Football writer David Coverdale previews Matchweek 5 of the Premier League clubs’ UEFA Champions League matches and what to expect from their opponents.
Arsenal v Bayern Munich
Wednesday 26 November, 20:00 GMT
Arsenal are yet to concede a goal in a flawless start to their Champions League campaign.
But if any player knows how to breach their defence it is Bayern Munich hotshot Harry Kane.
During his time with their rivals Spurs, Kane scored more goals against Arsenal than any other Premier League player, with a tally of 14.
The England captain also notched for Bayern in a Champions League quarter-final at Emirates Stadium in 2023/24, and he returns there in red-hot form, having netted 26 times in 19 appearances for club and country this season.
Bayern actually top the Champions League table at the halfway stage, above Arsenal on goal difference having also registered four wins from four.
Another of their danger men is ex-Crystal Palace winger Michael Olise, who was directly involved in five goals in last Sunday’s 6-2 thrashing of Freiburg.
The London-born France international is a former team-mate of Arsenal’s Eberechi Eze – and taught the north London derby hat-trick hero how to play chess.
Another of Bayern’s wing wizards, Serge Gnabry, is expected to be fit to face his former club after missing their 6-2 comeback win over Freiburg on Saturday.
But Vincent Kompany’s side will be without the suspended former Liverpool star Luis Diaz, following his red card in their last Champions League match at Paris Saint-Germain.
Arsenal fans will need no reminding that they have failed to beat Bayern in their previous five meetings.
But Mikel Arteta’s men have never been more confident at home in Europe, winning 15 successive matches at the Emirates in the Champions League league phase/group stage.
Liverpool v PSV Eindhoven
Wednesday 26 November, 20:00 GMT
A European fixture at Anfield may come as something of a welcome relief for Arne Slot.
The Reds were beaten 3-0 at home by Nottingham Forest at the weekend, their sixth defeat in seven Premier League matches.
But in the Champions League, Slot’s side have fared better so far this season, winning their last three matches, including a 1-0 victory over Real Madrid at Anfield last time out, to climb up to eighth in the table.
At home, Liverpool have won all of their last 16 European group-stage or league-phase games.
Yet the Reds’ dismal form means they can take nothing for granted, especially given Wednesday’s opponents, PSV Eindhoven, are top of the Eredivisie and unbeaten in 11 matches in all competitions.
Former Spurs winger Ivan Perisic is one of the stars in their ranks, while Netherlands international Guus Til is their biggest goal threat, having netted seven times in his last five league matches.
Of course, Slot needs no introduction to PSV. This will be the 11th time Liverpool’s Dutch boss has managed against Wednesday’s opponents, the most he has faced a single club.
The Reds actually lost their last meeting against PSV, a 3-2 away defeat in the final match of last season’s league phase. That result mattered little, given Liverpool had already qualified for the last 16 and topped the table. But another defeat this week would be a brutal blow for Slot and his struggling side.
Paris Saint-Germain v Tottenham Hotspur
Wednesday 26 November, 20:00 GMT
Little more than three months have passed since these teams last went toe to toe.
Paris Saint-Germain were the winners on that occasion, the Champions League holders beating the UEFA Europa League champions on penalties in the UEFA Super Cup final.
And the Ligue 1 leaders will be firm favourites again when Spurs visit the Parc des Princes on Wednesday.
That said, Spurs are one of only five unbeaten teams in this season’s Champions League, registering two wins and two draws to sit 10th in the table.
Yet Thomas Frank’s side arrive in the French capital with their confidence shot after being brutally beaten by Arsenal in the north London derby.
Spurs will have to cope without Brennan Johnson, who is suspended after being sent off in the 4-0 win over Copenhagen.
But Xavi Simons is likely to line up against his former club, having been left out of Frank’s starting XI at Emirates Stadium.
For PSG, 2025 Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele could return from the calf injury he picked up in the defeat to Bayern Munich three weeks ago.
Yet Desire Doue, who scored a brace in last season’s Champions League final win over Internazionale Milano, is definitely out after tearing his thigh last month.
