Expert Soccer Picks: UEFA Champions League Matchday 4, Top Games & Analysis – 2024 Season

By the time this week’s Champions League games have been played, we will be midway through the league state of the tournament.

For those of you who may not yet be aware of the changes to the Champions League this season, let’s quickly break it down.

My Champions League Betting Analysis

In previous seasons, teams would be split into groups of 4, but this year, all 32 teams play in a single league. Each team will play 4 home games and 4 road games, with the top 8 automatically moving on to the knockout phase of the tournament.

Teams in the 9 through 24 spots in the league table will then go into a playoff to determine the teams that will play in the Round of 16.

This week, we are heading into Matchday 4, with the games split between Tuesday and Wednesday.

We are going to pick out a few of the best games and talk about which 8 teams might claim the automatic spots.

Liverpool -145 vs Bayer Leverkusen +330

We have a pair of teams in the top 8 going head-to-head in what is easily one of the best games on the Matchday 4 schedule.

Liverpool is coming into this one in the heels of a come from behind win this weekend that saw them take back the top spot in the English Premier League.

They is a perfect 3-0 in this tournament, scoring 6 times and surrendering just 1 in that stretch.

German Champions Bayer Leverkusen are always a fun team to watch, as they have made a habit of coming from behind to snatch unlikely wins.

They are inbeaten in their last 5 games and have taken 7 points from 9 in the Champions League. This should be a close one, but I have Liverpool edging it at home.

Sporting CP +300 vs Manchester City -127

Another game that features a pair of teams currently sitting in the top 8, but recent events have made this even more intriguing than it originally was.

Sporting manager Ruben Amorim announced last week that he will be taking over the vacant job with Manchester United, with that move set to take place on November 11.

He will be looking to close things out with a bang, and what better way to do that than with a win over the tournament favorites.

Sporting is currently in 8th place, taking 7 points from a possible 9. Manchester City will be looking to bounce back after a tough weekend loss to Bournemouth, a defeat that lost them the top spot in the EPL.

City has the same points as Sporting, but they have yet to surrender a goal in the Champions League, scoring 9 in the process.

Bayern Munich -350 vs Benfica +700

Both of these teams are sitting outside the top 8, but both are still very much within reach of the automatic spots.

You do have to say that seeing Bayern Munich sitting down in 23rd is more than a little surprising, although they have had a tough schedule to handle through the opening 3 games.

They started things off with a win, but they were then stunned by Aston Villa in 1-0 loss, which they then followed up with a 4-1 thumping at the hands of Barcelona.

If Munich wants to get into the top 8, they need to start winning now. Benfica is sitting down in 13th place, starting this tournament strong with back-to-back wins.

Their perfect streak came to an end in Matchday 3 with a 3-1 loss at home to Feyenoord. I am taking Bayern to win at home.

Inter +155 vs Arsenal +180

This is another big one, as we currently have Inter sitting in the #7 spot, while Arsenal is down in the #9 spot.

Inter comes into this one on a fantastic run of form, going unbeaten in their last 5 games (4W 1D).

Their current run has taken them to the top 8 in the Champions League and 2nd in Serie A, so this is a very dangerous team, especially when playing in their own building.

Things are not going as well for Arsenal, who lost again the EPL this past weekend, going down 1-0 to Newcastle.

They are in danger of dropping out of the title race, but they are still one of the best teams in this tournament.

Given how things have gone for the Gunners of late, they might well settle for a draw in this one.

Which Teams Will Finish in the Top 8 in the Champions League?

It is probably no real surprise that we have a trio of English clubs sitting in the top spots in the Champions League. What is perhaps a little surprising is that it is Aston Villa who are leading the way. We expected Liverpool and Manchester City to be where they are, so I am almost certain that these 3 teams will be in the top 8 at the end.

In the #4 and #5 spots, we have Monaco and Brest, both of whom are something of an early surprise. I am not convinced that either of these teams will hang on to their top 8 spots, but they should both be in the playoffs.

I do think that Beyer Leverkusen will do enough to stay in the top 8, with Inter also likely to maintain their current standing. In the #8 sport, Sporting makes me a little nervous, as they will be losing their manager after this Matchday.

If we do indeed have 3 teams dropping out of the top 8, who will replace them? My best guess would be Arsenal, Real Madrid, and Barcelona, although all 3 will need to get a little more consistent if they are to make that next step and win their way into the top 8 of the Champions League.

Top 10 Team’s Odds to Win the Champions League 2024/25

• Manchester City +290
• Real Madrid +390
• Arsenal FC +700
• Barcelona +730
• Liverpool FC +800
• Bayern +900
• Inter +1975
• Leverkusen +2500
• Aston Villa +3200
• PSG +3300

Matchday 4 is here! 🙌#UCL pic.twitter.com/YdWu8pLcj2

— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) November 4, 2024

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