We are headed into the second half of the group stage now. Teams will begin to learn—or earn—their fate. The fact that each finishing position in the Champions League groups yields are different fate for the teams adds another level to the drama of every match-up.
The Champions League utilizes a snake format of fixtures for the group stage, which always threw me for a bit of a loop. This means that once we reach the middle stage, the teams will face their opponents in reverse order. In other words, the same teams that faced off in matchweek 3 will face off again in matchweek 4, just at the opposite venue.
In turn, this means whatever team was faced first will be faced last in the reverse fixture. It is an interest system, but the more I have thought about it, the more I realize there are no real advantages or disadvantages to it. It is always possible to catch a team when they are flying high, and you also never know when a team is going to hit a rough patch. Its just up to the players to preform.
At this point in the tournament there are only three teams that remain perfect. These three teams sit atop my mid-group stage power rankings. To recap, they are as follows:
Borussia Dortmund—Group A
FC Barcelona—Group B
Juventus—Group H
Dortmund will be looking to avoid the let down that so many skeptics feel so strongly is coming. It will be extremely difficult to repeat a 4-0 success over a quality side like Atletico Madrid, especially in back-to-back matches. On top of that, Atletico are at home this time. The Spanish side will be looking to make a statement and prove that last time was indeed a fluke.
With that said, a win likely be enough to see BVB through to the R16. If Monaco and Brugge draw again in the other match, the winner of the Atletico-Dortmund match will be in great shape. Both the Germans and the Spaniards will be cheering for a draw in the other match though because it will help the sides no matter what happens in their match.
Barcelona, sitting in an identical position as Dortmund, will look to repeat their shutout victory of Internazionale last time out. This time they will have to go into Italy to get the job done. The Italians will be looking for vengeance and will be looking to prove that they are an actual contender to go deep into this tournament.
Spurs and PSV sit at the foot of this group on 1 point each. Just like Group A, this offers a massive opportunity for Barca to clinch a spot in the R16 with two matches still to be played. Spurs will be looking right the ship in what has been an embarrassing Champions League campaign thus far. Messi is a game-time decision and will be assessed before kickoff due to his arm injury.
Group C is the tightest group of quality in the tournament right now. Matchweek 4 pins group leading Liverpool up against Red Star Belgrade, this time in Belgrade, the same place where Napoli was stifled on matchday 1. Challengers Napoli will now get to host PSG, who stole the points at the death at home last time out.
Juventus look to remain perfect as they host Manchester United this time. United have found form in the Premier League, as they have won three and draw the other of their last four, dispatching smoking-hot Bournemouth this past weekend. The Red Devils will look to World Class goalkeeper David De Gea to be strong in between the pipes, understanding that Juventus have not conceded a goal yet in the competition.
Other match-up of note include Lyon and Hoffenheim meeting up again, this time in France, immediately following that thrilling 3-3 draw. CSKA Moscow host AS Roma in a massive match as both clubs look to keep pace with Real Madrid in Group G. Porto will look to put a chokehold on the infamous Group D as they have the privilege of hosting Lokomotiv Moskva after embarrassing them 3-1 in their own stadium last time out.
...And yes, below are my much-anticipated predictions. In matchweek 3 in only managed to get 6/16 results correct with an impression zero exact scores right. Impressive I know.
Matchday 4 Predictions
Tuesday, 12:55 PM Kickoffs
Red Star Belgrade 0-2 Liverpool FC
AS Monaco 2-1 Club Brugge
Tuesday, 3 PM Kickoffs
Atletico Madrid 1-1 Borussia Dortmund
Tottenham Hotspur 3-1 PSV Eindhoven
FC Schalke 04 2-1 Galatasaray SK
SSC Napoli 3-3 Paris Saint-Germain
FC Porto 2-1 Lokomotiv Moskva
Inter Milan 2-2 FC Barcelona
Wednesday, 12:55 PM Kickoffs
Valencia CF 1-2 BSC Young Boys
CSKA Moscow 4-2 AS Roma
Wednesday, 3 PM Kickoffs
Manchester City 4-1 FC Shakhtar Donetsk
Olympique Lyonnais 3-1 TSG 1899 Hoffenheim
Viktoria Plzen 0-4 Real Madrid
FC Juventus 2-1 Manchester United
SL Benfica 1-1 AFC Ajax
Bayern Munch 4-1 AEK Athens
(Home teams are listed first)
Season totals thus far:
Correct Results and Correct Score: 2
Correct Results but Wrong Score: 13
Completely Wrong: 17
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