The UEFA Champions League continues this week with Matchday 3 of the group stage.
Sportsnet’s panel of soccer writers and broadcasters preview the marquee games and offer their predictions.
CSKA Moscow vs Manchester City
Gerry Dobson: Unfortunately this one has become all about the CSKA supporters, who have been banned again for a variety of inappropriate indiscretions, which means this game will be played behind closed doors. And that’s a problem. While it will hurt the home side in the pocket book, it also has implications for the visitors. City boss Manuel Pellegrini has lamented that the atmosphere in an empty stadium will only help to diminish the intensity level of his club in a game they really have to win.
City have just one point from their previous two group stage matches, which is simply not good enough. The good news is they’re on fire. Their 4-1 demolition of Tottenham on Saturday featured Sergio Aguero at his best. Not only did he score all four goals, he could have scored two or three more. City and Aguero have been criticized for not appearing to be up to the task in the Champions League.
No Frank Lampard for this this one after picking up a thigh injury against Spurs. No matter. This could be City’s defining moment, at least in the group stage. CSKA are a solid second in the Russian league but aren’t close to City in ability.
Prediction: Manchester City wins 2-0.
Tuesday programming alert: Watch CSKA Moscow vs Manchester City on Sportsnet World at noon ET, Chelsea vs Maribor on all four main Sportsnet channels at 2:30 pm ET, AS Roma vs Bayern Munich on Sportsnet ONE at 2:30 pm ET, and Barcelona vs Ajax on Sportsnet World at 2:30 pm ET. || Also watch these games at 2:30 pm ET online at Sportsnet World NOW: Schalke vs Sporting, Porto vs Athletic Bilbao, BATE Borisov vs Shakhtar Donetsk and Apoel FC vs Paris Saint-Germain || TV schedule
Chelsea vs Maribor
James Sharman: It feels a little redundant to feed you Chelsea facts and figures, so let’s give you the basics before introducing you to Maribor. Chelsea are still great, tops in the group having beaten Sporting Lisbon last time out, but are without Diego Costa who has a hamstring injury. The Blues have some other injury concerns including Andre Schurrle so it looks as if Loic Remy will get a consecutive start following the win over Crystal Palace on the weekend.
Okay, to Maribor. The Slovenians enter the Champions League fray for the first time in 15 years, and have earned two solid points against Sporting and Schalke. This is the same Maribor that split results with Wigan last season in the Europa League, and the same Maribor that beat Celtic in the qualifying rounds. A good road team with just one loss in its last seven European away fixtures, Maribor is also riding high in the Slovenian League. However two own goals on the weekend subjected them to their first loss in any competition this season. With nine goals in 13 games, Luka Zahovic is the threat up front, and if the name sounds familiar it is because he is the 18-year-old son of the legendary Zlatko Zahovic. If that doesn’t make you feel old, nothing will.
Prediction: Chelsea wins 2-0.
AS Roma vs Bayern Munich
Dan Riccio: The return of Mehdi Benatia to the Olimpico will not be a pleasant one for the Moroccan. After leaving the Italian capital this summer and burning every bridge possible on the way out, the Giallorossi faithful will likely greet the defender with plenty of vitriol.
Roma has every right to be fired about for this match, not just because of Benatia, but also because of what is on the line. A win would do wonders for their chances of advancing to the knockout phase. However, Pep Guardiola has the German champions playing their best football of the season, coming off a 6-0 win on the weekend in which they didn’t allow a shot at their goal. This is Roma’s stiffest test yet since bursting back onto the European scene in 2013.
Prediction: Bayern Munich wins 2-1.
Barcelona vs Ajax
James Doyle: A purist’s dream matchup coming at a good time, with Barcelona one degree shy of perfect this year. They’re unbeaten in all competitions this season, with no goals against at all and 25 for. The only blemish? That one Champions League loss against PSG. Therein lies Ajax’s only hope, that last resort, the “we tied the team that beat you” logic.
And sure, Ajax drew PSG in Amsterdam, but it won’t matter in Barcelona. With just two men in the top 20 of Dutch-league scoring, it’s hard to see Ajax besting Barca’s rock-solid defence. These teams may be cut from the same cloth in terms of their approach to the game, but these days Barcelona is wearing it better.
Prediction: Barcelona wins 2-0.
Wednesday programming alert: Watch Liverpool vs Real Madrid on all four main Sportsnet channels at 2:30 pm ET, Anderlecht vs Arsenal on Sportsnet ONE at 2:30 pm ET, and Olympiacos vs Juventus on Sportsnet World at 2:30 pm ET. || Also watch these games at 2:30 pm ET online at Sportsnet World NOW: Galatasaray vs Borussia Dortmund, AS Monaco vs Benfica, Bayer Leverkusen vs Zenit St. Petersburg, Ludogorets vs Basel and Atletico Madrid vs Malmo || TV schedule