ADVERTISEMENT
  • The Membership Club
  • PT Hausa
  • About Us
  • Advert Rates
  • Careers
  • Contact Us
Saturday, January 16, 2021
Premium Times Nigeria
  • Home
  • COVID-19
  • News
    • Headline Stories
    • Top News
    • More News
    • Foreign
  • Investigations
  • Business
    • News Reports
    • Financial Inclusion
    • Analysis and Data
    • Business Specials
    • Opinion
    • Oil/Gas Reports
      • FAAC Reports
      • Revenue
  • Opinion
  • Health
    • News Reports
    • Investigations
    • Data and Infographics
    • Health Specials
    • Features
    • Events
    • Primary Health Tracker
  • Agriculture
    • News Report
    • Research & Innovation
    • Data & Infographics
    • Special Reports/Features
    • Investigations
    • Interviews
    • Markets
  • Arts/Life
    • Arts/Books
    • Kannywood
    • Lifestyle
    • Music
    • Nollywood
    • Travel
  • Sports
    • Football
    • More Sports News
    • Sports Features
  • Projects
    • Parliament Watch
    • Panama Papers
    • Paradise Papers
    • AGAHRIN
  • Home
  • COVID-19
  • News
    • Headline Stories
    • Top News
    • More News
    • Foreign
  • Investigations
  • Business
    • News Reports
    • Financial Inclusion
    • Analysis and Data
    • Business Specials
    • Opinion
    • Oil/Gas Reports
      • FAAC Reports
      • Revenue
  • Opinion
  • Health
    • News Reports
    • Investigations
    • Data and Infographics
    • Health Specials
    • Features
    • Events
    • Primary Health Tracker
  • Agriculture
    • News Report
    • Research & Innovation
    • Data & Infographics
    • Special Reports/Features
    • Investigations
    • Interviews
    • Markets
  • Arts/Life
    • Arts/Books
    • Kannywood
    • Lifestyle
    • Music
    • Nollywood
    • Travel
  • Sports
    • Football
    • More Sports News
    • Sports Features
  • Projects
    • Parliament Watch
    • Panama Papers
    • Paradise Papers
    • AGAHRIN
Premium Times Nigeria
BUA Group Ad BUA Group Ad BUA Group Ad
ADVERTISEMENT
Liverpool players jubilate after a win over Wolverhampton Wanderers [Photo: @LiverpoolFc]

Liverpool players jubilate after a win over Wolverhampton Wanderers [Photo: @LiverpoolFc]

Four midweek UCL matches to watch

Matcgday 5 games begin across Europe in the UCL on Tuesday

byJide Alaka
December 1, 2020
3 min read

Shakhtar Donetsk v Real Madrid @NSK Olimpiyskiy @7pm on Dec.1

Group B will excite until the last match with a lot still to play for, especially for Shakhtar Donetsk, Inter Milan, and Real Madrid. Shakhtar conceded 10 goals against Borussia Monchengladbach in two games, but they can assuage those defeats with a win over Real Madrid on Tuesday and take second place in the group after their surprise 3-2 win over the 13-time champions on matchday 1.

Madrid are on a wretched run of form, compounded by injuries to important members of the team like defensive rock and captain, Sergio Ramos, Karim Benzema and Eden Hazard who copped another injury in the 2-1 loss to Alaves at the weekend.

The mathematics is simple for the Spaniards: beat Shakhtar and Zinedine’s men will be through to the knockout phase; lose and they will fret to the last minute of the last group game between Inter Milan and the Ukrainians on matchday 6. The German team, Monchengladbach, will confirm first place if they beat Inter Milan on Tuesday, although Antonio Conte’s side can be back in the reckoning if they win and Real lose.

Will Zidane pull another rabbit out of his hat in Ukraine?

Current Form: Shakhtar [W-L-D-W-L]; Real Madrid [L-W-D-L-W]

Head-to-head

21/10/20 UCL Real Madrid 2 – 3 Shakhtar Donetsk

25/11/15 UCL Shakhtar 3 – 4 Real Madrid

RelatedNews

LaLiga: Atletico Madrid end 2020 In top spot

#UCLDraw LIVE UPDATES: Liverpool, others get Round of 16 opponents

Champions League: Atletico, Real Madrid complete Round of 16 roster

UEFA Champions League: Four midweek matches to watch

15/09/15 UCL Real Madrid 4 – 0 Shakhtar Donetsk

Prediction: Shakhtar 2-2 Real Madrid

Atletico Madrid v Bayern Munich @Wanda Metropolitano @9pm on Dec.1

Dangote adbanner 728x90_2 (1)

Diego Simeone needs to find a way for his team to take their La Liga form into Europe. But the opposition they face on Tuesday, Bayern Munich, are a very dangerous side, having beaten Simeone’s side 4-0 on matchday 1.

Lokomotiv Moskva and Salzburg can still topple Atletico from second place with two matches remaining, but there must be a winner between them on Tuesday to help them stay in contention. There are enforced absences for Luis Suarez and Lucas Torreira because of positive COVID-19 test results.

Simeone is also without Diego Costa, Hector Herrera, and Sime Vrsaljko. Bayern’s Hansi Flick, meanwhile, has left first team stalwarts like Manuel Neuer, Robert Lewandowski, Leon Goretzka, and Corentin Tolisso in Germany. Will Atletico take advantage of an understrength Bayern team?

Current Form: Atletico [W-D-W-W-D]; Bayern [W-W-D-W-W]

Head-to-head

21/10/20 UCL Bayern Munich 4 – 0 Atletico Madrid

ADVERTISEMENT

06/12/16 UCL Bayern Munich 1 – 0 Atletico Madrid

28/09/16 UCL Atletico Madrid 1 – 0 Bayern Munich

03/05/16 UCL Bayern Munich 2 – 1 Atletico Madrid

27/04/16 UCL Atletico Madrid 1 – 0 Bayern Munich

Prediction: Atletico 2-2 Bayern

Liverpool v Ajax @Anfield @9pm on Dec.1

Group D is interesting, with all three top teams separated by two points. Liverpool host Ajax on Tuesday, hampered by injuries, especially in defensive positions. Virgil van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joe Gomez, James Milner are injured while Thiago and Naby Keita are serious doubts.

Jordan Henderson returned against Brighton and so could lead the team with Rhys Williams expected to pair Joel Matip in the centre of the defensive four. The Reds took all three points from Holland in the first leg, courtesy of an own goal but the Ajax team have been on an unbeaten eight-match run since that loss to Liverpool in October.

There is every possibility that Atalanta will beat FC Midtjylland and take their points total to 10, which makes the match between Liverpool and Ajax a must-not-lose encounter.

Current Form: Liverpool [D-L-W-D-W]; Ajax [W-W-W-W-W]

Head-to-head

21/10/20 UCL Ajax 0 – 1 Liverpool

Prediction: Liverpool 4-2 Ajax

Manchester United v PSG @Old Trafford @9pm on Dec.2

This could prove to be the tastiest match on matchday 5 with Manchester United needing a win to confirm qualification while PSG have to find a way not to lose, knowing that RB Leipzig can take all three points against Istanbul Basaksehir. Though Thomas Tuchel knows all about Edinson Cavani, how can they nullify the threat he poses? The Uruguayan is in excellent form after helping United overturn a 2-0 deficit last Sunday with a brace and assist.

Tuchel also has doubts concerning Neymar, while Danilo Pereira may have to be shifted into central defensive cover because Marquinhos is also doubtful. Can PSG take all three points from Old Trafford, or will they have to wait till the last minute in Group H to book their qualification for the knockout stage?

Current Form: Man. Utd [W-W-W-W-L]; PSG [D-W-L-W-L]

Head-to-head

20/10/20 UCL PSG 1 – 2 Man. Utd

06/03/19 UCL PSG 1 – 3 Man. Utd

12/02/19 UCL Man. Utd 0 – 2 PSG

30/07/15 ICC Man. Utd 0 – 2 PSG

Prediction: Man.Utd 2-2 PSG

  • WhatsApp
  • Tweet
  • Email
  • Print
  • Telegram
  • More
  • Share on Tumblr
  • Pocket

Support PREMIUM TIMES' journalism of integrity and credibility

Good journalism costs a lot of money. Yet only good journalism can ensure the possibility of a good society, an accountable democracy, and a transparent government.

For continued free access to the best investigative journalism in the country we ask you to consider making a modest support to this noble endeavour.

By contributing to PREMIUM TIMES, you are helping to sustain a journalism of relevance and ensuring it remains free and available to all.

Donate


TEXT AD: To advertise here . Call Willie +2347088095401...


JOIN THE CONVERSATION

  • Disqus (0)
premiumtimes



PT Mag Campaign AD

Previous Post

COVID-19: Again, Nigerian govt advises citizens not to travel during Christmas

Next Post

Coronavirus: Nigeria records 145 new cases, zero death

Jide Alaka

Jide Alaka

Former footballer, passionate football enthusiast and analyst and a proud Nigerian.

More News

Odion Ighalo

Ighalo hints at MLS move after Manchester United exit

January 16, 2021
Liverpool manager, Jurgen Klopp [Photo Credit: goal.com]

Four football matches to watch this weekend

January 15, 2021
Nigeria Golden Eaglets [PHOTO CREDIT: @thenff]

WAFU B Tournament: Golden Eaglets qualify for final, pick AFCON ticket

January 15, 2021
Bayern knocked out by lowly Holstein Kiel in DFB-Pokal Cup.

Bayern knocked out by lowly Holstein Kiel in DFB-Pokal Cup

January 14, 2021
Paul Pogba [PHOTO CREDIT: @ManUtd]

Pogba scores to take United top first time in three years

January 12, 2021
Alex Iwobi [PHOTO CREDIT: @Everton]

EPL: Iwobi scores first Premier League goal in 15 months

January 12, 2021
Next Post
Covid-19 Laboratory test [PHOTO CREDIT: The Scientist Magazine]

Coronavirus: Nigeria records 145 new cases, zero death

Former Theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, Olusegun Adeniyi [PHOTO: TW @FMHDSD]

Court-martial convicts general who complained of inadequate equipment to fight Boko Haram

Discussion about this post

Search

#EndSARS: Latest Updates




Polaris Bank


JAIZ Ad


NITDA Ad




Advertisement






netherland biz school Advert

Zenith Advert

Heritage Advert
ADVERTISEMENT

Our Digital Network

  • PT Hausa
  • Election Centre
  • Human Trafficking Investigation
  • Centre for Investigative Journalism
  • National Conference
  • Press Attack Tracker
  • PT Academy
  • Dubawa
  • LeaksNG
  • Campus Reporter

Resources

  • Oil & Gas Facts
  • List of Universities in Nigeria
  • LIST: Federal Unity Colleges in Nigeria
  • NYSC Orientation Camps Address Nationwide
  • Nigeria’s Federal/States’ Budgets since 2005
  • Malabu Scandal Thread
  • World Cup 2018
  • Panama Papers Game
  • Our Digital Network
  • About Us
  • Resources
  • Projects
  • Data & Infographics
  • DONATE

All content is Copyrighted © 2020 The Premium Times, Nigeria

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • COVID-19
  • News
    • Headline Stories
    • Top News
    • More News
    • Foreign
  • Investigations
  • Business
    • News Reports
    • Financial Inclusion
    • Analysis and Data
    • Business Specials
    • Opinion
    • Oil/Gas Reports
      • FAAC Reports
      • Revenue
  • Health
    • News Reports
    • Investigations
    • Data and Infographics
    • Health Specials
    • Features
    • Events
    • Primary Health Tracker
  • Agriculture
    • News Report
    • Research & Innovation
    • Data & Infographics
    • Special Reports/Features
    • Investigations
    • Interviews
    • Markets
  • Arts/Life
    • Arts/Books
    • Kannywood
    • Lifestyle
    • Music
    • Nollywood
    • Travel
  • Sports
    • Football
    • More Sports News
    • Sports Features
  • Projects
    • Panama Papers
    • Paradise Papers
    • Parliament Watch
    • AGAHRIN
  • Opinion
  • PT Hausa
  • The Membership Club
  • Dubawa
    • Dubawa NG
  • About Us
  • Advert Rates
  • Careers
  • Contact Us
  • Digital Store
  • DONATE

All content is Copyrighted © 2020 The Premium Times, Nigeria

Our website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.
loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.