Teams Under Most Pressure in UCL Matchday 8
by Sam Cox | by Tyler Doty
For all the bluster about the new Champions League format, there is still a lot to play for on matchday eight. Eighteen matches are kicking off simultaneously on Wednesday with only two teams (Arsenal and Bayern) assured of a place in the round of 16.
Three teams are guaranteed at least a seeded playoff spot and could still advance directly to the last 16. Ten teams will at least be unseeded for the playoffs and could earn an automatic place in the round of 16 – there’s a huge difference between being unseeded for the playoffs and a direct route to the last 16.
A total of 17 teams could theoretically be eliminated on Wednesday. In that group, there are a couple that could yet earn a direct path to the last 16 if other results got in their favor. Just four teams – Eintracht Frankfurt, Slavia Prague, Villarreal, and Kairat Almaty -- have been eliminated after seven matchdays.
With so much at stake, here are the teams under the most pressure.
Napoli
Sitting 25th after a defeat to Benfica and draw in Copenhagen, Napoli are on the brink of a stunning Champions League exit. Napoli vs Chelsea is destined to be a fiery encounter on Wednesday night when they host Chelsea, one of Antonio Conte’s former teams.
Defeated 3-0 by Juventus at the weekend, the team from Naples are without a raft of players, including Kevin De Bruyne and former Chelsea man Billy Gilmour. Their underlying numbers in the Champions League are hardly inspiring, with Conte’s woes in continental football continuing.
A draw with Chelsea may well not be enough for Napoli to progress. Falling at this stage would represent a massive failure for Conte, particularly with a sizeable deficit to the summit in Serie A.
PSG
Despite being sixth, PSG are level on points with 13th-placed Atalanta. The reigning European champions host Newcastle on Wednesday. The Magpies are also level on points with PSG and will be highly motivated to secure a top eight finish, as noted in our PSG vs Newcastle pick.
It’s one win in four Champions League matches for Les Parisiens. Defeat to Sporting last week represented a missed opportunity.
Newcastle have tended to save their best for the Champions League, and PSG are missing a number of important players. We’re on upset watch for this match.
Marseille
Three wins and four defeats have Marseille in 19th. They are one point ahead of elimination, however, and travel to Club Brugge on matchday eight. As noted in our Brugge vs Marseille pick, the Belgian outfit hammered Kairat last week to keep their hopes of qualification alive.
A draw is probably enough for Marseille to progress, but there are no guarantees. There’s a degree of randomness with Brugge’s high-energy, as has been reflected in a number of high-scoring matches over the last few weeks.
Seven points behind PSG and five being Lens domestically, Champions League elimination would be a major setback for Marseille. A home loss to Atalanta on matchday four could prove costly.
Monaco
A draw with Pafos earlier in the competition is what Monaco will look back on if they don’t make it into the knockout phase. Currently on nine points and with worse goal difference than Marseille, Monaco vs Juventus promises to be one of the top matches of the night, with a Juventus team chasing a top eight berth on matchday eight.
It’s been a poor run domestically, with only one point of the last 15 claimed, leaving the focus on Champions League progression.
Bringing in Sébastien Pocognoli to replace Adi Hütter hasn’t had the desired impact. Pocognoli’s future could be in question if Les Monégasques are eliminated this week.
Manchester City
Losses to Bodoe/Glimt and Bayer Leverkusen in the last three matchdays have taken Manchester City from a top eight lock to a team likely facing the jeopardy of the playoffs.
Pep Guardiola’s team have won three of their last eight in all competitions and could find themselves unseeded for the playoff round if they fail to beat Galatasaray on Wednesday. Our Manchester City vs Galatasaray pick sees this being a difficult match for the Sky Blues.
City could really do without the two extra matches given how many injuries they have dealt with this season. There’s also the risk of facing Inter, Barcelona, or PSG over two legs.
