The focus as the 4th gameweek of Champions League football opens will be on the clash between Real Madrid and Liverpool, which looked rather one sided the last time they met. Juventus will try and save their slipping European season at home against Olympiakos while Arsenal will try and clinch their spot in the round of 16 at home against a weak Anderlecht side.
Group A
Juventus vs Olympiakos: The Greek champions won the match in Piraeus two weeks ago, once again putting Juve in a difficult situation. Olympiakos enter the match feeling very calm and confident, leading the group at this point with six points. They lost their only away match so far, 2-0 at Malmo.
Malmo vs Atletico Madrid: This season is slightly more difficult for Atletico to be gentle, and yet they’re still, probably, the best team in this group. Malmo aren’t an easy nut to crack when playing at home, and still find themselves with more than a slight chance to qualify. Atletico crushed them 5-0 in the previous match.
Group B
Basel vs Ludogorets: A 92nd minute goal in Bulgaria gave Ludogorets their first points in the Champions League when the teams met last time. Everything is open in the battle for second place and with Liverpool facing an impossible mission in Madrid, one of these teams will probably end up in second place by the end of the night.
Real Madrid vs Liverpool: If only Luis Suarez was still playing for the Reds. Real Madrid easily won at Anfield 3-0, and need just one more point to clinch their place in the next round. A Liverpool team that lost at Newcastle will struggle stopping them.
Group C
Zenit vs Leverkusen: The early bird special in the chilly nights of St. Petersburg. The Germans can come very close to clinching their place in the round of 16 if they manage to win on Russian soil, following their 2-0 victory at the BayArena. Leverkusen will be playing without Papadopoulos, Wendell and possibly Gonzalo Castro. Zenit have lost only one match in all competitions this season – in Leverkusen.
Benfica vs Monaco: Despite leading the league in Portugal, Benfica are doing poorly in the Champions League with just one point in three matches. Monaco are doing poorly in the league, but right now are still undefeated in the group stage. A must win for the Portuguese champions if they want to make it even to the Europa League. Monaco have yet to conceded a goal in the competition.
Group D
Arsenal vs Anderlecht: Arsenal needed some late drama and two goals in the 90th minute to win a crucial match in Brussels. They’ve been scorching since then, especially Alexis Sanchez, with a win giving them the ticket to the round of 16 unless Galatasaray win at Dortmund.
Dortmund vs Galatasaray: Dortmund are having so many problems in the Bundesliga, currently in the relegation zone. In the Champions League they’ve been perfect, and need just one point to make sure they are in the round of 16.