Champions League: Exit door looms for City and Liverpool

Can he rekindle the spirit of 2004?

It's a massive week of Champions League action with plenty yet to be decided ahead of the final group games. European football expert James Horncastle is back with five bets from Tuesday and Wednesday's games...

Turkish delight for Arsenal
Tuesday, 19:45
Live on Sky Sports 5

Heavily criticised for Saturday's 3-2 capitulation at Stoke - and for resting players - at least Arsenal should be fresh and out to redeem themselves in Istanbul on Tuesday. Although they are already through to the last 16 of the competition, a win would give the Gunners a shot at finishing top of the group and a hope of avoiding the complicated draws that have contributed to them falling at the first hurdle presented by the knock out stages in recent memory. They should have enough firepower to do just that.

Recommended Bet
Back Arsenal to win @ 2.3811/8

No Swiss roll over at Anfield
Tuesday, 19:45
Live on ITV1

Falling on the 10th anniversary of one of the club's most memorable European nights against Olympiakos, Liverpool fans are hoping a rested Steven Gerrard can repeat his heroics that night ('you beauty!') against Basel at Anfield on Tuesday night. The Swiss outfit have lost every game on their travels this season but Sunderland demonstrated to Paulo Sousa how it's possible to obtain the point his team requires on Merseyside.  

Recommended Bet
Back the draw @ 3.953/1

Old Lady to book her place
Tuesday, 19:45
Live on Sky Sports Interactive

The Old Lady has won 25 games in a row at the Juventus Stadium in Serie A. Since it opened three years ago only Inter, Samp and Bayern have left with a victory. Atletico striker Mario Mandzukic is one of the few to have left Turin a winner. He was in that Bayern team 18 months ago and scored. However Atleti have already qualified. They will be without Miranda and Cristian Ansaldi, and have players who are a booking away from suspension. Juve only need a point to qualify - back them to get it.

Recommended Bet
Back the draw @ 3.211/5

No Roman holiday for City
Wednesday, 19:45
Live on Sky Sports 5

Radja Nainggolan, Francesco Totti and Gervinho were all kept in reserve by Rudi Garcia in Saturday's 2-2 draw with Sassuolo in view of City's visit to the Olimpico on Wednesday. So too was Ashley Cole whose best performance in a Roma shirt came in the 1-1 draw at the Etihad. Buoyed by that result and the news that Sergio Aguero is out and Yaya Toure suspended, Roma, beaten only by Bayern at home, should be optimistic. 

Recommended Bet
Back Roma to win @ 2.56/4

PSG no longer fear the Camp Nou
Wednesday 19:45
Live on Sky Sports 2

Even in the absence of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, PSG were victorious upon Barca's visit to the Parc in September and go to the Camp Nou in confident mood. Ibra scored twice in a 2-1 win at Nantes on Saturday and is approaching top form. Laurent Blanc rested David Luiz and Thiago Motta while Edi Cavani only played the final half hour. A day extra to recover should also help. PSG took the lead and held Barca 1-1 when they last travelled to Catalonia. The draw price looks very enticing.

Recommended Bet
Back the draw @ 4.77/2