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The Champions League group stages are in full swing. Here’s what to expect this week.
Leicester City versus København
København will head to Kind Power Stadium in Leicester for a top of Group G clash against Leicester City.
Both teams remain undefeated in the competition, with the winner to take an important step towards qualification.
Leicester City remains atop of Group G with two wins from two matches in their maiden UCL campaign. Claudio Ranieri’s men remain vulnerable after a suspect start to their English Premier League season.
The reigning EPL champions will be looking to return to winning ways against København after a poor 3-0 defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge over the weekend.
København have begun their Danish Superliga season undefeated, as they sit comfortably on top of the ladder with eight wins and five draws, six points clear.
To stop Leicester City they well need to be wary of the Foxes’ attacking flair, not only the lethal partnership between Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez, but also Islam Slimani and Shinji Okazaki.
Real Madrid versus Legia Warsaw
Zinedine Zidane is a coach under pressure, the Spanish giants have drawn four of their past five matches in games where they have failed to capitalise on their dominance.
Madrid’s 6:1 thumping of Real Betis over the weekend has temporarily eased the pressure but a big win over Legia Warsaw is vital.
Real Madrid are sitting first in Group F but Dortmund and Sporting are hot on their heels and goal difference may decide the final result of the group.
Without injured trio Sergio Ramos, Luka Modric and Casemiro the Polish outfit will be looking to capitalise, a feat that isn’t looking very likely.
Legia Warsaw has won only one of their past seven games in all competitions, including comprehensive losses in both of their opening Champions League clashes.
Real Madrid will be looking to punish a side void of confidence, as they will be hopeful of a Santiago Bernabéu demolition to cement their spot atop of Group F.
Isco proved vital for Real Madrid on the weekend with a standout performance, while the return of Marcelo was also essential.
Cristiano Ronaldo has scored six goals in his past three matches, for both Real Madrid and Portugal, a daunting prospect for Legia Warsaw.
Sporting Clube de Portugal versus Borussia Dortmund
Borussia Dortmund have only lost one of their past eight fixtures – including a 2:2 draw in the UCL against Real Madrid.
Fresh off a 1:1 draw at home to Hertha BSC, Dortmund faced a defensive unit that proved extremely frustrating.
Sporting Lisbon will be looking to replicate Hertha’s game against Dortmund in many respects – the Portuguese side will present a strong defensive unit that will be seeking to score on the counter-attack.
Sporting’s match day one fixture at Real Madrid will give the Portuguese side the belief that they can beat Dortmund.
For many parts of the game Sporting outplayed the reigning UCL champions, the performances of Bruno Cesar, Adrien Silva and most notably Gelson Martins would have pleased coach Jorge Jesus.
Gelson Martins and Ousmane Dembélé are stars of the future – the two young talents have already showcased their abilities on the biggest European stage.
For any mutual viewer, these two young stars are a must watch.
Sporting have won all of their games at home this season, a run Dortmund will be looking to break.
With the top three in Group F fighting it out for top position, this game could shape the group for each of the two sides.
CSKA Moscow versus Monaco
Monaco will be looking to extend their lead on top of Group E when they face bottom placed CSKA Moscow.
Leonardo Jardim’s side will be keen to make amends for their 3:1 loss at Toulouse in Ligue 1 over the weekend.
Following their 1:1 draw with Bayer in the UCL, Monaco will be seeking a win over CSKA to extend their group stage lead over Tottenham.
CSKA Moscow have won one of their past four clashes in all competitions, with the Russian side defeating FC Ufa 1:0 over the weekend.
Radamel Falcao remains in doubt for the French side after suffering from concussion, if he is deemed fit the CSKA Moscow defence will need to be wary of the striker.
If CSKA are to continue with their winning ways they will need to stop Joao Moutinho, Fabinho and Thomas Lemar.
Barcelona versus Manchester City
Pep Guardiola returns to the Camp Nou for the first time since he was appointed the manager of Manchester City.
His side will be looking to bounce back from their 1:1 draw with Everton on the weekend, a game where they failed to capitalise on two penalties.
In their past three matches in all competitions Manchester City are winless.
Barcelona were convincing winners over Deportivo on the weekend, winning 4:0. But in their previous clash against Celta Vigo they conceded four goals, suggesting their defensive unit may be vulnerable.
City may be boosted by the return of the prolific Kevin De Bruyne, but equally important for Barcelona will be the return of Leo Messi.
Messi’s return will boost Luis Enrique’s squad, completing the dynamic MSN trio, Messi, Suarez and Neymar.
The clash headlines Group C, with the two heavyweights vying for top position in the group and headlines week three of the UCL group stage.
Napoli versus Besiktas
Napoli hosts Besiktas at the Stadio San Paolo in a clash that headlines Group B.
The Serie A side sits on top of the group with wins in their two opening matches, while Besiktas are in second place as they remain undefeated with two draws.
Napoli have lost their two previous matches in Serie A, with Roma defeating them 3:1 on the weekend.
The Italian side may have won their two opening games in the UCL, but Besiktas remain undefeated in the 2016-17 season in all competitions.
After suffering a serious knee injury, in-form Napoli striker Arkadiusz Milik will miss the clash.
Paris SG versus FC Basel
After a slow start to the season Paris Saint-Germain are beginning to find their feet, winning their past three matches.
Edinson Cavani is finding form in front of goal, with Lucas vital to Unai Emery’s squad.
Basel have had a tough three week period with the Swiss club returning to winning ways on the weekend, defeating Luzern 3:0.
They sit bottom of Group A and will be looking to make ground on the top two.
Paris Saint-Germain on the other hand will be seeking a comprehensive win to climb atop of Arsenal, with the two heavyweights separated merely by goal difference.
FC Basel head to the Parc des Princes with a solid away record winning seven of their past eight away games this season.
Although defeating Paris at home has been quite the task, with a string of 11 matches undefeated. Monaco was the last team to defeat the French champions at home, their only loss in their past 39 games at the Parc des Princes.
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