MLS Finals Set Seattle vs Columbus Sat 8 pm on Fox
Seattle came back from 2 goals down to Minn United at home with 3 goals in the last 15 minutes to snatch away the victory. The 2nd goal in the 89th minute and the final goal off a corner header in the 93rd minute to secure the victory as MLS’ new dynasty the Seattle Sounders will look to complete a Back to Back at Columbus on Saturday night. The defending MLS Champs were taken to the woodshed in the first 30 minutes by upstart Minn United. The 4th year team – just 2 years removed from having the worst record in the league has made steady progress under coach Adrian Heath and looks to be set to compete moving forward in the West. Meanwhile, Seattle has set the standard in MLS this decade as this is their 4th MLS Cup in 5 years with Championships last year and in 2016. Columbus Crew SC are the home team and they’re 12W-1L-0D at MAPFRE Stadium this season, including Audi 2020 MLS Cup Playoffs wins over the New York Red Bulls, Nashville SC and the New England Revolution. The Seattle Sounders, meanwhile, are the defending champions and are looking to join D.C. United, the Houston Dynamo and the LA Galaxy as the only teams in league history to win back-to-back titles. This is honestly a toss-up and the way this MLS Playoff season has gone – is much watch TV Sat Night at 8 pm on Fox.
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE – FINAL Group Matches – Real & Man U on Edge, 7 spots up for grabs, Renaldo vs Messi
The Champions League group stage has reached its climax, with seven places in the round of 16 still up for grabs. The crucial action comes in Group H as Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain and RB Leipzig fight it out for the two places, while Borussia Monchengladbach, Inter Milan, Real Madrid and Shakhtar Donetsk are in a titanic battle in Group B. With that in mind, we run you through all the action ahead of what promises to be another unpredictable, dramatic week of Champions League action. Who will seal their places in the knockout stages? It’s a Winner advance game today at 3 pm on CBS All Access and TUDN between RB Liepzig and Man United as American Adams looks to help RB Leipzig advance to the Sweet 16. A PSG win or tie puts them into the next round. Dortmund and Gio Reyna – fresh off a goal over the weekend – will look to claim first place in their group with a win at 1 pm at Zenit- either way they are thru. Also Tuesday with 1st place in the group on the line is a rematch of Messi vs Ronaldo as Juventus and American Weston McKinney travel to Barcelona with American Serginio Dest at 3 pm on CBS AA. Wednesday’s marquee matchup is Real Madrid hosting Borrusia MGladbach with the winner advancing to the Knock-out stages at 3 pm on CBS AA and TUDN. At the same time Inter and Shakhatar are playing their own winner goes on – loser goes home match. Atletico must win or tie to hold on their spot in the next round vs American Coach Jesse Marsh and Salzburg also at 3 pm Wed. At 1 pm Ajax and Italy’s Atalata will face off on CBSAA for a shot to the next round. Finally American GK Zach Steffan gets the start for Man City vs Marseille – as Man City has basically clinched top in group B. Today and Wednesday just might be the day to watch the Goalazo show on CBS Sportsnetwork with so many games of such importance! Here’s the Table going into the final matchday of group play.
USA Men face El Salvador Wed 7:30 pm ESPN News
The US Men take a mighty young very U23 looking team of MLS stars into their game with El Salvador on Wednesday night.
The US Men take a mighty young very U23 looking team of MLS stars into their game with El Salvador on Wednesday night. Some things to watch for Wed night are who makes a mark. Lots of players are battling for a chance to be on the roster this summer as the US looks towards the Olympics (U24s), Gold Cup and Nations League Finals this summer. Can the US score will be once question as Sebatian Soto looks to start up top. Line-up prediction – This team should win by at least 2 goals!
Soto //Akinola
Acosta, Aaronson, Lletget
Yueill
Vines, McKenzie, Zimmerman, Araujo
Hamid
USA MLS MEN
GOALKEEPERS (3): CJ Dos Santos (Benfica), Bill Hamid (D.C. United), David Ochoa (Real Salt Lake)
DEFENDERS (8): Julian Araujo (LA Galaxy), Kyle Duncan (New York Red Bulls), Marco Farfan (Portland Timbers), Aaron Long (New York Red Bulls), Mark McKenzie (Philadelphia Union), Mauricio Pineda (Chicago Fire), Sam Vines (Colorado Rapids), Walker Zimmerman (Nashville SC)
MIDFIELDERS (6): Brenden Aaronson (Philadelphia Union), Kellyn Acosta (Colorado Rapids), Cole Bassett (Colorado Rapids), Sebastian Lletget (LA Galaxy), Andrés Perea (Orlando City), Jackson Yueill (San Jose Earthquakes)
FORWARDS (6): Ayo Akinola (Toronto FC), Efrain Alvarez (LA Galaxy), Paul Arriola (D.C. United), Daryl Dike (Orlando City SC), Djordje Mihailovic (Chicago Fire), Chris Mueller (Orlando City)
GAMES ON TV
(American’s in parenthesis)
Tues, Dec 8
Champions League Final Group Day
1 pm CBS AA/TUDN Zenit vs Dortmund (Reyna)
3 pm CBS AA/TUDN RB Leipzig (Adams) vs Man United (winner thru)
3 pm CBS AA/TUDN Barcelona (Dest) vs Juve (McKinney)
3 pm CBS AA Chelsea (Pulisic) vs Krasnodar
3 pm CBS AA PSG vs Instanbul
Wed, Dec 9
Champions League Final Group Day
1 pm CBS AA Ajax vs Atalanta
1 pm CBS AA Midtjylland vs Liverpool
3 pm CBS AA/TUDN Real Madrid vs Borrusia MGladbach (winner thru)
3 pm CBS AA/TUDN Inter vs Shakhatar Donetsk
3 pm CBS AA/TUDN Salzburg (US Manager) vs Athletico Madrid (winner thru)
3 pm CBS AA Manchester City (Steffan GK) vs Olympique Marseille
7:30 pm ESPN News TUDN USA Men (MLS guys) vs El Salvador
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Tues/WED
Champions League: How teams can qualify for round of 16 Dale Johnson
Man United, Real Madrid could bow out of UCL in pivotal week Tom Hamilton
Messi will face Ronaldo in UCL clash – Koeman Sam Marsden
Zidane: I’ve never felt untouchable as coach dAlex Kirkland and Rodrigo Faez
Solskjaer’s had many ‘make or break’ weeks but this one will define his season Mark Ogden
Ole: Players must prove they belong at Man Utd Rob Dawson
USA
USMNT stars make Euro leagues scoring history
Berhalter issues challenge to Aaronson ahead of El Salvador friendly
Arriola: USMNT now have “different sense of urgency” now
Berhalter impressed by Efra Alvarez, leaving “open door” for US switch
Doyle: Latest USMNT roster has an Olympic flair
Jackson Yueill added to USMNT roster
Scouting El Salvador
MLS
538: Who will win MLS Cup 2020?
Sounders Score 3 Goals in last 15 Minutes to Stun Minn
What a comeback! Seattle beat Loons 3-2, reach fourth MLS Cup in five years
“One of our best games ever”: Seattle back in MLS Cup after classic
Bruin & Svensson the super-sub heroes for Sounders: “I knew what I needed to do”
Minnesota: We were “running on empty” at the end vs. Seattle
Complete Bracket: MLS Cup is set!
USA vs. El Salvador | How to watch, stream and follow | 2020 International Friendly
Dylan Butler Nov 25, 2020
2020 International Friendly
United States vs. El Salvador
Inter Miami CF Stadium – Fort Lauderdale
December 9 – 7:30 PM ET
TV: UniMás, TUDN, ESPN News
After the young, largely European-based US men’s national team impressed last month with results against Wales and Panama in the team’s first matches in nine months, a young crop of MLS players will look to impress Gregg Berhalter in an international friendly against El Salvador at Inter Miami CF Stadium Dec. 9. It is the last competitive match of the calendar year ahead of what will be a very busy and very important 2021, which includes World Cup qualifiers and the Concacaf Gold Cup. Of the 23 players called up, with Benfica goalkeeper CJ Dos Santos the lone player not from MLS, 13 are looking to earn their first USMNT cap. There’s some interesting storylines as well ahead of this match. Berhalter called in a handful of players who are either dual nationals or available to compete for several national teams, including Efra Alvarez from the LA Galaxy who has represented both the US and Mexico as a youth international. Young forwards Daryl Dike from Orlando City SC and Toronto FC’s Ayo Akinola both have multiple international options with each impressing in the 2020 season. Brenden Aaronson’s year started with his first USMNT cap in January and included playing a starring role in the Philadelphia Union’s historic Supporters’ Shield run as well as a Best XI presented by Home Depot selection. Berhalter challenged Aaronson, who will join Jesse Marsch’s Red Bull Salzburg in the new year, to show what he did in MLS on the international level against a tricky El Salvador side. “What we’re looking for him now is to validate it. Validate it on the field,” he told reporters in a video conference call. “It’s a good opponent we play. Against El Salvador, it’s going to be a tight game and this is where he should be able to be very effective. We’re really looking forward to him capping off a strong season with a good performance against El Salvador.”Paul Arriola, who spent much of the season working his way back from a preseason ACL injury, returns to the fold and the D.C. United midfielder has more goals (5) and appearances (33) than any other player on this roster. And there’s an open competition at the center back spot to earn regular starts with Aaron Long of the New York Red Bulls, newly-minted MLS Defender of the Year Walker Zimmerman from Nashville SC and Mark McKenzie of the Union leading the charge. While Berhalter has one eye on the the USMNT future of some of these young players, many are also eligible to compete in Olympic qualifying, which should also take place in 2021. “They’re here for a reason, they’ve here because they’ve earned this call-up based on what they do well and keep doing that well and we’ll fit them in to what we do,” Berhalter said of the young players in camp. “That’s the important message for these guys.”Houston Dynamo midfielder Darwin Ceren and Andres Flores from the Portland Timbers, who have a combined 125 appearances, have been called into the El Salvador team for this match. The USMNT hold a 17-1-5 all-time advantage in the series dating back to 1977. This is the first friendly meeting in more than a decade with Brian Ching and Sacha Kljestan scoring in a 2-1 win in Tampa on Feb. 24, 2010. The most recent match was a 2-0 USMNT win in the 2017 Gold Cup quarterfinals with Omar Gonzalez and Eric Lichaj scoring first-half goals.
Champions League: Who can reach last 16?
Joe Prince-Wrighton, December 7, 2020, 10:30 AM ESTThe UEFA Champions League group stage will enter its finale next week, and only nine of the spots in the last 16 have been decided.
[ MORE: Champions League odds, picks ]
Groups B and H will be intriguing as seven of the eight teams across those groups head into the final 90 minutes knowing they can reach the last 16. There is also plenty to sort out when it comes to third place and which teams will move down to the Europa League Round of 32.
While below we look at the Champions League permutations and who needs what on the final day.
Who can reach UEFA Champions League last 16?
Group A
Reigning champs Bayern have won the group, while a final day showdown sees USMNT legend Jesse Marsch lead Austrian champs RB Salzburg against Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid at home. A win for Salzburg would seal their first-ever passage to the last 16. Atleti only need a draw to reach the last 16.
Qualified: Bayern Munich (group winners)
In the hunt: Atletico Madrid, RB Salzburg
Final day games: RB Salzburg v Atletico Madrid, Bayern Munich v Lokomotiv Moscow
Group B
This is the most exciting group. All four teams can still qualify, as Shakhtar’s two wins against Real Madrid have really mixed things up. Real have never failed to qualify from the group stage, but it is a straight shootout between themselves and Monchengladbach for a spot in the last 16. Inter Milan have to beat Shakhtar to have a chance of advancing, and hope that Madrid v Monchengladbach doesn’t end in a draw. Wow.
Qualified: Nobody
In the hunt: Borussia Monchengladbach, Shakhtar Donetsk, Real Madrid, Inter Milan
Final day games: Real Madrid v Borussia Monchengladbach, Inter Milan v Shakhtar Donetsk
Group H
Another belter of a group. Manchester United head to RB Leipzig knowing a point will be enough to reach the last 16, but Leipzig need a win to guarantee their path to the last 16. PSG host already-eliminated Basaksehir and a win would see them qualify. However, there is a scenario that if United and Leipzig draw and so too do PSG, then Les Parisiens will go through by virtue of away goals scored in their head-to-head record with Leipzig. Wild. Root for chaos.
Qualified: Nobody.
In the hunt: Manchester United, PSG, RB Leipzig
Final day games: RB Leipzig v Manchester United, PSG v Istanbul Basaksehir
Group F
This is interesting. Borussia Dortmund are through but need a win against Zenit to guarantee top spot. Lazio host Club Brugge in a straight shootout to see who joins them in the last 16. Lazio need a point to seal their place in the last 16.
Qualified: Borussia Dortmund
In the hunt: Lazio, Club Brugge
Final day games: Zenit v Borussia Dortmund, Lazio v Club Brugge
Group D
Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool have eased through as group winners, while Ajax v Atalanta is a straight showdown to see who joins them. A draw for Atalanta is enough to reach the last 16 and send Ajax to the Europa League. Ajax have to win.
Qualified: Liverpool (group winners)
In the hunt: Atalanta, Ajax
Final day games: Midtjylland v Liverpool, Ajax v Atalanta
Group C
Easy in this group, as City have already won the group and Porto will finish second. Marseille and Olympiacos are battling for third and qualification to the Europa League as they’re both locked on three points.
Qualified: Manchester City (group winners), FC Porto
Final day games: Manchester City v Marseille, Olympiacos v Porto
Group E
Chelsea have eased through as group winners, while Sevilla join them in the last 16. Krasnodar have also sealed third place and Europa League qualification. Nothing to play for in Group E, other than pride for Rennes.
Qualified: Chelsea (group winner), Sevilla
In the hunt: Nobody. Krasnodar have sealed third place
Final day games: Chelsea v Krasnodar, Rennes v Sevilla
Group G
Barca need a point at home to Juve to seal top spot, but a defeat could see Juve jump above them (as long as they better the result from Barca’s 2-0 win at Juve in October). Dynamo Kiev and Ferencvaros square off for third place with both teams on one point after their 2-2 draw in Hungary earlier in the group stage.
Qualified: Barcelona, Juventus
In the hunt: Dynamo Kiev, Ferencvaros in battle for third.
Final day games: Barcelona v Juventus, Dynamo Kiev v Ferencvaros
Group H
Another belter of a group. Manchester United head to RB Leipzig knowing a point will be enough to reach the last 16, but Leipzig need a win to guarantee their path to the last 16. PSG host already-eliminated Basaksehir and a win would see them qualify. However, there is a scenario that if United and Leipzig draw and so too do PSG, then Les Parisiens will go through by virtue of away goals scored in their head-to-head record with Leipzig. Wild. Root for chaos.
Qualified: Nobody.
In the hunt: Manchester United, PSG, RB Leipzig
Final day games: RB Leipzig v Manchester United, PSG v Istanbul Basaksehir
JPW’s Champions League predictions
Group A – December 9
Bayern Munich 3-1 Lokomotiv Moscow
RB Salzburg 2-2 Atletico Madrid
Group B – December 9
Inter Milan 3-1 Shakhtar Donetsk
Real Madrid 2-1 Borussia Monchengladbach
Group C – December 9
Olympiacos 1-2 FC Porto
Manchester City 4-1 Marseille
Group D – December 9
Ajax 2-3 Atalanta
Midtjylland 1-2 Liverpool
Group E – December 8
Rennes 1-1 Sevilla
Chelsea 4-0 Krasnodar
Group F – December 8
Zenit 1-2 Borussia Dortmund
Lazio 2-1 Club Brugge
Group G – December 8
Dynamo Kiev 1-1 Ferencvaros
Barcelona 1-3 Juventus
Group H – December 8
Paris Saint-Germain 3-1 Istanbul Basaksehir
RB Leipzig 1-1 Manchester United
Champions League Matchday 6 preview: Man United, Real Madrid could bow out in pivotal week
10:40 AM ETTom HamiltonSenior Writer
- The Champions League group stage has reached its climax, with seven places in the round of 16 still up for grabs.The crucial action comes in Group H as Man United, PSG and RB Leipzig fight it out for the two places, while Borussia Monchengladbach, Inter Milan, Real Madrid and Shakhtar Donetsk are in a titanic battle in Group B.
With that in mind, we run you through all the action ahead of what promises to be another unpredictable, dramatic week of Champions League action. Who will seal their places in the knockout stages?
Jump to groups:
— Wednesday’s matches: A | B | C | D
— Tuesday’s matches: E | F | G | H
GROUP A: Bayern Munich, Atletico Madrid, FC Salzburg, Lokomotiv Moscow
Standings: Bayern (13 pts), Atletico Madrid (6 pts), FC Salzburg (4 pts), Lokomotiv Moscow (3 pts)
Bayern Munich are through as group winners but second place is up for grabs. If Atletico Madrid avoid defeat against FC Salzburg, they go through, but if Salzburg win in Austria then it’s Jesse Marsch’s team who will progress.
BAYERN MUNICH vs. LOKOMOTIV MOSCOW
Wednesday, 3 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. GMT
Reigning champions Bayern Munich are already through as group winners so coach Hansi Flick may opt to rotate his squad following their 3-3 draw with RB Leipzig at the weekend. English wunderkind Jamal Musiala scored alongside a brace from Thomas Muller against Leipzig leaving Bayern at the top of the Bundesliga. They have Javi Martinez, Alphonso Davies, Jerome Boateng, Lucas Hernandez and Joshua Kimmich all out injured but should have too much for Lokomotiv.
Lokomotiv may yet need a result in Munich to secure a spot in the Europa League and will take heart from their 3-1 win over Rubin Kazan at the weekend where Vladislav Ignatyev scored twice. They have Mikhail Lysov, Dmitri Barinov, Daniil Kulikov, Ze Luis and Feder Smolov all out injured.
FC SALZBURG vs. ATLETICO MADRID
Wednesday, 3 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. GMT
Both Salzburg and Atletico have a shot at reaching the knockouts, with the Austrians needing to beat Diego Simeone’s side to go through. Jesse Marsch’s Salzburg suffered a shock 1-0 defeat to Flyeralarm Admira at the weekend but will hope for more of the same from their last Champions League match where they won 3-1 at Lokomotiv. Antoine Bernede misses out through injury while Noah Okafor is a doubt.
Atletico beat Real Valladolid 2-0 on Saturday with Thomas Lemar and Marcos Llorente scoring. They have conceded just two goals in 10 La Liga games so Salzburg will have it tough to get through the Atletico defence. Simeone’s side will be without Yannick Carrasco, Jose Gimenez and Diego Costa but will be favourites to go through.
GROUP B: Real Madrid, Shakhtar Donetsk, Inter Milan, Borussia Monchengladbach
Standings: Borussia Monchengladbach (8 pts), Shakhtar Donetsk (7 pts), Real Madrid (7 pts), Inter (5 pts)
This is all to play for. All four teams can progress: Gladbach need to avoid defeat to go through, while Real Madrid need to beat the German side to qualify. Shakhtar need to beat Inter to keep fate in their hands, while Inter need to win and hope for anything other than a draw in the other game.
INTER MILAN vs. SHAKHTAR DONETSK
Wednesday, 3 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. GMT
This group is beautifully poised with all four teams still hopeful of gate-crashing the knockout stages.
Internazionale will go through to the knockouts if they beat Shakhtar Donetsk and the Real-Borussia match does not end in a draw. They won 3-1 on Saturday against Bologna with Romelu Lukaku scoring and Achraf Hakimi grabbing a brace. Aleksandar Kolarov and Matias Vecino are unavailable.
Shakhtar will progress if they win in Milan and travel with plenty of confidence having won 5-1 over Mynai at the weekend with Fernando, Manor Solomon and Mykola Matviyenko all scoring alongside a pair of own goals. Shakhtar drew 0-0 with Inter first time out, and will be without Ismaily, Viktor Kornienko, Yevgen Konoplyanaka and Junior Moraes. Inter should have too much for the visitors here.
REAL MADRID vs. BORUSSIA MONCHENGLADBACH
Wednesday, 3 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. GMT
Real Madrid’s topsy-turvy season continued with a 1-0 win at Sevilla win at the weekend, thanks to a Yassine Bounou own-goal, but the pressure’s on Zinedine Zidane’s side to get a result against the impressive Borussia Monchengladbach. Sergio Ramos could play while Dani Carvajal has trainedm but Eden Hazard, Martin Odegaard and Federico Valverde will all miss out.Gladbach drew 2-2 at Freiburg on Saturday with Breel Embolo and Alassane Plea scoring. They lost to Inter Milan in the last round, but know they may need a draw to go through. Jonas Hofmann and Ramy Bensebaini will both miss out for Marco Rose’s side but there is a slim chance Nico Elvedi returns. We think Zidane will pull this one out of the hat and Madrid will progress.
GROUP C: FC Porto, Manchester City, Olympiakos, Marseille
Standings: Man City (13 pts), FC Porto (10 pts), Olympiakos (3 pts), Marseille (3 pts)
Man City and FC Porto are already through while Olympiakos and Marseille are competing for the Europa League spot.
Wednesday, 3 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. GMT
Pep Guardiola’s side are through as group winners so expect some rotation against Andre Villas-Boas’ team. City saw off Fulham at the weekend 2-0 thanks to goals from Kevin De Bruyne and Raheem Sterling, leaving City sixth in the Premier League. They have Sergio Aguero still out injured but Guardiola’s team should see off Marseille.
Marseille will be hoping to get a result in Manchester to book a spot in the Europa League and will travel over the Channel buoyed by their 2-0 win at Nimes on Friday. Dario Benedetto and Valere Germain both scored in their Ligue 1 victory and Villas-Boas only has winger Nemanja Radonjic absent.
OLYMPIAKOS vs. FC PORTO
Wednesday, 3 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. GMT
Like Marseille, Olympiakos will be gunning for third and qualification to the Europa League and won 4-1 against Volos in Super League Greece on Saturday. Youssef El-Arabi grabbed a hat trick in that comfortable win, and they will fancy their chances against Porto on Wednesday. Veteran midfielder Mathieu Valbuena misses out through injury.
FC Porto drew with City last time out and edged past Tondela at the weekend in a 4-3 thriller. They had Mateus Uribe sent off late on, but moved third in the Primeira Liga thanks to Moussa Marega’s double and other goals from Zaidu Sanusi and Mehdi Taremi. Ivan Marcano and Pepe both miss out. We think this will end in a draw with Olympiakos taking third spot.
GROUP D: Liverpool, Ajax, Atalanta, FC Midtjylland
Standings: Liverpool (12 pts), Ajax (8 pts), Atalanta (7 pts), FC Midtjylland (1 pts)
Liverpool are through as group winners while Ajax and Atalanta face each other for the second spot. If Atalanta avoid defeat in Amsterdam, they go through.
Wednesday, 12:55 p.m. ET / 5:55 p.m. GMT
Danish champions FC Midtjylland will finish at the foot of Group D while Liverpool head into the knockouts as group winners so hopefully this’ll lead to an expansive, end-to-end match. Midtjylland won 2-0 at Vejle BK on Saturday with Erik Sviatchenko and Alexander Scholz scoring. Liverpool breezed past Wolves 4-0 on Sunday with Jurgen Klopp juggling his squad with precision. Mohamed Salah, Georginio Wijnaldum and Joel Matip all scored, alongside a Nelson Semedo own goal, but expect Klopp to shuffle his pack again for Wednesday’s trip to Denmark.
Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez remain long-term absentees while James Milner is also sidelined, but Trent Alexander-Arnold and Naby Keita returned in their win over Wolves. Liverpool should have too much for the hosts.
Wednesday, 12:55 p.m. ET / 5:55 p.m. GMT
This will be one of the games of Matchday 6 with everything on the line as Atalanta travel to Ajax. If Atalanta avoid defeat, they’ll go through to the knockout stages but a win for Ajax will see them leapfrog the Italians into second.
Ajax suffered a shock 2-1 defeat at home to Twente on Saturday with Dusan Tadic’s second-half penalty not enough to earn a point, so they’ll hope to fare better against Gian Piero Gasperini’s side. Noussair Mazraoui, David Neres and Mohammed Kudus are all likely to be unavailable.
Atalanta’s match at Udinese at the weekend was called off due to a waterlogged pitch so their previous match was the 1-1 draw at home to Midtjylland last week. Mattia Caldara and Robin Gosens will both miss out. We think this will end in a draw, with Atalanta going through.
GROUP E: Sevilla, Chelsea, Krasnodar, Rennes
Standings: Chelsea (13 pts), Sevilla (10 pts), Krasnodar (4 pts), Rennes (1 pt)
This group is already sorted: Chelsea go through as winners, Sevilla as runners-up and Krasnodar are in the Europa League.
Tuesday, 3 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. GMT
Chelsea will top Group E and impressed at the weekend in their 3-1 win over Leeds with goals from Olivier Giroud, Kurt Zouma and Christian Pulisic. Giroud now has five in two, following his four-goal haul against Sevilla, and Hakim Ziyech is Chelsea’s only injured player.
Krasnodar swiped aside Rotor 5-0 at the weekend thanks to braces from Ari and Viktor Claesson, and another goal from Magomed Suleymanov. They are already secure in third spot in this group. They will be without Dmitri Stotskiy and Sergey Petrov and will do well to get anything out of this trip to Stamford Bridge.
STADE RENNES vs. SEVILLA
Tuesday, 3 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. GMT
This group’s standings are cemented with Rennes finishing fourth, and Sevilla going through as runners-up. Rennes’ Champions League campaign has been disappointing and they fell to a 2-0 defeat at home to Lens at the weekend to leave them ninth in Ligue 1. Manager Julien Stephan said afterwards he was concerned by the team’s “negative spiral” and said they have to behave like they are in a “fight against relegation.” Rennes have a number of injury concerns with Daniele Rugani, Jonas Martin, Nayef Aguerd, Serhou Guirassy, Martin Terrier and Alfred Gomis all absent.
Sevilla lost 1-0 at home to Real Madrid at the weekend and have Marcos Aruna, Sergio Escudero, Munir and Tomas Vaclik all injured while Jesus Navas and Joan Jordan are rested. But they are already through in second and should get a result in France.
GROUP F: Zenit St. Petersburg, Borussia Dortmund, Lazio, Club Brugge
Standings: Dortmund (10 pts), Lazio (9 pts), Club Brugge (7 pts), Zenit (1 pt)
Borussia Dortmund are through but need a win to cement top spot. The winner of Lazio-Club Brugge will go through as runners-up with a draw enough for the Serie A side.
LAZIO vs. CLUB BRUGGE
Tuesday, 12.55 p.m. ET / 5.55 p.m. GMT
Anything other than defeat will see Lazio through and they’ll hope to carry momentum into Tuesday’s game from their 2-1 win over Spezia on Saturday. Ciro Immobile grabbed his 10th of the season alongside another from the incredibly talented Sergej Milinkovic-Savic. Senad Lulic and Vedat Muriqi are both unavailable for Tuesday’s match but we expect Lazio to finish this group with a victory.
Club Brugge edged past Sint-Truiden 1-0 on Saturday thanks to David Okereke’s second-half goal. They beat Zenit 3-0 last time out and have a fully fit squad for the trip to Rome.
ZENIT ST. PETERSBURG vs. BORUSSIA DORTMUND
Tuesday, 12.55 p.m. ET / 5.55 p.m. GMT
Zenit hammered Ural Yekaterinburg 5-1 on Saturday in the Russian Premier League with Sardar Azmoun scoring a hat trick alongside goals from Artem Dzyuba and Douglas Santos. Dejan Lovren is out injured and will miss Tuesday’s game.
Borussia Dortmund are struggling for goals without the injured Erling Haaland and needed a brilliant effort from Gio Reyna to grab a draw at Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday. Borussia Dortmund are already through to the round of 16 and will want to finish top of the group but will have to do it without Manuel Akanji, Raphael Guerreiro, Thomas Delaney, Marcel Schmelzer and Haaland. We can see this ending all-square.
GROUP G: Juventus, Barcelona, Dynamo Kiev, Ferencvaros
Standings: Barcelona (15 pts), Juventus (12 pts), Dynamo Kiev (1 pt), Ferencvaros (1 pt)
Barcelona are in the driving seat and will keep top spot if they avoid defeat by three goals (or two goals, if the score is 3-1 or higher) against Juventus. Dynamo Kiev need to avoid defeat against Ferencvaros to get the Europa League spot.
Tuesday, 3 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. GMT
This is a tantalising battle between two European giants for the top spot in Group G – and we’re all hoping to see Lionel Messi up against Cristiano Ronaldo. But Barcelona head into this clash off the back of impressive European form, but a dismal performance in the league as they lost 2-1 to Cadiz on Saturday. Ronald Koeman has rotated Messi in their last two European games and he should start but Barcelona’s injury list is ever-lengthening with Ousmane Dembele out with a hamstring injury. Gerard Pique, Ansu Fati and Sergi Roberto are all long-term absentees while Ronald Araujo should come back into the side.
Juventus need a victory to top Group G and edged past local rivals Torino at the weekend in Serie A, winning 2-1 thanks to goals from Weston McKennie and Leonardo Bonucci. They sit fourth in the Italian top flight and will be without veteran goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon and defenders Merih Demiral and Giorgio Chiellini. Nothing will separate these sides on Tuesday evening.
Tuesday, 3 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. GMT
This is a battle for the Europa League spot, which Dynamo Kiev will take if they avoid defeat. Dynamo beat Mariupol 2-1 at the weekend thanks to goals from Denys Harmash and Viktor Tsyhankov, while Ferencvaros won at Diosgyori 3-1. Dynamo will be without Oleksandr Tymchyk, Nazariy Rusyn, Mikkel Duelund, Mykyta Burda and Volodymyr Kostevych while Ferencvaros are at full-strength.
GROUP H: Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United, RB Leipzig, Istanbul Basaksehir
Standings: Man United (9 pts), PSG (9 pts), RB Leipzig (9 pts), Istanbul Basaksehir (3 pts)
PSG, Manchester United and RB Leipzig are all tied on nine points. A draw will see PSG through. Manchester United go out if they lose, but need a point at Leipzig to go through. Leipzig realistically need to beat United to go through.
PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN vs. ISTANBUL BASAKSEHIR
Tuesday, 3 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. GMT
This group is evenly poised with three teams all in with a shout of getting through to the knockout stages.
PSG know a win over Istanbul Basaksehir will see them book their spot in the round of 16 and they won 3-1 at Montpellier on Saturday thanks to goals from Colin Dagba, Moise Kean and Kylian Mbappe. Juan Bernat will miss out through injury, while Mauro Icardi, Julian Draxler and Pablo Sarabia are also doubts, but Thomas Tuchel will likely recall Neymar to the starting line-up.
Basaksehir lost 4-3 to Leipzig on Matchday 5, and drew 1-1 at Yani Malatyaspor on Saturday with Giuliano de Paula scoring. Martin Skrtel is suspended while Basaksehir will also be without Boli Bolingoli, Alexandru Epureanu, Mehmet Topal and Ifran Kahveci. PSG should win this comfortably.
RB LEIPZIG vs. MANCHESTER UNITED
Tuesday, 3 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. GMT
Manchester United need to avoid defeat in Leipzig to go through, while Julian Nagelsmann’s side will be looking for revenge having lost the return game 5-0 at Old Trafford.
Leipzig are playing some wonderful football at the moment and caused Bayern Munich all sorts of difficulty in their 3-3 draw on Saturday. Christopher Nkunku, Justin Kluivert and Emil Forsberg all scored against Bayern but Nagelsmann’s side will be without Benjamin Henrichs, Hwang Hee-Chan, Lukas Klostermann and Konrad Laimer for Tuesday’s match, while Dayot Upamecano is suspended.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s Manchester United came from behind to win 3-1 at West Ham on Saturday thanks to goals from Paul Pogba, Mason Greenwood and Marcus Rashford. They will be without suspended Fred, who saw red against PSG in their 3-1 defeat last week, while Luke Shaw, Anthony Martial, Edinson Cavani and Phil Jones are all absent. David de Gea remains doubtful with Dean Henderson on hand to deputise in goal. We think this will end in a win for Leipzig.
The Ole BallCoach 