Ultimate Guide to Champions League Matchday 4: Magnificent 7 Eye Qualification
It’s getting serious now, with qualification for the last 16 potentially at stake as we enter Matchday 4 of this season’s Champions League.
Seven teams know they could end the week in the knockout stages if results go their way, with Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, Juventus, Manchester City, Barcelona, Zenit Saint Petersburg and Valencia all hoping to be the lucky ones.
They can’t all qualify just yet, but it would be shock if at least one of them hadn’t secured progress.
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Here’s the ultimate guide.
Tuesday, November 3
Group A
Real Madrid vs. Paris Saint-Germain, Santiago Bernabeu, 7.45 p.m. GMT / 2.45 p.m. ET
Let’s kick off with the big one, shall we?
The goalless draw in Paris on Matchday 3 means a win for either team at the Bernabeu, coupled with Malmo failing to beat Shakhtar Donetsk, will put them through. The smart money has to be on Real Madrid earning that victory.
Real have progressed from the group stage after just four games on a record eight occasions, and following on from Saturday's 3-1 win at home to Las Palmas, they’ll be eyeing up qualification against a PSG side that surely missed its best chance of landing a punch on Real when the teams drew 0-0 at Parc des Princes.
If he’s passed fit, goalkeeper Keylor Navas will also be seeking a record—keeping a clean sheet for 79 minutes would establish him as the goalkeeper to have played the longest in the Champions League without conceding a goal since his debut.
That clean sheet looks very likely.
Prediction: Real Madrid 2-0 Paris Saint-Germain
Shakhtar Donetsk vs. Malmo, Arena Lviv, 7.45 p.m. GMT / 2.45 p.m. ET
The belief that this is one of the poorest Shakhtar Donetsk sides to ever grace the Champions League will be confirmed if the Ukrainians lose their first four matches of a campaign for the first time in their history, although they won’t have a better chance to get a point on the board than this.
Malmo have lost all four of away fixtures they’ve ever played in the Champions League to date, but the momentum gained from Markus “no goals in 33 games for West Bromwich Albion” Rosenberg’s winner against Shakhtar last time out could lead to them changing that here.
Given the calibre of opposition they were up against, this back-to-back battle always looked as though it was going to determine which team would finish third in Group A. With Malmo seeking to preserve the three-point advantage they gained over their opponents on Matchday 3, they could just hang on for a draw.
Prediction: Shakhtar Donetsk 1-1 Malmo
Group B
Manchester United vs. CSKA Moscow, Old Trafford, 7.45 p.m. GMT / 2.45 p.m. ET
Somewhat surprisingly, Manchester United have never beaten a Russian team at Old Trafford—the most recent of three draws coming when Antonio Valencia scored a stoppage-time equaliser to force a 3-3 scoreline against CSKA Moscow in 2009.
The teams drew again in the Russian capital on Matchday 3, but you have to feel this is the point when United really begin to flex their muscles in what, for them, should be a pretty negotiable Group B.
The 100th Champions League match at Old Trafford really should result in a home win, with Wayne Rooney no doubt seeking to answer a few of his critics by scoring the two goals he needs to equal Ruud van Nistelrooy’s all-time United European scoring record of 38.
Louis van Gaal, who is coming under pressure from United fans for his negative tactics, would settle for one if it was the winner.
Prediction: Manchester United 1-0 CSKA Moscow
PSV Eindhoven vs. Wolfsburg, Philips Stadion, 7.45 p.m. GMT / 2.45 p.m. ET
A return to Eindhoven will be welcomed by PSV, who have lost both of their matches on the road after their opening-night win over Manchester United at the Philips Stadion.
Seeking to become the first Dutch club to make it past the group stage since 2006/07, when PSV themselves reached the quarter-finals, Phillip Cocu’s talented side needs to take something from Wolfsburg in what is a surprisingly tight group.
The Germans—fresh from a 2-0 win over PSV last time out—will make the short journey to Eindhoven with confidence and the knowledge that a victory would mark a huge leap toward qualification.
It’s a close one to call, then, but home advantage might just be crucial factor in a group in which five of the six games have been home wins.
Prediction: PSV Eindhoven 2-1 Wolfsburg
Group C
Astana vs. Atletico Madrid, Astana Arena, 3 p.m. GMT / 8 a.m. ET
Group-stage Champions League football returns to Kazakhstan for a second time, and if it is half as entertaining as the first match—when Astana and Galatasaray combined to score three own goals in the final 13 minutes of a 2-2 draw—then we’ll be in for a treat.
In reality, Atletico Madrid should be far too good for their hosts here, though, with the 4-0 win they achieved over them in the Spanish capital on Matchday 3 serving as a pretty emphatic reference point.
Antoine Griezmann wasn’t on the scoresheet that night, but he’s likely to have a huge say in Kazakhstan as Atletico go for a third win of the group stage—something they should achieve with relative ease.
Prediction: Astana 1-3 Atletico Madrid
Benfica vs. Galatasaray, Estadio da Luz, 7.45 p.m. GMT / 2.45 p.m. ET
There would have been plenty at Galatasaray who’d forgotten what a European win felt like, but Selcuk Inan’s penalty and a Lukas Podolski strike changed all that last time out as the Turks beat Benfica and registered their first success in continental competition for 11 matches and nearly two years.
Can they get their second one straight away? Well, it’s not likely.
Galatasaray are winless in their last nine Champions League matches on the road, and they haven’t won consecutive games in the competition for three years.
Benfica, who won their first two matches before the Istanbul reverse, should have enough about them to gain revenge.
Prediction: Benfica 2-0 Galatasaray
Group D
Borussia Monchengladbach vs. Juventus, Borussia-Park, 7.45 p.m. GMT / 2.45 p.m. ET
The point gained against Juventus in Turin was Borussia Monchengladbach’s first of the tournament so far, and in reality, the Bundesliga outfit is pretty much aiming to overhaul Sevilla and finish in third place.
Die Fohlen will be wanting Manchester City to beat the Primera Division side, then, but so too will Juventus.
Last season’s beaten finalists might be enduring a mess of a season in Serie A, but qualification for the knockout stages would be ensured if both they and City win on Tuesday night.
Achieving that win will be easier said than done, though. Juventus still don’t convince and may have to settle for another point against Gladbach.
Prediction: Borussia Moenchengladbach 1-1 Juventus
Sevilla vs. Manchester City, Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, 7.45 p.m. GMT / 2.45 p.m. ET
Perhaps it could end up being looked back on as a huge turning point in years to come—was Kevin De Bruyne’s last-gasp winner against Sevilla on Matchday 3 the moment Manchester City really fell in love with the Champions League?
It’s certainly made Group D look a lot rosier for them, and Manuel Pellegrini’s men will qualify for the last 16 if they can win here and Borussia Monchengladbach fail to beat Juventus in Germany—a distinct possibility.
Sevilla showed enough at the Etihad Stadium to suggest they’ll be a tricky proposition for a City side without Sergio Aguero, but with Pellegrini doubtless eager to wrap up qualification before a trip to Turin, City’s greater need and quality could just shine through, perhaps in the last few seconds again.
Prediction: Sevilla 1-2 Manchester City
Wednesday, November 4
Group E
Barcelona vs. BATE Borisov, Camp Nou, 7.45 p.m. GMT / 2.45 p.m. ET
Everything you look at here simply screams that this will be a home win, with the only real question being by how much.
Barcelona only beat BATE Borisov 2-0 in Belarus thanks to two goals from substitute Ivan Rakitic, but you’d have to think that scoreline will be improved upon as Barca seek the win that—coupled with Roma failing to beat Bayer Leverkusen—could take them through.
Again, that has always really been a case of when rather than if, but they might end up leaving it late to beat their Belarusian opponents, who won’t be overawed. Five of Barca’s last six Champions League strikes have come in the final 15 matches of matches.
Prediction: Barcelona 3-0 BATE Borisov
Roma vs. Bayer Leverkusen, Stadio Olimpico, 7.45 p.m. GMT / 2.45 p.m. ET
Same again, please.
Bayer Leverkusen and Roma combined to draw a remarkable game 4-4 on Matchday 3, but the Italians certainly won’t be looking for a repeat as they led 4-2 with just six minutes to go.
All of that means Roma somewhat surprisingly find themselves bottom of Group E at the halfway stage, with this clash resembling something of a final opportunity for them. Win, and they would in all likelihood overhaul their German opponents and take second place from them.
That would then create a scenario in which second place will be decided by which team does better against Barcelona in the final throes of the group, something that, given the scoring potential of these two, would be quite a sight to see.
Roma can win here, but a first European clean sheet in six years could elude them.
Prediction: Roma 3-2 Bayer Leverkusen
Group F
Bayern Munich vs. Arsenal, Allianz Arena, 7.45 p.m. GMT / 2.45 p.m. ET
Not many people saw Arsenal’s Matchday 3 victory over Bayern Munich coming, and now the task is for the Gunners to become the first English side to beat the German giants twice in a single European campaign.
That will be easier said than done, though.
Despite going into the game after failing to win a league match for the first time this season, Bayern remain imperious in Germany and are on a run of seven successive Champions League home wins.
The unfortunate injuries to Theo Walcott, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Aaron Ramsey have robbed Arsene Wenger of players who could have hurt their hosts too, and despite Saturday's success away to Swansea City, it might just be a bit too much to ask of his patched-up side to record another famous win.
Prediction: Bayern Munich 3-1 Arsenal
Olympiakos vs. Dinamo Zagreb, Karaiskakis Stadium, 7.45 p.m. GMT / 2.45 p.m. ET
Olympiakos have never won three Champions League games in a row before, and they’ve been gift-wrapped an opportunity to do just that.
Brown “seven goals in 30 games for West Bromwich Albion” Ideye’s winner 11 minutes from time in Zagreb on Matchday 3 proved it was the Greeks that are the better of the two sides that surprisingly beat Arsenal in the opening two matchdays of this season's Champions League. Another win here, coupled with a Gunners loss in Munich, would put Olympiakos on the verge of qualification.
Its good news for them, then, that Dinamo have lost each of their last seven Champions League away matches, dating back to 1999—the longest run of any side currently in the competition.
They won’t be in the competition for much longer, though.
Prediction: Olympiakos 2-0 Dinamo Zagreb
Group G
Chelsea vs. Dynamo Kiev, Stamford Bridge, 7.45 p.m. GMT / 2.45 p.m. ET
Chelsea’s display in their goalless draw in Kiev last time out was one of their more convincing performances of the season so far, but it was still a goalless draw, and manager Jose Mourinho is now back at Square 1 following his humbling at the hands of Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool on Saturday.
That draw in Kiev only served to strengthen Porto’s ascendancy in Group G, with a home win now crucial to prevent both the Portuguese side running away from them at the top and what could be Chelsea’s worst record after four matches of a Champions League group phase.
Indeed, failing to win would mean Chelsea hadn’t won one of any three consecutive group-stage matches for the first time, but Dynamo Kiev are fairly tough nut to crack on the road in Europe these days and are enjoying their best run of results in the competition since the 1998/99 team led by Andriy Shevchenko and Serhiy Rebrov famously got to the semi-finals.
Rebrov is the manager these days, and he can get something here.
Prediction: Chelsea 1-1 Dynamo Kiev
Maccabi Tel Aviv vs. Porto, Sammy Ofer Stadium, 7.45 p.m. GMT / 2.45 p.m. ET
It’s now 11 years since Maccabi Tel Aviv won a home match in the Champions League group stage, and that isn’t going to change here.
The Israelis remain bottom and pointless in Group G, with Porto doubtless sensing this as the perfect opportunity to take control of the group and build on the 2-0 win they enjoyed against the same opponents last time out.
Win, and they’ll have 10 points from four matches for the third time in four seasons.
They might not be considered a Champions League superpower, but they often make the group stage look easy.
Prediction: Maccabi Tel Aviv 0-2 Porto
Group H
Lyon vs. Zenit Saint Petersburg, Stade Gerland, 7.45 p.m. GMT / 2.45 p.m. ET
Whatever has gone right for Zenit Saint Petersburg in Group H seems to have gone wrong for Lyon, and the Russians head to France knowing a win will send them into the knockout stages.
They’ve already equalled their highest points tally in a Champions League group stage, something they achieved with a 3-1 win over Lyon in Saint Petersburg on Matchday 3, with Andre Villas-Boas seemingly determined to make an impact in the competition in what will be his final season with the club.
Can they keep winning? Perhaps, but Lyon will have to start showing a little fight if they want to experience European football after Christmas, and this has the potential to be a thriller.
Prediction: Lyon 2-2 Zenit Saint Petersburg
Gent vs. Valencia, Ghelamco Arena, 7.45 p.m. GMT / 2.45 p.m. ET
Valencia will be hoping Zenit can do them a favour as they head to Belgium. A win against Gent and Lyon's failure to beat the Russian group leaders would put them though.
It would mark quite the turnaround following the miserable home loss to Zenit at the Mestalla on Matchday 1, with crucial one-goal victories over Lyon and Gent—both featuring goals from Sofiane Feghouli—laying the foundation for this opportunity.
The Algerian will again be vital as the Primera Division side go in search of another win and the extension of a club record of scoring in 11 consecutive Champions League matches.
Prediction: Gent 0-1 Valencia
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