We have finally reached the final week of Champions League group fixtures with knockout spots still up for grabs.
Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur are just two of many sides who must win to stand any chance at qualifying for the last 16.
Group A (8:00pm)
Club Brugge vs Atletico Madrid
AS Monaco vs Borussia Dortmund
With this group totally sorted, all that remains is to settle who finishes top between Atletico Madrid and Borussia Dortmund.
Whilst Dortmund should easily see off Monaco given the latter’s poor home form, I can see Club Brugge giving Atletico a real go here but the La Liga ought to edge this.
Predictions:
Club Brugge 0-1 Atletico Madrid
AS Monaco 0-2 Borussia Dortmund
Group B (8:00pm)
Barcelona vs Tottenham Hotspur
Inter Milan vs PSV
Embed from Getty ImagesThis is an absolute must win for Tottenham because a draw or loss could prove costly, depending on what Inter Milan do against PSV.
Those thoughts are clearly echoed by Mauricio Pochettino who rested key players at weekend whilst managing to outplay a dominant Leicester side.
With Harry Kane and Christian Eriksen both amongst those returning to the starting eleven, they need to take advantage of their freshness against a Barcelona side who are missing Luis Suarez and possibly Lionel Messi.
Should they successfully manage that and don’t repeat their implosion from the Arsenal game just over a week ago, there will be one result.
Inter Milan meanwhile need to end their habit of scoring late at home because if Spurs can get ahead at Nou Camp, the pressure is only going to rise over at the San Siro and PSV will punish any nerves which may creep in the longer it stays goalless.
On that note, I am going for a draw but the first goal will be key for Inter and Spurs.
Predictions:
Barcelona 1-2 Tottenham Hotspur
Inter Milan 1-1 PSV
Group C (8:00pm)
Red Star Belgrade vs PSG
Liverpool vs Napoli
Embed from Getty ImagesAlthough Red Star Belgrade are tricky to beat at home, PSG have the quality to see off this side and progress to make Liverpool vs Napoli at Anfield effectively a six pointer.
Napoli might of nicked the win in Naples but Anfield is a very difficult place to go to and win at, as demonstrated by the fact that only Porto have avoided conceding without scoring in past two seasons (including this group stage).
Add in the fact that Liverpool have only lost twice at home since April 2017 (both defeats coming in domestic cups) then I can see scenes of jubilation come full time.
Predictions:
Red Star Belgrade 0-2 PSG
Liverpool 2-0 Napoli
Group D (5:55pm)
Schalke vs Lokomotiv Moscow
Galatasaray vs Porto
Like Group A, this group is done and dusted but the focus is on Galatasaray and Lokomotiv Moscow in race for third and Europa League Football.
Given Lokomotiv’s awful away performances at Galatasaray and Porto, I don’t see them getting a point let alone a needed win. Galatasaray meanwhile have fared solidly at home with a win and draw so can see them getting a draw if can keep pace with a tough Porto side.
Predictions:
Schalke 3-0 Lokomotiv Moscow
Galatasaray 1-1 Porto
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