UCL Matchday 3 preview: Who will strike first blow for PSG, Leipzig?

PSG and RB Leipzig will clash in the first of a much anticipated Group H double header at the Red Bull Arena Leipzig. PSG picked up their first win of the campaign after beating Istanbul Basaksehir 2-0 on the road. Leipzig on the other hand were handed a 5-0 thrashing By Man United, and they will be desperate to pick themselves up quickly ahead of the trip to Paris. It will be a tough test for them however, and PSG are expected to emerge victorious.

Manchester United will be looking to make it three wins in a row in the Champions League when they travel to take on Istanbul Basaksehir at the Basaksehir Fatih Terim Stadium. The Red Devils have made a flying start to their campaign securing victories over the two main contenders in the group, PSG and RB Leipzig, as well as scoring seven goals and conceding just one. The latest one against Leipzig was particularly impressive as United romped to a 5-0 win at Old Trafford. They did lose to Arsenal in that same stadium at the weekend, but their form in the Champions League speaks for itself. Now they have a chance to bounce back against a side who have already conceded four goals while scoring none. 

Barcelona will take on Dynamo Kyiv at the Nou Camp. The Catalans were 2-0 victors over Juventus at the Nou Camp to assert their dominance in Group G. They come into this on the back of a disappointing draw at Alaves in LA Liga, but they will certainly show up here. Dynamo Kyiv threw away a two goal lead against Ferencvaros to draw 2-2. They were beaten 2-0 by Juventus in their opening fixture and will certainly get a similar beating here. 

Juventus will travel to take on Ferencvaros at the Puskas Arena. The Italian giants failed to take advantage of their home ground as they were beaten 2-0 by Barcelona. 10 shots were taken by Juve that day and none of them hit the target. To cap it all off, center back Merih Demiral was sent off in the 85th minute and will miss this game. A huge positive however is the return of Cristiano Ronaldo following his recovery from Covid19. The Portuguese forward scored twice on his return to the side at the weekend, and will be looking to dominate the scoresheet here. 

Group E contenders Chelsea will be hoping to continue their fine run of form when they host Rennes at Stamford Bridge. The Blues have scored seven goals in their last two games in all competitions and have kept clean sheets in both games as well. In their way is a Rennes side who have been on a shaky run of form, but returned to winning ways at the weekend. They are however unlikely to match the class of the Blues. 

Sevilla will be looking for back to back wins when they host Krasnodar at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan. The Spanish side’s inconsistent start to the season continued following a 2-1 loss to Athletic Bilbao at the weekend. They will should have no problems against Krasnodar though, with the Russian side picking up just one point from nine. 

Group F contenders Borussia Dortmund will look to pick up the points in a tough assignment away to Club Brugge at the Jan Breydel Stadium. 

Lazio will be looking for a second win of the campaign against bottom side Zenit St. Petersburg at the Krestovsky Stadium. 

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