CHAMPIONS PSG, Barcelona on verge of last 16
Paris, Oct 30: Big-spending Paris Saint-Germain, fivetime champions Barcelona and Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United are among the teams looking to book a Champions League last-16 place on Tuesday.
The pick of the action sees Anderlecht take on Neymar and co. In Paris, while Barcelona face Olympiakos and Roma go head-to-head with Chelsea in Italy.
Jose Mourinho’s side can secure a place in the last 16 with two matches to spare with a win at Old Trafford, if Basel avoid defeat against CSKA Moscow.
United are unbeaten at home in 12 meetings with Portuguese opponents.
Benfica are likely heading towards an early exit after losing their first three group games and will be without veteran defender Luisao following his dismissal in the 10 defeat by United in Lisbon.
At Glasgow, Celtic matched their century-old British record by stretching their domestic unbeaten streak to 62 matches with Saturday’s 1-1 draw against Kilmarnock. But Brendan Rodgers’ team face a stiff test against Bayern Munich as they bid to keep their European adventure alive.
A resurgent Bayern eased to a 3-0 win over the Scottish champions a fortnight ago, and a repeat success would all but end Celtic’s chances of reaching the knockout rounds.
Meanwhile, Unai Emery’s French heavyweights PSG have cruised through their opening three fixtures — netting 12 goals with none conceded — and will be expected to again sweep aside Anderlecht at the Parc des Princes.
Edinson Cavani struck twice more in Friday’s 3-0 victory over Nice, giving the Uruguayan 15 goals in 14 matches this term, as PSG stayed four points clear in France.
Neymar is also set to return after serving a domestic one-match ban following his red card against Marseille.
The winner of the clash between Roma and Chelsea at the Stadio Olimpico will be well-placed to reach the last 16 with both teams still to play a game against struggling Qarabag.
Barcelona could secure a last-16 place on Tuesday. A FIXTURES
Basel vs CSKA Moscow Man Utd vs Benfica Celtic vs Bayern Munich PSG vs Anderlecht Atletico Madrid vs Qarabag Roma vs Chelsea Olympiakos vs Barcelona Sporting vs Juventus Liverpool vs Maribor Sevilla vs Spartak Moscow Napoli vs Man City Shakhtar Donetsk vs Feyenoord Besiktas vs Monaco Porto vs RB Leipzig Borussia Dortmund vs APOEL Nicosia Tottenham vs Real Madrid
fourth straight group-stage win in Greece would book a knock-out spot unless Sporting Lisbon beat Juventus.
Ernesto Valverde’s men are on a 14-match unbeaten run in all competitions since losing both legs of the Spanish Super Cup to Real Madrid. The five-time European champions are flying high in Spain, having only dropped two points in their first 10 outings.
Barca talisman Lionel Messi is La Liga’s top-scorer so far this term with 12 goals and has also netted three times from three Champions League outings.