Wins for Leicester, Arsenal and Man City in Charlie Nicholas' Champions League predictions

Charlie Nicholas provides his Champions League predictions
Charlie Nicholas provides his Champions League predictions

Charlie Nicholas provides us with his predictions for the penultimate round of Champions League group stage fixtures.

Tottenham will be looking to keep their last-16 hopes alive with a victory in Monaco, while Leicester need just a draw to book their place in the knock-out stages.

Arsenal are already through and face a showdown for top spot with Paris Saint-Germain, while Manchester City need just a point in Gladbach to progress.

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City will be hoping Celtic can boost their chances of topping the group by upsetting Barcelona.

Here's what Charlie is backing in his Sky Bet tips...

Monaco v Tottenham

It is obviously a huge game for Spurs. Monaco have picked up their form again, with three pretty emphatic wins on the bounce, so it's not an ideal situation for Mauricio Pochettino.

I always think it suits the team that doesn't have to force it and they can sit and wait and hit Spurs on the counter-attack. I don't see them being particularly offensive.

Spurs could be eliminated from the Champions League on Tuesday
Spurs could be eliminated from the Champions League on Tuesday

Have Spurs got enough about them? Harry Kane hasn't really played well yet but he's scored goals when Spurs needed them.

I see them struggling here because of the situation they've created. I expect it will be a draw and Spurs will be hoping for a result in the other game.

Charlie predicts: 1-1 and Christian Eriksen to score first - 40/1 with Sky Bet

Why Tottenham could be knocked out of the Champions League if they fail to win at Monaco in Group E
Why Tottenham could be knocked out of the Champions League if they fail to win at Monaco in Group E

Leicester v Club Brugge

The great unpredictable Leicester City! They handled the pressure at the end of last season incredibly well but they've been so disappointing this season.

Claudio Ranieri has told everybody the headline maker will be making the last 16 but, while I don't see them getting dragged into a relegation battle, I see the confidence has drained out of them from their domestic form.

Leicester need just a point to progress to the last 16
Leicester need just a point to progress to the last 16

This is the game, with his pace on the break, where Jamie Vardy has to deliver and show why he deserved the big contract in the summer.

The combination isn't the same with Islam Slimani as it was with Shinji Okazaki and I'd like to see them go back to the formula for success they found.

They won comfortably in Bruges and I do think they'll get over the line here, but it might take one or two late goals for them to do it.

Charlie predicts: 2-0 and Okazaki to score first - 20/1 with Sky Bet

How Leicester can top Group G with a win against Club Brugge
How Leicester can top Group G with a win against Club Brugge

Arsenal v PSG

Well it's not just top spot up for grabs but there's also the incentive for Arsenal in that they can relax for their final game if they win rather than just settle for a draw.

They haven't played well in the last couple of games but they've avoided defeats when they were struggling again, setting themselves up to beat Spurs before salvaging a draw at Old Trafford.

Edinson Cavani nets early on against Arsenal in Paris
Edinson Cavani nets early on against Arsenal in Paris

I think they are stronger mentally even if they're not playing as well, and PSG are not the great side they once were.

PSG cannot play for the goalless draw so you expect them to come out and attack, and Edinson Cavani will be dangerous again on the break.

Mesut Ozil disappointed me immensely at Old Trafford but I still expect him to deliver here. I think Olivier Giroud deserves to start in the team but does Alexis Sanchez get a rest or does Theo Walcott drop out now? I would like Sanchez to start and to be closer to Giroud.

Charlie predicts: 3-1 and Giroud to score first - 60/1 with Sky Bet

An update on the fitness of Arsenal
An update on the fitness of Arsenal's players for their game against PSG

Charlie predicts

Agree with Charlie? Follow his Sky Bet tip here.

Borussia Monchengladbach v Manchester City

This is a dangerous match. The lift City got from beating Barcelona should give them the momentum they need in this sort of game.

They've got Celtic in the final game at home so this is a must-not-lose rather than a must win, especially with Barca waiting for Gladbach.

Manchester City celebrate their win over Barcelona
Manchester City celebrate their win over Barcelona

This is one of those games where I just think they'll go pass, pass, pass and Gladbach will have to force the game and come unstuck.

David Silva and Kevin de Bruyne will be key in ensuring they dominate the game and create the chances and I'm backing Sergio Aguero to turn up and fire them through to the last 16.

Charlie predicts: 0-2 and Aguero to score first - 22/1 with Sky Bet

Yaya Toure trained with Manchester City
Yaya Toure trained with Manchester City's squad, despite being ineligible to play against Borussia Monchengladbach

Celtic v Barcelona

What approach does Brendan Rodgers go with? Does he send his team out to go for it like they did against City?

I can confirm it will be cold up here but Barcelona always seems to enjoy the atmosphere of these games and the fans love to see these special players, so I'm not at all convinced that the stars will fail to turn up.

Barcelona romped to a 7-0 victory in the reverse fixture with Celtic
Barcelona romped to a 7-0 victory in the reverse fixture with Celtic

It sounds like Lionel Messi is going to make it because he sat out the weekend, which is obviously bad news for Celtic.

Celtic's instinct will be to go forward and that does play into the hands of Barcelona, who will be determined to finish top and avoid the pressure against Gladbach.

They're still the best team on the planet when the three amigos are playing, but they are still vulnerable at the back and I'm going for a goal-fest.

Charlie predicts: 2-3 and Suarez to score first - 55/1 with Sky Bet

Also See:

  • 'Barca rely on MSN excessively'
  • Mahrez: No Leicester pressure
  • Lloris puts talks on hold
  • WATCH: Ronaldo on Lisbon return
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