Krasnodar vs Rennes
Stadion FK Krasnodar, Krasnodar
Wednesday, 02-11-2020 @8:55pm
Ref: William Collum (SCO)
Chelsea and Sevilla have already qualified to the knockouts from Group A, and now all that remains to be seen is who would get the sole ticket to the Europa League.
Both the Bulls and the Rennais are placed in the final two spots in the table, and have posted one point each so far.
It goes without saying these two teams are miles beneath in terms of quality, compared to Chelsea and Sevilla, and are expected to lose their respective games in the sixth and final match-day in the group stage.
As such, it makes this upcoming h2h encounter the virtual final, which determines who will be eliminated, and who will be allotted a ticket to the second-most prestigious competition in the continent.
The reverse fixture had ended in a 1-1 draw, and that has been the sole match-up between these two teams so far. Murad Musayev’s men have conceded two or more goals in their last two fixtures against other Ligue 1 squads. They have a 100% winless record against other French teams, barring a single encounter. Not once have they kept a clean sheet in such a game. Julien Stephan’s men have not once locked horns with another Russian club.
Istanbul BB vs RB Leipzig
Basaksheir Fatih Terim Stadyumu, Istanbul
Wednesday, 02-11-2020 @8:55pm
Ref: Carlos del Cerro (SPA)
Group H is still in the midst of a closely-contested race for the qualification to the knockouts, and no single team has so far secured a comfortable lead – maybe except Manchester United. Still, the Red Devils could complicate life for themselves with a loss this game-week against Manchester United.
Anyhow, the Red Bulls, as well as Okan Buruk’s men are placed in the bottom-most two spots of the table, and they are under extreme pressure to perform in the final two match-days.
The Germans would hope for PSG to lose against United, and if they go on and post the three points against the Turks, Julian Nagelsmann’s men would improve their chances manifold to finish in the second spot.
Meanwhile, Buruk’s men have so far posted just three points on the board, and should they drop at least one point in the next two game weeks, their chances to qualify even for the Europa would be reduced.
In short, a win is a must for both these teams. However, the Red Bulls have been one of the best teams in recent times in Europe, had won the reverse fixture, and also come from a far better league than that of the Super Lig.
Naglesmann’s men won the reverse fixture 2-0 at home, and this has been the sole match-up between these two squads. Thus, the Red Bulls have a 100% winning record in h2h encounters, and have not conceded a single goal in return as well. Buruk’s men were winless in three of their former games against other Bundesliga squads. Nagelsmann’s men have a 100% losing record against other Turkish teams. (Two losses against Benfica).
Sevilla vs Chelsea
Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, Sevilla
Wednesday, 02-11-2020 @11pm
Ref: Artur Soares Dias (POR)
These two teams are already assured an entry into the knockouts of the Champions League, and all that needs resolution is which of these two will be anointed group champions.
As of now, both teams have the same number of points, and they are expected to win their respective final games in the group stage, against Krasnodar and Rennes.
As such, the winner of this upcoming clash will determine who will end up toppers, and who will have to make do with the second spot.
Both teams have been in terrific form lately – in continental match-ups as well as domestic games, and especially their offenses. And with some of the major European teams not showing their real caliber in the last several months, this is an opportunity for these two to make a deep run into the competition.
Sevilla first choice custodian Bono tested positive for the coronavirus and is unavailable. Tomas Vaclik has returned to the side. Sergio Escudero remains sidelined after picking up an injury while Suso is likely to miss out after suffering a knock.
Chelsea have all their players available for selection following the return of Christian Pulisic.
The reverse fixture had ended in a goalless draw, and that has been the sole meeting between these two so far. Los Palanganas are on a three-match winning run against other EPL teams, and are on a five-fixture unbeaten run in such matches as well. They were unbeaten in 12 of their preceding 16 encounters against other English teams, and they had scored two or more goals in six of these past nine clashes. Meanwhile, the Blues were unbeaten in 17 of their preceding 22 meetings against La Liga squads.
Borussia Dortmund vs Lazio
Signal Iduna Park, Dortmund
Wednesday, 02-11-2020 @11pm
Ref: Antonio Mateu (SPA)
These two teams are placed in the top two spots in the table, separated by a single point.
And with the third-placed Club Brugge having posted a total of just four points so far – the winner of this upcoming fixture at Signal Iduna Park will have a great chance of ending up group champions.
It goes without saying that the match-up will be a nervy affair, and with some of the best strikers in the world on either side of the pitch, chances are very high for goals to come in plenty.
BVB are the toppers of the table, and have scored the most number of goals so far. Meanwhile, the Eagles had recorded a thorough win in the reverse fixture.
The reverse fixture was a four-goal thriller, with the Italians recording a 3-1 win at home. These two had also contested in the Quarter Finals of the 1995 UEFA Cup. Then, Der BVB progressed to the semis with an aggregate scorecard of 2-1. Lucien Favre’s men have won three of the former four matches against other Serie A teams. Simone Inzaghi’s men had won four of the last seven overall clashes against other German squads.
Club Brugge vs Zenit St Petersburg
Venue Jan Breydelstadion, Brugge
Wednesday, 02-11-2020 @11pm
Ref: Serder Gozubuyuk (HOL)
Club Brugge hasn’t been able to repeat their opening match win in the group so far this term. The host has been winless in the recent three clashes, with a double loss as of late.
Their previous encounter was on the road, and Dortmund defeated them in the Champions League fixture.
Winless in the campaign group fixture so far this term, Zenit doesn’t pose a huge threat to the home team in the CL fixtures.
They will visit on the back of a 3-1 loss on the road against Lazio last time out in the CL schedule. Besides, only one of their four CL winless games has ended in a draw.
The host has been unbeaten for the past two meetings. Their previous encounter gave a 1-2 away win for Brugge. Both teams have scored in only one of their three fixtures. None of their three clashes have ended in a draw since 1987.
Juventus vs Dynamo Kiev
Allianz Stadium, Torino
Wednesday, 02-11-2020 @11pm
Ref: Stephannie Frappart (FRA)
Having qualified for the playoffs this season in the Champions League, Juventus will look to reach the top spot in the group table as it stands.
They will host on the back of a 2-1 win at home against the likes of Ferencvaros in the league.
Winless in the campaign so far this season, Dynamo Kyiv will not be a huge threat for the home team. The visitor is on a back of a two-game losing streak in the league.
They will visit on the back of a 0-4 loss at home against Barcelona in the previous CL encounter.
The host has been unbeaten in all their clashes since 1998. Both teams have scored in three of their last five fixtures. Only one of their last five fixtures has ended in a draw. The Old Lady is on a four-game winning streak in the schedule.
Ferencvaros vs Barcelona
Puskas Arena, Budapest
Wednesday, 02-11-2020 @11pm
Ref: Aliaksei Kulbakov (BEL)
The Puskas Arena will pit together teams from both ends of the table for another clash in the Champions League group stage this season in Group G.
Ferencvaros is at the ultimate bottom of the table with just one point. Meanwhile, Barcelona leads the table with 12 points on the table as it stands.
Barcelona is on a four-game winning streak in the campaign this term. They have conceded only 2 goals so far while averaging 3.1 goals per game in the CL.
Their previous encounter was on the road and they took all three points from Dynamo Kyiv with a 0-4 score on the board.
Their previous encounter gave a 5-1 win at home for Barca. Both teams have scored in all six clashes of the host with clubs from the opponent’s country. Since 1995, the host has won none of their 4 clashes with any Spanish side. Barca has won both their previous two clashes with clubs from the host’s country.
Man United vs PSG
Old Trafford, Manchester
Wednesday, 02-11-2020 @11pm
Ref: Daniele Orsato (ITA)
Manchester United is leading the Group and PSG is three points behind them in second spot.
Old Trafford will witness yet another much anticipated clash in the Champions League on Wednesday, just like it has hosted may high-profilw games in the past.
The Parisians will be the team that is visiting the Red Devils in a quest to confirm their playoff berth in the tournament this season.
The Red Devils will host after a 4-1 win at home against the likes of Istanbul Basaksehir in the previous CL clash in their schedule.
In the meantime, the French giants will visit on the back of a 1-0 win at home against RB Leipzig in the CL fixture last time out.
Manchester United could have up to six players unavailable for the game against PSG. David de Gea picked up a knock against Southampton and Alex Telles had to be brought off towards the end of the game. Pogba and McTominay are set to return to training on Monday but is unlikely to start on Wednesday. Luke Shaw is likely to miss out owing to a hamstring strain. Anthony Martial is also a doubt for this one.
Paris Saint-Germain have quite a few injury concerns as well. Marquinhos is likely to return against Manchester United after being rested due to a groin injury against Bordeaux. Julian Draxler is close to a return but will miss the game against United. Thilo Kehrer is ready to undergo surgery after suffering a groin injury and Juan Bernat is a long-term absentee after injuring his ACL on the first day of the season.
The host has been unbeaten in the last two meetings. Both teams have two wins each from their four clashes. None of their meetings since 2015 have ended in a draw. Both teams have scored in the recent two matches.
Champions League results on Tuesday, 01-12-2020
-Shakhtar Donetsk 2-0 Real Madrid
-Lokomotiv Moscow 1-3 RB Salzburg
-FC Porto 0-0 Man City
-Olympique Marseille 2-1 Olympiakos
-Borussia Monchengladbach 2-3 Inter Milan
-Atletico Madrid 1-1 Bayern Munich
-Atalanta 1-1 Midtjylland
-Liverpool 1-0 Ajax Amsterdam
