It’s advantage Real Madrid, as they welcome Man City
Following the latest captivating Champions League clash between Real Madrid and Manchester City, it is advantage Los Blancos heading into Wednesday’s playoff second leg at the Bernabeu.
Despite falling behind twice at the Etihad last week, the holders showcased their perpetual Champions League mettle to somehow return to the Spanish capital with a 3-2 win to their name.
Making light of Real Madrid’s furious Ballon d’Or snub when Los Blancos learned that Rodri would pip Vinicius Junior to the top prize, Man City fans unfurled a banner of their Spanish metronome kissing the accolade with the tagline “Stop crying your heart out” – an ode to Citizens-crazed Oasis – last week.
However, the home faithful may have instead been reduced to tears at the end of the first leg, where none other than Vinicius lifted the ball over an onrushing Ederson and witnessed Jude Bellingham settle a five-goal spectacular from close range, the latest engrossing European turnaround from the men in white.
Now just 90 minutes away from a customary place in the last 16 – where either Atletico Madrid or Bayer Leverkusen will be waiting – Real Madrid may find safe haven in the Champions League, having now failed to come up trumps in any of their last three matches in the Spanish top division.
Expect another high-octane high-stakes encounter between the last two winners of the Champions League on Wednesday, where Man City’s desperation for goals should also be of benefit to Real Madrid as the visitors leave space in behind.
Credit: sportsmole.co.uk
PSV, Juventus to decide Champions League playoff
Separated by one goal after last week’s first leg, familiar rivals PSV Eindhoven and Juventus will reconvene to decide their Champions League playoff on Wednesday.
Following their 2-1 success in Turin, Juve have beaten PSV twice already this season; and another win would take them straight through to the last 16.
Despite coming close to claiming a first-leg draw, PSV were ultimately beaten by Juventus for the second time in five months, as an equaliser from Ivan Perisic – who became the club’s oldest scorer in either the Champions League or European Cup – proved insufficient to avoid defeat.
Recent history will not be on their side, as PSV have not won a knockout tie in UEFA’s top competition since eliminating Arsenal back in 2007; progressing from just three of 11 after losing the first leg.
However, on home turf they boast a 12-game unbeaten run in Europe, including wins from each of the last three – against Girona, Shakhtar Donetsk and Liverpool. PSV last failed to score in a home game over two years ago, so they will expect to push Juve all the way.
PSV’s proud unbeaten streak on home soil may stay intact, but Juventus should still be celebrating at the final whistle.
The hosts are built to attack, and they will surely score at least once, but Juve are enjoying their best spell of the season and can be effective on the counter.
Credit: sportsmole.co.uk
Dortmund to avoid upset when they host Sporting Lisbon
Borussia Dortmund will try to avoid one of the greatest European upsets in history when they host Sporting Lisbon on Wednesday at Signal Iduna Park in the second leg of their Champions League round of 16 playoff tie.
BVB won the reverse fixture 3-0 on February 11 with all three goals coming in a dominant second-half display, while Sporting never truly threatened their Bundesliga opponents despite producing 13 shots.
Dortmund’s record at home has also been poor in recent weeks given they have drawn three, been defeated in three and triumphed in just one of their last seven at Signal Iduna Park, but they have not lost at home by a margin of three or more goals in 31 matches.
Sporting have failed to win their past three fixtures – drawing two and losing one – and have lost four of their last five in the Champions League.
The Portuguese club are also winless in seven of their eight most recent away games, being held to a stalemate in three and succumbing to defeat in three, and have lost seven and drawn three of their past 10 on the road in Europe’s premier competition.
Sporting will not be able to sit back and absorb pressure given they trail by three goals, and they may concede several chances during counter-attacks.
While Dortmund are unlikely to keep a clean sheet considering their poor form this campaign, the hosts will not care about the details of the second leg as long as they progress to the round of 16.
Credit: sportsmole.co.uk
Liverpool, Aston Villa faceoff in Premier League
The gap between first and second in the Premier League table could be a staggering 10 points by the close of play on Wednesday night, if Liverpool can get the better of Aston Villa.
Arne Slot‘s men broke the 60-point barrier over the weekend, eking out a nervy 2-1 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers, while their hosts had to accept a 1-1 draw with lowly Ipswich Town.
Likely still feeling the effects of their midweek Merseyside derby mayhem – both physically and psychologically – Liverpool appeared to be coasting to victory over Wolves at Anfield on Sunday afternoon, only to nearly throw their hard work down the drain in the second half.
Nevertheless, Slot’s shot-shy men have now re-established their seven-point buffer over a shot-shy Arsenal, who do not return to action until Saturday, meaning that their advantage will stretch into the double figures with a 19th top-flight win of the season on Wednesday.
The trip to the West Midlands kicks off a daunting three-match sequence between now and the end of the month for Liverpool, though, as their title mettle will also be tested in Sunday’s trip to Manchester City and the visit of Newcastle United to Anfield on February 26.
Credit: sportsmole.co.uk
Borussia Dortmund 17:45 Sporting CP
PSG20:00 Brest PSV 20:00 Juventus Real Madrid 20:00 Manchester City
Premier League
Aston Villa19:30 Liverpool
