It’s Champions League Tuesday once more, as the sixth and final matchday of the group stage is set to kickoff this afternoon. For some, such as Barcelona, Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur, and Besiktas, the sixth round game is all but a formality due to already being group winners.  However, for most other teams, matchday 6 will prove decisive in one’s route to either qualifying for the Champions League Round of 16 or dropping down to the Round of 32 in the Europa League.  Thus, I’ll be highlighting three matches that bear this significance in Man City vs Shakhtar, Olympiakos vs Juventus, and Barcelona vs Sporting, as well as throwing in Bayern vs PSG.  Let’s get started!

Olympiacos FC vs Juventus
UEFA Champions League: Group D, Matchday 6
Karaiskakis Stadium, Piraeus, Athens, Greece
Tuesday, Dec 5th, 2017    2:45PM EST        ESPN 3

Group D could provide us with a complete shocker when all is said and done.  Juventus, currently second in the group with 8 points, finds itself in a precarious situation as they may need a result away to Olympiacos.  If Sporting, sitting in third with 7 points, is able to beat Barcelona, then Juve needs a win themselves.  Now the likelihood of Sporting beating a Blaugrana side that has yet to succumb to defeat since the Spanish Super Cup is highly unlikely.  But, if your the Italians, do you really want to test fate by not winning in Greece?  I think not, but I’m sure the Zebras will still feel assured of themselves.  Could their ego possibly cause Juve to drop points in this match?  Absolutely, especially considering that Olympiacos, while only achieve a single point through five matches, was able to earn a draw against Barcelona in Piraeus.

LSB Prediction: In general, Juventus has plenty of firepower in Gonzalo Higuain and Paulo Dybala.  However, neither has performed to his standard so far this season.  Couple their inconstancy with a tough road venue, and there’s the making for a draw or a loss.  I’m going with the former.  1-1 Draw (Juve’s hopes now lie with Barcelona taking care of business)

FC Barcelona vs Sporting Clube de Portugal
UEFA Champions League: Group D, Matchday 6
Camp Nou, Barcelona, Catalunya
Tuesday, Dec 5th, 2017    2:45PM EST        FS1

It’s simple for the Lisbon Lions, a win and a Juve draw or loss and Sporting is headed to the Round of 16.  Will they do it?  Unlikely.  But can they?  Heck ya!  there are a couple things of note in this match.  First, Barcelona beat Sporting 1-0 in Lisbon thanks to an own goal.  If Sporting’s Coates doesn’t put the ball in the back of his own net, then FCB and Sporting would not only have drawn, but Sporting would actually be tied with Barcelona on points atop the group right now.  Secondly, since FCB has already won Group D, this match is really no more than a glorified friendly for the Catalan club.  Now Ernesto Valverde has stated that the Blaurgana will take this game seriously in aim of extending its unbeaten run, but in the back of squad’s mind, they know the stakes aren’t high.  Thus, perhaps this’ll be a Barcelona that will only reach second gear come this afternoon.

LSB Prediction: While this game is of no real significance to Barca, but everything for Sporting, I just can’t see the Azulgrana losing inside the Camp Nou.  Messi will dazzle once again, as the squad continues its roll of results. 3-1 FC Barcelona (Juventus then sends Barcelona an early Christmas card and thank you letter.)

FC Bayern München vs Paris Saint Germain
UEFA Champions League: Group B, Matchday 6
Allianz Arena, München, Germany
Tuesday, Dec 5th, 2017    2:45PM EST        ESPN 3

The significance of this match is to determine who’ll finish first and second within Group B.  And well, it’s Bayern vs PSG!  Earlier in the campaign, Ancelotti era, Bayern was roasted by the Parisians 3-0 at the Parc des Princes.  Thus, Bayern must return the favor plus another goal (4-0) to win not only the match, but also the group.  Because of this, the game should be a real up and down affair.  With the backing of the Allianz crowd, the Bavarians will likely come out like gang busters, similar to that of Barcelona during La Remontada.  Conversely, how will PSG react?  Will they wither away under FC Hollywood’s pressure, as PSG did last year against FCB? Or, has Paris SG truly learned from that historical meltdown, and will rather remain on the front foot from beginning to end?

LSB Prediction: Led by ESPN’s #1 ranked striker in Robert Lewandowski, Bayern will get off to a hot start, and level the aggregate at 3-3.  But, In the end, the Parisians will survive Bayern’s last onslaught to lose the game, but win the group. 3-0 FC Bayern Munchen

Manchester City FC vs FC Shakhtar Donetsk
UEFA Champions League: Group F, Matchday 6
Etihad Stadium, Manchester, England
Wednesday, Dec 6th, 2017    2:45PM EST        FSD

Much like FCB, Man City is in a position where this match is really no more than an exhibition.  But, for Shakhtar, this match means the world.  If the Ukrainian outfit is able to force a draw in Manchester, to Europe’s hottest team this term, then the Miners will advance to the Round of 16 and eliminate a Napoli side that is currently second in Serie A.  Led by a bevy of Brazilians, Donetsk must aim to score when given the chance, such as on counters.  Allowing Taison, Bernard, Fred, and Dentinho to create in open space.  However, the Moles mustn’t get too stretched while in attack, because if that  happens, then Man City will have struck twice before the Miners even blinked.  Thus, this match will be very tricky for Shakhtar, but for their sake, they’ll be hoping for a Citizens side that remains in cruise control, or better yet, neutral. 

LSB Prediction: Shakhtar will strike early, but De Bruyne and company will answer with two of City’s own.  Thus, the Shakhtar won’t be dancing in the Champions League Round of 16, but rather get served a consolation price of the Europa League’s Round of 32.  2-1 Manchester City FC