The UEFA Champions League returns after a break of over a month. Six matches of the eight league-stage matches have been played. The six matches have more or less sealed the fate of the thirty-six clubs participating in the competition. However, the next two matches will decide which clubs will secure a straight qualification to the round of 16 and which clubs will feature in the knockout phase play-off games.
As we head into the business end of the league stage of European club football's most elite competition, here is a look at some of the matches to look forward to in matchweek 7:
1. Real Madrid vs Monaco
Kylian Mbappe will be in focus as Real Madrid welcome French club Monaco at Santiago Bernabeu. The match will mark Mbappe's reunion versus Monaco, for whom he played for three seasons. The French star is Real's leading scorer this season having netted 30 goals in 26 appearances. Mbappe scored Madrid's opening goal in 2-0 win over Levante in La Liga during the weekend. He is expected to carry his good form in this match and score a goal against his former club.
As things stand, Real are seventh and Monaco are 19th in the points table. Real will be aiming for a thumping win in this match so that they don't have any pressure in their final match which is an away game against Benfica.
2. Inter Milan vs Arsenal
The match in San Siro will be a mouthwatering affair as it pits Serie A leaders Inter Milan against Premier League leaders Arsenal. The Gunners are the only team with a perfect record in the Champions League this season with six wins in six matches. They have confirmed their place in the round of 16. But Inter still have some work to do if they have to avoid playing in the playoff phase.
Inter travel to Dortmund for their final league game. Considering that the German club is also pushing for a straight qualification in the round of 16, Inter will be aiming to upset Arsenal and secure three vital points in this match.
3. Tottenham Hotspur vs Borussia Dortmund
Tottenham Hotspur are ranked 11th while their opponents are placed 10th. This should be the most evenly contested match if the rankings of the clubs of the Champions League points table is taken into account.
Tottenham are a team in turmoil as they are winless in their last six games across competitions. In sharp contrast, Dortmund have not lost any of their previous six matches. The two teams are very close to securing a top-eight finish. So they will be putting their best foot forward to win this match in North London.
4. Sporting CP vs PSG
Defending champions Paris Saint-Germain will be at Sporting CP for their matchweek 7 fixture. Sporting are a mere two points adrift of a top-eight place. The Portuguese club will be drawing inspiration from the fact that they have already defeated a French club in Champions League this season. That happened when they blanked Marsellie 2-1 in matchweek 3. Also adding to Sporting's confidence is the fact that they have won each of their last three Champions League matches.
PSG meanwhile head into this match sitting third in the points tally behind Arsenal and Bayern Munich. They have form by their side as they have lost only one of their last nine games across all competitions.
If Sporting win this match then they will have the same number of points as the reigning champions going into the final matchweek. That adds a lot of context to this match.
5. Marseille vs Liverpool
It has been largely a disappointing season for Premier League champions Liverpool. The Reds are fourth in the Premier League with an improbable chance of defending their domwstic crown. They exited the League Cup and are currently stuck at ninth place in the Champions League.
Despite the poor form in Premier League, Liverpool have produced good results in the European competition. This season they have beaten Atletico Madrid, Real Madrid and Inter Milan. Interestingly, Liverpool have the same number of points as the three adversaries they have they beaten. Yet, they find themselves in the knockout phase playoff zone because of their poor goal difference.
Marseille are third in Ligue 1 but hold a lowly 16th place in the Champions League. Their three wins have come against Union Saint-Gilloise, Newcastle United and PSV Eindhoven.
The French club will be banking on the home support to upstage Liverpool in order to consolidate their league standings heading into the final matchweek.
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