Following an interesting night of football, 26 goals altogether, drama in Bergamo, net shaking fest in Munich, we are up for another episode of the show called the Champions League. Eight remaining matches to close off the fourth round of the biggest European club competition await us.The epithet of the most attractive match of the night goes to the one being played at Anfield but also a lot can be expected from clashes in Leipzig and Milan as well as the one in Dortmund. Let’s get to it.Today’s Champions League fixtures (WAT)6.45pmMilan vs PortoReal Madrid vs Shakhtar Donetsk9pmMan City vs Club BruggeLeipzig vs PSGLiverpool vs Atletico MadridSporting vs BeşiktaşDortmund vs AjaxSheriff vs Inter MilanWho are you backing? 🤔#UCL #ChampionsLeague pic.twitter.com/0laW9iQNFh— Football Pundit (@Futball_Pundit) November 3, 2021 AC MILAN – PORTO (20.45)Even though things are looking peachy for now in the Serie A, AC Milan are literally pointless in their first Champions League campaign since 2013/14 season. Tonight at San Siro, Rossoneri are hosts to Porto and are eager to break the vicious spell. Stefano Pioli’s troops want to put an end to their three-game losing run in the elite competition, and they are likely to leave their hearts on the pitch. Bad news is that among those troops, the likes of Castillejo, Rebic, and Florenzi will be missing.The Dragons of Porto did well to beat Milan at their Estadio do Dragao two weeks ago, with the team keeping their Champions League last 16 hopes alive. What also works for the Portuguese side is that Milan’s focus seems to be more towards regaining their domestic Scudetto glory.LIVERPOOL – ATLETICO MADRID (23.00)Derby of the evening. All eyes on Anfield as Liverpool and Atletico Madrid face each other in Group B. The Reds hold a three-out-of-three record and are seen as favourites to win the match. One of the main contenders for the Golden Ball award, Mohamed Salah, will again be the one to watch closely.Los Rojiblancos are after retaliation – the 3-2 loss at their Estadio Wanda Metropolitano in the previous round against the Reds should be inspirational for the passionate Diego Simeone and ‘Cholo’ will do whatever he can to elevate his squad to victory.
REAL MADRID – SHAKHTAR (20.45)Los Blancos did well in Ukraine fourteen days ago, to say the least. A confident five-nil win over the Miners provided them with additional confidence in their chase after the top position in Group D.The Madridians head into the match following a 2-1 win over Elche, and seeing that key attacker Karim Benzema returns from injury, Shakhtar could be in for another beating at at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu.It should be no surprise if Carlo Ancelotti introduces Eden Hazard to the starting XI since Rodrygo picked up an injury during the weekend.Shakhtar haven’t scored one single goal in the competition yet, and they will surely go after breaking the barrier but it is easier said than done against such a massive opponent.SHERIFF TIRASPOL – INTER MILAN (23.00)The Moldovan champions have been performing above all expectations in Group D, but they failed to spoil Inter’s party at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza two weeks ago. Tonight, top position will be at stake when the two face each other again at Stadionul Sheriff.Simone Inzaghi’s men are focused qualifying to the Champions League last 16, and seeing that Lautaro Martinez returns to the starting XI, chances for Sheriff to shock everyone like they did in first two round are getting slimmer.
BORUSSIA DORTMUND – AJAX (23.00)That 4-0 loss at Johan Cruijff Arena, as expected, did not sit well with the Millionaires and the Dortmund side will surely look to get their revenge on Ajax. Wednesday evening, at Signal Iduna Park, Borussia will go all in but without injured Erling Haaland, in order to cement their place in the top-two of Group C.Ajax can boast with incredible form, Heracles draw in Eredivisie aside. The Amsterdammers aim to keep their 100% record intact in the 2021/2022 Champions League campaign – what is reassuring is that Erik ten Hag can count on key players ahead of tonight’s match-up.SPORTING – BESIKTAS (23.00)It was a great night for the Lisbon Lions two weeks ago in Istanbul – a 4-1 win against sturdy Besiktas and their intense fans is quite a confidence booster.Wednesday evening at Estadio Jose Alvalade is a shot the Portuguese to do the same and thus compete for the second position in Group C.The Turks are on a three-game losing run and attacking early and strong this evening is a must for the team of Sergen Yalcin.
RB LEIPZIG – PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN (23.00)The most expensive group of this year’s Champions League is Group A. Star-filled Paris Saint-Germain travel to the east of Germany to face Red Bull Leipzig in what can be a warm up match for the next round derby (Man City-PSG in three weeks time). At Red Bull Arena tonight, Leipzig side aim to get their revenge on les Parisiens for the 3-2 loss at Parc des Princes, and as always the hosts are expected to come out with an attack-minded approach.Mauricio Pochettino’s men came from behind to beat Lille in the Ligue 1 derby at the weekend, which was great for morale in this still-chemistry-searching squad. Lionel Messi’s appearance is doubtful after suffering an injury in the triumph over les Dogues while Kylian Mbappe should be fit and hungry for goals.MANCHESTER CITY – CLUB BRUGGE (23.00)The Citizens suffered an embarrassing 2-0 loss to Crystal Palace in their last league match, and, no doubt, they will give 100% to return to winning ways. Club Brugge visit Etihad Stadium tonight but it won’t be easy for the hosts if Brugge’s boys perform as well as they did in the first two round of the competition. But if the Belgians play as they did two weeks ago (hammered by Man City 1-5), Pep Guardiola has nothing to worry about.The Spaniard should opt to make changes to the starting XI that faced the Eagles, with both Mahrez and Gundogan pushing for a start.As for the Belgian champions are determined to record their second win of the process but with City and PSG in the group, maybe Brugge should wait their next Lepzig clash for that to potentially realize.
Ronaldo’s brace gives United an undeserved point