Liverpool and Chelsea are on the brink of an early exit from the Champions League, while the group stages end teams around Europe in the best club competition in the world on Wednesday
This season’s UEFA Champions League has been something of a curate’s egg, with some real drama in groups that some might not have expected, while others have been regulation fare throughout.
Paris St. Germain are already through their group as winners, with Real Madrid progressing as runners up. Bayern Munich are in the top slot and can’t be caught by already qualified Tottenham. Barcelona and Manchester City are already looking forward to the knockouts with the air of bored conquistador awaiting another easy fight.
In other groups, matters are far from settled – particularly involving the European Champions and Europa League winners from last season. Both Liverpool and Chelsea have a big job on their hands just in getting out of their group, but conversely, could still go through as group winners.
Red Bull Salzburg vs. Liverpool (5:55 pm GMT kick-off)
It’s hard to see this one finishing 0-0. In their last five games, Liverpool have won four and drawn one, scoring 13 goals. Salzburg themselves have won three, drawn two and scored an incredible 15 goals, including five at home in their last game at the Red Bull Arena.
The match is, of course, the Sadio Mané derby, with the Liverpool striker having spent two prolific seasons in Austria, scoring 31 times in 63 games for Die Mozartstädter. Mané, rested against Bournemouth at the weekend, is going to be desperate to help Liverpool progress, which they would do with just a draw. Win and they’ll win the group, but lose and they could face the ignominy of being relegated to Europa League competition for the remainder of the season, something which could seriously impact their title hopes if Leicester City keep winning.
The Reds will be going all out, but with Erling Braut Håland having joined from Molde in the summer and scoring 16 goals in just 14 games so far for the Austrian side, Liverpool will need to watch out.
Our tip: Both teams to score and a draw (19/5)
Chelsea vs. Lille (8:00 pm GMT kick-off)
A match that looked a formality a few weeks ago now looks anything but. While Frank Lampard’s team have blown some teams away this season, other less-fancied teams have caused them serious problems. Sheffield United and Everton have both taken points off The Blues when most expected them to make mincemeat of those opponents.
As a result, just like their draw against Valencia saw Chelsea leave Champions League qualification to the final gameweek, The Blues are in need of help. Lampard’s team must beat Valencia’s result at Ajax or hope the Spaniards win in Holland is coupled with their own to progress.
Despite needing goals, then, Chelsea come up against a team who have become specialists at stopping them happening. Lille have won their last three games by the score of 1-0, including an impressive victory at Lyon from which they might confidently outline the basis of their gameplan.
If Chelsea can win, it’s unlikely to come easy. We think it won’t be goal-packed, either.
Our tip: Under 2.5 goals (8/5)
Champions League fixtures:
Tuesday December 10th
Napoli vs Genk (5:55 pm GMT kick-off)
Red Bull Salzburg vs. Liverpool (5:55 pm GMT kick-off)
Ajax vs. Valencia (8:00 pm GMT kick-off)
Benfica vs. Zenit St. Petersburg (8:00 pm GMT kick-off)
Chelsea vs. Lille (8:00 pm GMT kick-off)
Dortmund vs. Slavia Prague (8:00 pm GMT kick-off)
Inter vs. Barcelona (8:00 pm GMT kick-off)
Lyon vs.RB Leipzig (8:00 pm GMT kick-off)
Wednesday December 11th
Dynamo Zagreb vs. Man City (5:55 pm GMT kick-off)
Shakhtar Donetsk vs. Atalanta (5:55 pm GMT kick-off)
Atlético Madrid vs. Lokomotiv Moscow (8:00 pm GMT kick-off)
Bayern Munich vs. Spurs (8:00 pm GMT kick-off)
Club Brugge vs. Real Madrid (8:00 pm GMT kick-off)
Bayer Leverkusen vs. Juventus (8:00 pm GMT kick-off)
Olympiakos vs. Red Star Belgrade (8:00 pm GMT kick-off)
PSG vs. Galatasaray (8:00 pm GMT kick-off)
