Post by a***@hotmail.comPost by Werner PichlerSchalke - Manchester City
Yawn.
I was tempted to say too close to call, but just saw that AM have dropped points in exactly 50% of their La Liga games, and been humiliated by Dortmund in the UCL. This isn't the juggernaut of yesteryears, and Juventus have Ronaldo. Juventus.
AM have lost some players (Gabi, Carrasco, Torres, among others) and
Diego Costa had been injured, while some others have been getting older.
But this match is not for a while, and I think there is time for
Simeone to whip them into shape and make them as despicable and
unlikeable as previous sides. And as effective. Toss up in my book
Post by a***@hotmail.comPost by Werner PichlerManchester United - Paris Saint-Germain
Mourinho should be gone by then, so hard to say what state the club will be in. Still, PSG is a much superior team. PSG.
Hard to see how Mourinho (or anyone else) could turn things around
enough or sign enough players, to make PSG anything other than
favourites in this one. And I don't think Zidane is the answer.
Post by a***@hotmail.comPost by Werner PichlerTottenham - Borussia Dortmund
Awesome match-up. Dortmund based on more consistency and the yellow wall..
I am still expecting the wheels to fall off Dortmund, but on current
form, I would expect them to win this.
Surely you jest ! Games involving Lyon are unlikely to be yawners. They
scored 12 and conceded 11 in 6 group games. They were also undefeated,
and took 5 points away from Man City. Barca will likely win, but they
will have to fight for this, and if the stars align correctly, I can see
Lyon squeaking through.
Toss up.
Ajax also undefeated. But I can't imagine Real's poor form lasting into
February, as they still have quality players and can sign more.
Post by a***@hotmail.comPost by Werner PichlerLiverpool - Bayern München
Even if I was neutral I'd go with LFC here. Not just because of current form, but because the team seems to be getting better as the season is progressing.
I am less convinced they are getting better. That is two games in a row
with lots of pretty woeful finishing. Should have buried both Napoli
and United, given the chances they had. The positives are that the
defending is better (Van Dijk starting too look as though he was, if not
a bargain, at least a good deal, Robertson getting better, Gomez good -
Matip and Lovren more comfortable with a boss to tell them what to do,
and Clyne not looking too bad at all), though injuries are a bit
worrying, and that Keita and Fabinho add good depth in MF, but the front
3 are not at the level of last year.
Toss up again here.