Charlie Nicholas predictions: Champions League verdict

Chelsea v Roma (Wednesday, 1945 BST)

I think this is a really tough one for Chelsea. Roma are two points behind them in the group so it is also a dangerous situation in terms of winning the group, while Edin Dzeko is always a handful.

I covered Chelsea on Soccer Saturday and I wasn't impressed with them defensively. David Luiz was poor, Gary Cahill was all over the place and they just couldn't get hold of Wilfried Zaha.

Eden Hazard barely had a touch. I just look at him and he doesn't look in shape to produce those slalom runs. He was top-notch last season but I was watching him closely and that burst of pace wasn't there.

I understand it takes some players longer than others after injuries and when that sharpness comes back he'll be flying again, but for this game Antonio Conte has issues.

Victor Moses went off at the weekend, N'Golo Kante is out, Danny Drinkwater is out, Willian was really poor on Saturday and I don't know if Alvaro Morata will make it, so I'm going for a draw.

Charlie predicts: 1-1 and Dzeko to score first (30/1 with Sky Bet)

Bayern Munich v Celtic (Wednesday, 1945 BST)

Well this is my game on Soccer Special and not one I'm hopeful about given Celtic’s only recent decent display in the league was against Rangers, while their performance wasn't actually that good against Anderlecht.

Craig Gordon came out and said 'we're ready to challenge Bayern Munich' and I just thought 'keep quiet'. He should hope the Bayern players haven't heard that because the likes of Robert Lewandowski and Thomas Muller don't need any more motivation.

Jupp Heynckes has returned and will be saying 'let's put these to the sword and take second place out of doubt ahead of the trip to Glasgow'.

Celtic can't change their style and the team has never recovered from their loss to PSG, when they passed the ball as badly as I've seen them.

They also have defensive fitness concerns and they'll try to sit in with their backs to the wall in what will inevitably be a damage-limitation exercise.

Charlie predicts: 2-0 Lewandowski to score first (13/1 with Sky Bet)

Benfica v Manchester United (Wednesday, 1945 BST)

This is another Jose Mourinho job. Go to an old rival and frustrate them. These are the sort of games he relishes, neutralising the opposition and leaving with a narrow result.

Benfica are not the force they once were either. When I used to watch Benfica they were always an attack-minded team and strong at home, but they don't have the same intrigue and excitement.

Even two or three years ago they had four or five names which would jump out at you, but I see this being quite a scrappy affair between two sides unwilling to give much away.

Mourinho will make three or four changes, bring back Marcus Rashford and Juan Mata to help them get a result which will put them on the brink of qualifying.

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

Real Madrid v Tottenham (Tuesday, 1945 BST)

Watching Spurs is never high on my agenda but I have to admit I'm looking forward to this. It's a cracking game and a great test for Mauricio Pochettino and his team.

I liked the way they played against Dortmund but they now come up against a side who represent everything great about this competition.

People may know what I think about Sergio Ramos and the problems he causes for his team. He will be in for a real test in facing Harry Kane and I could see him being wound up into a red card.

If there's a club which would suit Kane then it is Real as he's an upgrade for Karim Benzema, and I think him and Cristiano Ronaldo both to find the net is nailed on.

Marco Asensio is the next superstar and I see him replacing Gareth Bale on the right flank, while Eric Dier will have a tough job in picking up Isco.

I can't believe I'm saying it, but I'm going for Tottenham to get a result here.

Charlie predicts: 2-2 and Ronaldo to score first (35/1 with Sky Bet)

Manchester City v Napoli (Tuesday, 1945 BST)

Paul Merson was drooling over Man City on Saturday and watching it back, with their interplay, they just have a Barcelona feel about them now.

Yes that leaves you vulnerable at the back but Stoke's two goals came and went without a blink of the eye as they struck back in the most emphatic manner.

Kevin De Bruyne is absolutely incredible at the moment and he's linking together with David Silva brilliantly, but Napoli are a strong outfit and will provide a real test for Pep Guardiola's side.

If they can win this then I would say this all but puts them through. I've said from the start this City team will score bundles of goals this season and I can see it continuing here.

Charlie predicts: 4-2 and Gabriel Jesus to score first (66/1 with Sky Bet)

Maribor v Liverpool (Tuesday, 1945 BST)

I have to say when I was looking at this that I felt there was a big opportunity for a bet on Maribor at 20/1.

I don't think they have changed much in their approach of sitting in and playing on the counter-attack, which they did against Celtic a couple of years ago. We know that's where Liverpool have issues.

There's agitation and annoyance in Liverpool, not just with Jurgen Klopp, who must be sick to death of saying 'we were the better team again'.

I think this will be another tough night for Liverpool. I think it could even be a late goal for them to get the win, with captain Jordan Henderson coming to the rescue with an overdue goal.

Charlie predicts: 0-1 and Henderson to score first (80/1 with Sky Bet)

Related links

• Sky Bet's Champions League odds
• Champions League fixtures