Europe Champions League Round 4
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Borussia Dortmund vs Newcastle United Preview:
Possible starting lineups:
Borussia Dortmund:
Kobel; Wolf, Hummels, Schlotterbeck, Bensebaini; Nmecha, Ozcan, Sabitzer; Reus, Fullkrug, Adeyemi
Newcastle United:
Pope; Livramento, Schar, Lascelles, Trippier; Longstaff, Guimaraes, Joelinton; Almiron, Wilson, Gordon
Borussia Dortmund welcome Newcastle United to Signal Iduna Park on Tuesday evening in a very important clash of the Champions League Group F. Both teams have four points after the opening three rounds and they are sharing the second place. PSG are first with six points, while AC Milan have collect two. Edin Terzic's men were in quite complicated situation before the match at St James Park a fortnight ago, however they showed a class winning 1:0 as guests. The Magpies were just a shadow of the side that put four goals past PSG. The Germans have outplayed Newcastle and in the 45th minute of the contest, Nico Schlotterbeck did the whole job and laid the ball on a plate for Felix Nmecha to net the decisive goal. Dortmund will try to secure another victory, now as hosts. However, the atmosphere in the squad is far from desired after the catastrophe against Bayern on Saturday. Terzic, who must find a way to restore the players confidence, has additional problems - Emre Can is struggling with a hip injury, while Mateu Morey and Julian Duranville are continuing their recoveries from knee and thigh injury respectively.
Newcastle have big ambitions since the Saudis tookover the club. They invest a big money, however, they lacked experience. As a result, the Magpies are inconsistent, particularly at home. Sometime they are brilliant and destroyed 4:1 the French champions PSG,. Just three weeks later they suffered a narrow 1:0 defeat to Borussia Dortmund. The domestic results are good, they managed to beat Arsenal in the Premier League and Manchester United in League Cup. Manager Edie Howe could be satisfy with the current form, but something else is a problem. He has big injury and suspension issues ahead of the trip to Germany. Jacob Murphy appeared to suffer a recurrence of his shoulder dislocation against Arsenal, while key defender Dan Burn tweaked his back during a heavy fall on the same match. Matt Targett, Alexander Isak, Harvey Barnes, Elliot Anderson, Sven Botman and Javi Manquillo are also struggling with injuries, while Sandro Tonali is suspended following his illegal gambling activities. The absence of Murphy and Burn is a huge problem.
Borussia Dortmund vs Newcastle United Prediction:
Borussia Dortmund are closer to the victory here. There are three reasons for my pick. First of all, Dortmund won in England. The second is connect with the home advantage. Dortmund fans are well known in Europe and they will give a huge support to their players. And finally, the injury situation. Howe will probably be without the latest victims Burn and Murphy and their absence is a big handicap.
Borussia Dortmund vs Newcastle United Pick: Borussia Dortmund to win @ 2.67 with Pinnacle
AC Milan vs Paris Saint-Germain Preview:
Possible starting lineups:
AC Milan:
Maignan; Calabria, Tomori, Thiaw, T. Hernandez; Musah, Reijnders, Loftus-Cheek; Pulisic, Giroud, Leao
Paris Saint-Germain:
Donnarumma; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Skriniar, L. Hernandez; Dembele, Ugarte, Zaire-Emery, Lee; Kolo Muani, Mbappe
AC Milan will try to remain competitive for the first two spots in the group when they host Paris Saint-Germain at San Siro on Tuesday night. The situation in Group F is very interesting, PSG are first with six points, while AC Milan are last with only two. Borussia Dortmund and Newcastle United have four points after the opening three rounds and they are sharing the second place. Milan and PSG will be aware of their result, but that doesn't change anything, the Rossoneri need three points from this match to keep their hopes of progress alive. The current form isn't at desired level, Milan have collect just one of the possible 12 points, drawing 2:2 with Napoli and losing to Juventus, Udinese and PSG. Coach Stefano Pioli has some additional issues as lot of players are injured. Defender Pierre Kalulu will be sidelined for at least four months following a tendon injury, while the centre-back Simon Kjaer has missed the Udinese loss with a muscular problem. Theo Hernandez also missed the game with Udinese due to an ankle. injury. Marco Pellegrino, Marco Sportiello, Ismael Bennacer and Mattia Caldara are all out of action. Samuel Chukwueze and Christian Pulisic could return to the starting eleven following precautionary rests over the weekend.
As I already wrote above, Paris Saint-Germain are first in Group F with six points. A victory here would see them very close to the knock-out stage. The actual form is excellent, PSG have won their last five fixtures across all competitions. The Parisians beat Rennes, Strasbourg, Brest and Montpellier in domestic Ligue 1, plus Milan in the reverse fixture of this competition. It was a dominant display by the French champions and a high 3:0 win. Kylian Mbappe scored the first goal in the 32nd minute, while Randal Kolo Muani made it 2:0 eight minutes in the second half. Lee Kang-in set the final score in the finish of the match. Coach Luis Enrique could be satisfy with the actual form, but also has lot of injury worries. Defender Danilo Pereira is the latest victim after suffering a hamstring injury, which will keep the versatile Portuguese sidelined until the next month. Nuno Mendes, Sergio Rico and Presnel Kimpembe are also struggling with injury, as well as Marco Asensio and Keylor Navas. It will be interesting to see the potential reunion of brothers Lucas and Theo Hernandez.
AC Milan vs Paris Saint-Germain Preview:
Milan players are under big pressure, they are last in the group with only two points. That is why this is a must-win situation. The Rossoneri will attack from the first minute, but that will leave lot of space for PSG players. Pioli has some injury issues and that's another reason for my pick. Finally, the guests have a player able to make difference - Mbappe.
AC Milan vs Paris Saint-Germain Pick: Paris Saint-Germain to win @ 2.25 with Everygame
FC Copenhagen vs Manchester United Preview:
Possible starting lineups:
FC Copenhagen:
Grabara; Ankersen, Vavro, Diks, Jelert; Lerager, Falk, Goncalves; Larsson, Claesson, Achouri
Manchester United:
Onana; Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Maguire, Dalot; McTominay, Eriksen; Pellistri, Fernandes, Rashford; Hojlund
FC Copenhagen welcome Manchester United in a very important match of Group A in the Champions League. The Danish champions will have big support from their fans at Parken Stadium on Wednesday. FC Copenhagen players will be seeking revenge against the Red Devils after suffering a narrow 1:0 loss in the reverse fixture at Old Trafford two weeks ago. The defeat was somehow controversial as FC Copenhagen's Jordan Larsson missed an injury-time penalty. However, nobody noticed that United winger Alejandro Garnacho did something shameful. He was spotted roughing up the penalty spot just before Larsson spurned his spot-kick. As a result, the penalty wasn't converted and United took all three points from the match, leaving the Danes at the bottom of the group. Coach Jacob Neestrup has some additional issues as four players are struggling with injuries - William Clem, David Khocholava and Birger Meling are definitely sidelined, while Mohamed Elyounoussi is doubtful. On the positive note, Valdemar Lund is available after recovering from injury, but he is not expected to start.
It seems Manchester United will have another poor season. They suffered two heavy defeats at Old Trafford, losing 3:0 to Newcastle United and Manchester City in the Carabao Cup and Premier League respectively. The fans are disappointed, while Ten Hag found himself under big pressure. But this weekend was better as Man United beat Fulham. The Red Devils did not impress, but captain Bruno Fernandes scored the winner in the second-half stoppage time to secure three points. To be better, Tottenham, Liverpool, Arsenal, Aston Villa and Brighton & Hove Albion, who all sit above them, dropped points and Man United came within six points of the Champions League spots. Erik ten Hag now must turn the focus on Europe. He has one big concern ahead of this match as key player Marcus Rashford is rated as doubtful. He missed the Saturday's victory over Fulham due to a knock. Victor Lindelof is also a doubt, while Casemiro, Lisandro Martinez, Luke Shaw, Amad Diallo and Tyrell Malacia are definitely sidelined. Jadon Sancho is out for disciplinary reasons. Some changes are expected, particularly after the poor display at Craven Cottage. Rasmus Hojlund should lead the line, but it is quite unusual situation as his two brothers Oscar Hojlund and Emil Hojlund, could play for Copenhagen.
FC Copenhagen vs Manchester United Prediction:
FC Copenhagen have failed to win any of their last 10 meetings with English clubs in European competitions. Furthermore, they didn't register a single victory on the last six Champions League home games. Manchester United need three points from this match to remain competitive for one of the top-two spots. And I think they will win. The quality is on their side, no doubt about that. And they are more experienced.
FC Copenhagen vs Manchester United Pick: Manchester United to win @ 1.82 with Pinnacle
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