The 2016-17 UEFA Champions League resumes this week with Matchday 4 of the group stage.
Sportsnet’s soccer panel of broadcasters, writers and pundits offer their picks and predictions below…
TOTTEHAM vs. BAYER LEVERKUSEN
John Molinaro, Sportsnet.ca: It’s very tight in Group E, with first-place Monaco just three points ahead of last-place CSKA Moscow after three games. Sandwiched in between them are Tottenham (a point back of the French side) and Bayer Leverksuen (two points adrift). It’s not a do-or-die situation, but a win would give either side a clear advantage as the group stage enters the final stretch.
With just two points, Leverkusen is still looking for its first win of this competition, and the timing of Wednesday’s game, perhaps, could not be any better for the Germans. Belgian Toby Alderweireld remains sidelined with a knee injury, the very same issue that has kept the influential central defender out of Tottenham’s lineup for the previous four fixtures.
What’s more, Spurs have a pretty important game in the Premier League on Sunday when they visit the Emirates Stadium for the latest North London derby against bitter rivals Arsenal, so it’ll be interesting to see how manager Mauricio Pochettino balances the two competitions and how much squad rotation there will be.
Prediction: A 1-1 draw.
JUVENTUS vs. LYON
Dan Riccio, Sportsnet 590 The FAN : The Old Lady has not been playing their best soccer of late, but they still manage to find results. This past weekend they played Napoli at home, where big money striker Gonzalo Higuain slotted home the winner against his former club.
But even if you look back to Matchday 3 in Lyon, a 1-0 win for Juventus, they were saved by the ageless wonder Gianluigi Buffon in goal. It was heralded as one of the best performances of the Italian’s career, which is saying quite a bit for such an accomplished ‘keeper.
Lyon missed their chance to take three points against Juventus, and they likely won’t get another. This return match in Turin on Wednesday should belong to the bianconeri.
Prediction: Juventus wins 2-0.
MORE ON THE UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: 10 players to watch in the first round || 8 matches to watch in the first round || Canada’s Atiba Hutchinson in Champions League || Champions League review: Buffon is still Juve’s Superman || Watch: Guardiola, Man City out for redemption against Barcelona
MANCHESTER CITY vs. BARCELONA
James Sharman, Sportsnet: It’s a little unfair, but maybe Pep Guardiola was kidding when he suggested Lionel Messi takes x-rays of areas of space while dominating world football. I’m not too sure what he even meant, other than to say that the Barcelona star is a pretty clever little fella who is as cerebral between his ears as he is with his feet.
Messi scored a hat trick in the 4-0 mauling of Man City last time out, a result that coupled with the Blues’ previous 3-3 draw with Celtic threw the English side into a rather precarious position in the group. It’s a little early to call this a must-win, but a loss would cause some major problems for Pep’s boys. City rediscovered its form on the weekend, following a six-match winless streak, by smashing West Bromwich Albion 4-0. Sergio Aguero had two goals and he looked solid. Aguero, you might remember, was on the bench against Barcelona two weeks ago, which resulted in sensational exit rumours. Suffice to say all looks cozy again, and he will surely start on Tuesday at home.
In fairness, despite the score line City played well in parts against Barca, the red card to Claudio Bravo costing the side its chances of keeping the score close. Barca is coming off a narrow 1-0 win against Granada and are weakened with the injury absence of Andres Iniesta, not to mention the suspension of Jeremy Mathieu. Regardless, this is again the one to watch as Pep’s revenge on his former club remains the big story.
Prediction: Barcelona wins 2-1.
BESIKTAS vs. NAPOLI
Peter Galindo, Sportsnet.ca: Napoli could have been the first team to qualify for the round of 16 on Matchday 3, but a stunning 3-2 defeat at home to Besiktas prevented that from happening. Now they must go to a hostile atmosphere in Istanbul on Tuesday in a crucial match for both sides.
The Serie A side leads Group B by one point over Besiktas, but Benfica is just two points behind the Italians entering the fourth round of matches. An injury to Arkadiusz Milik has put a slight damper on Napoli’s campaign, but Manolo Gabbiadini will be fresh after he was suspended this past weekend versus Juventus. Dries Mertens, who can start up top as a false nine, has scored two goals in two appearances as a centre forward thus far, so manager Maurizio Sarri has options.
As for Besiktas, it is still unbeaten in the Turkish Super Lig and sits at the top of the table. Cenk Tosun has scored five goals in the league, but it’s been Vincent Aboubakar leading the line for the Turks in the Champions League. The Cameroonian struck twice in Naples, and could very well threaten Napoli’s back line again.
Prediction: A 2-2 draw.
Sportsnet’s Soccer Central podcast (featuring James Sharman, Thomas Dobby, Brendan Dunlop and John Molinaro) takes an in-depth look at the beautiful game and offers timely and thoughtful analysis on the sport’s biggest issues.
