Deluxe Wednesday night for Champions fixtures: Manchester City-PSG is the biggest game of the group stage, and possibly the only real final in advance played already at this point of the tournament.
Meanwhile, Atletico-Milan will be deadly for at least one of them, if not both, and Porto is preparing a huge surprise for Liverpool.
Manchester City FC vs. PSG
Wednesday, November 24th, 2021 – 03:00 PM EST at Etihad Stadium
PSG have been able to waste a huge advantage after having won the first leg on Day 2, when the 2-0 was good enough to make them sail as top of the group until the knockout stage, an asset never to underestimate, in spite of a draw that can play bad tricks on either squad.
Instead after the draw of their first game, against Bruges, PSG stumbled again in their last future against a Leipzig team that is already out, hence seeming to seal again that fate of professional bottlers that could haunt them and Pochettino, in spite of the arrival of Messi. Manchester City, on the other side, didn’t miss any other chances and incredibly they host Paris having a one-point advantage.
Obviously, Guardiola would never be cynical and consider the benefit of drawing. Actually, getting revenge for that defeat is what he cares about the most, not topping the group. City are marching on in Premier and things are getting smoother, PSG could regret a lot the wasted chances, but definitely won’t go down without fighting, and Guardiola won’t certainly close behind if they go up.
UCL Pick: Manchester City to Win + Both Teams To Score (+175) at Bet365
Atletico Madrid vs. AC Milan
Wednesday, November 24th, 2021 – 03:00 PM EST at Wanda Metropolitano
Milan are almost out. Only a victory in Madrid combined with a Porto defeat could keep them alive. A combo that is much more difficult than the already high odds say. In fairness, in the first leg at San Siro, it was a game totally owned by Milan but that they lost at the very last minute due to a un unfair penalty, and after playing 60 minutes one man down.
But then, in two games against Porto, there was no sign of that brave Milan and while Atletico still has plenty of things to fix, they definitely have a deeper and better squad compared to the Rossoneri. They also recovered Griezmann, but most important is the sense that Milan seems to have chosen Serie A as their priority. Why do I say this? Against Porto their starting striker will be Giroud, putting Ibrahimovic on the bench. For once in this season Atleti could be very determined from the very beginning.
UCL Pick: Atletico to Win Half Time/Full Time (+140) at Bet365
Liverpool FC vs. FC Porto
Wednesday, November 24th, 2021 – 03:00 PM EST at Anfield Road
The shocker of the night could well be at Anfield Road! Looking at how Liverpool trashed 1-5 Porto at Dragao, it should be a no contest. But the Reds are not only already qualified but have also secured first place in the group.
Now, this doesn’t mean that Klopp will just give away the game, but it’s the perfect match to save energy and God only knows how stuffed is the schedule for the English clubs. Throw on top of that the huge number of subs that Klopp has had to do in the starting XI because of injuries.
Thing is, Porto is an absolutely decent team whose sole sin in the approach to the game with Liverpool would be playing too open. Otherwise, they can be a painful side to deal with for anybody, as proved last year when they qualified to Quarter Finals at the expense of Cristiano Ronaldo and Juventus. The odds on their win are absolutely great to not take a chance!
UCL Pick: Porto to Win (+300) at Bet365
