As this season’s group stage comes to a head and fans start looking ahead to the round of 16 in the spring, we have analysed every match under the current format to identify the patterns that matter in terms of Champions League progress.
Celtic are in danger of an early exit from Europe and will be out for revenge after a 4-1 thrashing by Sparta Prague three weeks ago. That dismal performance at Parkhead left Celtic bottom of Group H with just one point from their first three games and they will be out to restore some pride in the Czech capital.
Leicester cruised to a 4-0 win against Braga three weeks ago but are unlikely to find it quite so easy in Portugal. Kelechi Iheanacho’s brace helped the Foxes take control of Group G and anything other than a defeat would leave them in pole position to win the group.
Rangers and Benfica are level on seven points each in Europa League Group D and could clinch their place in the knockout stage with victory here depending on the other result in the group. Rangers have been strong defensively this season but the original meeting in Portugal three weeks ago was a different story as they shared a 3-3 draw.
Arsenal are yet to drop a point in the Europa League this season and another victory in Norway would ensure qualification for the knockout stage with the minimum of fuss. The Gunners have been struggling for goals in the Premier League but it has been a different story in Europe, where they have netted nine goals in three group games.
Tottenham were far too strong for Ludogorets when they met in the Europa League three weeks ago and should enjoy another routine win in the rematch. The 3-1 victory in Bulgaria was more one-sided than the final result suggested and Ludogorets are bottom of Group J after losing all three matches and conceding nine goals.
A trip to Greece offers Manchester City the chance to forget about their domestic problems and secure their place in the last 16 of the Champions League. City’s poor form in the Premier League has been in contrast to the European competition, with Pep Guardiola’s men winning all three matches by an aggregate score of 9-1.
Liverpool’s injury problems mean Jurgen Klopp will be keen to seize the chance to qualify for the last 16 with two matches to spare. The Anfield treatment room is a busy place at the moment and victory against Atalanta would at least ease the pressure ahead of the final two group games in December.
Man Utd undid much of their good early work in Champions League Group H when losing to Basaksehir in Istanbul and can’t afford another slip-up. The Red Devils are having a topsy-turvy campaign in the Premier League too, but we’re not expecting lightening to strike twice against the Turkish team.
Chelsea enjoyed a comfortable 3-0 win over Rennes at Stamford Bridge on Champions League Matchday 3 and are fancied to confirm their superiority in France. Two penalties and a red card for Brazilian defender Dalbert didn’t help Les Rennais in London but they still looked out of their depth at this level.
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England’s hopes of reaching the Nations League finals again are over but they will be keen to end their Group A2 campaign on a high note at Wembley. Iceland have failed to pick up a point from five previous fixtures in this pool and were beaten 1-0 by the Three Lions in Reykjavick a couple of months ago.
Wales only need a point to claim promotion from Nations League Group B4 and may settle for a share of the spoils with second-placed Finland in Cardiff. The visitors can still top the table if successful here, but did lose 1-0 to the Dragons on home turf in Helsinki back in September.
Northern Ireland have twice been courageous in defeat during the current international break and we’re hoping for another spirited effort versus Romania. The visitors like to play football and have been involved in some entertaining encounters themselves over the last couple of months.