Resplendent Bayern Host PSG, Plus Other Tuesday CL Fixtures | OneFootball

There are two clear “must-watch” fixtures on Tuesday, and making the decision which one to watch will be difficult for the neutral. Bayern Munich hosting Paris Saint-Germain is ripe with subtext, while Real Madrid’s visit to Anfield is reminiscent of previous tournament finals.

Oh right, there are seven other games as well. And I do not know if there are Scheduling Gods, but if so, they’re laughing their butts off. Three of Tuesday’s fixtures feature teams that sit next to each other in the table.

Bayern Munich vs. Paris Saint-Germain (3pm ET)

Chatting with my colleagues earlier today I quipped: “Quick, name the last team to beat Bayern?” The answer: Paris Saint-Germain. It was on July 5th, during the semi-final of the Club World Cup. Since that 2 – 0 defeat, the hosts have been riding an 18 game winning streak (includes friendlies and cup ties) with 62 goals scored and only 12 conceded (and 8 clean sheets). Leading the Bayern attack is Harry Kane, responsible for 27 of those goals.

If that’s not enough for you, on the other side is PSG also in fine form. Since that win over Bayern they have played 17 matches, winning 12, drawing 3 and with 2 losses (one of which was the Club World Cup final against Chelsea). They’ve scored 36 goals over this span and conceded 17 (with 7 clean sheets). There is no single dominant goalscorer; the club seems to pass the scoring baton around with 8 different players notching 2 or more in all competitions, and Gonçalo Ramos leading with 5.

Current Champions League table top spots. Source: Sofascore

These two are also sitting first and second in the table, with the winner likely to remain on top. They’re even tied on goal differential, both with +10. With stats like that, this fixture is bound to be an instant classic!

Liverpool vs. Real Madrid (3pm ET)

The big storyline here is the Return of El Trento. It’s a scenario ripe for spaghetti western takes, complete with a whistling soundtrack, whip cracks and extreme close-ups. Expect the defender to be booed like a villain, but the real gunslinger in this match is Kylian Mbappé, who looks lean, muscular and hungry for goals. He’s scored 18 in 14 games, and is looking to count some Liverpool coups.

I have an impending sense of doom for the host side here. Expect a Peckinpah-style bloodbath.

Napoli vs. Eintracht Frankfurt (12:45pm ET)

Here are another two teams sitting cheek by jowl in the standings, only many many places lower than the leaders. With the pedigree each has, 22nd and 23rd place isn’t good enough. This tie is a classic six-pointer, with the winner boosted and heading into the back half of the group phase optimistic. The loser, however, could sink even lower, making the second half more of a grueling contest. Napoli lost Kevin de Bruyne to injury, which is a blow. But Frankfurt are in arguably worse shape. The 19 goals conceded in the Bundesliga is the highest of ANY team, even  last placed Heidenheim. Yikes.

Slavia Praha vs. Arsenal (12:45pm ET)

On paper, this should be a walk in the park for the Gunners. They’ve got an outstanding defense, with the fewest goals conceded in the Premier League (3) and zero goals given up in Champions League. So why do I think they’ll stumble? Point 1: Slavia LOVES a draw. They sit undefeated atop the Czech League, but have six draws. They’ve also drawn twice in the CL. Point 2: Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta tends to overthink these ties. He might just tinker enough to throw his side off a bit. Point 3: Slavia is at home. Point 4: I’m not picking Arsenal to lose, but Slavia could be enough of a thorn to eke another tie.

Bodø/Glimt vs. AS Monaco (3pm ET)

There are fewer teams as unlucky as Bodø. Their opening tie against Slavia Praha was marred by a missed penalty that would have given them a win. Then despite dominating Tottenham at home, a missed PK and last minute own goal forced another draw. At home they can be a daunting force. The capricious Arctic weather can change on a dime, and the artificial surface is unusual for most European sides. AS Monaco will be challenged. It only remains to be seen if Bodø will be the architects of their own downfall. Bonus: these teams sit 26th and 27th in the table.

Atlético Madrid vs. Union St.-Gilloise (3pm ET)

USG were my darlings of the first round, after they dispatched PSV in Eindhoven. Since then, however, they’ve been toothless lions, barely mustering a challenge to their next two opponents, Newcastle United and Inter Milan while losing 4 – 0 both times. Atlético at home won’t be much nicer. Aside from the hostile atmosphere, there’s the characteristic housery that Diego Simeone brings to any contest to contend with. Good luck, USG. You’ll need it.

Juventus vs. Sporting CP (3pm ET)

The hosts just fired their manager Igor Tudor, and will be desperate for a bounce. They’re in 25th place on 2 points, but have the wind at their backs after two straight Serie A wins and history on their side having never lost to Sporting CP in four meetings (2W, 2D). The visitors sit comfortably in 11th, their only loss in the past 11 games coming to Napoli 2 – 1 in Naples. With 15 goals in the last 5 games, they’re entering Turin on a hot streak.

Olympiacos vs. PSV Eindhoven (3pm ET)

It’s all fine and well for Olympiacos to sit second in the Greek league. But it’s the Greek league. A similarly backhanded complement could be said about PSV Eindhoven (replace “Greek” with “Dutch”). But in the Champions League, it’s the latter in better shape. Despite losing to USG, PSV recovered and took a win and a draw in the subsequent fixtures. Olympiacos endured a shameful 0 – 0 draw to debutantes Pafos (who played with 10 men), before losing to Arsenal and Barcelona by a combined 1 – 8 scoreline.

It’s probably a good thing for manager Jose Luis Mendilibar that owner Evangelos Marinakis is a little wary after that kneejerk termination up in Nottingham. Send him some chocolates, Jose. You can tell he likes chocolates.

Tottenham Hotspur vs. F.C. København (3pm ET)

I can’t say I’m brimming with hope for Spurs in this one. Their home form is tepid at best, with 3 wins and losses, plus a draw between. And their performances have been rather insipid, bland and devoid of any spice or flavor. I suppose it’s lucky they face Danish milquetoasts F.C. København, who have been outclassed by Qarabağ and Dortmund in the CL, and sit fourth in the Danish league table. Now would be a very good time to kick Spuriness in the nootsy-woosties and get a statement win.