Champions League Week 7 Preview: Wednesday | OneFootball

All the “big” clubs playing on Wednesday are matched up against much smaller opponents. Which begs the question: which ones could pull a Manchester City (who lost 3 – 1 to minnow Bodø/Glimt) and stumble?

FK Qarabağ vs. Eintracht Frankfurt

Kickoff: 12:45pm ET/9:45am PT. Streaming on Paramount+This is the Champions League equivalent of a hobo fight. Qarabağ are clingy stubbornly to a play-off position by virtue of two upsets early in the campaign; their last four games have resulted in three losses and a draw. Victory would put them on 10 points and give them a cushion to stay alive after the group stage. Frankfurt are among the most disappointing sides in this group stage, sitting in the middle of the relegation zone. This is a must win; a loss or draw likely means elimination.

Galatasaray vs. Atlético Madrid

Kickoff: 12:45pm ET/9:45am PT. Streaming on Paramount+Perennial Turkish stalwarts Galatasaray know a win will secure them a spot in the playoffs. RAMS Park is a nasty place to visit, and expect the home fans to be rowdy and obnoxious. Of course, Atlético manager and master shithouser Diego Simeone can dish the trash with the best of them, and could single-handedly take on half the Turkish crowd. In terms of the soccer, expect Atlético to come out strong, particularly as Man City’s loss presents a new slot in the Top Eight. Victory would catapult them there.

Atalanta vs. Athletic Club

Kickoff: 3:00pm ET/12:00pm PT. Streaming on Paramount+Seventh in the CL; seventh in Serie A. Atalanta are the very definition of a solidly performing side. They’re not exciting to watch, they have the fewest goals of any Top Eight side (8), but they get the job done. Even worse offensively, Athletic Club are tied with the second fewest goals (4). I don’t see them cracking through Atalanta’s defense, and they should stay in the relegation zone.

Bayern Munich vs. Union Saint-Gilloise

Kickoff: 3:00pm ET/12:00pm PT. Streaming on Paramount+Bayern have an unbelievable +57 goal differential in the Bundesliga. That gap is only +11 in the competition, but it’s inconceivable that they drop points at home to Belgian side USG, who are in 27th place.

Chelsea vs. Pafos

Kickoff: 3:00pm ET/12:00pm PT. Streaming on Paramount+Pafos, a debutante club out of Cyprus, have absolutely punched above their weight class in the group phase so far. They might be 26th and in the drop zone, but do not be fooled. They’ve only lost two games and proven to be stubborn foes both home and away. For defender David Luiz, this game will be a homecoming. The frizzy-haired Brazilian spent three seasons with the Blues from 2016-19. New Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior might be tempted to rest some starters. But if he does, could this backfire spectacularly?

Juventus vs. Benfica

Kickoff: 3:00pm ET/12:00pm PT. Streaming on Paramount+This is a battle of Champions League nobility, though both sides are tarnished. Juventus, so accustomed to lofty heights, are languishing in 17th place. Their undoing? Three draws. Benfica are even worse off, sitting 25th on six points and nursing four losses. A loss here could end their campaign.

Marseille vs. Liverpool

Kickoff: 3:00pm ET/12:00pm PT. Streaming on Paramount+Liverpool’s topsy-turvy season continues with a trip down to the rough-n-ready port town of Marseille. Like the crew of their fishing fleet, Marseille’s roster is composed of castoffs from other teams. Together, they’re a scrappy side that’s equally capable of gorgeous soccer and bone-headed challenges. Liverpool have to keep their composure and be ruthless in the finish. They’re the better side, but will that show?

Newcastle United vs. PSV Eindhoven

Kickoff: 3:00pm ET/12:00pm PT. Streaming on Paramount+Newcastle’s inconsistency has punished them in the Premier League this season. For a while, it appeared they shook that off in the CL, but two losses and a draw in their past three games has once again put them behind the eight ball. PSV are 2-2-2 and clinging to a playoff spot in 21st. This match is as close to a toss-up as you’ll see today.

Slavia Prague vs. Barcelona

Kickoff: 3:00pm ET/12:00pm PT. Streaming on Paramount+Even as fragile as Barça are, they will not lose to Slavia.

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