We've made it this far. Five matchdays down, just one more to play. And there's still plenty to play for. Seven teams are fighting for four more spots in the Round of 16. All but three groups are yet to be decided in terms of who will win the group. And Europa League spots are still up for grabs. For permutations and scenarios ahead of the final matchday, check out my last blog.
In this blog, I will do my usual predictions. I will certainly be taking into consideration what's on the line for each team. Contrary to my other blogs, I will go in group by group order when doing my predictions.
Group A:
The only thing yet to be decided in this group is who will top it and who will go through as the runner-up. Dortmund must win and hope Atletico drop points away at Club Brugge.
Club Brugge 1-1 Atletico Madrid
AS Monaco 0-2 Borussia Dortmund
I am going for the bold prediction here. Atletico are a defensive team, but they have struggled to score goals in the past. And Brugge have been playing well in the CL recently. If Atletico draw and Dortmund win, Dortmund will advance due to superior head-to-head goal difference.
Group B:
Many eyes will be turned to this group on Tuesday. Spurs know they will advance if they match Inter Milan's result. The hard part will be beating Barcelona in Barcelona. Inter Milan host already-eliminated PSV Eindhoven.
Barcelona 3-2 Tottenham
Inter Milan 2-1 PSV Eindhoven
I expect a wildly entertaining match in Barcelona. I expect Spurs to be in the match the whole time, but in the end, Messi and company will prevail at home. I also expect PSV to put up a real fight in Milan. However, I just think the first half of Spurs' Champions League campaign put them in too big of a hole and it is a little too late for them to dig themselves out.
Group C:
All the eyes that aren't on Group B will most definitely be on Group C. This group surely has the most to still be decided, with three capable teams competing for two spots in the R16.
Red Star Belgrade 1-3 PSG
Liverpool 3-1 Napoli
These results would see PSG win the group, Liverpool finish second and relegate Napoli to the Europa League. I feel that the Liverpool - Napoli match will be wildly entertaining, but I just don't see Napoli being able to hang on to a draw away at Anfield. Keep in mind that Liverpool either have to win 1-0 or by a two-goal margin to advance. I think they will get a late goal to "cover" and the magic of Anfield in the CL will continue.
Group D:
To be completely honest, there probably won't be many eyes on this group at all. With that said, I'll still predict it, because why not.
Schalke 04 2-2 Lokomotiv Moskva
Galatasaray 1-2 Porto
With Schalke already sure they will advance as a runner-up, I think they may play loose at home. And with Lokomotiv eager to build off their win last time out, and knowing they have a shot at Europa League, I think the Russian side get a point. But ultimately a point wouldn't be enough, because if these results happen, Galatasaray will just barely back into a Europa League spot due to head-to-head goal difference.
Group E:
Not much left to decide here. Ajax host Bayern with a chance to take the top spot from them, while a draw will be enough for the Germans to finish top.
Ajax 2-3 Bayern
Benfica 3-1 AEK Athens
Although Ajax has had a superb Champions League campaign thus far, and took a point from Bayern in Germany, I feel the Germans will prevail in the rematch. Ajax have been great going forward this season, so I think there will be goals. I just feel that Bayern know how important it is to finish top, and they will just edge it in the end.
Group F:
Quietly, this group still has a lot to be decided. Man City know they are through, Lyon could overtake the top spot with a win. However, it is possible for Lyon to miss out altogether with a loss. And Hoffenheim still have Europa League hope, so every team has something to play for on the final day.
Manchester City 3-1 Hoffenheim
Shakhtar Donetsk 3-2 Lyon
These results would see City win the group and Shakhtar hop Lyon for the second spot in the group. Lyon have been electric going forward, and have participated in some of the most entertaining matches of this year's group stage, but they have not been able to defend to save their lives. Shakhtar, at home, will know they have to throw caution to the wind. And I believe, with Shakhtar's talented Brazilian attack, combined with their prior CL experience, they will prevail on the day.
Group G:
The only thing up for grabs here is the Europa League spot. Real Madrid have already won the group, and AS Roma will be in the runner-up pot for the R16 draw.
Viktoria Plzen 1-2 AS Roma
Real Madrid 3-1 CSKA Moscow
These results would see Viktoria Plzen into the Europa League via head-to-head record, as the Czech side and Russian side are even on four points right now. Plzen really did what they had to do when they beat CSKA in Russia last time out. CSKA beat Real Madrid last time they played, but at home, but I feel that the reigning CL champions will get their revenge.
Group H:
Both Juventus and Manchester United will play in the R16, the question is who will win the group. Juventus have positioned themselves very well, with a two point advantage and a fixture against already-eliminated Young Boys. United will have to travel to Valencia and hope that Juventus fail to beat the Swiss side.
Young Boys 0-2 Juventus
Valencia 1-3 Manchester United
As I said, if Juventus win, they win the group. What would be wildly interesting is if Juventus draw against Young Boys, and United manage to beat Valencia. In that case, United would win the group on head-to-head away goals.
In the past, when push comes to shove in the Champions League, the overwhelming majority of the time things are wild and crazy. That's what all fans of the game hope for on matchday 6. We'll see how I do on my predictions. I had a bad week last week, so if I am following the same pattern I have been, I'll have a bit of bounce back effort this week.
To remind everyone where each team sits ahead of the final day, here is a summation:
(Group letter is in parenthesis; if teams from the same group are in the same classification, they are listed in the order of the current standings entering matchweek 6)
Have won their group: Barcelona (B), Porto (D), Real Madrid (G)
Through to the R16: Atletico (A), Borussia Dortmund (A), Schalke 04 (D), Bayern Munich (E), Ajax (E), Manchester City (F), Roma (G), Juventus (H), Manchester United (H),
Can still advance: Inter Milan (B), Spurs (B), Napoli (C), PSG (C), Liverpool (C), Lyon (F), Shakhtar (F),
Will play in Europa League: Club Brugge (A), Benfica (E), Valencia (H)
Can still qualify for Europa League: Red Star Belgrade (C), Galatasaray (D), Lokomotiv Moskva (D), Hoffenheim (F), Viktoria Plzen (G), CSKA Moscow (G)
Will finish 4th: AS Monaco (A), PSV Eindhoven (B), AEK Athens (E), BSC Young Boys (H)
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