Team News

 Monaco

• Djibril Sidibé and Thomas Lemar remain doubts through injury, and look to be joined by Stevan Jovetic.
• Almamy Touré seems to have lost the trust of Leonardo Jardim this season, but could be given a chance here.
• If Jardim opts to match PSG’s 4-3-3 system with his own, Rachid Ghezzal should be preferred to Rony Lopes owing to his success in that system at Lyon.

Paris Saint Germain

• Yuri Berchiche and Thomas Meunier should come back into defence, per Unai Emery’s habit of rotating his full-backs.
• Javier Pastore could start in central midfield, with Julian Draxler also an option.
• Kylian Mbappé didn’t make an appearance in the win over Nantes, but should start here after scoring in midweek.

Match Facts

Monaco have won 15 of their last 16 home matches (Ligue 1).

PSG have won 11 of their last 13 matches (Ligue 1).

PSG have scored at least 2 goals in 13 of their last 15 away matches (Ligue 1).

There have been over 2.5 goals scored in PSG‘s last 6 games (Ligue 1).

Monaco have been winning at both half time and full time in 6 of their last 8 home matches (Ligue 1).

PSG have been winning at both half time and full time in their last 3 matches (Ligue 1).

Monaco have seen over 2.5 goals in their last 4 home matches against PSG in all competitions.

PSG have won their last 3 matches against Monaco in all competitions.

PSG have scored at least 2 goals in their last 3 matches against Monaco in all competitions.

Prediction

• A hotly anticipated match a month ago, Monaco’s recent stumbles have taken some of the lustre off of this encounter. Injuries have played their part, but the defence has also looked suspect at times, with Jemerson’s own goal against RB Leipzig punctuating a downturn in form from the Brazilian.
• Paris Saint-Germain continue to cruise after demolishing Celtic 7-1 in midweek, but could suffer from fatigue given their lack of options in midfield.

Prediction:

 Monaco

1

3

Paris Saint Germain 

• FK Vardar Skopje have lost 8 of their last 10 matches (UEFA Europa League).
• AEK Athens have drawn their last 3 matches (UEFA Europa League).
• Vitesse have lost 6 of their last 7 matches (UEFA Europa League).
• Lazio have won their last 4 matches (UEFA Europa League).
• Lazio – Vitesse (in 5 hrs 41 mins)Lazio win1.50

• Defensor Sporting have won 9 of their last 11 matches (Primera Division).

  Defensor Sporting – Montevideo Wanderers (in 10 hrs 11 mins)Defensor Sporting win1.57

• Plaza Colonia have drawn their last 4 matches against Racing in all competitions.

  Plaza Colonia – Racing (in 9 hrs 41 mins)Plaza Colonia draw3.75

• Velez Sarsfield have lost 5 of their last 6 matches (Primera División).

  Velez Sarsfield – Godoy Cruz (in 9 hrs 56 mins)Velez Sarsfield lose3.60

• Nacional have won their last 5 matches (Primera Division).

  Rampla Juniors – Nacional (in 7 hrs 41 mins)Nacional win1.66

• Arsenal have won their last 3 matches against FC Cologne in all competitions.

  FC Cologne – Arsenal (in 5 hrs 41 mins)Arsenal win2.39

• Villarreal have won their last 3 matches against FC Astana in all competitions.

  FC Astana – Villarreal (in 3 hrs 41 mins)Villarreal win2.35

• CF America have won 6 of their last 7 matches against Cruz Azul in all competitions.

  Cruz Azul – CF America (in 13 hrs 11 mins)CF America win3.50

• Nacional have won their last 4 matches against Rampla Juniors in all competitions.

  Rampla Juniors – Nacional (in 7 hrs 41 mins)Nacional win1.66

• Naft Tehran have lost their last 3 away matches (Persian Gulf Pro League).

  Padideh FC – Naft Tehran (in 23 hrs 56 mins)Naft Tehran lose1.83

• El Entag El Harby have lost their last 3 matches (Premier League).

  Al Nasr – El Entag El Harby (in 2 hrs 41 mins)El Entag El Harby lose4.20

• Plaza Colonia have lost their last 3 matches (Primera Division).

Team News

 FC Cologne

• FC Cologne are without first team regulars Jonas Hector, Marcel Risse and Domenique Heintz for the visit of Arsenal.
• Elsewhere Marco Hoger is also out, while Christian Clemens is nearing a return.
• Leonardo Bittencourt did make a timely return from injury at the weekend and could start on the left in place of Simon Zoller, who was forced off early on against Mainz and will be out until the New Year.

 Arsenal

• Santi Cazorla is the only certain absentee for Arsenal, who will hope to have Olivier Giroud and Theo Walcott back in contention from a thigh problem and illness respectively.
• David Ospina and Matt Macey are vying for a spot between the posts, while Per Mertesacker may start at the heart of the defence having missed out at the weekend.
• Eddie Nketiah will be hoping to make his first start for the senior side if Giroud nor Welbeck can recover in time, alongside fellow academy graduates Reiss Nelson and Joe Willock.

Match Facts

Arsenal have won their last 3 matches against FC Cologne in all competitions.

FC Cologne have seen over 2.5 goals in their last 3 matches against Arsenal in all competitions.

Arsenal have scored at least 2 goals in their last 3 matches against FC Cologne in all competitions.

Prediction

• Cologne have had a truly woeful season to now, and this is a huge game for the club if they want to pick their morale off the floor before the winter break in Germany.
• Defeat may well see the hosts crash out having been so enthusiastic about this Europa League campaign at the start of the season, so the atmosphere will be an intense one for a young Arsenal side to contend with.
• The Gunners are already assured of a place in the knockout stages but will no doubt want to guarantee top spot to avoid an impressive batch of Champions League dropouts and they should earn a result that would ensure as much on Thursday evening.

Prediction:

 FC Cologne

1

1

Arsenal 

Team News

 Juventus

• Paulo Dybala, Gianluigi Buffon, Blaise Matuidi, Mattia De Sciglio and Alex Sandro were all rested at the weekend and will come back into the starting XI on Wednesday.
• Douglas Costa and Mario Mandzukic are in competition to start on the left flank against Barcelona.

 Barcelona

• Gerard Pique is available again after serving a one-match ban last time out in the competition.
• Nelson Semedo and Andrés Iniesta were brought off just before the hour mark at the weekend to ensure they are fresh for Wednesday.
• Semedo will incur a one-match ban with his next booking.
• Paulinho will be pushing for a start and could replace Ivan Rakitic in central midfield in Turin.

Match Facts

Juventus are undefeated in 17 of their last 19 matches (UEFA Champions League).

Juventus have seen over 2.5 goals in their last 3 home matches against Barcelona in all competitions.

Barcelona are undefeated in their last 5 matches (UEFA Champions League).

Prediction

• Juventus have to beat Barcelona to have any chance of catching the Spanish giants at the top of Group D but have not prepared in the ideal fashion after losing 3-2 to Sampdoria at the weekend.
• Barcelona are unbeaten in all competitions this season and have only failed to win on two occasions. Luis Suarez also ended his poor spell in front of goal with a brace at the weekend, which makes things more challenging for Juventus.
• Juventus have only won two of their last five in the Champions League and face the prospect of losing at home in the competition for the first time since April 2013.

Prediction:

 Juventus

1

2

Barcelona 

Team News

 Qarabag FK

• Dino Ndlovu is back from suspension and may go straight back into the starting XI.
• Mahir Madatov will hope to return from injury at home to Chelsea on Wednesday.
• Ibrahim Sehic was sent off at the weekend but is free to feature here if picked.

 Chelsea

• Chelsea are expected to miss Victor Moses and Michy Batshuayi for Wednesday’s match away to Qarabag.
• David Luiz has not featured in Chelsea’s last two games but could return here if Antonio Conte looks to shuffle his pack.

Match Facts

There have been over 2.5 goals scored in Chelsea‘s last 6games (UEFA Champions League).

Qarabag FK have failed to win their last 5 matches (UEFA Champions League).

Prediction

• Qarabag have had a player sent off in four of their last six matches and will need to keep a lid on things here to have any chance of success. They had no chance of progress in Group C after being drawn with Chelsea, Roma and Atletico Madrid, but did hold Atletico to two draws.
• However, Chelsea thrashed Qarabag 6-0 at Stamford Bridge back in September and it would be a huge shock if Antonio Conte’s side didn’t win comfortably. They are currently one point behind Group C leaders Roma with two games remaining and will secure a spot in the next round with a win here.

Prediction:

 Qarabag FK

0

3

Chelsea 

Team News

 Besiktas

• Caner Erkin and Tolgay Arslan are both one booking away from suspension for the home side.
• Jeremain Lens came off at half-time in Friday’s 0-0 draw with Akhisarspor and may not feature here as a result.
• Pepe failed to recover from injury sustained during the international break to feature against Akhisarspor and he remains a doubt.
• Anderson Talisca and Oguzhan Ozyakup are battling for a spot in the team on Tuesday.

 FC Porto

• Sérgio Oliveira and Danilo Pereira are one booking away from a one-match ban.
• Moussa Marega, Otávio, Tiquinho Soares and Fabiano are still injury concerns for the away side.

Match Facts

There have been over 2.5 goals scored in Porto‘s last 4games (UEFA Champions League).

Besiktas are undefeated in 9 of their last 10 matches (UEFA Champions League).

Porto have scored at least 2 goals in their last 3 matches (UEFA Champions League).

Prediction

• Besiktas are four points clear of Porto in Group G and know a point would be good enough to secure top spot. They are unbeaten in Europe this season, winning three of their first four matches.
• Porto are currently second but could drop down to third if RB Leipzig beat Monaco in the group’s other game. Porto lost the reverse match 3-1 at home.
• Besiktas are unbeaten in seven matches but are struggling to convert ties into wins at the moment, drawing four games in that run. However, they know a point is all they need at this stage and that bodes well for the home side.

 Besiktas

2

2

FC Porto 

Team News

 Sevilla

• Daniel Carriço and Nico Pareja are sidelined, while Sergio Escudero is one booking away from suspension.
• Michael Krohn-Dehli and Guido Pizarro are vying for a starting role in central midfield against Liverpool.
• Simon Kjaer came off the bench at the weekend, which should see him return at centre-back against Liverpool at the expense of Johannes Geis.

 Liverpool

• A thigh problem kept Joel Matip out of Liverpool’s 3-0 win over Southampton at the weekend and he will miss out here as well.
• Adam Lallana is nearing a return to first-team football but hasn’t featured at all this season and will be managed carefully.
• Sadio Mane has been dealing with a hamstring injury and may not be risked after starting against Southampton, which could benefit Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Dominic Solanke or Daniel Sturridge here.
• Joseph Gomez is expected to start at right-back after Trent Alexander-Arnold got the nod on Saturday, while Loris Karius will continue in goal.
• Emre Can and James Milner are also pushing for starts here.
• A thigh problem kept Joel Matip out of Liverpool’s 3-0 win over Southampton at the weekend and he will miss out here as well.
• Adam Lallana is nearing a return to first-team football but hasn’t featured at all this season and will be managed carefully.
• Sadio Mane has been dealing with a hamstring injury and may not be risked after starting against Southampton, which could benefit Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Dominic Solanke or Daniel Sturridge here.
• Joseph Gomez is expected to start at right-back after Trent Alexander-Arnold got the nod on Saturday, while Loris Karius will continue in goal.
• Emre Can and James Milner are also pushing for starts here.

Match Facts

There have been over 2.5 goals scored in Sevilla‘s last 6games (UEFA Champions League).

There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 5 of Liverpool‘s last 6 games (UEFA Champions League).

Liverpool are undefeated in their last 8 matches (UEFA Champions League).

Sevilla have scored at least 2 goals in 5 of their last 6 matches (UEFA Champions League).

Liverpool have scored at least 2 goals in 5 of their last 6 matches (UEFA Champions League).

Prediction

• Liverpool have reacted very well since losing 4-1 to Tottenham at the end of October. They have won their last four matches, scoring 13 goals and conceding only once in that period. Jurgen Klopp’s side are currently top Group E but only three points separate the top three and you’d have to assume Spartak Moscow will beat Maribor in the group’s other match.
• Sevilla are only one point behind Liverpool and a win over their rivals would really blow the group wide open going into the final match. The Spanish side have won three of their last four matches but haven’t kept a clean sheet against a top-flight side since the end of September. That will be a problem given how rampant Liverpool have been in recent games.

Prediction:

 Sevilla

1

2

Liverpool 

Team News

 Borussia Dortmund

• Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang should return to the starting XI on Tuesday after being disciplined by the club last week.
• Sokratis is unlikely to make the game after coming off at half-time in Dortmund’s 2-1 defeat to Stuttgart on Friday.
• Christian Pulisic is also a major doubt for the hosts after missing Friday’s defeat with a muscle injury.
• Julian Weigl and Jeremy Toljan are both one booking away from suspension.

Tottenham

• Danny Rose was dropped from the squad for Saturday’s North London Derby defeat but is tipped to start in Germany on Tuesday.
• Harry Winks was only fit enough a substitute role against Arsenal at the weekend but could also earn a starting spot here.
• Serge Aurier should continue to rotate with Kieran Trippier at on the right of Tottenham’s defence.
• Mauricio Pochettino is managing Mousa Dembele’s fitness and it remains to be seen whether he can play twice in such a short space of time.
• Fernando Llorente and Son Heung Min will also push for starts against Borussia Dortmund.

Match Facts

Borussia Dortmund have seen over 2.5 goals in their last 4matches against Tottenham in all competitions.

There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 5 of Tottenham‘s last 6 games (UEFA Champions League).

Borussia Dortmund have failed to win their last 6 matches (UEFA Champions League).

Tottenham are undefeated in their last 5 matches (UEFA Champions League).

Prediction

• Borussia Dortmund have to beat Tottenham to have any chance of making the next round of the Champions League. However, the Bundesliga giants are currently on a three-match losing streak and haven’t beaten a top-flight side since the end of September.
• Tottenham have already qualified for the next round and know a win over Dortmund will secure top spot in Group H. Mauricio Pochettino’s side will have suffered a knock in confidence after losing the North London Derby on Saturday but they should be eyeing a positive result in Germany.
• Peter Bosz is a man under pressure at Dortmund and, as he has already shown in big matches this season, does not look up for the job. Tottenham would be disappointed if they didn’t return to England will three points and top spot secured.

 Borussia Dortmund

1

2

Tottenham 

Team News

Russia

• Russia head coach Stanislav Cherchesov opted against calling Giorgi Jikia up to the national team and that could see Roman Neustadter start in defence.
• Cherchesov can be expected to continue with a three-man defence here.

Argentina

• Jorge Sampaoli may retain a three-man defence after overcoming Ecuador 3-1 last time out.
• Diego Perotti and Eduardo Salvio may provide the width, while Sergio Aguero could lead the attack, though has competition from Diego Bendetto and Paulo Dybala for a starting spot.

Prediction

• Russia’s form has been indifferent in recent months, with the World Cup hosts winning just two of their last six. They’ll look to up the ante when they face Argentina this weekend.
• Argentina scraped into the World Cup by the skin of their teeth, with a Lionel Messi inspired performance secure their place in Russia. Jorge Sampaoli will now hope to kickstart a winning run as they gear up for next summer’s competition.
• The hosts will look to put on a show for the supporters, but Argentina may scrape the win here.

Prediction

 Russia

1

2

Argentina