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UCL Preview: Liverpool vs Napoli and more

By Haruna Mubarak
UCL Preview: Liverpool vs Napoli and more
UCL Preview: Liverpool vs Napoli and more
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The most prestigious competition in Europe returns again commencing from today as the matchday 6 fixture of the UEFA Champions League is full of enthralling matches to watch.

We commenced our preview of the Champions League fixtures today with the alluring one, the big one and the decisive one, Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool entertain Carlo Ancelotti's Napoli at Anfield.



Liverpool will square off against Napoli in a do-or-die affair due to the nature of the group standings. As things stand, Liverpool, Napoli, and Paris Saint-Germain can all seal their spot in the Champions League round of 16, while Red Star Belgrade also stand a chance to secure a spot in the Europa League round of 32.

The reverse fixture transpired in Italy at the Stadio San Paolo where talisman, Lorenzo Isigne's late strike unlocked the resolute defence of the Reds as Napoli narrowly defeated Liverpool.



TEAM NEWS

Alex Oxlade Chamberlain and Joe Gomez remain the only injury concerns for Jurgen Klopp whereas the is no injury dilemma for Napoli ahead of the game.

ANALYSIS

An explosive match to watch at Anfield today in the UEFA Champions League tonight. Liverpool have to win either with a 1-0 scoreline, or they have to score 2 clear goals to secure a place in the knockout stage. It is going to be a cracker, and there are no doubts that we could see a number of goals in this spectacular fixture. Mo Salah will be the man for Liverpool as he will be beaming confidently following his hat-trick against Bournemouth over the weekend.

Napoli coach Carlo Ancelotti stated how his team would be "dickheads" should they fail to qualify for the knockout stages of the Champions League and will need only a draw against Liverpool when the two sides meet at Anfield.

Both sides are defensively robust in defence notably Virgil van Dijk for the home side and Kalidou Koulibaly for the visitors. The defensive set up will be crucial for Liverpool because the man who formed a solidified central partnership at the back was Joe Gomez who was injured last week against Burnley. Liverpool have been vulnerable in defence in the Champions League as they have shipped in seven goals this campaign. Klopp's attackers will be on the scoresheet but restraining the attackers of Napoli will be almost improbable.

PREDICTION
Liverpool 2 - 2 Napoli


Red Star Belgrade vs PSG

Paris Saint Germain are fretting on the fitness of Neymar ahead of Today's trip to Serbia but they have enough weapons to cause havoc in Belgrade. The Serbian giants have been unbeatable at home in the competition but PSG attacking prowess will be too much for them to stifle.
Prediction 1-2

Barcelona vs Tottenham Hotspurs



With the top spot already claimed, Ernesto Valverde is likely to make changes to rest some key players and has confirmed Luis Suarez will be out of action tonight.  For Spurs, Davinson Sanchez and Mousa Dembele are both ruled out through injury.

Undoubtedly, it will still be an extremely difficult game for the Lillywhites especially playing at the Camp Nou. Spurs are desperate to win to enhance their chances of qualifying to the next stage of the competition but the presence of MESSI and Dembele will be too good for Spurs to suppress.
Prediction 3-2 


Internationale vs PSV Eindhoven

Internationale should be confident heading into this game as the Netherlands side are languishing at the bottom of the standing with no chance of even securing Europa league spot. Since Spurs are unlikely to win against Barca at Camp Nou. Inter Milan, playing at San Siro coupled with their attacking prowess should see off the game.
Prediction 2-1


Club Brugge vs Atletico Madrid

Atletico Madrid are out to seal top spot in Group A away to Club Brugge on Tuesday and they will surely attain it.
Prediction 1-3

Monaco vs Borussia Dortmund



Dortmund have already booked their place in the knockout stage, but need a victory and hope current Group A leaders Atletico Madrid fail to beat Club Brugge in order to finish as Group leaders. Monaco beat Dortmund over two legs in the 2016/17 Champions League quarter-finals, but were blown away by the Black-Yellows earlier this season and with Henry's side still struggling, Dortmund will get the win.
Prediction 0-2

Galatasaray vs Porto

Galatasaray started the campaign on a good note with a 3-0 home win over Lokomotiv on matchday 1. However, they’ve picked up just one point since in a goalless draw with Schalke. The good factor is the Turkish giants are unbeaten at home, a record they will love to maintain. Galatasaray would be in need of a victory to cement their Europa League spot but the story is different to the Portuguese giants as they have already secured their qualification to the knockout phase.
Prediction 1-1


Schalke 04 vs Lokomotiv Moscow

The visitors have more to play for here as they have a chance of qualifying for the Europa League while Schalke have already cemented their second spot. The hosts, however, will be keen to bounce back from their derby loss at the weekend and should have too much for Lokomotiv even if they do rotate.
Prediction 1-1

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