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The 2021-22 UEFA Champions League witnessed some enthralling fixtures on matchday three. Liverpool narrowly overcame Atletico Madrid 3-2 at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium. Paris Saint-Germain banked on the genius of Lionel Messi to get past RB Leipzig with a 3-2 scoreline. And finally, Juventus and Barcelona won against Zenit and Dynamo Kyiv by the narrowest of margins (1-0).
The fourth matchday of the UEFA Champions League comes with the chance of salvation, granting the losing teams the opportunity to bounce back. The fixtures are exactly the same, but the outcome may very well be drastically different.
Here are our top five predictions for matchday four of the UEFA Champions League:
#5 Jude Bellingham to inspire Dortmund to a win over Ajax
Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund made a tricky trip to Ajax on the third matchday of the 2021-22 UEFA Champions League. They were prepared for a tough night at the Amsterdam ArenA, but they were surely not ready for the onslaught that took place.
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Ajax ripped the visitors apart at home, registering an emphatic 4-0 scoreline.
This week, Dortmund have the opportunity to settle the scores, in front of their famous Yellow Wall. We believe Dortmund star Jude Bellingham will play a decisive role.
The 18-year-old Golden Boy nominee is one of the most sought-after midfielders in Europe right now. He is an excellent ball carrier and can score extraordinary goals, emerging as one of the most well-rounded young footballers in the world.
With star striker Erling Haaland ruled out, Bellingham, who scored a wondergoal against Arminia Bielefeld in the Bundesliga last month, is expected to pick up the slacks.
Don't be surprised to see him work his magic against Ajax this Wednesday.
#4 RB Leipzig to put on a stronger show at home against PSG
RB Leipzig and PSG were at each other’s throats in the last round. Kylian Mbappe’s ninth minute strike was first canceled out by Andre Silva in the 28th minute and then overturned by Nordi Mukiele in the 57th.
Unfortunately, the German team could not quite prepare themselves for the genius of Lionel Messi, who struck twice to take the game away from them.
RB Leipzig will look to settle the score in their own backyard this week. They were nearly successful the last time out, and it would be foolish to rule them out this season.
Surprisingly, Leipzig are still looking for their first win in the UEFA Champions League this season. And PSG, despite being one of the best teams in the competition, will have to step up to avoid becoming the German team’s first victim.
#3 Routine wins are on the cards for Chelsea and Real Madrid
Chelsea and Real Madrid were firing on all cylinders in their respective UEFA Champions League third-round games. We believe they will keep up the good work this week as well.
Real Madrid put on a five-star performance against Shakhtar Donetsk in their 5-0 win away from home a fortnight back. Shakhtar’s Serhiy Kryvstov scored an own goal in the first half to put Real Madrid ahead.
Then a brace from Vincius Jr. alongside a goal each from Rodrygo and Karim Benzema made sure there were no surprises.
Chelsea, on the other hand, mauled Malmo at home, winning 4-0. Andreas Christiansen opened the scoring for the Blues in the ninth minute to dampen Malmo’s spirits.
Jorginho dispatched two penalties to put the game beyond the visitors’ reach. And Kai Havertz finally joined the party in the second half to cap off the perfect night.
Shakhtar and Malmo will try to bounce back from the humiliation they suffered in the last round. Unfortunately, we do not think they have enough quality to make the last round’s victors pay.
#2 Atletico Madrid to take the fight to Liverpool at Anfield
Atletico Madrid were unbeaten at home this season when Liverpool rolled into town a couple of weeks back. An unpredictable tussle ensued, which saw the Reds walk away with a famous UEFA Champions League win from the Wanda Metropolitano stadium.
Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone does not want to come out second best, which could make him desperate at Anfield this Wednesday.
The Reds, who are second in the Premier League, are the favorites going into the match. At Anfield, Jurgen Klopp will look to impose his preferred high-pressing gameplay and potentially secure a decisive win.
With the odds against them, Atletico could look to surprise the hosts and go on the offence instead of sitting deep. A cracker of a contest seems to be in store, and we would not count Los Rojiblancos out just yet.
#1 Atalanta to come back with a vengeance against Manchester United
Two weeks back, Atalanta found themselves two goals up after the first 45 in their UEFA Champions League tie against Manchester United. Unfortunately, complacency got to them and they allowed the hosts to overturn the scoreline.
The 3-2 win not only proved United’s grit and tenacity, but it also highlighted Atalanta’s flaws.
At home this week, Atalanta will look to replicate their first-half performance at Manchester United and avoid that disaster in the second half.
Atalanta has always been proficient at playing free-flowing football, scoring at will. This week in the UEFA Champions League, we might see their doggedness and tenacity as well.
