting games of the day, Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City faces Rúben Amorim’s Sporting.
It’s not often that City lose, let alone two games in a row, but that’s the situation they find themselves in heading into this game. Back-to-back 2-1 defeats following an injury crisis have cast doubt on their previously impressive start to the season. In the Champions League, City are coming off two big wins, but Sporting represent a tougher test than their recent opponents.
Both Sporting and City are yet to lose in the competition and the Lisbon outfit have a particularly interesting narrative as their manager, Rúben Amorim, moves to City’s neighbors Manchester United next week.
This will be Rúben Amorim’s last European game with Sporting and there is no doubt he will want to go out in style, as well as being desperate to inflict an early wound on his future rival. This game also features two of Europe’s deadliest strikers: Viktor Gyokeres and Erling Haaland.
Liverpool x Bayer Leverkusen – 20:00
Both Liverpool and Bayer Leverkusen are unbeaten in the Champions League, with Liverpool leading the standings with three wins in three games, while Bayer dropped points in the last round, against Brest in France.
Domestically, Liverpool arrives at this game as the isolated leader of the Premier League. Bayer, on the other hand, has not yet managed to recover the good form of last season in Germany. Xabi Alonso appears to have failed to maintain his Midas touch, but all is not lost for Bayer.
For Xabi Alonso, the trip to Anfield is not only an opportunity to get back to winning ways, but also a return home for the former Reds midfielder, who won the Champions League as a player for the club. Will he be able to ruin Arne Slot’s excellent start to life in charge of Liverpool?
Real Madrid x AC Milan – 20:00
There was a time in the last round when Real Madrid were 2-0 down at home to Dortmund at half-time and the football world was left asking: Have Los Merengues lost their European magic? But that wasn’t the case, as Real Madrid scored five goals in the second half and stole the headlines with star Vinicius Junior scoring three goals.
Despite the brilliant turnaround, Real Madrid have already stumbled in the Champions League, losing to Lille in the second round. This Tuesday’s opponent, Paulo Fonseca’s AC Milan, has had even more difficulties, having lost two of the three matches played in the competition.
These two old giants of European football may not be at their absolute peak this season – AC Milan are still finding their way under new coach Paulo Fonseca, while Real Madrid have yet to fully adapt, with Kylian Mbappé disrupting the momentum attack last season.
However, the heritage of these two clubs is so great that it will be difficult not to pay attention. Furthermore, last season’s champion, Real Madrid, will want to win at home to show everyone that they are still very committed to winning.
Wednesday, November 6th
Inter Milan x Arsenal – 20:00
Wednesday night is the weaker of the two Champions League nights in terms of high-impact games, but there are still some intriguing clashes. The most important thing is Arsenal’s trip to Milan to face Inter. Both teams have seven points in the competition so far and this could be a very competitive and tactical game.
The Italian champions have not lost a game since the Milan derby in September and arrive at this match full of confidence. Arsenal, in turn, is coming off a disastrous defeat in the Premier League, against Newcastle, at the weekend, and the news that their sporting director, Edu, has abandoned ship in search of a new challenge.
Both Simone Inzaghi and Mikel Arteta have orchestrated their respective teams to play solid defenses, so there is a possibility that this game will be decided by one or two moments of quality. Both teams have the offensive quality to make a difference, but the question is: who will rise to the occasion? Don’t expect many goals, but expect two of the best teams in Europe fighting for every inch.
Thursday, November 7th
Galatasaray – Tottenham – 17:45
The highlight game of Thursday’s Europa League is Turkish champions Galatasaray hosting Premier League side Tottenham. Both teams started the competition well, they are both undefeated and Spurs are tied at the top, with three wins in three games. Furthermore, both clubs have a great chance of going far in the competition.
As already said, Spurs have yet to make a false move in the Europa League. However, Ange Postecoglou’s flamboyant team showed in the Premier League that they can be vulnerable. The team attacks with talent and in large numbers, but can fail in defense, as demonstrated by the four defeats in the championship.
In Türkiye, Galatasaray is the team to beat, as they remain undefeated in the championship after 10 games. Furthermore, Galatasaray are unbeaten in the Europa League and are yet to lose since their failed attempt to qualify for the Champions League. With star Victor Osimhen well established and scoring goals, the Turkish club is a real force and perhaps the best Super League team in recent years. Whatever the result, this game will be fun.
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