PSG, Newcastle United in ‘repeat or revenge’ fixture
Both embroiled in a fierce battle to reach the Champions League‘s knockout stages, Paris Saint-Germain and Newcastle United reconvene at Parc des Princes on Tuesday evening, when neither can afford another defeat.
The pair suffered losses last time out in Group F, so PSG sit second on six points and Newcastle lie just two behind.
Fittingly for this year’s ‘Group of Death’, a quartet featuring PSG, Newcastle, AC Milan and Borussia Dortmund seems set for a nail-biting finish, with qualification for the last 16 potentially coming down to the wire.
All four are separated by just three points heading into the penultimate round of fixtures, so each still holds their own fate in their hands: Paris Saint-Germain therefore know that two wins from two would get them over the line.
Ahead of an eagerly anticipated re-match with Newcastle at a packed Parc des Princes, the Ligue 1 leaders have lost six of their last eight Champions League meetings with English clubs.
Another setback would leave Luis Enrique‘s men in some trouble, as far as securing a top-two spot in Group F is concerned, but they have prepared for Tuesday’s clash with a fine run of form on the domestic scene.
Neither side is at full strength due to the injury epidemic that seems to be sweeping elite-level football, but an entertaining contest is still very much on the cards in Paris.
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AC Milan welcome Dortmund to the San Siro
Locked in a tussle to progress from the Champions League‘s ‘Group of Death’, AC Milan and Borussia Dortmund meet at San Siro on Tuesday, when both sides will aim to build on wins last time out in Europe.
Dortmund top Group F on seven points following back-to-back victories over Newcastle United, while third-placed Milan sit just two points behind after toppling Paris Saint-Germain earlier this month.
Taking just one point from three Bundesliga fixtures before the international break saw Dortmund slip further behind in the title race, but making progress in Europe would certainly polish their credentials and give them plenty to look forward to in 2024.
Now set to host Borussia Dortmund in Europe’s top club tournament for the first time since a 1-0 defeat in the 2002-03 campaign, Milan have lost just one of their last 16 home games against German opponents in UEFA competition, winning 11 times in the process.
Another close-fought contest is set to unfold between two well-matched sides, following their tense goalless stalemate in October.
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Manchester City, Leipzig fight for top spot in Group G
The two teams at the top of Group G will lock horns in the Champions League on Tuesday evening, with Manchester City welcoming RB Leipzig to the Etihad Stadium.
Both sides have already booked their spot in the knockout round of the competition, but first spot in the section is yet to be decided, with Man City currently top, three points clear of second-placed Leipzig.
Such are the standards that have been set by Man City in recent years, the back-to-back Premier League draws with Chelsea and Liverpool either side of the international break will go down as disappointing results.
The Citizens are yet to miss a step in the 2023-24 tournament, winning all four of their Group G fixtures to sit at the summit on 12 points, and a win or a draw at home to Leipzig on Tuesday would see them secure first position in the group ahead of their final game away to Red Star Belgrade next month.
Leipzig are a talented outfit and more than deserve their spot in the knockout round of the competition, but we are finding it very difficult to back them to pick up a positive result in this match. Man City will be looking to secure first spot in the group and should again have too much quality for the Bundesliga side.
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Barcelona host Porto in a mouthwatering game
The top two in Group H will meet for a mouthwatering Champions League fixture on Tuesday evening, with Barcelona welcoming Porto to Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys.
Barcelona are currently at the top of the section, level on nine points with second-placed Porto, while third-placed Shakhtar Donetsk are just three points behind in what is a fascinating group.
Barcelona would have booked their spot in the knockout stage of the Champions League with two games to spare had they managed to overcome Shakhtar on November 7, but the Ukrainian outfit recorded a 1-0 victory, with the result putting firm pressure on the La Liga champions.
Xavi‘s side remain top of Group H, but they are far from comfortable, with Porto in second on the same points (nine), while Shakhtar in third are just two points behind.
Barcelona will enter this match off the back of a disappointing 1-1 draw with Rayo Vallecano in La Liga, with the result leaving them down in fourth position in the table, and they have only managed to win two of their last five matches in all competitions.
Barcelona’s performances in recent weeks have been disappointing, and we are struggling to back them to beat a talented Porto outfit on Tuesday night. A point would not be enough to guarantee their spot in the next stage, but Porto have enough quality to secure a share of the spoils in this match.
Credit: sportsmole.co.uk
