We venture into the fifth wave of Champions League league phase games this week with all six Premier League clubs in action across Tuesday and Wednesday.
Bayern Munich, Arsenal, and Inter Milan will all be looking to extend their 100% winning starts to the campaign, while the first two go head-to-head at the Emirates in this week’s most eagerly anticipated fixture.
There is no shortage of mouthwatering tussles on the cards with old foes Chelsea and Barcelona locking horns at Stamford Bridge, while PSG and Tottenham do battle in a repeat of the UEFA Super Cup final.
Liverpool are in desperate need of a win over PSV following their recent woes, Newcastle target all three points against Marseille, and Man City boss Pep Guardiola is on the cusp of another managerial milestone.
Without further ado, here’s a collection of stats and records you might see in the competition this week.
Stats you might see
Barcelona’s scoring streak
- Barcelona have scored in each of their last 24 Champions League matches, which is the longest active run in the competition.
Club World Cup winners Chelsea take on Spanish champions Barcelona in a fixture filled with goals, drama, and controversy.
Barcelona head into the game looking to extend their impressive scoring streak in the competition, having found the back of the net in 24 consecutive Champions League matches – racking up 67 goals in the process – which is the longest active run in the competition.
Given that the Catalan club have scored in all 17 of their matches across all competitions this season – scoring 44 goals in total and 11 in their last three games alone – it’s a run that they have a decent chance of continuing at the Bridge.
Pep’s milestone
- Pep Guardiola is set to take charge of his 100th Champions League game at the helm of Man City.
Pep Guardiola is preparing for his milestone 100th Champions League game in charge of Manchester City, who host Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday night.
Guardiola, who has won 62, drawn 19 and lost 18 of those games, will become only the third manager in charge of an English club to reach 100+ Champions League games, following in the managerial footsteps of Sir Alex Ferguson (190 with Manchester United) and Arsene Wenger (177 with Arsenal).
History says it could prove to be a successful night for the Spaniard, given that Man City have won their last 13 home games against German opposition in the Champions League by an aggregate score of 49-13.
Funnily enough, the last German club to win at the Etihad in the competition was Bayern Munich, who were then managed by…Guardiola.
Toon eye historic win
Fresh off their fine Premier League win over Man City, Newcastle go hunting for a fourth straight Champions League victory for the first time in their history when they travel to Marseille on Tuesday.
The Toon were defeated 2-1 by Barcelona in their opening league phase fixture but have since bounced back with three straight wins to nil over Union SG (4-0), Benfica (3-0), and Athletic Bilbao (2-0).
As for Marseille, they haven’t beaten an English opponent in Europe in their last 12 matches, nine of which they’ve lost.
Home comforts for the Arsenal
- Arsenal seek their 16th straight European group/league stage home win.
Arsenal’s clash against Bayern Munich is shaping up to be the headline fixture of the week, with both sides putting their 100% winning records on the line at the Emirates.
Bayern currently sit top of the league table thanks to their superior firepower – 14 goals scored already – but Arsenal boast the competition’s last remaining spotless defence, having kept a clean sheet in all four of their wins.
The Emirates has become a real fortress and one where Arsenal have won 15 straight European league/group stage games in front of their own fans – including a 4-0 thrashing of Atletico Madrid – keeping clean sheets in 12 of those matches.
In fact, Arsenal have a perfect record in Champions League group/league stage home matches under Mikel Arteta, winning all nine without conceding a single goal.
However, it’s worth noting that the Gunners have won just one of their last eight games against Bayern, who are unbeaten in all competitions this campaign (W17 D1).
Liverpool target 500th goal
- Liverpool’s next goal will be their 500th in the European Cup/Champions League.
Like Arsenal, Liverpool have been formidable on home soil, winning 17 straight Champions League group-stage matches at Anfield – the longest active run among English sides – which includes their recent 1–0 victory over Real Madrid.
That match was decided by Alexis Mac Allister, whose headed goal was Liverpool’s 499th goal in European Cup/Champions League history. Their next will mark a major milestone: goal number 500.
Meanwhile, out-of-form Mo Salah will be hoping to get his name back on the scoresheet as he closes in on becoming the first African player to score 50 Champions League goals; he’s currently on 48.
Goals on the cards in Paris
- PSG haven’t been involved in a goalless draw in their last 104 successive UEFA competition matches.
PSG’s surprise home defeat to Bayern Munich in their last Champions League outing could spell trouble for an inconsistent Tottenham, with the defending champions likely to come out firing in Paris as they look to bounce back.
Remarkably, PSG have gone 104 matches in UEFA competition without a goalless draw, a streak that dates back to the 2015/16 season when they drew 0-0 against Real Madrid.
Luis Enrique’s side will certainly fancy their chances of scoring against a wounded Spurs side still reeling from a heavy 4-1 defeat to Arsenal.