Charlie's CL predictions

Charlie Nicholas is back with his Champions League predictions for the fourth round of group stage fixtures.

Charlie Nicholas provides his Champions League tips
Charlie Nicholas provides his Champions League tips

The Soccer Saturday pundit is confident Arsenal will book their place in the last 16 on Tuesday but fears his other former club Celtic will have their qualification hopes ended, while he's tipping tipping a goal-fest in Group C's other game as Manchester City host Barcelona.

Then, on Wednesday night, Nicholas struggles to see Leicester or Tottenham enhancing their qualification chances despite recording positive results against the same opponents a fortnight ago.

Here's what Charlie's predicting in his Sky Bet tips...

Manchester City v Barcelona (Tuesday, 7.45pm)

What does Pep Guardiola do this time? Does he set up to deal with Barca's front three? Atletico do it, Real Madrid try to, I don't see how Manchester City can. They played pretty well at the Nou Camp but were undone by individual errors.

Guardiola's Barcelona were the best team I've ever seen but this Barca side are actually more dangerous on the counter-attack, they're just nowhere near as solid the back.

Everybody is making a big deal about the Sergio Aguero situation but Guardiola would play him in every match if he could. When you've got an injury problem you need to be managed properly.

It's a tough one to call but I can guarantee both teams will score here because City are nervous at the back, while Barca are also vulnerable and both sides are far better at attacking. 

Charlie predicts: 2-2 and Raheem Sterling to score first (75/1 with Sky Bet)

Borussia Monchengladbach v Celtic (Tuesday, 7.45pm)

Celtic have blown everybody away in Scotland because they're miles better but this is their last chance of salvaging anything from their European campaign.

Gladbach ripped them apart in Glasgow and did it without four or five of their best players, so I fear the worst given they are woeful away from home.

I'm not sure what they can do now. Will they just sit in and rely on Moussa Dembele's pace on the counter-attack? Gladbach don't concede many so it looks a tough ask.

Thorgan Hazard and Raffael could come back in as well, but I'm looking at Mahmoud Dahoud as a really dangerous and unpredictable player who will trouble Celtic.

Charlie Predicts: 2-0 and Dahoud to score first (30/1 with Sky Bet)

Ludogorets v Arsenal (Tuesday, 7.45pm)

I was amazed how open Ludogorets were in the first leg. I thought they'd just come and park the bus but they actually had a few chances in the first 10 minutes and I was a bit concerned until Arsenal got the first goal.

I assume they'll be same at home, which plays into the hands of this Arsenal team, who have excellent movement in attack with Alexis Sanchez leading the line.

I think Arsene Wenger will make a few changes, which often unsettles me but seems warranted here with qualification all but assured. He'll change the goalkeeper as per usual but I'm not convinced he will start Olivier Giroud as he'll want to bed him in more gently.

I can't see Theo Walcott being risked with a hamstring problem ahead of the north London derby, so Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will get another chance to impress, while it would make sense for Granit Xhaka to come in as he serves his domestic ban.

Charlie predicts: 1-3 and Oxlade-Chamberlain to score first (45/1 with Sky Bet)

FC Copenhagen v Leicester (Wednesday, 7.45pm)

Leicester looked better at Tottenham, especially in the second half. Defensively they looked a lot more solid and they could have nicked it in the end.

They're in a great position and a draw would still leave them in total control. I know they want a win so they can relax but these games are awkward.

I've done a lot of like this, where you arrive at tricky little grounds with tight little pitches and you don't really feel the glamour of being in the Champions League.

This is a must-win for Copenhagen and I understand why Sky Bet make them favourites. I think they'll get the win to blow this group wide open.

If I'm looking at the goalscorer market then Leicester are still vulnerable from set-pieces. It looks a banker they'll concede from another one right now and Federico Santander is a real threat in the air.

Charlie predicts: 2-1 and Santander to score first (28/1 with Sky Bet)

Tottenham v Bayer Levekusen (Wednesday, 7.45pm)

Well what's going on with Tottenham? You could dismiss the Harry Kane theory because Vincent Janssen has scored a few goals but, while scoring from the spot still deserves credit, he doesn't get in the same areas as Kane.

When's the last time you saw these diagonal balls for Dele Alli to run on to round the back of Janssen? It seems to be effecting the way Spurs are playing, while Toby Alderweireld's contribution at the back has also be important.

They're still unbeaten but another draw isn't much help. You want to be going into the last two games in a qualification position because they've got a tough trip to Monaco next.

They can't be worrying about the north London derby right now because this is a huge game, but I would be amazed if Mauricio Pochettino was to throw Harry Kane straight in from the start. You can't rush players back after six weeks out.

I wouldn't be surprised to see him coming off the bench to save Spurs, who seem to being troubled by midfield runs at the moment, so I'm looking to Leverkusen's midfield for a first goalscorer.

Charlie predicts: 1-1 and Lars Bender to score first (95/1 with Sky Bet)

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