Sports Planet: Top action in the UEFA Champions League
Club football’s most prestigious competition, UEFA Champions League, makes its return this week and should give more clarity on who’s likely to qualify for the round of 16 as the group stages enter the half-way mark.
Here are some of my picks for the next two days of competition:
Roma vs Bayern Munich, Stadio Olimpico, Tuesday, October 21.
The Bavarians, who top the group with six points, will have one foot into the next round with victory in Italy. Pep Guardiola’s men come up against an inform Roma side, however, who are widely tipped along with Bayern to secure the other qualification spot ahead of Man City. With home form and home ground advantage for Roma versus the might and European experience for Bayern, I’m going to sit on the fence on this one.
Kick-off is scheduled for 8.45pm.
My prediction: Roma 1-1 Bayern.
Liverpool vs Real Madrid, Anfield, Wednesday, October 22.
With 15 Champions League trophies between them, Liverpool and Madrid epitomise a European heavyweight clash. Los Merengues have never beaten Liverpool in a European match, with the English giants getting the better of their Spanish counterparts in the 1981 final when they beat them 1-0 in Paris, and a 4-0 as well as 1-0 wins to claim a 5-0 aggregate win in the last 16 of the Champions League in 2009.
Many could argue that if there was ever the best time for Madrid to break that hoodoo, it’s now, with Brendan Rodgers’ men largely underwhelming this campaign.
Carlo Ancelotti’s men on the other hand, come into this one at a back of a Cristiano Ronaldo-inspired 5-0 rout over Levante.
Kick-off is scheduled for 8.45pm.
My prediction: Liverpool 1-3 Madrid. – @SabeloBoksburg
