After Manchester experienced contrasting fortunes yesterday, its time for Liverpool and Tottenham to restart their Champions League campaigns.
Tottenham face a must win match if they’re to realistically stay in the hunt for a knockout spot whilst Liverpool host Red Star Belgrade. Other highlights include Borussia Dortmund vs Atletico Madrid and a competitive Group D.
Group A
Club Brugge vs Monaco (5:55pm)
Borussia Dortmund vs Atletico Madrid (8:00pm)
Club Brugge have produced two decent performances so far in a tough group, although Monaco will be their toughest test realistically in terms of that qualifying spot for Europa League knockouts.
Monaco’s biggest weakness so far has been defence and this is Thierry Henry’s first Champions League match as a manager, so they need a good performance but I can see Brugge having the edge.
Dortmund and Atletico meanwhile can afford a draw here given their lead but I can see the Bundesliga side just edging this because of their impressive home form this season.
Predictions:
Club Brugge 1-0 Monaco
Borussia Dortmund 2-1 Atletico Madrid
Group B
PSV Eindhoven vs Tottenham Hotspur (5:55pm)
Barcelona vs Inter Milan (8:00pm)
Embed from Getty ImagesFor Tottenham, this is a must win if they’re to keep their Champions League hopes alive but PSV are also in a similar situation.
I can see a tight game here because Spurs haven’t been at their best attack wise in recent games, managing to eek out 1-0 wins in last two outings which is something that great teams can manage to do.
PSV meanwhile don’t have a great home record across both European competitions in recent years, and have won just two of last 15 Champions League clashes with an English side.
Ultimately, I can’t see past Tottenham for victory here.
Over at Nou Camp, Barcelona have to be careful because both of Inter Milan’s wins have come from behind so a draw here would be a good bet.
Predictions:
PSV Eindhoven 0-1 Tottenham Hotspur
Barcelona 1-1 Inter Milan
Group C (8:00pm)
Liverpool vs Red Star Belgrade
PSG vs Napoli
Embed from Getty ImagesEven without a full strength team available, Liverpool should easily beat Red Star Belgrade here given the gulf in quality.
PSG vs Napoli meanwhile is a pivotal match because it could very well settle who is likely to join Liverpool in the knockouts.
Unlike their visitors, PSG have plenty of goal scorers across the pitch but Napoli will play the long game here and try and repeat what they did to Liverpool last time out.
If they can make that work and find that all important goal then you have to fear for PSG’s title hopes, but I can see the home side just having that extra edge with Neymar or Kylian Mbappe netting the winner.
Predictions:
Liverpool 2-0 Red Star Belgrade
PSG 2-1 Napoli
Group D (8:00pm)
Galatarasay vs Schalke
Lokomotiv Moscow vs Porto
This is a very tight group and any of these sides could still go through, making these fixtures the toughest to call.
Schalke face a tough test at Galatarasay because the home fans will make this a tough place to visit. The German side are also yet to score in first half this season unlike their Turkish hosts who will be confident of getting at least a draw.
I can therefore see an away win the longer it stays goalless but Galatasaray aren’t an easy team to keep quiet.
Porto meanwhile should easily overcome a Lokomotiv Moscow side who are yet to score in this group, but if Lokomotiv can find a first half goal then anything could happen.
Predictions:
Galatasaray 1-1 Schalke
Lokomotiv Moscow 1-2 Porto
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