Eleven teams are on the brink of qualifying for the Round of 16, others very close to elimination including Henry Onyekuru’s Anderlecht. It is Matchday 4 of the UEFA Champions League.
Group A
Manchester United vs Benfica
Man United host Benfica at the Theatre of Dreams, Old Trafford, with the aim of booking a place in the knockout round with another win over the Portuguese champions.
The Red Devils defeated Benfica 1-0 in match day three courtesy of a bizzare goal, making it three wins in three, as they strengthened their grip of the group.
That win ended Benfica’s run of 50 homes games in all competitions that they have scored. In Manchester, only a win will keep them in this season’s competition.
For United, a win on Tuesday most certainly guarantees them a place in the round of 16, as long as CSKA Moskva, who are third, fail to beat Basel.
Group B
Paris Saint-Germain vs Anderlecht
Three wins in three have seen PSG take command of the group, as they prepare to host Anderlecht, who are still searching for their first points, looking to also seal a place in the next round.
Anderlecht, who will parade rising Nigerian star, Henry Onyekuru, they seem to be fighting a lost battle, as they visit Parc des Princes, where PSG have lost just once in 44 European games, in search of their first points.
PSG defeated the Belgians 4-0 in match day three, and have looked untouchable so far in the CL, having scored 12 goals and conceded none. The French giants will qualify with a win, if Bayern don’t lose to Celtic in the other group game. For Anderlecht, anything other than a win, and it is all over.
Celtic vs Bayern Munich
Bayern Munich could also join PSG to book a ticket for the knockout round if they can repeat their performance of match day three, when they tore into the Scottish champions at the Allianz Arena.
With just three points earned so far, Celtic must avoid defeat if they are to keep their CL hopes alive. However, in Bayern, they face a side rejuvenated by Jupp Heynckes, who replaced Carlo Ancelotti after the humiliating 3-0 defeat to group leaders, PSG, in match day two.
Celtic aren’t just facing a difficult task in Bayern, but must also improve their poor record at home, having won just two of their last seven European home matches (D2 L3) and also won just one of their last eight home games in the Champions League.
Group C
Roma vs Chelsea
AS Roma would be looking to capitalize on home advantage as English Champions, Chelsea come visiting following their 3-3 draw at Stamford Bridge a fortnight ago. Roma who sit second in the group with seven points will be hoping to clinch all three points after coming from two goals down to lead 3-2 but were denied a win by a brilliant Eden Hazard header.
Both teams come into the game on the back of three straight wins, while Chelsea will be boosted by the return of Danny Drinkwater and Ngolo Kante in central midfield; the home team might be without right back Bruno Peres and Gregoire Defrel up front.
The only meeting between these two at Stadio Olympico ended 3-1 in favour of the home team. Chelsea have lost the last three UEFA away games in Italy.
Atletico Madrid vs Qarabag
Following a disappointing goalless draw in Azerbajan, Diego Simeone’s men would be looking to secure their first win of this UCL campaign when they host Qarabag at the Wanda Metropolitano on Tuesday night.
Both teams are separated by a point in third and fourth in group C, the home team would be looking to put their poor European form behind them ahead of Tuesday’s fixture. Atletico need to secure a win to keep qualification hopes alive as they look forward to the decisive games against Roma and Chelsea on matchday 5 and 6 respectively.
Group D
Olympiacos vs Barcelona
Olympiacos face a daunting task to dent FC Barcelona’s 100% record in this year’s UCL. Barcelona defeated the Greek Champions 3-1 in the reverse fixture two weeks ago despite a first half red card for Gerrard Pique.
Meanwhile, Barcelona will look to confirm qualification from group D as a win will see the Spanish side progress to the round of 16.
Sporting Lisbon vs Juventus
The Portuguese side hope to keep the chase on in group D after surrendering a 1-0 lead in Turin to lose 2-1 to the Italian Champions a fortnight ago.
Sporting who sit third, three points adrift second placed Juventus need a win to keep themselves in the running for a place in the round of 16. They go into the tie with two wins and a loss in their last three games while Juventus have been in fine form winning all of their last three games. However, Sporting are unbeaten in their last four games at home.
