The UEFA Champions League returns this week; 13-time champions Real Madrid travel to Ali Sami Yen Spor Kompleksi – Istanbul in search of their first three points of the group stage this season. Struggling Tottenham Hotspur need a response to Bayern Munich record defeat when they host Crvena zvezda in a most win group game in front of their fans. Group E leaders Napoli will aim to stop free-scoring Salzburg in their tracks at the Red Bull Arena Salzburg as we hit mid-point in the group phase.
Here is our preview of some matches across the eight groups.
Group C;
SHAKHTAR DONETSK v DINAMO ZAGREB – TUE. 22 OCT 2019, 17.55HRS
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Both Shakhtar Donetsk and Dinamo Zagreb have three points in Group C, so their meetings in Match-Day 3 and 4 could go a long way towards determining who reaches the UEFA Champions League Round of 16. Incidentally, both lost to Manchester City but earned victory against Atalanta. The Pitmen are winless in five home games in UEFA competitions and that is the challenge for Luis Castro and team to reverse this poor trend.
VERDICT – These teams met in the 2008-09 Champions League third qualifying round with Shakhtar winning both matches. The Ukrainian side triumphed 2-0 in the Donetsk first leg, before a 3-1 success in Zagreb. Dinamo are poor travelers; they have lost their last 13 group away matches. Both teams will fancy their chances in this double header. Home advantage could give Shakhtar the edge.
Group A;
GALATASARY v REAL MADRID – TUE. 22 OCT 2019, 20.00HRS
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Neither Galatasary nor Real Madrid can afford further slip up at this pivotal period in the group stage. Both teams have picked up only one point each from their first two Group A games against Club Brugge while losing to group leaders Paris Saint-Germain. The Lions warmed up nicely for this game with a victory over Sivasspor on Friday while Real Madrid suffered their first league defeat away at Mallorca. With a number of key players out injured, Zinedine Zidane will require all his managerial skill to navigate the Istanbul game.
VERDICT – This last meeting between these sides in Istanbul was Real Madrid’s first win and it was an emphatic 6-1 win in 2013. Zinedine Zidane was Carlo Ancelotti’s assistant then, Karim Benzema scored a brace and Isco got one. Galatasaray have lost their last four fixtures against Spanish clubs, while Madrid have won four of their last five matches with Turkish opposition. Both teams need a victory, we anticipate goals in this one; over 2.5 goals
Group B;
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR v CRVENA ZVEZDA – TUE. 22 OCT 2019, 20.00HRS
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Are the walls around Pochettino’s Spurs crumbling; does the Argentine manager still have the ability to turn around their current poor run? The Serbian visitors are two points better off than their host having responded to an opening defeat with a victory on Matchday 2. Spurs 7-2 defeat to Bayern was the first time in the club’s 137-year history that they had conceded seven goals at home in any competition. The manager and fans will demand a reaction but injuries and loss of confidence has seen last season runner-up look like a shadow of themselves.
VERDICT – These teams met in the third round of the UEFA Cup in 1972-73 season with both teams winning their home matches respectively but it was the English team that progressed. On current form, it is really difficult to back Tottenham, however, this team still has enough quality to see them squeeze past their visitors.
Group H;
AJAX AFC v CHELSEA – WED. 23 OCT 2019, 17.55HRS
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Last season heartbreak will still haunt Eredivisie champions Ajax as they welcome another English team to the Johan Cruijff ArenA in Amsterdam. Ajax lead the way in the group with two impressive wins over Lille and Valencia. They would be keen to test themselves against the 2012 winners who recovered from opening day defeat with a good display at Lille. Chelsea are in hot pursuit of the Dutch giants and can displace the leaders should they manage a victory in Netherlands.
VERDICT – This is the first meeting between these clubs in a competitive game. Erik ten Hag’s team have impressed in Europe; losing only two of their 18 European matches in 2018-19 season (10W 6D). Frank Lampard’s young team are exciting to watch and he loves his team playing on the front foot. Expect goals in this one; over 2.5 goals.
Group E;
SALZBURG v NAPOLI – WED. 23 OCT 2019, 20.00HRS
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Salzburg can turn the tables on Napoli should they continue their excellent form in front of goal and get the better of the group leaders. The Austrian team European campaign last season was terminated by Napoli so there is that feeling of revenge in the air for Jesse Marsch’s troops. Carlo Ancelotti is one of the master tacticians in this competition; one where he has been successful on three occasions. The Naples club are yet to suffer a defeat in the competition this season and that will be the target in Salzburg.
VERDICT – The highest scoring team in the group square up against the team that is yet to concede after two games. Can Napoli’s defeat hold out against the irresistible attacking force of Die Mozartstädter. There would be goals at Stadion Salzburg, both teams should get on the scoresheet.
Group F;
INTER MILAN v BORUSSIA DORTMUND – WED. 23 OCT 2019, 20.00HRS
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Inter cannot afford to lag behind any further in this group of death with Borussia Dortmund and Barcelona three points better than them already. Antonio Conte and team are very much aware that this is like a cup final where anything short of a win could affect their chances of progressing. The Nerazzurris awful European record at home in recent times (1W 3D 1L) should be of concern to the former Italy coach. Dortmund are not particularly in better form in Europe as well; two wins in the last seven means Lucien Favre’s team need to produce a very good performance at the San Siro.
VERDICT – Inter’s record against Dortmund is decent (2W 1D 1L) but they have no wins in the last six against German opposition. Dortmund travel to Milan without conceding a goal yet and will look to build on such strong defensive platform. This is difficult to call as both teams look evenly matched. Under 3.5 goals
This wraps us our Match Day 3 Focus; predict and win big in this money-spinning competition by visiting our Sports shop Babaijebu.ng for mouthwatering offers in all 16 matches for Match Day 3. The UEFA Champions League preview returns in a fortnight.