UCL Preview: Ronaldo scores against Man Utd, or Pogba shines on Turin return?

After a fascinating Champions League night with Barcelona through to last 16 and Liverpool suffering shock defeat, we welcome another night with several big games highlighted by the clash between Juventus and Manchester United...

Juventus vs Manchester United

Kick off: 21:00 (CET)

Two weeks ago Manchester United were comfortably outplayed at Old Trafford by Juventus, with the Italian champions enjoying more possession, more shots, more corners, a better pass completion rate and more aerial duels won.

Crucially, Max Allegri's men also scored the only goal of the game and they will be confident of recording another victory at the Allianz Stadium where they boast a formidable record.

Team News

United could be missing some key players for the trip to Turin, with Antonio Valencia sidelined and the out-of-form Romelu Lukaku a doubt. Marouane Fellaini is also a doubt having missed recent games with a groin injury.

Juve, for their part, have injury doubts over forwards Douglas Costa and Federico Bernardeschi.

Probable Lineups

Preview

It was all too easy for Juve in Manchester two weeks ago, and despite winning their subsequent two league matches, we have seen little from United to make us think they will be able to avoid another defeat.

Cristiano Ronaldo faces his former club once more and he will be eager to make an impression, particularly in the competition where he has finished as top goal scorer in the last six seasons.

Two weeks ago at Old Trafford, Ronaldo managed two shots on target and had one effort blocked, although he did not manage to get on the scoresheet.

If Juve are likely to have the upper hand tonight then Ronaldo should be involved.

Match Facts & Focus

Juventus have been winning at both half time and full time in their last 4 Champions League matches.

Juventus have kept a clean sheet in their last 3 Champions League matches.

Juventus are top of Group H after winning their first three matches. The Old Lady are one of only two teams yet to concede in the competition and are overwhelming favourites to win on Wednesday after easily beating Manchester United last month.

United are still in second after Valencia surprisingly only managed a draw with group minnows Young Boys last time out. Valencia host the Swiss side in the group's other game and United have to assume they will win this time. Jose Mourinho's side could well be third by the end of play.

You sense the next five days will be huge for United's season. After playing Juventus they have the first Manchester derby of the season and it's highly likely they will lose both games. They have started matches poorly this season and need to change that quickly.

Juventus haven't lost a Champions League group stage match at home since December 2009, emphasising the challenge United face in midweek.

Prediction

Juventus 2-0 Manchester United

Viktoria Plzen vs Real Madrid

Kick off: 21:00 (CET)

Real Madrid travel to Czech Republic looking for their third win under new manager Santiago Solari.

The former Los Blancos player has overseen a 4-0 victory over lowly Melilla in the Copa del Rey and a 2-0 La Liga home success against Valladolid at the weekend.

Both of those are games that Madrid would have expected to win comfortably and their match at the Doosan Arena on Wednesday is another game for which they are clear favourites. 

Team News

Real Madrid have a hat-trick of first choice defenders likely to be missing for the clash with Dani Carvajal, Raphael Varane and Marcelo all sidelined. Striker Mariano Diaz is also likely to miss out with a muscle problem.

Probable Lineups

Preview

One of the reasons for Real Madrid's struggles this season has been a lack of firepower in the final third, and it is not usual to find four teams in La Liga who have scored more than Los Blancos.

The capital side did produce a brilliant display to overcome Roma on matchday one of the Champions League 3-0, but they left plenty of question marks with their subsequent two performances.

While they should be too strong for the Czech champions on Wednesday night there is a strong temptation to back a low-scoring game, which has proved a healthy strategy in Madrid's recent matches.

Match Facts & Focus

There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 27 of Real Madrid's last 29 UCL games.

Viktoria Plzen have conceded at least 2 goals in their last 7 UCL matches.

Viktoria Plzen are bottom of Group G but only lost 2-1 away to Real Madrid last time out in the competition. They are winless in their last five European home matches, qualifiers included.

Madrid have changed manager since then and have won successive matches in all competitions for the first time since September.

Madrid are still far from their best but should have more than enough to overcome Viktoria Plzen and keep their heads above Roma in first place.

Prediction

Viktoria Plzen 1-3 Real Madrid

Manchester City vs Shakhtar Donetsk

Kick off: 21:00 (CET)

Manchester City head into their Champions League clash with Shakhtar Donetsk knowing that victory could see them into the knockout stages with two games to spare.

Team News

Nicolas Otamendi, Eliaquim Mangala and Ilkay Gundogan are doubts for Manchester City, while Claudio Bravo and Kevin De Bruyne are long-term absentees.

Probable Lineups

Preview

For all City’s recent dominance, they have actually not won a Champions League game at the Etihad in almost a year, with Basel, Liverpool and most recently Lyon all triumphing there.

However, the Manchester men will be high in confidence after thrashing Southampton 6-1 on Sunday to make it 10 wins in their last 11 games in all competitions.

The visit of Shakhtar represents a perfect chance for City to get back on track in Europe and break that three-match losing streak at home.

Match Facts & Focus

Manchester City have bounced back from a shock 2-1 defeat at home to Lyon to win successive matches in the Champions League. Pep Guardiola's side currently top Group F and are one point clear of Lyon. They will take a huge step towards the knockout stage with a win here.

Shakhtar Donetsk are bottom of the group but only four points behind City. The Ukranian side have the experience of beating City after doing so last season but are huge underdogs heading into this fixture.

Shakhtar have only won one of their last nine Champions League away games and failed to score in seven of those. City, meanwhile, have kept eight clean sheets in their last 10 matches in all competitions.

Prediction

Manchester City 3-0 Shakhtar Donetsk

Bayern Munich vs AEK Athens

Kick off: 21:00 (CET)

Bayern Munich will be looking for their first Champions League home win in four matches when they take on AEK Athens on Wednesday.

Die Roten have not come out on top at the Allianz Arena since their last 16 victory over Besiktas in February, losing to Real Madrid and drawing with Sevilla and Ajax since then.

Team News

Thiago Alcantara, Kingsley Coman and Corentin Tolisso are all unavailable through injury, although Mats Hummels is in line for a return from his own lay-off after being named as a substitute in Saturday’s draw with Freiburg.

Probable Lineups

Match Facts & Focus

Bayern Munich are undefeated in 12 of their last 13 UCL matches.

AEK Athens have conceded at least 2 goals in their last 3 UCL matches.

Bayern Munich's last two victories have only been by a one-goal margin.

With Ajax and Benfica set to play in the group's other game, Bayern have a good chance to pull clear at the top.

Bayern are actually on their worst home run since December 2001 (4 games without a win) but should end that streak here.

Prediction

Bayern Munich 2-0 AEK Athens