Eight teams are through to the round of 16 but there are still eight more slots to be filled as we go into final match day of the group stage; it is intriguing in Groups E, G and H. Defending champions, Liverpool go through if they can avoid defeat at Red Bull Arena, Wals-Siezenheim against Salzburg. Inter Milan need to beat group winners Barcelona at the San Siro to secure passage as both are likely to finish on same points but will progress due to their superior head-to-head goal difference over Dortmund. Zenit Saint Petersburg and Olympique Lyon will slug it out for the second qualifying spot in Group G while Ajax just needs a draw at the Johan Cryuff Arena to leave Valencia and Chelsea scrambling for second position.
Group E;
SALZBURG v LIVERPOOL – TUE. 10 DEC 2019, 18.55HRS
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No one gave Salzburg a chance when the draws were made but Die Mozartstädter as their supporters’ call them have shown their quality throughout this campaign and pushed the heavyweights Liverpool and Napoli all the way. Everyone has fond memories of the reverse fixture where Liverpool recorded a thrilling 4-3 win over Salzburg. There is a sense that another exciting encounter should be produced on Tuesday.
VERDICT – It is all about qualification to the next phase. Salzburg will be through if they beat Liverpool and Napoli does not beat Genk. If Napoli win, Salzburg must beat Liverpool by a better scoreline than the 4-3 by which they lost against them on Matchday 2. Both teams have their strength in attack and tend to be involved in high scoring games. Over 2.5 goals is our prediction for this one.
Group F;
INTER MILAN v BARCELONA – TUE. 10 DEC 2019, 21.00HRS
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Antonio Conte has done an excellent job with Inter Milan on the domestic front but his European shortcomings are well documented. However, the former Chelsea coach and his team have their destiny in hand as they face Barcelona at home. The Catalans have been poor travelers in Europe under Ernesto Valverde with the Spanish coach likely to set his team in a pragmatic way to avoid defeat. Barcelona have qualified for the next round, they will rotate to keep players fresh for upcoming domestic games.
VERDICT – Inter do not need extra motivation for this game; a victory will see them through. With very little to play for, Barcelona have chosen to rest some of their big names including Lionel Messi for this game. Inter gave a good account of themselves at the Camp Nou in the reverse fixture against a full strength Barcelona side. With a second string team, they should be good value for all three points in front of their fans.
Group G;
OLYMPIQUE LYON v RB LEIPZIG – TUE. 10 DEC 2019, 21.00HRS
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Group G has proven to be a tight group with tiny margin for error. Lyon find themselves in a reasonable position as far as qualifying for the knockouts goes. The French club find themselves sitting third on the table with seven points after five matches and are level on points with Zenit. Les Gones know that a win against Leipzig, who they beat in Germany, would guarantee them a place in the last-16. Leipzig suffered a surprise defeat at home when the pair first met, but they’re still the team in the best position. With some many ups and downs in the group, Leipzig have been quite consistent, they arrive in Lyon on a good run and require a point to see them go through.
VERDICT – This group has been one of the most unpredictable; Lyon needs a win while Leipzig will do with a draw. The French outfit will have to play on the front foot which could leave them vulnerable to counterattacks from Julian Nagelsmann team. Both teams have quality in attack which could make for entertaining affair in Lyon. Expect goals at both ends.
Group H;
CHELSEA v LILLE OSC – TUE. 10 DEC 2019, 21.00HRS
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Chelsea moved a step closer to qualification for the next stage thanks to a 2-2 draw at Valencia last time out. Frank Lampard’s team sit third on the table, level on points with Valencia but know that their destiny is in their hands in the final group game against Lille. LOSC have nothing more than pride on the line at Stamford Bridge. Christophe Galtier’s troops are a pretty powerful outfit in Ligue 1 but have found the step up to Champions League level higher than them and simply haven’t been competitive. They have conceded 12 goals in matches and have just a solitary point in the competition.
VERDICT – On paper, this is a game Chelsea should win comfortably. However, the Blues have stuttered lately, losing three of their last five matches in all competition. There is bound to be nerves at Stamford Bridge considering their current run and leaky defence. Lille have nothing to play for in this competition but Les Dogues have won their last three matches in Ligue 1 which should give them confidence going to Stamford Bridge. Home win
Group C;
SHAKHTAR DONETSK v ATALANTA – WED. 11 DEC 2019, 18.55HRS
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The battle for second spot behind Manchester City in Group C could be intriguing on Match Day 6. Shakhtar will go through if the beat Atalanta at OSK Metalist Stadion, in Kharkiv but are equally aware that the visitors have an outside chance of progressing as well with a victory while hoping that Dinamo do not win against Manchester City. Perhaps the harder task is for the Orobici to win in Ukraine against experienced campaigners like Shakhtar. The reverse fixture on Match Day 2 saw the visitors take all three points at the death – a painful defeat for Gian Piero Gasperini’s team.
VERDICT – All options are opened in this interesting group for the three teams behind City. This game is like a final for both teams on who will progress to the knockout stage of the Champions League. Shakhtar have traditionally played well at home in European competition then considering the fact that Atalanta’s four points were all picked at home; there is a tendency to tilt towards the home team. The Bergamo based club has looked good lately and will give the Miners a good fight. Over 2.5 goals.
Group D;
ATLETICO MADRID v LOKOMOTIV MOSCOW – WED. 11 DEC 2019, 21.00HRS
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Atlético must rediscover form and clinical edge to avoid elimination. Los Colchoneros have not lost more than once in a group campaign since 2009-10 season, but back-to-back defeats by Leverkusen and Juventus have ended that run and put qualification in doubt. A victory over Lokomotiv Moscow would still see them through, though the Russian team has already won in Germany and led for a long while in Turin in their previous away fixtures. The Steam Locomotives have nothing to play for in their last group game as they will surely finish rock-bottom side in Group D, but this match is of big importance for the hosts.
VERDICT – Both teams are currently on a poor run at the moment; one win in the last five in all competitions for either side does not inspire confidence but Diego Simeone’s team can dig deep and pull themselves out of the rot. Getting knocked out in the group stage for the second time in three seasons will have financial impact on the Spanish club. Lokomotiv have lost their last four Group D games since winning at Leverkusen on opening night of the group. It might not be pretty but Atlético will find a way through.
This wraps us our Match Day 6 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 6. The UEFA Champions League will be on a winter break till the knockout phase resumes in February 2020.