UCL Preview: PSG & Liverpool go head to head; Spurs vs Inter as Barca in action

After a fascinating Champions League night, we welcome another night with several big games highlighted by the clash between PSG and Liverpool...

Atletico Madrid vs Monaco

Kick off: 18:55 (CET)

Date: Wed, 28-Nov-18

Probable Lineups

Focus:

Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone has only named four defenders in his squad due to injuries to Diego Godin, Juanfran and Jose Gimenez.

Diego Costa is also ruled out for the Spanish side and will need replacing in attack, with Nikola Kalinic in line for a rare start alongside Antoine Griezmann.

Thomas Lemar may have to settle for a place on the bench against his former club on Wednesday.

Monaco boss Thierry Henry is without Kamil Glik, Jean Eudes Aholou and Jordi Mboula for their trip to Atletico Madrid.

Henry is sweating on the fitness of Andrea Raggi, Pietro Pellegri, Almamy Toure and Adama Traore for this one.

Prediction:

Atletico Madrid 2-0 Monaco

Tottenham vs Inter

Kick off: 21:00 (CET)

Date: Wed, 28-Nov-18

Probable Lineups

Focus:

Captain Hugo Lloris returns from suspension for Tottenham and should come in for Paulo Gazzaniga between the sticks.

Kieran Trippier won't recover in time for the welcome of Inter, which means Serge Aurier is expected to continue at right-back, while Davinson Sanchez, Victor Wanyama and Mousa Dembele are out.

Danny Rose is back in training, though Mauricio Pochettino may continue with Ben Davies at left-back

Jan Vertonghen made the matchday squad for the 3-1 win over Chelsea and will replace Juan Foyth alongside Toby Alderweireld, with the Argentine ineligible.

Sime Vrsaljko is ruled out for Inter, which means Danilo D'Ambrosio is set to start at right-back as Dalbert is ineligible, as are Roberto Gagliardini and Joao Mario.

The Croat, though, is Luciano Spalletti's only primary injury concern ahead of the visit to Wembley

Prediction: 

Tottenham 2-1 Inter

PSG vs Liverpool

Kick off: 21:00 (CET)

Date: Wed, 28-Nov-18

Probable Lineups

Focus:

Neymar and Kylian Mbappe are huge doubts for Wednesday's must-win fixture against Liverpool, though PSG Thomas Tuchel has confirmed both will start.

Tuchel will reportedly do away with PSG's back three against Liverpool and push Marquinhos into central midfield. Surprisingly, Thomas Meunier will be dropped for Thilo Kehrer at right-back.

Adrien Rabiot's relationship with the club appears to be souring with each passing week and Angel Di Maria is tipped to replace him in central midfield against Liverpool.

Dani Alves made his first appearance of the season in Saturday's 1-0 win over Toulouse but a game of this intensity may come too soon for the veteran. Left-back Layvin Kurzawa is also back available for PSG but will not start for the home side, with Juan Bernat at left-back.

Joe Gomez missed Saturday's 3-0 win away to Watford through injury but Jurgen Klopp is confident the England international will recover in time to start in Paris.

Xherdan Shaqiri has forced his way into the starting XI in recent weeks and Klopp has a big decision to make about his formation on Wednesday.

Including Shaqiri means dispensing with the need for an additional midfielder, which could be a risky tactic away to PSG in such a crucial group game.

Jordan Henderson was sent off at the weekend but his suspension does not carry over into Champions League matches.

Naby Keita, Henderson, James Milner, Georginio Wijnaldum and Fabinho are all competiting for three, potentially two, spots in midfield in midweek.

Sadio Mane has been passed fit to play by Liverpool after overcoming illness and is expected to start for the Reds.

Prediction:

PSG 2-1 Liverpool

PSV vs Barcelona

Kick off: 21:00 (CET)

Date: Wed, 28-Nov-18

Probable Lineups

Focus:

No shocks are expected when Mark van Bommel's names his starting XI in midweek.

Barcelona have announced Luis Suarez, Arthur and Jasper Cillessen will miss Wednesday's match against PSV because of injury.

Rafinha and Sergio Roberto both picked up injuries at the weekend and the former is ruled out for the season.

Barcelona are boosted by the return of Philippe Coutinho and Ivan Rakitic, however. Both could even start for the away side.

Munir El Haddadi will hope to replace Suarez in attack but it's more than likely than Lionel Messi will occupy a central position with Coutinho and Ousmane Dembele either side.

Prediction:

PSV 1-3 Barcelona

Dortmund vs Club Bruges

Kick off: 21:00 (CET)

Date: Wed, 28-Nov-18

Probable Lineups

Focus:

Jadon Sancho has not been as influential in Borussia Dortmund's recent matches and may drop to the bench on Wednesday, with Christian Pulisic benefitting from a start.

Marcel Schmelzer is the only serious injury concern for Dortmund ahead of their midweek encounter with Club Bruges.

Schmelzer's absence will be covered by one of Raphael Guerreiro, Achraf Hakimi or Abdou Diallo.

Paco Alcácer came off the bench to score yet again at the weekend and will surely start here, forcing Mario Gotze back to the bench.

Club Bruges have a number of injury concerns ahead of Wednesday's match away to Borussia Dortmund and some are regular starers.

Prediction:

Dortmund 3-0 Club Bruges