Champions League analysis: Pundits assess European campaign for Liverpool, Chelsea, Tottenham and Manchester City
Ahead of matchday four in the Champions League group stages, Soccer Saturday pundits Charlie Nicholas, Phil Thompson and Matt Le Tissier assess Liverpool, Chelsea, Tottenham and Man City's campaign so far.
Charlie Nicholas
Tottenham
- How would you rate their performance so far?
Only after their last game against Red Star did Tottenham gain their first win, but going back to Belgrade will be tough - I expect them to win, but I think they will miss out overall.
- Chances of getting out of the group?
I think after the embarrassment of the Bayern Munich defeat, it was an angry win at home to Red Star, but they could easily drop a couple of points in Red Star Belgrade and they are not in a strong frame of mind to get over the line to be second in my opinion.
- How far can they go?
The pressure will intensify on them and mount up. Tottenham will go out at the group stage.
Chelsea
- How would you rate their performance so far?
I think they have been very good. The first tie against Valencia signified it was going to be up and down as I said. The win at Ajax was enormous and puts them in pole position to qualify. It is still very dangerous that they have the home tie against Ajax - there are no guarantees that Chelsea will get over the line.
- Chances of getting out of the group?
Ajax will get something from their away fixture at Chelsea and it will add some pressure onto the Frank Lampard’s side, but I think they will get through with a decent result at Valencia and then a home tie against Lille.
- How far can they go?
The draw will be an awkward one, but I only see Chelsea getting to the quarter final stage at the very best.
Man City
- How would you rate their performance so far?
It is perfect, an ideal situation for the Premier League champions really. It has not been the most fluent and dominant of performances yet they have only conceded one goal in that time. The way things work out for them, it has been about getting over the line without any defenders. They attack and attack, with Atalanta going in front, which was a warning, but it is as if they go and kick on another three gears. Atalanta play them again next and if they attack at home they will get picked off.
- Chances of getting out of the group?
Man City will win the next game and that means they qualify there or thereabouts. The pressure eases and it means they can rest some players and bring some in, so it is all perfect in the Manchester City camp.
- How far can they go?
They are favourites for a reason. The scenarios in the draw are always the most complicated - the different seeds are awkward in this stage. In January, Pep Guardiola could loan or buy a defender as cover. It is hard to find a defender of high level that is not Champions League qualified, so that is the difficulty that lies there. Any of six teams could win this competition, but Man City are third and fourth in this list.
Liverpool
- How would you rate their performance so far?
There is awkwardness in all of these scenarios. The fabric of the tournament will always be the same. Why do Liverpool need to finish the top of the group? They are not going to get anyone from England and they can beat anyone, even though it will be awkward.
- Chances of getting out of the group?
They have to go to Salzburg and win, but I do not see too many issues. They open the game up which is perfect for Liverpool. It will get Liverpool over the line and this is all good, just like Man City. They are the team, right now, that could go all the way to another Champions League final.
- How far can they go?
They could end up being the finalists, which will be the third consecutive year in which they have reached this stage.
- Final question – Who will win the Champions League (out of any team)
I would like Barcelona to win the Champions League, but I am not convinced they can go all the way. The team I fancy to win it this year would be Paris Saint Germain. They kept Neymar and he will probably stay in January but leave in summer, potentially returning back to Barcelona. PSG have chucked a lot of money at this and the Champions League is the one which they so dearly desire. Kylian Mbappe and Edinson Cavani, when he is fit, will be as bigger threat as ever - this will be the time for PSG to win the competition.
Phil Thompson
Tottenham
- How would you rate their performance so far?
It has been a bit of a mixed bag as the results go. Tottenham have four points, which is not bad. They have played two home games in those first three, meaning they have two away, Bayern Munich and Red Star Belgrade. As Liverpool know, Belgrade is not an easy place to go and is very hostile, so it will be touch and go.
- Chances of getting out of the group?
Their last game is against Bayern so they will qualify I think. If you remember last year, they needed a result against Barcelona, while the Inter and PSV result went their way too. The results over the last couple of matchdays last year helped them qualify, so it could help them again. Bayern will have qualified so it could help Tottenham if they play a weakened side, but it will be a tough one to finish. At this moment, they are around a 6/10.
- How far can they go?
I do not think their defence is as strong as it used to be. I can see them getting to the quarter-finals but this is where they will bow out. I do not see them being strong enough here. They are as weak at the back as I have seen them.
Chelsea
- How would you rate their performance so far?
They have gradually been getting better, and this probably shows with the Valencia game. It probably came a bit too early for them - once Frank Lampard knew his best team, all of the younger lads have come in on top of this and they are getting a fine blend. They seem to be performing better. The Chelsea performance and result against Ajax was exceptional. Sometimes you get a lucky 1-0 win but it was a fully justifiable victory with a performance to match.
- Chances of getting out of the group?
Winning two away games is exceptional in the Champions League. It is quite a tough group with Valencia and Ajax, but they should qualify without a doubt now. At this moment I would give them an 8/10.
- How far can they go?
I think Chelsea will be eliminated at the quarter-final stage. I may be wrong, but the inexperience in Europe could prove costly. There will be a lot of decent teams at this stage too let’s not forget, but this will be a very respectable effort nevertheless.
Man City
How would you rate their performance so far?
It was a decent group for Man City. You would expect them to win all of these three games. City do not have any worries at the minute and are absolutely flying, imperious to these sort of sides.
Chances of getting out of the group?
They play Dinamo Zagreb away in the last game, and this is the only one you would question. By the time they get there they should have 15 points. It will be a long journey and they may come unstuck, but it will not worry them as they will be top the group - 9/10 for me thus far.
How far can they go?
I think they will reach the semi-final stages at least, with the bodies that will be coming back in time for the knockout stages. They will be well-suited and prepared.
Liverpool
- How would you rate their performance so far?
It is probably an 8/10 for Liverpool. Napoli away was always going to be the toughest game and it was nice to get that out of the way. They cannot rely on just getting through the group like they did last year. They must win the group. The Genk result was a vital one, and to win it 4-1 was very positive. It puts Liverpool in a good position going forward.
- Chances of getting out of the group?
I can see Liverpool and Napoli qualifying from the group. Liverpool’s last game is Salzburg away, but their game against Napoli should decide who tops the group. Liverpool have the knack and the know-how, so they are another team who should be getting to the semi-final stage.
- How far can they go?
I say the semi-final stage because they have been there before and have reached the final stages in consecutive years. You have to know how to get through the group stages and then play knockout football too. Liverpool have an aura about them where teams do not want to play them.
- Final question – Who will win the Champions League (out of any team)
I can see Juventus winning. Over the two legs once you get there, if it falls in their favour, more significantly in the second leg, then they will be very strong. The Cristiano Ronaldo effect, if we refer to knowing how to do it, and win it, is massive. That is why I think Liverpool will have a big say in the Champions League again. Liverpool may be like Real Madrid and dominate for years. Barcelona do not look any stronger than they did last year and Real Madrid certainly don’t. Bayern could be in contention, but I think Juventus will win the Champions League.
Sky Bet odds: Juventus to win 19/20 Champions League at 15/2
Matt Le Tissier
Tottenham
- How would you rate their performance so far?
The season itself has been hit and miss, and it appears the same is happening to their Champions League form. They are at home to Olympiakos and the Red Star game should be decent enough victories for them too.
- Chances of getting out of the group?
It shouldn’t matter what Tottenham do away at Bayern and so should be safe by then. They should take care of the other two games and be safe enough.
- How far can they go?
Realistically, on their form, I think the quarter finals will be the maximum they can get to.
Chelsea
How would you rate their performance so far?
They are sitting at the top of their group at the moment, however have the trickiest half to come in order to get through to the next round. They lost at home to Valencia, but recovered well and had a great win at Ajax.
Chances of getting out of the group?
There is no reason why they shouldn’t go through but out of the four English teams, I think they have the trickiest task.
How far can they go?
I think the quarter-finals would be a good tournament for them. Anything further than that and they have really come out on top, due to the young side and the early stage of some of the players’ development. This level of competition may find them out a bit.
Man City
How would you rate their performance so far?
They have three wins from three, scoring loads of goals in that time too. Manchester City are in cruise control with that group. Pep Guardiola can tinker and change his side for the last few games, while City can afford to rest some of their key players, especially considering how many injuries they have.
Chances of getting out of the group?
There is no issues here from a City perspective. It will be all about who they get in the draw, which could go either way, but they will finish top.
How far can they go?
This is a team that are capable of going all the way. I have said it every year and they seem to get bad luck at the wrong time. Aymeric Laporte will be back by the knockout stages and that will be a big boost for them, so they could go to the final.
Liverpool
How would you rate their performance so far?
Napoli was not an unexpected result, it is a tough place to go. Salzburg was a jolt in the arm for them but came out of it with three points.
Chances of getting out of the group?
I think they will be fine. I expect them to qualify comfortably, but I am not sure about them finishing top of the group. Salzburg are dangerous and Salzburg away will be no walk in the park. Napoli may also nick a draw at Anfield so Liverpool could end up finishing second.
How far can they go?
I would love to see a Liverpool v Man City final, it would be an absolute classic and they are by far the best two teams in the Premier League.
Final question – Who will win the Champions League (out of any team)
The all-English final could happen and I think it will. It is only a matter of time before Manchester City win the Champions League. They need to get a little break at some point.
Odds correct as of 1150 GMT on 04/11/19