PARIS — Juventus can qualify for the Champions League last-16 Tuesday while Real Madrid and PSG meet in a heavyweight clash in Spain.
Here we run the rule over the games being played in Champions League Groups A, B, C and D Tuesday.
Group A
Cut adrift by PSG and Real Madrid, Shakhtar and Malmo are barring an upset in a scrap for a Europa League spot. Deposed Swedish champion Malmo edged Shakhtar 1-0 a fortnight ago, but its host is in buoyant form after a 7-1 rout in the Ukrainian top flight at the weekend.
PSG’s Angel Di Maria returns to his former club for a crunch game. “I don’t know how the people will react and how they will treat me when I go back,” said Di Maria. On seven points apiece, either PSG or Real can qualify with a win combined with defeat for Malmo.
Real warmed up with a 3-1 win over Las Palmas to keep it on top of La Liga on goal difference. PSG held Real to a goalless draw at Parc des Princes last time out.
Group B
Manchester United has not scored in any competition since matchday three when Anthony Martial’s equalizer saw it share the spoils with CSKA 1-1 in Moscow, leaving both clubs on four points at the halfway stage.
CSKA is top in Russia after an 11th win in 14 games on Saturday. After three straight 0-0 draws the key enigma for United is whether boss Louis Van Gaal persists with misfiring Wayne Rooney as centre-forward with Martial operating on the left.
Bottom of the group on three points, Dutch champion PSV Eindhoven knows a home win over leader Wolfsburg will see it draw level with the Germans.
Wolfsburg beat PSV 2-0 in Germany just two weeks ago with late goals from Bas Dost and Max Kruse.
Group C
Atletico Madrid will look to build on its 4-0 demolition of Astana last time out. Atletico is level with Benfica on six points.
A first win in 11 European matches revived Galatasaray’s challenge for a top-two finish as Benfica dropped its first points when the sides met in Turkey a fortnight ago. That defeat was followed by a 3-0 reverse against Sporting which snapped Benfica’s 55-match unbeaten league run at home and it will be without suspended Greece midfielder Andreas Samaris Tuesday.
Group D
Last season’s Champions League runner-up Juventus can qualify for the last-16 if it beat Moenchengladbach and Sevilla loses to Manchester City.
Juve and Borussia drew 0-0 in Turin. Juventus will be without Germany midfielder Sami Khedira who tore his calf in that game.
City kept its hopes alive thanks to Kevin de Bruyne’s injury time strike in a come-from-behind 2-1 win over the Sevilla last time out.
On Tuesday, it will again be without the injured Sergio Aguero, whilst David Silva remains doubtful due to a sprained ankle. Jesus Navas will return to his home city to take on the club where he spent 10 years before joining City. Sevilla have injury problems as top scorer Kevin Gameiro misses out due to a hamstring problem picked up in Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at Villarreal. — Agencies
