The 2016-17 UEFA Champions League resumes this week with Matchday 3 of the group stage.
Sportsnet’s soccer panel of broadcasters, writers and pundits offer their picks and predictions below…
BARCELONA vs. MANCHESTER CITY
Peter Galindo, Sportsnet.ca: Pep Guardiola will dominate the pre-game headlines as he faces Barcelona for the first time as Manchester City manager. Man City is currently on top of the table in the Premier League, but Barca is back to full strength after Lionel Messi’s return this past weekend.
This will obviously be a stiff test for the Citizens’ defence, as Barcelona’s “MSN” trio has already scored six goals in the Champions League this season. The Spanish champions narrowly defeated Borussia Monchengladbach 2-1 in their last game, but they proved that even when they’re not totally clicking and at full fitness, they’re still capable of winning.
City has not won any of its previous three matches in all competitions and hasn’t kept a clean sheet since pummelling Bournemouth on Sept. 17. That is promising for neutrals, as there could be a few goals in this game.
Prediction: Barcelona wins 3-1.
NAPOLI vs. BESIKTAS
John Molinaro, Sportsnet: According to UEFA, Napoli can become the first team in Champions League history to advance from the group stage after only three matches—the Italians can do it on Wednesday if they beat visitors Besiktas and if Dynamo Kyiv draws Benfica.
Napoli tops Group B with six points from two wins. But while the Italians have been taking care of business in Europe, their domestic campaign has hit a rough patch. Second-year coach Maurizio Sarri’s side dropped a 3-1 decision to AS Roma on the weekend, marking the first time since his stint in charge that Napoli has lost consecutive games. Napoli is also dealing with the injury loss of Polish forward Arkadiusz Milik, who scored seven goals in his first eight matches for the Italian outfit.
Despite its recent woes, Napoli is still a better team on paper than Besiktas, who’ve drawn their first two matches of the group stage, and Stadio San Paolo is a pretty intimidating place tom play for visiting sides. Still, Besiktas won’t be a pushover, especially as they are unbeaten in their last six matches in all competitions.
Prediction: A 1-1 draw.
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BAYER LEVERKUSEN vs. TOTTENHAM
James Sharman, Sportsnet: Tottenham’s trip to Bayer Leverkusen is another opportunity for English fans to acknowledge the sad fact that Javier Hernandez’s German vacation is a blight on the Premier League. The Mexican has been sensational since his move to Germany, and he has started this season superbly with five goals in six Bundesliga games. Chicharito’s movement will cause even the brilliant Tottenham backline fits, especially with its marshal Toby Alderweireld out injured.
Of course, Spurs have their own weapon in Son Heung-min, who has allowed the club to shrug off Harry Kane’s injury. Dare I begin the speculation that Kane may even find it difficult to win his spot back when he returns? That is how good the South Korean has been.
Only a point separates these two clubs in second and third place in the group stage, so this is a huge match. Both sides struggled on the weekend, Spurs drawing West Bromwich Albion despite a dominating performance, while Leverkusen fell to Werder Bremen as their slow start continues.
Prediction: A 1-1 draw.
LYON vs. JUVENTUS
Dan Riccio, Sportsnet 590 The FAN : Lyon are mired in a terrible run of form—they lost for the sixth time in 12 matches this past Friday in Ligue 1 play. However, they did get a boost, as talismanic striker Alexandre Lacazzette returned from injury. The Frenchman has six goals in four league starts this year.
Lyon desperately needs a result against Juventus, as the French side is already behind the 8-ball in this group. It is hard to imagine, though, as this Juventus team has lost just once this season and shows few weaknesses, especially in defence—they’ve allowed just five goals across all competitions thus far. The Italians will also be motivated to not fall behind Sevilla who play winless Dinamo Zagreb this week.
Prediction: Juventus wins 1-0.
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