Another winning treble for Michael Owen last weekend in the Premier League and he has again shared his thoughts exclusively with BetVictor on the midweek Champions League action. Reigning Premier League champions Manchester City suffered a shock defeat to Lyon last month and will hope to bounce back away at Hoffenheim. Manchester rivals United and their under-fire manager Jose Mourinho are also in desperate need of a victory after last weekend’s shocking 3-1 defeat at the hands of West Ham. Tottenham face La Liga heavyweights Barcelona, while in-form Liverpool travel to Napoli.
Hoffenheim v Manchester City
The first ever meeting between the clubs and City need to get a result after their shock home reverse to Lyon on Matchday 1. City cannot afford to have one eye on their trip to Anfield on Sunday, but their squad is deep, and I expect them to get their Champions League challenge back on track. Hoffenheim got a point at Shakhtar Donetsk last month, but they were beaten at home by Leipzig at the weekend and the hosts have only won one of their last nine games in European competition. Michael’s Prediction: Hoffenheim 0-3 Manchester City
Manchester United v Valencia
United are unbeaten in their eight previous Champions League ties with Valencia (W2 D4) although this is the first game between the clubs in the competition since December 2010 when the game finished 1-1. The visitors have lost their last four Champions League games including a 2-0 home loss to 10-man Juventus on Matchday One. Under normal circumstances this would be a banker home win for United, but these are worrying times at Old Trafford and I fancy the La Liga side might pick up a point in a low-scoring affair. Michael’s Prediction: Manchester United 1-1 Valencia
Tottenham v Barcelona
Barcelona have not won in La Liga since their 4-0 defeat of PSV in the Champions League last month although the Spanish giants have only lost one of their last 11 Champions League ties against English clubs. That said they have only won one of their last seven Champions League games on the road and I think Spurs will give them plenty of problems at Wembley. Spurs won all three of their Champions League group home games last season and scored three goals in each of those games. Having lost in the San Siro in their opening tie, Spurs must get a positive result and I feel they will. Michael’s Prediction: Tottenham 2-1 Barcelona
Napoli v Liverpool
Napoli failed to score in Belgrade against Crvena zvezda in their opening game but that was only the third time they have failed to find the back of the net in 29 Champions League ties. Napoli boss Carlo Ancelotti has never lost to the Reds in the Champions League (W3 D1) although that one draw was the famous 2005 final in Istanbul when Liverpool came from 3-0 down to beat Milan on penalties and give the Reds their fifth European Cup/Champions League. Liverpool played their part in a high-class game at Stamford Bridge on Saturday and few would have begrudged them their point via another quality goal from Daniel Sturridge. The striker is certainly giving Jurgen Klopp a welcome headache ahead of another massive week for the club.
Michael’s Prediction: Napoli 1-2 Liverpool
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