Champions League Predictions 2023/24: Gameweek 2 Picks

The second set of European fixtures has come around fast, with the Champions League taking priority across Tuesday and Wednesday this week.

Read on for how our in-house writers anticipate the round's biggest matches going, including a spotlight on the five British teams in action.

Man Utd vs Galatasaray

• Tuesday 3rd October, 8pm, TNT Sports 1

Manchester United suffered a 1-0 loss at home to Crystal Palace on Saturday, with Roy Hodgson becoming the first manager in Premier League history to avoid defeat in five consecutive trips to Old Trafford. 

It may be their worst start to a league campaign for 34 years, but Erik ten Hag boasts an impressive record in cup competitions for The Red Devils and his side can come out on top here. The hosts won’t have it all their own way and I can see Galatasaray getting on the scoresheet with United coming out victorious in this Champions League clash.

Anthony Eadson's Prediction: Man Utd 3-1 Galatasaray

Lens vs Arsenal

• Tuesday 3rd October, 8pm, TNT Sports 2

Mikel Arteta’s men have started well this campaign, both in Europe and in the Premier League. Their first season back in the Champions League began with a bang as they trounced PSV 4-0 at the Emirates, and although this test away in France will be tougher I still expect them to come through and claim the three points.

Lens did well to grab a point away at Sevilla in match day one after a 1-1 draw and I fancy they’ll score again here at home, but the Gunners will prove too strong.

Billy Grimshaw's Prediction: Lens 1-3 Arsenal

Dortmund vs Milan

• Wednesday 4th October, 8pm, TNT Sports 4

Neither of these teams could muster a win in Gameweek 1 of the competition; with the lacklustre Dortmund falling to a 2-0 defeat against PSG, while a toothless AC Milan failed to penetrate the visiting Newcastle at the San Siro.

There isn't a world of difference between these two sides and it's quite hard to make out if either has the requisite quality to overcome the other. A goalless draw is the play.

Luke Hamilton's Prediction: Dortmund 0-0 Milan

Newcastle vs PSG

• Wednesday 4th October, 8pm, TNT Sports 2

Newcastle managed somehow to gain a point from their first Champions League match against a goal-shy AC Milan in the San Siro, but the Magpies could be in for a rude awakening when they welcome the classy PSG to St James' Park on Wednesday night.

Eddie Howe's men will host a PSG side that beat Dortmund in the first round of matches and the French heavyweights can make it two wins out of two with a hard-fought 2-1 win over the Toon Army.

Steve Chambers' Prediction: Newcastle 1-2 PSG

RB Leipzig vs Man City

• Wednesday 4th October, 8pm, TNT Sports 1

Man City have suffered back to back defeats first in the EFL Cup (1-0 Newcastle), then the Premier League at the weekend (2-1 Wolves) and should be prepared for a hat-trick of losses.

In their last four visits to Germany, Manchester City have been unable to secure a victory, including their two recent trips to Leipzig, which resulted in a 1-1 draw last season, plus a prior 2-1 defeat at the Red Bull Arena and I can't see the story changing much here.

Michael Bates' Prediction: RB Leipzig 2-1 Man City

Celtic vs Lazio

• Wednesday 4th October, 8pm, TNT Sports 3

It's remarkably been 10 years since Celtic carved out a home win in the Champions league group stages, so they will need to change this sorry stat if they are to have any chance of progressing through to the knockout stages, having lost 2-0 to Feyenoord in their opening game.

Celtic host an inconistent Lazio side who have lost four of their eight games in all competitions, yet have beaten defending Italian champions Napoli in Naples, and rescued a point at home to Atletico Madrid in Europe. I think this game is going to be end-to-end as both teams look to stamp three points on the board, with a 2-2 draw appealing at 12/1.

Jack Kitson's Prediction: Celtic 2-2 Lazio