Current track

Title

Artist

Current show

Non-Stop BTR

6:00 am 7:00 am

Current show

Non-Stop BTR

6:00 am 7:00 am

Background

Charlie’s European predictions: Will the English trio all progress to the semi-finals?

Written by on 10/08/2020

Charlie Nicholas returns with his European predictions ahead of the quarter finals of the Champions League and the Europa League.

EUROPA LEAGUE QUARTER-FINALS

Manchester United v Copenhagen, Monday – 8pm

I am expecting a decent performance from Manchester United. As expected, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer played a few differing names in their win again LASK, but he will want this trophy, understandably so. The United manager probably needed to throw in four or five to liven this team up.

Solskjaer is convinced about Mason Greenwood and Marcus Rashford, but I do not know about Anthony Martial. When Martial comes off the bench, he is desperate to be the top goalscorer, and he has an agenda for it, when sometimes he can look lacklustre.

It would not surprise me if Martial and Rashford were seeing between them who will score the more goals. They pass to each other and the relationship between them is a healthy and competitive one.

There is talk again surrounding the contract of Paul Pogba being renewed, but I do not see the longevity and relationship there to do it. I don’t see it when they are targeting the likes of Jadon Sancho and other players, with Bruno Fernandes set to become an even bigger cog in the system.

I am still not convinced defensively by United, but this is a game where I fancy them to win comfortably, and they are good value for a comfortable victory too.

CHARLIE PREDICTS: 3-0 (6/1 with Sky Bet)

Wolves v Sevilla, Tuesday – 8pm

Sevilla have been the kings of the Europa League for a long time. When you look at Sevilla, they have mostly been a team that have been coming and going in La Liga.

With fans, there was always something about it being a hostile place to go to, but who were the danger men? They were always in attack.

This season was better, finishing fourth on goal difference behind Atletico Madrid. Sevilla have pace, power and the ability to make games awkward. Lucas Ocampos is a threat and a real handful, but the days of Frederic Kanoute have drifted, and they do not have players with real superstar status, although they do have dangerous competition status. They do know all about it.

Wolves have looked sluggish since the restart, when I was expecting the opposite, but this is a challenge their players will enjoy. It is a one-off fixture at a neutral situation, where it can be awkward.

Wolves will enjoy this and Sevilla may not be able to work them out – Raul Jimenez got them through the last tie against Olympiakos and the Mexico striker will get them through again.

CHARLIE PREDICTS: 2-1 (11/1 with Sky Bet)

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE QUARTER-FINALS

Manchester City v Lyon

Most teams make chances against City in reality. Lesser teams in the Premier League have done it, as we saw against Norwich in the past along with other teams, so Lyon can do it.

Memphis Depay is now a real player and will love this scenario. He was too self-indulgent at United and that is how he sees himself. He is a star player, but at Lyon you see it a lot more than at United, and for that reason he is a dangerous prospect for the City defence.

Moussa Dembele seems to be in and out of the team, so I cannot work that out. He was linked with Chelsea, and was bought for a fair value from Celtic.

How will Lyon set up? You have to get hold of the ball and Lyon may only get 30 per cent in the game, but what will they do with it in that time?

What we saw with City against Real Madrid was enough. Raheem Sterling’s pace, Gabriel Jesus has got his confidence back with a nice finish, and Kevin De Bruyne is simply wonderful to watch.

I was encouraged by the position Pep Guardiola played Phil Foden in against Real. The youngster will be ahead of Riyad Mahrez, but Pep could turn it and say this week you are not! That is the edge that he likes to keep them on.

Foden on the wide left, Sterling and Jesus, with De Bruyne in behind may be how City shape up. The hard bit is getting to the final and winning it, but I can see City going past Lyon with ease in this one.

CHARLIE PREDICTS: 3-1 (10/1 with Sky Bet)

(c) Sky Sports 2020: Charlie’s European predictions: Will the English trio all progress to the semi-finals?