UEFA Champions League Matchday 4: Premier League Giants Face Crucial European Tests
The Prime News Network delivers an exclusive preview of critical Champions League fixtures as six English powerhouses battle for knockout stage supremacy on November 4-5, 2025.
Slavia Prague vs Arsenal: Unbeaten Gunners Target Historic Shutout Run
Slavia Prague’s 17-game winless streak in European competition faces its sternest test yet against Mikel Arteta’s relentless Arsenal squad. The Gunners stand alone as Europe’s most dominant side after completing an unprecedented six-win October in the Premier League without conceding a single goal. Saturday’s 2-0 victory over Burnley extended their unbeaten run to nine matches across all competitions, with Arsenal currently topping both the English top flight and Champions League Group B with three clean-sheet victories.
Prague’s five-match clean sheet run provides their only hope, though back-to-back goalless group draws and a loss to Inter Milan leave them rooted at 28th in the standings. Injuries cripple the Czech champions’ depth, while Arsenal will be without star striker Viktor Gyökeres after his premature exit against Burnley. An Emirates Stadium-caliber performance could see the Gunners become the first club since 2007 to achieve four consecutive Champions League clean sheets.
Liverpool vs Real Madrid: Alexander-Arnold Homecoming Ignites Anfield
Trent Alexander-Arnold’s potential return to Anfield fuels this Group A blockbuster as the former Liverpool vice-captain seeks playing time under manager Xabi Alonso. Despite Real Madrid’s dominant LaLiga position (five points clear) and perfect 3W-0D Champions League record, Alexander-Arnold has remained an unused substitute in Madrid’s last two fixtures.
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot confirmed: “I have great memories of Trent as both player and human. My vice-captain will receive a warm welcome from me personally.” The Reds arrive off Saturday’s lucky 1-0 victory over Aston Villa – only their second win in eight matches – while Madrid boast a staggering 4-0 demolition of Valencia in their last outing. Last season’s 2-0 Anfield victory broke Liverpool’s eight-match losing streak against Spanish opponents, making this clash pivotal for Group A supremacy.
Tottenham Hotspur vs Copenhagen: Spurs’ Home Fortress Meets Danish Underdogs
Spurs confront stark duality: their abysmal 13-point haul from 19 Premier League home matches versus an unbroken 21-game European unbeaten streak at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Saturday’s Chelsea defeat triggered fan boos after registering a club-record low 0.05 xG, yet Ange Postecoglou’s side remains unbeaten in Champions League Group C (1W-2D).
Copenhagen’s dire road form (2 wins in 21 European away matches) offers Spurs relief, though Danish prodigy Viktor Dagsson’s record-breaking goal as the third-youngest UCL scorer (17y 113d) injects danger. With Copenhagen dead last in the standings on one point and languishing in 32nd position, Tottenham’s home advantage becomes non-negotiable for advancing from this chaotic group.
Qarabag vs Chelsea: Blues Seek Azerbaijan Redemption
Chelsea travel to Baku seeking revenge after their 2019 Europa League final heartbreak against Arsenal. Historical dominance favors the Blues – they’ve crushed Qarabag 10-0 across two 2017/18 group encounters – though Azerbaijan’s four-time champions currently mirror Chelsea’s 2W-1L group record.
Qarabag’s seven-match winless streak against English clubs includes six consecutive shutout losses, yet their second-place domestic standing (one point behind Turan Tovuz) proves dangerous form. Chelsea arrive buoyed by Saturday’s Spurs victory and a historic 5-1 Ajax demolition featuring three teenage scorers – the first such trio in Champions League history. Manager Enzo Maresca must navigate without Estevao Willian amid mounting pressure to salvage European credibility.
Manchester City vs Borussia Dortmund: Haaland’s Homecoming Showdown
Erling Haaland’s return to Etihad Stadium ignites this Group D clash after the Norwegian’s 26-goal season haul (including two on Sunday). City’s 22-match unbeaten home record in Champions League group stages faces Dortmund’s lethal attack – the only team with three consecutive four-goal European outings this season.
Pep Guardiola’s squad remains the competition’s lowest-scoring top-12 club (6 goals), exposing over-reliance on Haaland, while Dortmund’s domestic scoring drought (one goal in five Bundesliga matches) creates tactical intrigue. With both clubs level on seven points, this encounter could decide group leadership as City pursue their first perfect home group stage since 2018.
Newcastle United vs Athletic Club: Magpies’ Home Fortress vs Basque Slump
Newcastle’s St James’ Park sanctuary becomes critical against struggling Athletic Bilbao. Eddie Howe’s side boasts four straight home wins (9 goals scored, 1 conceded) and has lost just four European home fixtures since 2000 – Saturday’s West Ham defeat making away form toxic.
Athletic Club arrives reeling from 11th-place LaLiga standing and just two wins in 11 matches, despite beating Qarabag in their last UCL outing. Inaki Williams’ injury (out until 2026) cripples Bilbao’s attack, while Newcastle monitor Anthony Gordon’s hip issue after his West Ham withdrawal. The Magpies’ failure to qualify for last season’s knockout stage adds urgency to this must-win group decider.
