The sixth round was once the closing point of the first stage in a typical modern Champions League campaign.
However, the expansion of competition combined with the arrival of a new format means we're only just beginning to talk about business goals and schedules taking shape.
There are three rounds remaining in the first stage of the league, and this is where the competition should come alive. Not only are the teams in contention to extend their stay in Europe this season, but they also automatically advance to the Round of 16. No one wants to play two more games in the new year.
It's very difficult to top Tuesday's Round 6 matchups, but fear not, there's plenty of uncertainty surrounding Wednesday's games as well. Here's how 90min Contest projects to play with.
Slavic Bratislava They are one of only three teams left in the competition without points, and they have no simple task on Wednesday when they face them Atletico Madrid In the Spanish capital.
Athletes They are starting to make a move with Julián Alvarez arriving in the summer with big money, and Antoine Griezmann continuing to purr. They came from 3-1 down to defeat Sevilla at the weekend after scoring six goals past Sparta Prague in the fifth round.
Another early start is seeing impressive success night The team faces the Austrian outfit Storm Graz. The visitors picked up their first points in the league stage last time out when they beat Girona at home.
Lille have not lost since the first round and have suffered two major blows in the league UEFA Champions League This term. They have been unbeaten since September 17 in all competitions.
|
Match kick-off time (GMT) |
Combinations |
prediction |
|---|---|---|
|
17:45 |
Lille vs Sturm Graz |
2-0 |
|
17:45 |
Atletico Madrid vs Slovan Bratislava |
4-1 |
|
20:00 |
Milan vs Red Star Belgrade |
3-1 |
|
20:00 |
Borussia Dortmund vs Barcelona |
3-2 |
|
20:00 |
Feyenoord vs Sparta Prague |
1-0 |
|
20:00 |
Juventus vs Man City |
1-2 |
|
20:00 |
Benfica x Bologna |
2-0 |
|
20:00 |
Arsenal vs Monaco |
2-1 |
|
20:00 |
Stuttgart vs Young Boys |
1-1 |
The best of Wednesday is expected to arrive later in the evening. There are a number of notable combinations, including BarcelonaTrip to Borussia Dortmund and Juventus“Collide with Manchester City.
The encounter in Dortmund should be between two teams currently in the top four, while City's clash with Juventus will likely be more cautious and divided by the thinnest of margins. Both teams can get three points in Turin.
Arsenal They are also in action as they host their fellow top eight finishers Monaco. The Ligue 1 side's position in the table would have been much stronger had they not gone 2-0 ahead of them. Benfica Last time out. Speaking of which, the Portuguese side have been somewhat up and down in Europe so far, but returned to winning ways in Monaco and could be heading towards the top eight with victory over Bologna.
Milan They are looking for their fourth consecutive win in the competition when they face A Red Star Belgrade The team that achieved a rare Champions League win last time out at San Siro. The Rossoneri occupies 16th place in the standings after losing their first two matches in the league stage.
Feyenoord The team should be buoyed by the dramatic result at the Etihad Stadium in Round 5 and will know that three points are needed to boost their qualifying chances on Wednesday. Dutch side face Sparta Prague In De Kuip.
Sparta is on the outside of the top 24 looking with Stuttgartwho also scored four points. The Bundesliga team takes over Young Boys At home in the sixth round, as the Swiss team searches for its first points in the league stage. They have been hampered by a tough schedule so far.
