Champions League Matchday 3 Preview and Predictions

Tuesday Matches

Prediction: Shakhtar 2- Dinamo Zagreb 1

Atletico Madrid (ESP) – Bayern Leverkusen (GER)- Group D co-leaders Atletico look to take another step forward in securing a spot in the knockout stages as they host winless Leverkusen. This would seem to be an easy win for Atletico but Leverkusen have recently found a winning form and confidence in the Bundesliga after winning the last 2 matches. Meanwhile, Leverkusen have never won at Madrid and are allowing on average 2.5 goals a game. Expect Leverkusen to play a defensive game for most if not all of the 90 minutes as they look to salvage a point away from home.

Prediction: Atletico Madrid 3- Bayern Leverkusen 0

Club Brugge (BEL) – Paris Saint-Germain (FRA)- Surprising Club Brugge host group A leaders Paris in an interesting matchup. This is the second tough test for the Belgian side after surprising 2-2 draw with Real Madrid in the Bernabeu after being up 2-0 for most of the match. Brugge handled the pressure of playing away against a European giant like Real Madrid to perfection and took it to the giants from the beginning of the match. If Brugge is able to win or even salvage a point after hosting the French giants then their chances of being able to secure one of the two knockout spots is realistic. Brugge are currently on a six match unbeaten run in the Champions League and will definitely be put to the test by Paris. Paris can already qualify for the knockout stage with a win and if Galatasaray can hold off Real Madrid.

Prediction: Brugge 2- Paris 2

Galatasaray (TUR) – Real Madrid (ESP)- This other group A match is a definite must win for Real Madrid. Its safe to say this year’s Madrid is not as dominant as it has been in the past and the defense is very shaky at best. At times the Madrid defense looked slow and lost against Brugge in their 2-2 draw at home in Matchday 2. Playing in Istanbul is tough and Madrid will be pressured all 90 minutes but need to find a way to win to get their Champions League confidence back against a tough defensive Galatasaray side that is allowing 0.5 goals per game this Champions League campaign.

Prediction: Galatasaray 2- Madrid 1

Olympiacos (GRE) – Bayern Münich (GER)- Group B leaders Bayern look to continue their impressive offensive performance against a Greek side that has never beaten Bayern but are unbeaten in their last 10 UEFA home games. Playing in Greece isn’t easy, its going to be loud the entire 90 minutes but Bayern is an experienced team and should not have a problem in this match up. Olympiacos is allowing 2.5 goals per game on average and Bayern managed to score 7 goals on Tottenham so this game could get out of hand fast if the Greeks aren’t ready defensively.

Prediction: Olympiacos 1- Bayern Münich 4

Tottenham (ENG) – Crvena Zvezda (SRB) – This Group B match up is crucial to both teams trying to stay in the hunt. The loser of this game may be pretty much eliminated from any chance to advance to the knockout stage. Crvena sit in second place with 3 points while Tottenham find themselves in last place after the 7 goals they allowed to Bayern last round. Tottenham’s confidence is low but a win against the Serbian side could help them find the confidence they need to battle through the second half of the group phase and qualify for the next round. However, a loss here for Tottenham would likely make it impossible to qualify for the knockout stage.

Prediction: Tottenham 2- Crvena 0

Manchester City (ENG) – Atalanta (ITA) – This group C match up is probably the most lopsided match up of all the Tuesday games. The powerful Manchester city offense host Atalanta, who is participating in the competition for the first time in club history. Many expected more from the Italian side that earned the last Champions League spot in the final Matchday of Serie A last season. Atalanta have looked lost and even timid in their first time participating in the tournament. They have yet to earn a point and the drought is expected to continue as they visit Man City who have won their last 5 UEFA matches.

Prediction: Manchester City 4 – Atalanta 0

Juventus (ITA) – Lokomotiv Moskva (RUS) – Group D co-leaders Juventus host Russian side Lokomotiv. Juventus has never lost to the Russian side in Champions League competition. Ronaldo is averaging a goal every 60 minutes against the Russian sides. You can reasonably expect to see Ronaldo score at some point. Lokomotiv is expected to play very defensively and use counter attacks to try and leave Italy with something.

Prediction: Jueventus 2- Lokomotiv 0

Wednesday Matches

Leipzig(GER) – Zenit(RUS) – Group G is the group where any team can win. Currently Zenit find themselves tied for the group lead with four points but the German side is only 1 point behind. Zenit come into this game with a better form winning 4 of their last 5 matches in all competitions. Leipzig currently sit in 5th spot in the Bundesliga, only trailing the current leader by 2 points. This should be a low scoring match as both teams are allowing 1 goal per match.

Prediction: Leipzig 1- Zenit 1

Ajax(NED) – Chelsea(ENG) – Probably the best match of the day as Group H leader Ajax try to build on their 3 point lead over Chelsea. It will be interesting to see if Chelsea give Christian Pulisic some playing time in the Champions League. Pulisic has struggled lately and hasn’t seen much playing time but manager Frank Lampard has made it clear that it is normal and part of the transition it takes younger players coming from other leagues. History is on Chelsea’s side, as in the last 6 home games against English oppositions, Ajax has only been able to win once. Additionally, Chelsea is undefeated in their last 9 European away games.

Prediction: Ajax 1- Chelsea 2

Salzburg(AUT) – Napoli(ITA) – Group E is up for grabs as Napoli leads with 4 points while Salzburg and Liverpool have 3 points each. The Austrian side, led by American Jesse Marsch, have also been a surprise this Champions League season, playing very well and scoring lots of goals. This is a battle of offense vs defense as Salzburg have scored 9 goals so far this group stage and Napoli have yet to concede. Salzburg have shown they aren’t afraid to go against the the European giants as they came back from a 2 goal deficit against Liverpool. Salzburg ended up losing 3-2 but gained a lot of confidence with their performance. It will be interesting to see how the Salzburg defense handles Hirving “Chucky” Lozano who has made an immediate impact on the Napoli offense. Chucky’s speed could cause serious problems for Salzburg.

Prediction: Salzburg 2- Napoli 2

Genk(BEL) – Liverpool(ENG) – Many expected Liverpool to be undefeated and in first place of group E at this point but that hasn’t been the case. Liverpool havent look convincing as they lost to Napoli and looked shaky defensively, allowing Salzburg to tie the game after being down 2 goals. This is a good opportunity for Liverpool to get back on track. In their last 13 matches against Belgian teams, Liverpool have won 10 and only lost 1. Liverpool come into this match winning their last 5 games in all competitions. Genk are conceding average of 3 goals this Champions League campaign so you can expect Genk to play all 11 players behind the midfield line. If Liverpool is able to break down the Genk defense and score in the first half it could get ugly for Genk.

Prediction: Genk 0- Liverpool 3

Inter Milan(ITA) – Dortmund(GER) – Great match up in group F with Dortmund leading the group with 4 points and Inter trailing with 1 point. In their last 6 games hosting German clubs, Inter has no wins with just one draw. Dortmund have yet to concede a goal in group stage while only averaging one goal per game. Inter are only averaging one goal per game as well so this could be a very low scoring affair. Romelu Lukaku has revived his career at Inter after struggling with Manchester United and it’ll be interesting to see how Lukaku’s physical style of play can cause problems for Dortmund.

Prediction: Inter 1- Dortmund 1

Slavia Praha(CZE) – Barcelona(ESP) – Group F co-leader Barcelona visit Slavia Praha who are trying to show the world they belong in the knock out stage. If Slavia don’t manage to salvage a point it could end any chance of them reaching the knockout stage. Messi is averaging a goal every 60 minutes against Czech clubs. Slavia havent scored a goal in their last 3 Champions League home matches.

Prediction: Slavia 0- Barcelona 4

Benfica (POR) – Lyon(FRA) – If Benfica want to get back into the fight in Group G they are going to have to win at home against Lyon. Benfica are in last place with no points but only trail the leaders by 4, so 3 points would be crucial to their hopes of reaching the next stage. Lyon is currently struggling as they have only won one game of their last 5 in all competitions and in relegation zone in the Ligue 1. Look for Benfica to take advantage of Lyon’s struggles and get back into the fight for a knockout round spot.

Prediction: Benfica 2 – Lyon 0

Losc Lille(FRA) – Valencia(ESP) – Valencia need points from this group H match up if they want to stay in the hunt for a knockout spot. Valencia’s last 5 away European matches have resulted in 3 wins, 1 loss, and 1 draw. Lille are without a win in their last 13 UEFA games and have never beaten Valencia. Valencia should come out fast and strong as they would like a win to secure the 3 points and put pressure on Chelsea and Ajax.

Prediction: Lille 0- Valencia 2