Real Madrid are coming into Athens with an impressive winning streak of 6 matches across all competitions. Their form in the Champions League has been particularly impressive. They have already won all 3 group stage matches and have averaged 4 goals per match over the last two. Their previous encounter was nothing short of thrilling as they staged a remarkable comeback from behind in Rome. Both Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior will be returning for Real Madrid having missed their previous two Champions League encounters. Thibaut Courtois is also available again after missing their last Champions League encounter due to illness and kept a clean sheet when he returned for Saturday's 3-0 victory over Racing Santander.

A.E.K. have had mixed fortunes in Europe. Having started off well by defeating LASK 1-0 in Matchday 1, A.E.K. were subsequently defeated by Shakhtar Donetsk and Manchester City. However, despite this loss of momentum, Barnabas Varga has continued to find the net twice in the competition while the threat posed by Luka Jovic remains. Despite being unable to score regularly in European competition; A.E.K. have found success domestically having beaten Aris, OFI & Panetolikos but these victories came against significantly inferior defenses.

As a result Mourinho's men will be keenly motivated to prevent the need to play in the playoff round which provides them with ample motivation to seek out maximum points. Therefore I anticipate that Madrid will dominate possession and score at least twice.

The European performance from both sides will likely result in an open match with opportunities for both teams to score.

Brugge have had three league phase games all resulting in over three total goals. They have been able to find the back of the net in every game and in those three, have taken advantage of the space and scored four times. This season after being defeated by Aston Villa 3-2, they were able to come out on top in two consecutive matches. The visiting side has also enjoyed success as well winning their last eight. However, the only player missing from this match is Ordonez.

Given their past performances it appears that Brugge are due to lose as they have only won one of there last six away games in the Champions League. Their most recent results saw them draw 1-1 versus Shakhtar Donetsk and lose to RB Leipzig before defeating FC Porto where Guus Til was able to seal victory. In addition, both teams have seen both goalkeepers challenged and allowed the opponent's team to score in five of the last seven home games for PSV. Ivan Perisic has already demonstrated his ability to create opportunities for attack from the left, making him a dangerous attacker.

PSV have had some problems at the back and up front as well. Paul Wanner is one of many injured players for them, and Til has a head injury which may reduce their options on the bench.

Both teams need a win. Both teams will probably get goals.

In the current Champions league campaign, Arsenal have been undefeated and hold 7 points after 3 games. They defeated Napoli 1-0, Lille 3-0 and drew 2-2 against Bayern Munich. They have netted 6 and allowed only two in the CL this year. They have beaten Slavia in Prague by a 3-0 margin previously in this competition.

Slavia have a poor run in the CL right now. They currently sit 32nd with only one point in the CL. In addition to having four players who cannot participate due to injury/suspension, they have conceded seven thus far in three games and have not won any of their last eighteen European competitions. Keeper Jovan Markovic is hurt. Therefore, youngster Nazar Domchak is expected to play instead. Striker Tomas Chory has not played since he was frozen out. Slavia have failed to score in six of their last ten Champions league contests.

Bukayo Saka and William Saliba are missing for Arsenal. However, Arteta has a good group of backup players. The following could potentially trouble a battered defense: Max Dowman, Noni Madueke, Eze and Viktor Gyokeres.

Slavia will likely give their best effort at home, however, Arsenal's quality and ability to control games should lead to another win for Arsenal.

The past 6 meetings between these teams resulted in 30 goals with each side scoring an average of 5 goals per game. With both sides' current forms heading in the same direction, City have had success in the Champions league as they have won 2 of their 3 games. However, Donnarumma has shown some weakness lately and City's goal keeper has allowed many early goals for them this season. Although City's form has dropped off somewhat domestically, since being defeated by Brighton, City's forward line has also shown some weakness defensively. However, City's forward line has had great success recently as Erling Haaland has scored 4 goals in the last two European games that he played in. Additionally, Cherki, Foden and Doku all create multiple opportunities through midfield for City.

Leipzig have had struggles away from home as they lost at Como and Real Madrid; however, Leipzig have had a good record at home. Antonio Nusa, Brajan Gruda and Romulo all use quick counter-attacks to attack the opposing team. Given that Demichelis is playing against his former club, I expect him to be motivated to help his new club beat City. Due to injuries, Marc Guiu and Assan Ouedraogo are out and Maxime Esteve is a major doubt, which could limit Leipzig's attacking options. In addition, Nkunku might not even make the starting lineup.

With both teams needing points, neither side can sit back. Therefore, I think it is very likely that City will find a way to score and then Leipzig will receive opportunities to get on the board as well.

Both teams have proven that they could be capable of scoring and conceding in Europe already this season. Dortmund have conceded in all of their three group phase matches, having beaten Villarreal 3-2, lost to Bodo/Glimt by a single goal (1-0), and then beat Sabah 2-1. Betis have also had their share of goals. They beat Lille 3-2 as well as Porto 3-2 before defeating Feyenoord 1-0, which is why both teams were able to score in two of their three games.

At home, Dortmund should continue to create opportunities for themselves. So far, in three Champions League matches, Serhou Guirassy has scored four times; Kovac's team tied with Bayern 2-2 yesterday. However, it is worth noting that Dortmund are now without injured player Kaua Prates and many others are reportedly out due to injury.

While Betis is likely able to create scoring chances due to the talent of Isco, Antony and Abde Ezzalzouli in front of the ball; along with defensemen that include Marc Bartra who has already doubled his tally this season, Pellegrini doesn’t seem to be too short-handed at the moment.

Betis are currently sitting on nine points and since Dortmund will need a win to move up in the standings, it seems like there should be goals in both nets when these two teams meet.

Although Cardiff’s away performances have been poor so far this season, they do appear capable of creating some trouble for West Ham when they play at the Cardiff City Stadium. In six Championship matches at the Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff have scored 13 goals.

In addition to finding the net frequently recently, Cardiff have had five goals against Watford and two goals against Middlesbrough in those games.

West Ham arrives with an impressive offense having scored 33 goals in 13 league matches. Jarrod Bowen continues to be one of the most consistent threats on offense for West Ham. According to Opta’s player data, he ranks as one of the top contributing players for expected goals for West Ham. Cardiff’s defensive issues will add to their worries. As mentioned earlier, Gabriel Osho is suspended and several others (Dylan Lawlor, Calum Chambers and Krystian Bielik) are either injured/doubtful.

Defensively speaking, West Ham also have some issues. The absence of Konstantinos Mavropanos eliminates them from consideration for the lineup and Kyle Walker-Peters is questionable. Their recent losses have revealed vulnerabilities in the backline.

Therefore, given the potential for Cardiff to cause problems at home and West Ham’s prolific offense, both teams have plenty of chances to produce multiple goals.

Both teams have a chance to score. Wolves should be able to hold off the challenge from Bristol City at Ashton Gate. After a very good run of performances, Wolves currently sit 3rd in the table. In their last 4 games, Wolves have earned 9 points (including a 3-0 win over Cardiff City), whereas Bristol City required a late goal to earn a 3-2 victory over Bolton.

Wolves have the upper hand overall, siting 3rd in the table with 24 points (from 13 games), whereas Bristol City have 18. Wolves also boast the highest number of total league goals, with 23, and Fer Lopez being the top goal-scorer for them with 6 goals so far from an xG of 4.09 according to Opta stats.

The latest team news is another positive for visiting Wolves. Nasser Djiga, Bertrand Traore & Boubacar Traore have all returned to training; however, Jordan James is unlikely to be fit enough for selection. Bristol City may still miss out on both Gibson Yan and Noah Elie and also continue to monitor the fitness of Lorent Tolaj who has returned to training but continues to cause concerns over his fitness levels.

Bristol City will show that they can’t be written off after their last-gasp victory at Bolton. However, there will also be questions raised about their form after their last couple of defeats at home to Blackburn Rovers and Sheffield United. Meanwhile, Wolves have won their last two games and appear to be best placed to get a result from this encounter.

Kortrijk, like many other sides during the season so far, have found consistency difficult to achieve. Despite this, their defensive statistics make it easier for KV Mechelen to create opportunities through which they can score. Kortrijk have lost nineteen times in their first nine league games (averaging more than two per ninety minutes) and this deficiency could be challenging to overcome against a Mechelen side that have scored ten league goals in their opening nine fixtures.

Mechelen have demonstrated promising attacking tendencies throughout the campaign, scoring ten goals in their last five league games. Both Myron van Brederode and Simion Michez have created impressive displays, with van Brederode having created four big chances and Michez being the team leader for shots on target per game.

Both teams have injury concerns however. Kortrijk will be without Jamie Roche and Nayel Mehssatou, whilst Mechelen will be without several players, including Keano Vanrafelghem and Leo Hjelde. Despite the injuries to each team, there appears to be ample attacking talent available to both.

Opta provide pre-match statistics that give further insight into each teams current performances. Kortrijk currently average 1.31 xG; whilst Mechelen average 0.92 xG in their recent sample of league games.

With Kortrijk's defensive vulnerability and Mechelen's scoring ability, at least two goals look achievable

As we begin, Sporting come into this one as heavy favorites at Estadio Puente de Piedra. With 27 points after 14 games, they're sitting just behind the leaders and have been successful three times out of their last five league fixtures. In their most recent fixture, Sporting defeated Herediano by a score of 1-0 on Saturday; previously, they had beaten Pérez Zeledón 2-1 on the road back in September (Gabriel Leiva scored the winning goal for them).

Zeledón finds themselves in serious trouble. After 14 games, they've earned only 10 points and haven't managed a single victory in their last five fixtures. In those five matches alone, Zeledón have suffered defeats of 4-1 against Escorpiones and 3-0 to Herediano and also required a late equalizer to earn a point in a 1-1 tie with Puntarenas on Friday. Additionally, Ronald Gómez's team has also been victimized to the tune of a 5-1 loss in their first match of the year to Saprissa, giving us some indication of how easily they could be opened up.

With better attacking firepower, combined with the backing of a home crowd, Sporting appears well-positioned to make up ground on the teams above them. And therefore, it would seem like a good opportunity to bet on them to take down Zeledón.

Alianza Lima have every reason to want to pick up all three points in their home fixture at Estadio Alejandro Villanueva as they continue their pursuit of the top spot in the Clausura standings. Prior to their recent 3-2 loss to Sporting Cristal, Alianza had enjoyed four consecutive victories and were clearly establishing themselves as one of the more consistent sides in the league.

Additionally, Alianza will welcome the return of injured players Esteban Pavez, Mateo Antoni and Jairo Vélez, which will provide Pablo Guede with more options than he had prior to the injuries. On the other hand, Cienciano will have to play without injured pair Alejandro Hohberg and Matías Succar.

Statistically speaking, Alianza appears to be in much better shape. The home side have won each of their last four league contests (and five overall) and have averaged 1.71 goals scored per game when playing at home. Meanwhile, Cienciano have allowed an average of 2.14 goals conceded per away contest during the current league sample.

Alianza's stronger home record and greater consistency make them the more convincing side. Although Cienciano arrive after a 3-0 victory, Alianza's quality and home advantage should prove decisive.

BE1 NFA have a very good chance to avoid defeat in this Lithuanian I Lyga clash. In the league table, they are in third place on 57 points. They lead ninth place team Atmosfera by 20 points.

They also look to be in good form having won 4 and drawn 1 of their last 5 games in the league.

In particular, they have a great home record having won 10 and drawn 1 in 13 league games. They have lost 2 times. Their goal scoring consistency is very good with 49 goals in 27 games this season.

Atmosfera have been in better form lately winning their last 2 games. However, their away record is not as good, having won 5, drawn 3 and lost 5. Furthermore, BE1 NFA won the last meeting between the two teams 1-0.

Overall, BE1 NFA have the better league form. They have the better home form. They have the better defensive record. They are quite capable of at least getting a point from this game.