Charlie Nicholas' Champions League predictions for Manchester City, Tottenham, Liverpool and Chelsea
Soccer Saturday pundit Charlie Nicholas gives us his Champions League predictions for the four games involving Premier League clubs.
Matchday four review
Valencia v Chelsea
Charlie says:
"This is a very good game. Valencia beat Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea are much improved since and you could see that against Manchester City. This is the most exciting Chelsea team I have seen.
"It does not have the same quality as the one which involved John Terry, Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard, but they are far more exciting to watch. Chelsea were outstanding for 30 minutes at the Etihad - it was more Man City-like than anything else. They didn’t get anything and [that] tells you something though.
"Valencia do not score a lot but they do not concede. The Chelsea results against Ajax will be enough to see them through but I am going for a defeat here. It will be a learning curve for the team and Frank Lampard is using the same players here, so it does take its toll especially in the demanding games. Injuries could lead to downfall."
Charlie's prediction: Valencia 1-0 Chelsea (12/1 with Sky Bet)
Liverpool v Napoli
Charlie says:
"This is another cracker. These two will go through, but in terms of the result, Napoli do not lose many games. They are still unpredictable in terms of their defence but are hard to beat.
"They are powerful, but no matter who the manager is, Napoli do like to get at you and take a risk or two. Liverpool are getting over the line at the moment, but it is taking its toll. Do you risk Mohamed Salah again or do you play him against Brighton on Saturday?
"I have a feeling Liverpool may tinker with the team and if you said to both clubs that they would get a point, be content, and qualify at the end of it, they would be more than happy."
Charlie's prediction: Liverpool 1-1 Napoli (15/2 with Sky Bet)
Odds correct as of 1600 GMT on 25/11/19
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Related Champions League links
- Matchday four highlights
- Liverpool top group after win
- 'Job done' for Klopp
- Ajax collapse as Blues get a point
- Bravo sees red in City draw
- Son shines as Spurs sink Red Star
- UCL: Bayern & Juve go through
- Team-by-team profiles
- Latest Champions League group tables
- Latest Champions League odds
- Champions League draw details
- Champions League key dates
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