The Champions League reaches the halfway point of its league phase this week with Matchday 4. The top eight teams will qualify directly for the round of 16, while the next 16 will have to play an additional knockout tie, increasing the pressure as the schedule becomes more congested.
The Spanish teams face a difficult round of fixtures. Atlético Madrid will host Bayern Munich at the Metropolitano Stadium, while Villarreal welcome Paris Saint-Germain, the reigning champions. Barcelona will look to recover from their previous defeat against PSG when they face Aston Villa, the current Europa League holders. Real Madrid travel to Greece to play AEK Athens, and Real Betis visit Borussia Dortmund.
Atlético’s home record gives them confidence ahead of the Bayern match. They are unbeaten in their three previous home games against the German club, with two wins and one draw. They have also avoided defeat in their last 16 European home matches against German opposition, recording 12 victories and four draws.
Bayern have won four of the eight previous UEFA meetings between the sides, while Atlético have won two. Harry Kane will be one of the main threats for the visitors. The Bayern striker has scored in each of his last 10 Champions League matches and would equal Cristiano Ronaldo’s competition record of scoring in 11 consecutive games with another goal.
Barcelona will rely on their home form against Aston Villa. The Catalan club have not lost in their last 15 UEFA home matches against English opponents, recording 10 wins and five draws. Real Madrid, meanwhile, will aim to continue their strong run in Greece against AEK Athens. The two clubs have met four times in UEFA competitions, with one win each and two draws.
Real Betis are among the top eight and will try to maintain their position at Dortmund. It will be the first UEFA meeting between the clubs and Betis’ first Champions League match against German opposition. Dortmund have won their last four UEFA home matches against Spanish clubs.
Villarreal face another major challenge against PSG in their first European meeting. The Spanish side are unbeaten in their two previous Champions League matches against French clubs, with one win and one draw.
Tuesday, November 3
Shakhtar Donetsk vs Sporting CP — 18:45 Galatasaray vs Stuttgart — 18:45 Atlético Madrid vs Bayern Munich — 21:00 Barcelona vs Aston Villa — 21:00 Feyenoord vs Inter — 21:00 Bodø/Glimt vs Lille — 21:00 LASK vs Slovan Bratislava — 21:00 Manchester United vs Roma — 21:00 Villarreal vs PSG — 21:00
Wednesday, November 4
AEK Athens vs Real Madrid — 18:45 Fenerbahçe vs Liverpool — 18:45 Borussia Dortmund vs Real Betis — 21:00 Porto vs Napoli — 21:00 PSV Eindhoven vs Club Brugge — 21:00 Leipzig vs Manchester City — 21:00 Lens vs Como — 21:00 Slavia Prague vs Arsenal — 21:00 Viking vs Sabah — 21:00
All matches will be broadcast on Movistar+ Liga de Campeones.
Sources: elDiario.es.