This Champions League preview is packed with quality, with two excellent games from across the continent.

Borussia Monchengladbach or that German side, host Manchester City at Borussia Park looking to avenge the first round loss, that saw them defeated by the hefty margin of 4-0. They will also be looking to avenge last seasons loss which saw City cap a remarkable 3-2 win.

Manchester City are looking to register back to back wins, both in the Champions League but also successive games. They beat Crystal Palace at the weekend but more crucially they comfortably beat Barcelona at the Etihad 3-1 in an incredible performance from the Blues.

Borussia Monchengladbach vs Manchester City – Wednesday 23rd November 2016 – 19:45 - BT Sport

Borussia Monchengladbach

Borussia Monchengladbach welcome Manchester City to Borussia Park, in the fifth round of matches from this season's Champions League group stage.

Borussia Monchengladbach have enjoyed a poor start to the Bundesliga season, they find themselves in 13th after 11 games.

They come into this match on the back of a 2-1 defeat at home against Cologne, who have risen up to third.

The hosts got off to an excellent start when Stindl scored the opener in the 32nd minute, but that was as good as it got for the hosts.

Two second half goals from Modeste (59) and a late goal from Risse (90+1) ensured it was a miserable afternoon for that German side.

Tough European Group

Borussia Monchengladbach have two huge challenges this season, to compete both domestically and in Europe.

With Manchester City, Barcelona and Celtic in their group progression to the last 16 is looking unlikely, they could realistically target a third-placed finish.

Two wins in their last two matches could secure their progression to the last 16 though, it is imperative they make use of home advantage.

Manchester City Favourites

Borussia Monchengladbach come into this match as underdogs but that could play into their hands, with nothing to lose they could produce an excellent performance.

Manchester City have been dominant this season, in the reverse fixture last year City won 4-2 at the Etihad.

Gladbach come into this match in poor form but this fixture against Guardiola and City will be another tough game.

Monchengladbach are 3/1 with Raffael Caetano at 7/1 to score first. 

Borussia Monchengladbach

City In Good Form

Manchester City won their match at the weekend against Crystal Palace 2-1, a result that will have delighted Pep Guardiola.

It was a dominant performance, with Yaya Toure returning from his long exile with two goals (39, 83).

Palace had equalised through Connor Wickham (66), but it proved to be nothing more than a consolation.

The result is a step in the right direction, with Guardiola's men drawing three of their last six matches.

Incredible Season So Far

New coach Pep Guardiola will be looking to continue their excellent form, they have lost just two matches in all competitions.

The Champions League is where City will target improvement, with Manuel Pellegrini and his side reaching the semi-finals of the tournament last season.

City and Gladbach are no strangers having played each other last season, with City winning both of those games as well.

Same Again For Pep

The match against Borussia Monchengladbach sees Manchester City emerge as favourites, with their excellent form this season and last season's double contributing.

Guardiola and his side face a tough challenge in Group C, with Barcelona, Celtic and Borussia Monchengladbach competing for the last 16 places.

Pep will be looking for City to continue their excellent record against Monchengladbach, with three wins from three matches.

Man City are 4/5 with Sergio Aguero is at 3/1 to open the scoring.

 

The second match sees Celtic's biggest game of the season when Barcelona visit Parkhead. The home side do not have happy memories of the last encounter where Barcelona and Messi ran riot in a 7-0 hammering. Celtic remain unbeaten in the SPL but this match will be like nothing they face up in Scotland.

Barcelona come into this match after another frustrating result in La Liga, their goalless draw against Malaga compounded by the fact that Malaga had two men sent off. They will also be looking to get over their comprehensive defeat against Manchester City in their last outing.

Celtic vs Barcelona – Wednesday 23rd September 2016 – 19:45 - BT Sport

Celtic

Celtic welcome Barcelona to Parkhead in the fifth round of matches from this season's Champions League group stage.

Celtic have had an excellent start to life under Brendan Rodgers this season, with the Scottish Champions still unbeaten.

They come into this match on the back of a 1-0 win against Kilmarnock at the weekend, in a tight affair at Rugby Park.

Stuart Armstrong's goal in the 44th minute was enough to give Celtic all three points, a result that sees them extend their advantage at the top of the SPL.

European Progress The Target

After the miserable season they endured in Europe last year, Celtic will be looking to put an improved performance in this season.

The clubs marker this season will be to compete in the Champions League, even if they fail to qualify for the last 16, a third-placed finish will be considered progress.

Celtic are bottom of the group with just two points from their opening four matches, with draws against Borussia Monchengladbach and Manchester City the highlights.

Brendan Rodgers would love to cement a first win in the Champions League as Celtic boss, they don't come much bigger than Barcelona though.

Barcelona Heavy Favourites

Celtic come into this match as underdogs but this could work in their favour, it could allow them the freedom to express themselves.

Parkhead is a tough place to go and Barcelona rarely lose, particularly in the Champions League.

This will be a tough fixture, with memories of the 7-0 drubbing at the Camp Nou still fresh in their minds.

Celtic will be looking to register their first win against the Catalans since 2012, with goals from Victor Wanyama and Tony Watt securing an incredible win.

Celtic are 9/1 with Leigh Griffiths and Moussa Dembele at 9/1 to score first.

Celtic

Barcelona's Slow Start

The Catalans have had a frustrating start to this new season, particularly in La Liga where they trail Real Madrid.

They come into this match on the back of a frustrating 0-0 draw against Malaga at the Camp Nou.

It was made even more frustrating for the Catalans in light of the fact that Malaga finished the game with nine men.

Both Llorente (68) and Juan Carlos (90+7) were given their marching orders.

Mixed Season So Far

Barcelona started the season in excellent fashion, they have stuttered since then, losing two and drawing two matches.

The defeats have been against surprising opposition, with both Celta Vigo and Alaves beating the Catalans.

Barcelona have also been defeated in the Champions League, with a shock 3-1 defeat away against Manchester City a fortnight ago.

Response Needed From Barcelona

The match against Celtic sees Barcelona emerge as overwhelming favourites, with the draw at the weekend meaning they will be even more determined to win and win well.

Barcelona won their last fixture against the Scots in emphatic fashion, putting seven past the Bhoys.

Catalans Barcelona will be looking to maintain their excellent overall record against Celtic. They have won 7, drawn 2 and lost 2 of their 11 meetings.

Barcelona are 12/7 with Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi at 11/4 to open the scoring.

 

 

Betting Tips

Tip 1 – Aguero to score first @ 3/1 and a 2-2 draw @ 11/1

Tip 2 – Messi to score first @ 11/4 and Barcelona to win 3-1 @ 9/1

 

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