After 88 group matches, we have finally reached the final matchday of Champions League group games as Groups E-H are completed.
Manchester City and Manchester United are both through but there is plenty to play for with top spots at stake in three groups and the Europa League spots are all still to be settled.
Group E (8:00pm)
Ajax vs Bayern Munich
Benfica vs AEK Athens
The only thing left to sort in this group is top spot between Ajax and Bayern Munich as Benfica have finished third ahead of AEK Athens, and I can see the Portuguese side winning their clash rather comfortably.
Over in the Netherlands, this is a hard one to call because both sides have fared well home/away.
Although Ajax will make it hard, Bayern need to start showing their hand if are to be serious contenders in the knockouts so am backing them to win here.
Predictions:
Ajax 1-3 Bayern Munich
Benfica 2-0 AEK Athens
Group F (8:00pm)
Manchester City vs Hoffenheim
Shakhtar Donetsk vs Lyon
Embed from Getty ImagesAll Manchester City need is a point and they will be through as group winners but have an injury crisis on their hands.
Hoffenheim meanwhile must beat City to stand any chance of overhauling Shakhtar Donetsk for third, which will give them an additional edge if Pep Guardiola hands the youth a chance.
City however know that topping the group will hand them an easier last 16 tie, therefore making this tie a crucial one for both sides so a draw would be my guess.
As for Shakhtar’s clash with Lyon, expect a high scoring game given that the Ligue 1 side have scored at least twice in each of their five group games and drew four of those matches.
Predictions:
Manchester City 1-1 Hoffenheim
Shakhtar Donetsk 2-3 Lyon
Group G (5:55pm)
Real Madrid vs CSKA Moscow
Viktoria Plzen vs AS Roma
With top two spots all sorted and Real Madrid definite winners on head to head record against AS Roma, attention is on the fight for third as both CSKA Moscow and Viktoria Plzen face tough tests.
Sadly, I can’t see neither winning so will be routine outcomes here for my liking.
Predictions:
Real Madrid 2-0 CSKA Moscow
Viktoria Plzen 0-3 AS Roma
Group H (8:00pm)
Valencia vs Manchester United
Young Boys vs Juventus
Embed from Getty ImagesLike Group F, this group has top spot still up for grabs as well as third place with top two already confirmed.
Realistically, Juventus should see off Young Boys to take top spot given the Swiss side’s defensive struggles with no clean sheets yet compared to Juventus’ four.
That therefore would render Manchester United’s trip to Valencia a dead rubber, especially as five of seven previous meetings ended in draws. United however cannot afford to give up hope in case Juventus slips up, so wouldn’t be a surprise if they nicked this at the death.
Predictions:
Valencia 1-2 Manchester United
Young Boys 0-2 Juventus
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