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Wednesday's Champions League predictions including Newcastle United vs. AC Milan

sportsmole.co.uk, 13 December 2023, 06:00
RB Leipzig vs. Young Boys (Wednesday, 5.45pm)

RB Leipzig welcome Young Boys to the Red Bull Arena in Germany for their final Champions League Group G fixture on Wednesday night.

The two teams lock horns for the first time since matchday one in September when Die Roten Bullen secured a 3-1 victory in Switzerland - the only previous meeting between the two clubs.

We say: RB Leipzig 3-1 Young Boys

Both teams are merely playing for pride in this fixture, but they will be keen to end the group stage on a high, with Young Boys seeking revenge following their loss to Leipzig in the reverse fixture.

Seven of Leipzig's last eight home wins in the Champions League have seen both teams score, and we believe that the German hosts will outscore their opponents once again, even if Rose decides to make several changes to his lineup.

Red Star vs. Man City (Wednesday, 5.45pm)

Champions League holders Manchester City travel to Serbia to face Red Star Belgrade at the Rajko Mitic Stadium in their final Group G fixture on Wednesday night.

The two teams meet for the first time since the Citizens came from behind at half time to beat Red Star 3-1 at the Etihad Stadium in September on matchday one.

We say: Red Star Belgrade 1-3 Manchester City

Red Star will hope to end the group stage on a high and may not get a better chance to beat the reigning European champions, who could make mass changes to their side having already secured qualification to the knockout rounds.

Man City will be determined to build on last weekend's win over Luton, though, and the lineup that Guardiola selects should still be strong enough to outscore their Serbian counterparts en route to claiming maximum points.

> How Man City could line up against Red Star

> Man City injury, suspension list vs. Red Star

Atletico vs. Lazio (Wednesday, 8.00pm)

A battle for top spot in Group E of the Champions League takes place at Wanda Metropolitano on Wednesday night as Atletico Madrid play host to Lazio in their final group-stage fixture.

Just one point separates these two teams, who have already qualified for the last 16, with Los Colchoneros at the summit sitting marginally ahead of their Italian counterparts in second place.

We say: Atletico Madrid 2-1 Lazio

A closely-fought contest between two evenly-matched teams is set to take place on Wednesday, just like the reverse fixture three months ago, although Atletico will be regarded as the favourites to win on home soil.

Considering Atletico's solid home form and Lazio's recent troubles on the road, we believe that Simeone's men will do enough to grind out a slender win in front of their own fans and secure top spot in Group E.

Celtic vs. Feyenoord (Wednesday, 8.00pm)

Two teams who have failed to qualify for the last 16 of the Champions League square off in their final Group E fixture on Wednesday night, as Celtic play host to Feyenoord at Parkhead.

The Hoops will be seeking revenge against their Dutch counterparts after suffering a 2-0 defeat in the reverse fixture on matchday one in September.

We say: Celtic 1-2 Feyenoord

Not only are Celtic keen to quickly put aside their disappointing loss to Kilmarnock last weekend, but the Hoops supporters are desperate to see their club claim their first Champions League home win in a decade to end the group stage on a high.

Celtic impressed on home soil against both Lazio and Atletico Madrid, albeit failing to win either match, and Feyenoord's poor away record in the Champions League bodes well for the hosts, but we believe the form of goal machine Gimenez will inspire the visitors to victory in Glasgow.

Dortmund vs. PSG (Wednesday, 8.00pm)

An already-qualified Borussia Dortmund welcome a Paris Saint-Germain side still fighting for their right to enter the Champions League last-16 draw in Wednesday's mouthwatering Group F finale.

While the hosts only require a point to confirm first place in the group, Luis Enrique's men will leave their qualification hopes up to chance with anything other than victory at the Westfalenstadion.

We say: Borussia Dortmund 1-2 Paris Saint-Germain

Clean sheet-less away from home in the Champions League for over three years, PSG will likely have to fight fire with fire once again if they are to keep their dreams of a first top-level European crown alive, but Enrique has the resources at his disposal to do so.

While PSG could take a leaf out of Dortmund's defensive playbook in Group H, the hosts' recent domestic plight and plethora of absentees has us siding with Les Parisiens to ensure a path to the last 16, with a first-placed finish to boot.

Newcastle vs. AC Milan (Wednesday, 8.00pm)

The St James' Park faithful will don their black and white scarves for a momentous Champions League occasion on Wednesday night, as Newcastle United and AC Milan fight for the right to reach the knockout rounds.

Neck-and-neck in the Group F standings with five points to their name, the Magpies currently have the edge over the Rossoneri on goal difference, but both sides still need results elsewhere to go their way if they are to dine at Europe's top table that little bit longer.

We say: Newcastle United 3-2 AC Milan

When the going gets tough at St James' Park, Newcastle are almost always able to deliver, and facing a Milan side with only one fit central defender is exactly what the doctor ordered for a decimated Magpies squad.

Milan will have their own intentions of capitalising on their hosts' perpetual injury woes to keep their last-16 hopes alive, and Newcastle's last two Premier League results offers Pioli's side reason for optimism, but with the vibrant Tyneside troupe behind them, we can envisage the Magpies edging a thrilling contest before an anxious wait to learn their fate.

Porto vs. Shakhtar (Wednesday, 8.00pm)

A tantalising winner-takes-all showdown in Champions League Group H is on the menu at the Estadio do Dragao on Wednesday evening, as second-placed Porto host third-placed Shakhtar Donetsk for a spot in the last 16.

Both sides are neck-and-neck in the rankings with nine points to their name, although the hosts' matchday one success over their Ukrainian foes currently has them in the driving seat for qualification.

We say: Porto 2-1 Shakhtar Donetsk

For all of Shakhtar's recent defensive mastery, the Ukrainian side may abandon their principles on Wednesday given their overriding need for a first-ever win over Porto, who have always had the visitors' number down the years.

It is not impossible to envisage Costa's goal being breached, but as Shakhtar commit bodies forward, Porto's attacking contingent can launch a couple of devastating counter-attacks to advance to the last 16 and force the visitors to accept a Europa League demotion.

Antwerp vs. Barcelona (Wednesday, 8.00pm)

Champions League Group H leaders Barcelona head to Royal Antwerp's Bosuilstadion on Wednesday evening simply needing to avoid defeat to advance to the last 16 of the competition as group winners.

Meanwhile, the Belgian upstarts are only playing for a small sliver of pride on the final matchday, having failed to pick up a single point across their five top-level European contests thus far.

We say: Royal Antwerp 0-3 Barcelona

A few Barcelona fans may be keeping a more watchful eye on Vermeeren's performance rather than their own team on Wednesday evening, as their visit to Antwerp's turf should be a foregone conclusion from the first whistle.

A handful of changes may mean that their victory is not as emphatic as their five-goal Catalonia crushing, but with the added incentive of bouncing back from the weekend's dampening result, Xavi's men should seal top spot in style.

> How Barcelona could line up against Royal Antwerp

> Barcelona injury, suspension list vs. Antwerp

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