Charlie's CL predictions

Charlie Nicholas provides us with his latest round of Champions League predictions.

Charlie Nicholas provides his Champions League views
Charlie Nicholas provides his Champions League views

On Wednesday night, Arsenal host Basel on the back of a creditable draw at PSG, while Manchester City travel to Celtic following vastly differing results in Group C.

Here's what Charlie is predicting, plus his Sky Bet tips...

Arsenal v Basel

This isn't as easy as some people will think, but the one thing I always say is when Arsenal start quickly they can beat anybody.

Chelsea were poor at the weekend but Arsenal were very, very good, especially the way they started the game, which is when they counter-attack with purpose.

I think the competition for places is very important. Francis Coquelin has done well but his injury will see Granit Xhaka get the chance he deserves, so the squad is in a healthy place, although I'm still not convinced by Alexis Sanchez leading the line.

If Arsenal start well I expect another comfortable victory and the game to be done within the hour, but if they fail to do that then Basel can be a stubborn team to break down.

Charlie predicts: 3-0 and Theo Walcott to score first (35/1 with Sky Bet)

Celtic v Manchester City

I covered Man City at the weekend and I'm not feeling good about Celtic's chances, even with Kevin De Bruyne out and a special atmosphere behind my old team.

Celtic will be driven on by the crowd and it is a fantastic place on these European nights, but I can't see that bothering Pep Guardiola's team and it will even spur them on because they're a big-time team.

However, City weren't great defensively against Swansea, who could have scored more than once, so I think there's a chance of Celtic scoring, and I can also see them having a decent amount of possession.

However, with the form Raheem Sterling is in, scoring an absolutely brilliant individual goal, and the way Sergio Aguero is playing in such control of everything he does, I fear that Celtic's lack of pace at the back will be exposed.

Charlie predicts: 1-3 and Aguero to score (18/1 with Sky Bet)

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