With two-thirds of the UEFA Champions League group stages completed, several teams are scrambling to qualify for the next phase of the competition.
After Tuesday’s action, nine clubs have confirmed their places in the Champions League knockouts. Benfica, Chelsea, and Paris St-Germain each won this week to seal their spots in the last 16, while a draw for Borussia Dortmund was enough to see them through as well. Bayern Munich, Club Brugge, Manchester City, Napoli, and Real Madrid all qualified earlier this month.
On Wednesday up to four more clubs can book their spots in the Round of 16 draw next month, including Premier League teams Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur, as well as Inter Milan and French outfit Marseille.
AFC Ajax and FC Barcelona have won a combined nine European Cup / Champions League titles but both are in danger of dropping out of UEFA’s primary club competition this season. Two of Europe’s most popular and historic clubs, and both synonymous with the legendary Johan Cruyff, Ajax and Barca are each in need of maximum points from their final two group games.
– Ajax vs Liverpool
Ajax lost 2-1 at Anfield in the reverse fixture last month and they are now six points adrift their English counterparts in Group A. Alfred Schreuder’s side need full points from their final two group games, and they must beat Liverpool by more than a one-goal margin, to stand any chance of progressing to the next phase of the competition.
While there is no doubt Liverpool will be seeking all 3 points, a draw would be enough to see the Reds through to the first knockout round. Should Ajax overcome the six-time European champions on Wednesday, the Amsterdammers would also require a win over Rangers next week and for Napoli to inflict defeat on Jürgen Klopp’s team.
Last time out in the Champions League, Liverpool hammered Rangers by seven goals to one while Ajax lost out to Napoli, 2-4. Since going down to Napoli in the opening week of the European campaign, Liverpool have taken three consecutive wins in Group A.
In the event of Ajax being demoted to the Europa League, this would be the eighth time since 2010 that they crash out of the Champions League from the group stage.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference Klopp confirmed Ibrahima Konaté and Darwin Núñez are both in contention to feature at the Johan Cruyff Arena, while Joël Matip are unavailable for selection. Naby Keïta has not featured for Liverpool since the Community Shield at the end of July but the Guinea midfielder was pictured in training ahead of the clash in Amsterdam.
Bet365 have Ajax priced 3.50 to win; Liverpool are 1.90 to win; 4.10 for a draw.
⚽️ M A T C H D A Y ⚽️
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) October 26, 2022
🆚 @AFCAjax
📍 Amsterdam
⌚️ 20:00 BST #AJALIV | #WalkOn pic.twitter.com/pBEQapJClD
– Barcelona vs Bayern Munich
Barcelona have a near-impossible task on their hands as they pay a visit to Bayern Munich. Anything less than two wins for La Balugrana, this week and next, will eliminate them from the Champions League for a second year running.
Barca sit in 3rd place in Group C, 3 points behind Inter, and it would come as a genuine surprise should the Nerazzurri fail to overcome a winless and point-less Viktoria Plzen on Wednesday. Victory for Inter would see them advance from the group stage, provided Barca fail to beat Bayern.
Bayern have already qualified for the knockouts and the German champions need just one point from their remaining two matches to confirm top spot in Group C. Robert Lewandowski is braced for a visit from his former teammates, who won 2-0 in the reverse fixture at the Allianz Arena last month.
Julian Nagelsmann will undoubtedly be aiming to secure victory at the Camp Nou, with the Bavarians one of only two teams (with Napoli) on course to rake in total points from the six-legged group stage.
These teams have produced a handful of explosive encounters in the past, notably the Catalans’ 3-0 triumph in the semi-final first-leg seven years ago and more recently the 8-2 thrashing by Bayern in 2020.
Barca are without several players with Memphis Depay, Andreas Christensen, Ronald Araújo, and Sergi Roberto all omitted from the matchday squad. Gavi has been included by Xavi after the Golden Boy winner left the field of play in the first half of his team’s LaLiga clash with Athletic Bilbao at the weekend.
For Bayern, club captain Manuel Neuer is ruled out of the meeting and likewise for Leroy Sané and Lucas Hernández.
The bookies are backing Barcelona, with the Catalans priced 2.10 to win; Bayern Munich are 3.00 to win; 4.00 for a draw. (Bet365)
Xavi’s 21-player squad list for #BarçaBayern! pic.twitter.com/FiFRSP0cC1
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) October 26, 2022
