Tonight sees another round of return fixtures as Manchester City and United aim to move closer to booking their knockout spots.
Group E (8:00pm)
Benfica vs Ajax
Bayern Munich vs AEK Athens
Bayern Munich and Ajax can book their knockout places here with victory, although I can see only Bayern definitely doing that.
AEK Athens put up a good fight last time out but at home, I can see Bayern being too strong with a heavy defeat coming the Greeks’ way.
Benfica meanwhile can keep their hopes alive if avoid defeat but really need a win over Ajax, if are to stand a decent shot at taking that second qualification spot.
Given how tight their meeting a fortnight ago was, I am expecting similar but home advantage should just help Benfica here.
Predictions:
Benfica 1-0 Ajax
Bayern Munich 3-0 AEK Athens
Group F (8:00pm)
Lyon vs Hoffenheim
Manchester City vs Shakhtar Donetsk
Embed from Getty ImagesThis round of fixtures could very well define the outcome of Group F as victory coupled with a Hoffenheim loss would see Manchester City qualify, whilst Lyon would be on the cusp of joining them in last 16 if can beat the Bundesliga side.
Man City in recent weeks have been in rampant form momentum wise and thrashed Shakhtar Donetsk in Ukraine, but their home form this calendar year has been poor in Champions League with three consecutive defeats, all by 2-1 results.
I however can see that run ending here because Shakhtar don’t really offer anything which could trouble City.
Over in Lyon, this should be a fun match because both teams have scored in every group match so far. Although Hoffenheim are impressive when attacking, their defence however seems to be the most vulnerable between these sides so I am backing Lyon to edge it here.
Predictions:
Lyon 2-1 Hoffenheim
Manchester City 3-0 Shakhtar Donetsk
Group G
CSKA Moscow vs AS Roma (5:55pm)
Viktoria Plzen vs Real Madrid (8:00pm)
With Julen Lopetegui gone, Real should easily beat Viktoria Plzen here and move closer towards the last 16.
Over in Moscow, this could be very interesting in the battle for that second knockout spot because CSKA beat Real Madrid with a superb performance and early goal.
Roma however have been in fierce form since an opening defeat in Madrid, scoring eight across last two games and Edin Dzeko has scored five goals across those two matches, including two last time out at home to the Russian side.
A draw therefore would be a good result for Roma but I can see them winning this.
Predictions:
Viktoria Plzen 0-3 Real Madrid
CSKA Moscow 1-2 AS Roma
Group H
Valencia vs Young Boys (5:55pm)
Juventus vs Manchester United (8:00pm)
Embed from Getty ImagesFor Manchester United, victory in Turin will place qualification in their own hands against Young Boys and Valencia in their last two group matches.
Juventus however will be a tough side to beat, having won seven of their eight home games in all competitions this season, drawing the other 1-1 against Genoa in Serie A.
United however are one of two sides to have won in Turin on more than one occasion, which will provide them with extra confidence on top of recent upturn in fortunes.
We therefore should see a good game here and a draw would be a decent result for United.
Valencia meanwhile need to beat Young Boys and despite struggling for goals so far, I can see them maximising home advantage to deliver a solid win and pile pressure on United.
Predictions:
Valencia 2-0 Young Boys
Juventus 1-1 Manchester United
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