⛅️ Champions League forecast: Cavani v PSG, tension for Real Madrid | OneFootball

We’ve got just two more matchdays of the 2020/21 Champions League group stage to go, and it’s make or break time for a number of clubs.

Here are our predictions for matchday 5 …

🤩 Game of the Week

Manchester United v Paris Saint-Germain

One of the most surprising results of the group stage so far took place on the very first matchday, when Manchester United pulled off an impressive 2-1 win away at Paris Saint-Germain.

On Wednesday Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side will be hoping to do it all again when they welcome the Ligue 1 giants to Old Trafford and after his two goals against Southampton, former PSG striker Edinson Cavani will be relishing this meeting with his former club.

United will book their spot in the last 16 if they avoid defeat against Les Parisiens, while they can also clinch first place in Group H if they win and RB Leipzig do not, or if they draw and Leipzig lose.

Not that overcoming Thomas Tuchel’s side is likely to be an easy task, and there is every chance this group won’t be settled until the dying minutes of matchday 6.

If drama is your thing, keep an eye on this one.

📊 Fun fact: PSG’s all-time record goalscorer Cavani is one strike away from his 50th in Uefa competition

🔮 Our prediction: Manchester United 1-2 PSG

Too close to call 🤔

Liverpool v Ajax

There is still a possibility of some dramatic shenanigans in Group D as well.

Liverpool were cruising towards the last 16 until they were shocked at home by Atalanta last week – a result which means qualification is still wide open.

Jürgen Klopp’s side will go through if they avoid defeat to Ajax on Tuesday but given their mounting injury crisis, that’s by no means a given.

If the Reds were to lose again, they would get one more chance to qualify against group whipping boys Midtjylland next week.

But a defeat to Ajax this week could see them kiss goodbye to their hopes of going through as group winners.

📊 Fun fact: Ajax’s last eight goals have been scored by eight different players

🔮 Our prediction: Liverpool 2-2 Ajax

Potential upset 😰

Shakhtar Donetsk v Real Madrid

Beat Shakhtar and Real Madrid are through to the last 16. Simple as that.

But given the form Los Blancos are in at the moment and the fact they lost at home to the Ukrainians on matchday 1, it’s unlikely to be the simplest of tasks at all.

If Zinedine Zidane’s side do slip up again, the group will be decided in a tense final matchday when they will host Borussia Mönchengladbach in Madrid next week.

The Bundesliga outfit are in pole position in Group B and will go through if they beat Inter this week, or if they draw and Shakhtar do not beat Madrid.

This one is wide open.

📊 Fun fact: Shakhtar haven’t scored a Champions League goal since they netted three against Madrid on matchday 1

🔮 Our prediction: Shakhtar Donetsk 2-1 Real Madrid

🤩 Star Man

João Félix

The other big fixture this week sees Atlético Madrid hosting already-qualified-as-group-winners Bayern Munich on Tuesday.

Atlético were hammered 4-0 when the two sides met in Bavaria on matchday 1 but a win for Diego Simeone’s side this time will see them joining Bayern in the last 16.

Problem is, Bayern are on a 16-match winning streak in the Champions League, and Atleti will still be without Luis Suárez after the Uruguayan tested positive for Covid-19 again.

The Rojiblancos need a hero then, and we have a feeling they will get one in the form of João Félix.

The 21-year-old netted twice against Salzburg earlier in the group stage and he will probably have to get on the scoresheet again if his side are to overcome the might of Bayern.

Cometh the hour, cometh the João.