UEFA Champions League (UCL) final Matchday is all set up for some drama as reigning champions Liverpool, Chelsea and Inter Milan all look to avoid dropping to the Europa League tonight when they file out for the final group game of the 2019/2020 UCL season.
Salzburg vs Liverpool.
Although Liverpool are top of Group E with 10 points; one point more than Napoli in second place and three more than Salzburg in third, it might all count for nothing tonight if they fail to pick up at least point in Austria against a dangerous Salzburg side and Napoli defeats bottom placed Genk in Naples.
Klopp explained how #LFC's @ChampionsLeague showdown is the 'most important game in our lives' simply because it's the next one on the fixture list… 🔴#SALLIV https://t.co/SDRKxscvfL
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— Liverpool FC (@LFC) December 9, 2019
The last time both teams met at Anfield, Liverpool let a three goal lead slip as Erling Haaland who has scored in every UCL game so far this season levelled things up but a 69th minute strike from Mohammed Salah helped the reigning champions to a hard fought win.
As long as Napoli do not lose to Genk at home, Salzburg will put Liverpool down to third and in the Europa League, with a win better than the 4-3 scoreline by which they lost at Anfield.
What you need to know…
The Austrian club have never beaten Premier League opposition, home and away, in five previous attempts (D1, L4), losing the last four matches.
The Reds have, however, never lost in Austria, where their record is W2, D1. The last two such games have finished 2-0 in their favour.
Chelsea vs Lille
Another team who will be looking to avoid dropping into the Europa League will be Chelsea as Nigerian international, Victor Osimhen and his team mates hope to dent their Champions League hopes.
#CHELOSC #UCL pic.twitter.com/HCEP6KQyCx
— LOSC (@LOSC_EN) December 9, 2019
A win at the Bridge will guarantee the London club a place in the last 16 irrespective of what happens between Ajax and Valencia. A draw could however be enough but that means that would have to hope that Valencia lose in Amsterdam.
What you need to know…
The French club have lost four of their six matches in England including 3-0 defeats in each of the last two.
Chelsea’s last home game against a French side brought their first defeat, Paris Saint-Germain running out 2-1 winners at Stamford Bridge. The London club had been unbeaten in their previous seven matches against Ligue 1 visitors (W4, D3), keeping a clean sheet in every victory.
Inter Milan vs Barcelona
Just like Liverpool and Chelsea, Inter Milan are also in the danger of dropping to the Europa League except they get all three points against a Messiless Barcelona.
Level on points with Dortmund who are at home to Slavia Praha, irrespective of how well Dortmund fares against their opponents, a win will take Inter through to the next round.
But they have a Barcelona side to deal with first.
What you need to know…
Barça have won only five of their last 15 away matches in European competitions (D6, L4). They are without a win in their last eight trips to Italy (D5, L3).
The Nerazzurri are unbeaten in their last nine games against Liga opposition at San Siro (W3, D6) with only one defeat at home to Spanish opposition in 19 fixtures (W9, D9).
