27 November 2015
With the Champions League Group D qualifying places decided on Wednesday following Juventus’ 1-0 win over Manchester City, the Bianconeri’s Eurorivals return to domestic action this weekend, all looking to make decisive strides up the table as Christmas approaches.
Borussia Monchengladbach will kick off proceedings on Saturday afternoon away at strugglers Hoffenheim, while Manchester City host Southampton at the Etihad Stadium half an hour later. Sevilla, beaten 4-2 by Gladbach during the week, face Valencia looking for their first win in five matches in all competitions.
Hoffenheim vs. Gladbach, 28/11, 15.30 CET
While the Bianconeri were undoubtedly Wednesday’s biggest winners, securing their place in the Champions League last 16 and leapfrogging City into top spot in the process, Andre Schubert’s Gladbach pushed them close, emphatically defeating Sevilla 4-2 at Borussia-Park to climb into third place in Group D.
That victory was the Foals’ eighth in 13 outings in all competitions and the Germans will be looking to continue their excellent recent form on Saturday against bottom club Hoffenheim at the WIRSOL Arena, knowing that another win may take them back into the automatic UCL qualifying places.
Their hosts on Saturday afternoon (kick-off 15.30 CET) however could not be coming into this weekend’s meeting in worse shape, having tasted victory just once in their opening 12 Bundesliga fixtures this season.
Man City vs. Southampton, 28/11, 16.00 CET
Like Hoffenheim, Manuel Pellegrini’s Manchester City will be looking to reverse a dip in fortunes of late when they take on high-flying Southampton at the Etihad Stadium.
The Citizens are without a win in three outings following Wednesday’s trip to Juventus Stadium and they will need to be at their very best to return to winning ways against Ronald Koeman’s Saints, who have lost just twice in the Premier League since August.
Despite their stuttering form, the 2013/14 champions would return to the top of the table with a victory, at least before first-placed Leicester entertain second-placed Manchester United in the day’s late kick-off at the King Power Stadium.
Sevilla vs. Valencia, 29/11, 20.30 CET
Rounding off the weekend’s action will be Unai Emery’s Sevilla who will hope their triumphs over Real Madrid and Barcelona earlier in the campaign will inspire them to another victory over fellow Champions League competitors Valencia on Sunday evening.
Those two superb victories have been the bright spots in an otherwise slow start to the season for the Andalusians, who were also eliminated from the Champions League after losing to Borussia Monchengladbach on Matchday 5.
Those of a Bianconero persuasion will be hoping that that trend continues until Juve conclude their Group D campaign on Tuesday 8 December at the Estadio Sanchez Pizjuan.
