The 2015-16 UEFA Champions League resumes this week with Matchday Three of the group stage.
Sportsnet’s soccer panel of broadcasters, writers and pundits offer their picks and predictions below…
MANCHESTER UNITED vs. CSKA MOSCOW
James Sharman, Sportsnet : CSKA is a tricky challenge for United, just ask the other Manchester club. Last season City failed to beat CSKA in both group stage games, including that come-from-behind 2-2 draw that derailed their European campaign. CSKA are in fine form, unbeaten in six and tops in Russia, courtesy of a high-octane offence. Remember Zoran Tosic, United fans? Once upon a time he was an expensive Alex Ferguson acquisition, a speedy midfielder who would be a sure-fire hit at Old Trafford. Five appearances off the bench later and he was gone, only to show Fergie that in fact he can be a very useful player elsewhere.
Another CSKA player with a chip on his shoulder is Seydou Doumbia. After a failed season at Roma he too is showing what he can do with seven goals in his last six games for club and country. He is a superb finisher and one of those “worth the price of admission” types.
United are coming off an impressive 3-0 win at Goodison Park in the league, and after that 3-0 loss to Arsenal before the International break, it was needed. Still a work in progress, United like CSKA are playing off the back of their first Champions League wins of the season. So this one, albeit it far from a crucial tie, certainly has its importance in a tight Group B with all teams tied on three points.
Prediction: A 1-1 draw.
PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN vs. REAL MADRID
Noah Love, Sportsnet.ca: Cristiano Ronaldo gets the first of two close-up looks at his next team this week. I kid (kind of/not really), but the Real-PSG group stage tie pits two of the world’s best club teams against each other and is a must watch.
Injuries on Real’s side will take some bite out of the first leg. Unlikely to participate are Karim Benzema, James Rodriguez, Luka Modric, Dani Carvajal, Sergio Ramos and Pepe. Pepe aside, they represent five of Real’s Starting XI. PSG, meanwhile, has its own issues. Marco Verratti, David Luiz and starting goalkeeper Kevin Trapp are all significant doubts, while former Real superstar Angel Di Maria was left out of Saturday’s Ligue 1 squad and is apparently in a race to be fit to face the team he helped win La Decima.
One way or another, this match will wind up as a measuring stick for Rafa Benitez’s progress at Real. Having faced only one real test (a 1-1 draw with Atletico Madrid on Oct. 4), a definitive result will either inspire new confidence in the Madridistas or confirm their worst fears.
Prediction: A 2-2 draw.
MANCHESTER CITY vs. SEVILLA
Donnovan Bennett, Sportsnet magazine: This is the time of the season when you need squad depth and Manchester City unfortunately doesn’t have it. They were flying this weekend on the way to a 5-1 win over Bournemouth but it came at a cost.
Sergio Aguero, David Silva, Fabian Delph, Gael Clichy and Aleksandar Kolarov were all already injured, and Samir Nasri is now set to miss this contest as he hurt his hamstring on the weekend. The attacking options are even slimmer when you consider young striker Kelechi Iheanacho is ineligible to play in Europe. That means carrying the line is the attacking trio of Kevin De Bruyne, Raheem Sterling and Wilfried Bony, bought for almost £130 million. However the man to watch is Jesus Navas.
Navas won consecutive UEFA Cups with Sevilla before heading to England. Navas hasn’t found the same European success with City but Sevilla hasn’t missed a beat adding two more Europa League titles to the trophy case. Meanwhile, City has been the poster child of Premier League teams struggling in the Champions League. Despite winning two of the last four Premier League titles and leading the way in England this campaign, City haven’t advanced past the last 16.
Both these group D teams are on three points having each beaten Borussia Monchengladbach and losing to Juventus. This result might determine who goes through.
Prediction: Sevilla wins 2-1.
MORE ON THE UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Sportsnet soccer panel: Picks and predictions || Arsenal poses a challenge for Bayern Munich || Analytics: Man United, Wolfsburg have edge in tight group || BATE Borisov puts hockey-mad Belarus on the soccer map || 5 stories to watch this week
ARSENAL vs. BAYERN MUNICH
Gerry Dobson, Sportsnet : Oh boy. Just when Arsenal appeared ready to make some noise this season, they run into Bayern Munich. The timing couldn’t be worse. But on the other hand, perhaps there’s a chance. The London side is playing its best football of the campaign, coming off back-to-back 3-0 league wins over Manchester United and Watford. They were dominant in the first half against United, and overwhelming in the second half vs. Watford. The best news for them is that Alexis Sanchez is hot—10 goals in his last six games for club and country. And the team is healthy. But this is a must win. No points from their first two group games. They can’t afford another loss.
On the other side, Bayern Munich appears to be better than ever. The won their opening two fixtures in the Champions League and are cruising in the Bundesliga. If Sanchez is hot for Arsenal, then Robert Lewandowski has been out of this world for Bayern, with 22 goals for club and country this season, including 15 in his last 7. Bayern do have some injuries to worry about. Holger Badstuber, Franck Ribery and Mario Gotze are all question marks, while Arjen Robben is definitely out.
As an aside, a Bayern Munich supporters group has called for a boycott of the game, claiming the £64 minimum priced away ticket is outrageous. Arsenal could only hope that Bayern themselves boycott the game and therefore forfeit. It might be their only chance.
Prediction: Bayern Munich wins 3-1.
BATE BORISOV vs. FC BARCELONA
Thomas Michalakos, Sportsnet.ca: With Lionel Messi out injured, many within the club and beyond began to wonder how his absence would impact results. It’s been four matches—including the 2-1 victory over Las Palmas in which Messi hobbled off early—and aside from the 2-1 defeat to Sevilla, the Blaugrana have rolled on without a hitch. Luis Suarez has scored four and Neymar five—four of which came in this past weekend’s 5-2 drubbing of Rayo Vallecano—of their side’s 10 goals. Nothing seems to be able to stop this team for an extended stretch; merely a few blips here or there.
The odds of another upset at the Borisov Arena by the hosts—who beat AS Roma 3-2 in the previous matchday—is bleak at best. Barcelona are licking their chops given their recent proficiency in front of goal. BATE goalkeeper Sergey Chernik should expect to be picking the ball out of his net on more than a few occasions on Tuesday—and that’s me being nice and respectable with my prediction.
Prediction: FC Barcelona wins 5-0.
BAYER LEVERKUSEN vs. AS ROMA
Dan Riccio, Sportsnet 590 The FAN : Roma is a funny team. They can look great, like they did earlier this year in a big win over Juventus in Serie A. But they can also have performances that leave you wanting, like that loss at BATE Borisov in the previous Champions League matchday. So who will show up against Leverkusen? Your guess is as good as mine. With Leverkusen playing well domestically to go along with the home advantage, I think you have to like the Germans in this contest.
Prediction: Bayer Leverkusen wins 2-1.
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