Newcastle take on Dortmund in high-profile Group F match
Whatever happens from now for Newcastle United in the UEFA Champions League, they have already provided their supporters with a priceless memory.
The famous 4-1 win over French champions PSG will still be fresh in the minds of Newcastle fans as Eddie Howe’s team prepare to take on Borussia Dortmund in another high-profile continental clash on Wednesday.
With four points from two matches, Newcastle are top of a daunting Group F lineup and know a home victory against Dortmund will put them within touching distance of a dream qualification to the last 16.
But the stakes are high and margins remain fine going into this fixture. A win for Dortmund, who are currently bottom of the pool, would see them join Newcastle on four points in the standings at the halfway stage.
After two decades out of the competition, it’s been an impressive return so far for Newcastle, with a creditable 0-0 draw away to seven-time winners AC Milan followed up by that incredible victory – their biggest-ever in the UCL – over a PSG team containing two-time World Cup finalist Kylian Mbappe, a performance that had St. James’ Park rocking.
Dortmund also recorded a draw with Milan but have been on the back foot since Mbappe and Achraf Hakimi condemned them to a 2-0 defeat in Paris on Matchday 1.
Credit: theanalyst.com
PSG, AC Milan go head to head in Paris
Separated by one point in the Champions League‘s so-called ‘Group of Death’, Paris Saint-Germain and AC Milan meet at Parc des Princes on Wednesday evening.
Ahead of next month’s reverse fixture in Italy’s second city, the teams go head to head in the French capital, with PSG aiming to bounce back from a humbling loss last time out in Group F and Milan seeking their first win.
Conceding four goals in a Champions League group game for the first time in over 20 years, Paris Saint-Germain suffered a battering by Newcastle United earlier this month, as the French champions’ flaws were exposed time and again at a raucous St James’ Park.
Not only have Milan historically had the better of Wednesday’s hosts, they have also lost just three of their 16 Champions League contests with French sides all told – most notably the 1993 final against PSG’s fierce rivals Marseille. This year, they cross the border in need of another good result, following successive 0-0 draws to kick off their Group F campaign.
Aside from their implosion in the Derby della Madonnina, Milan know how to keep things tight when required and came close to posting a fourth straight clean sheet in all competitions last weekend. Therefore, even PSG’s attacking stars may find it tough to score more than once, and a share of the spoils would perfectly set up next month’s return.
Credit: sportsmole.co.uk
Barca to maintain perfect home record against Shakhtar Donetsk
Barcelona will play their final game before Saturday’s Clasico when they welcome Shakhtar Donetsk to Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys for Wednesday’s Champions League clash.
After kicking off their European campaign with consecutive victories, the Catalan giants sit top of Group H, while Shakhtar are in third position with three points to their name.
After winning their first league title in four years last season, Barcelona came into the current campaign looking to carry their impressive domestic form onto the European stage following a couple of disappointing years in the Champions League.
Barcelona have failed to progress from the group stage in their last two Champions League campaigns, but they are well set to end their wait for a knockout appearance after winning both of their opening two matches.
The La Liga champions are currently residing in third position, with one point separating them from league leaders Real Madrid ahead of one of the biggest games in the European football calendar on Saturday.
However, before the Blaugrana can fully focus on their preparation for El Clasico, they must negotiate Wednesday’s Champions League clash with Shakhtar, and they will be looking to maintain their 100% home record after winning all of their previous six competitive home matches this season, keeping clean sheets in five of those contests.
Credit: sportsmole.co.uk
Manchester City to make it three wins from three against Young Boys
Champions League holders Manchester City will expect to make it three wins from three in Group G when they visit Young Boys on Wednesday.
The Swiss Super League champions have lost one and drawn one of their opening two matches.
Since ending their 31-year wait to win Switzerland’s top division, Young Boys have gone on to dominate their domestic football, lifting the title in five of the last six seasons.
Man City will want to wrap up their qualification to the Champions League knockout stages for the 11th successive season as quickly as possible after winning their opening two games.
The Citizens have been far from at their best despite defeating Red Star and Leipzig 3-1 at the Etihad Stadium and Red Bull Arena respectively, leaving it late on both occasions to secure all three points.
Ahead of visiting their city rivals Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday, Guardiola and his players may feel somewhat relieved to be facing a team competing at a much lower level than them, but they will still not be taking anything for granted in Bern.
Despite Guardiola being likely to make some changes to his starting XI ahead of the Manchester derby on Sunday, we expect the visitors to have too much quality for their opponents.
Young Boys have dominated Swiss football in recent years, but it is clearly a huge step up in class for them to be taking on the holders, and they may struggle to lay a glove on Man City even with home advantage on their side.
Credit: sportsmole.co.uk
