Liverpool and Chelsea to win but frustration for Manchester City, Arsenal and Tottenham

The Champions League returns this week following its Christmas hiatus with two matchdays left for teams to secure at least a top-24 spot and maintain an interest in Europe’s elite club competition.

The clubs that finish in the top eight advance automatically to the round of 16 while those that finish between ninth and 24th go into the play-offs.

Here, we look at some of the big ties this week and offer some thoughts on how they might go.

TUESDAY

Bodo/Glimt v Manchester City (5.45pm)
City are very handily placed after four wins from six games and another tomorrow night could be enough for them to advance automatically. They also have a point to prove following their disappointing performance in Saturday’s Manchester derby which they lost 2-0 to United.
Bodo should not be underestimated, although they are heavy outsiders having not played a competitive game since their last Champions League outing – a 2-2 draw at Borussia Dortmund on December 10.
There will likely be freezing temperatures inside the Arctic Circle and a plastic pitch, meaning it could be a difficult evening for Pep Guardiola’s men.
Prediction: Bodo/Glimt 1-1 Manchester City

Inter Milan v Arsenal (8pm)
Arsenal have not mathematically made sure of their place in the top eight but it would take a freakish set of results for them to miss out. They can settle the issue for good tonight with a point at San Siro.
Mikel Arteta’s team selection will be interesting. Does he play the percentages and rest several key men or go full strength in one of Europe’s great football stadiums?
Inter are sixth and also on course to qualify. Cristian Chivu’s Nerazzurri have won five and drawn one of their last six in Serie A and will present a formidable challenge.
Prediction: Inter 2-1 Arsenal

Real Madrid v Monaco (8pm)
Every match seems like a banana skin for Real Madrid right now and this is another. It’s also a game of huge importance for the 15-time champions. Saturday’s win over Levante did little to appease the anger of the Santiago Bernabeu crowd but they will need to be behind their side tonight with Madrid seventh in the standings.
Monaco are not in great form having lost their last four Ligue 1 games, although they did beat Galatasaray in their most recent Champions League outing.
Prediction: Real Madrid 3-0 Monaco

Tottenham v Borussia Dortmund (8pm)
If things are toxic in Madrid, the same can certainly be said for the white corner of North London. Spurs fans’ frustrations boiled over following the dismal weekend defeat to West Ham and Thomas Frank has a lot of ground to make up if he is to win them over. A victory against Dortmund tonight would be a small step in the right direction, although it will require a much improved display.
The two teams are level on 11 points in 10th and 11th respectively and the victor tonight will give themselves a great chance of making the top eight.
Prediction: Tottenham 0-2 Borussia Dortmund

WEDNESDAY

Chelsea v Pafos (8pm)
Chelsea will look upon a clash with Pafos as a great opportunity to advance their chances of a top-eight finish. Liam Rosenior, who will take charge of his first Champions League game, has had a mixed start to life at Stamford Bridge but a win here would put his side in a decent position.
Pafos is better known as a holiday resort in Cyprus but that description does a disservice to a football club that has made huge strides in recent years.
Pafos have also had a recent change of head coach with Albert Celades taking over from the hugely successful Juan Carlos Carcedo. Pafos have won one and lost one of Celades’ first two games in charge.
Prediction: Chelsea 3-0 Pafos

Marseille v Liverpool (8pm)
Liverpool’s season was encapsulated neatly in Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Burnley. A lack of creativity saw bucketloads of possession go to waste, the chances they did create were not taken and then the opponents scored on a rare foray forward.
The defending Premier League champions are still a long way from their best and a trip to the imposing Stade Velodrome is not one for the weak of mind.
Marseille have scored 24 goals in their last five competitive games – albeit 15 of those have come against lower-league opposition in the Coupe de France.
Liverpool should have too much here.
Marseille 1-2 Liverpool

Newcastle v PSV Eindhoven (8pm)
For all the gnashing of teeth and online wailing that accompanies every sub-par Newcastle performance, the Tyneside club have actually performed well in recent weeks. They have ridden their luck on several occasions but one defeat in six games does not scream club in crisis. Eddie Howe’s critics are growing in number but a win here would virtually ensure 12th-placed Newcastle at least a play-off spot.
PSV have suffered just one defeat in their last 20 games in all competitions, winning 17. Their two draws have come in the Champions League, against Bayer Leverkusen and Olympiacos, as has the sole loss to Atletico Madrid, meaning they start the week in 21st.
Prediction: Newcastle 2-2 PSV Eindhoven

Slavia Prague v Barcelona (8pm)
Barcelona have not carried their table-topping Liga form into Europe and will almost certainly need to win their last two group-stage games to stand any chance of finishing in the top eight. The good news for Hansi Flick is a trip to Prague is followed by a home game against FC Copenhagen.
Slavia are on their mid-season break and have not played a competitive game since mid-December.
Prediction: Slavia Prague 0-4 Barcelona