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High profile clashes are set to take place starting today — PSG hosts Real Madrid with the stars of both teams struggling to make the cut for the starting XI.
Matchday 7 Build-Up
UCL MD-7 will take place over two weeks. The best tip I can give is to pick as many players as you can from the first week’s matches, using only four or five spots on players from next week to reduce the risk of injury surprises. When we start trading for MD-8, we will get three free transfers to reorganise for matchdays spanning two days each. Most important for all is that Pep roulette will not play a factor this time around since the starting lineups will be available for all managers to see, but predicting which player is going to shine for the Citizens tonight remains a challenge!
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If you missed it, it is worth going back to check on NMA’s UCL MD-7 Preview. My fellow author and UCL expert Sraxan has also given us his insights on MD-7 player picks, and Olakunle shared his plan for tackling the tricky upcoming MD-7!.
Settling Waters
It was just a year ago when all English clubs had to play their away games at neutral grounds which probably helped two of them to reach the finals before Chelsea was crowned UCL Winners over Man City. This season, only Chelsea will be playing its first leg at home since the Manchester clubs and Liverpool won their respective groups.
The rules and guidelines imposed by UEFA to control COVID-19 within UCL did not come into play at all this UCL season, but what happened with Tottenham in the UEFA Conference League could occur at any minute. Spurs were disqualified from the European competition after failing to attend their match, claiming insufficient player availability. However UEFA determined that protocol was not followed and Spurs should have played. This remains a grey area and the facts are difficult to ascertain.
The same happened during one game-week of Italian football where districts did not allow teams to travel outbound due to the supposed number of infections. However, the football authorities found it unnecessary and consequently some teams showed up fully dressed awaiting absent opponents.
Thankfully waters seem to be calming. Let’s hope all further drama occurs where it should: on the football pitch.
Crazy Monday - Injury/suspension/participation Updates
Considering half of MD-7 matches will be played one week from now, please try to avoid any doubtful players for those matches.
Note: Sporting CP and Benfica have no reported injuries at the time of writing.
MD7 Suspension / Injury list
| Club | Player | Injury | Expected Return | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Club | Player | Injury | Expected Return | Status |
| PSG | Sergio Ramos | Calf | February | Out |
| Herrera | Thigh | February | Out | |
| Neymar | Ankle | February | Doubtful | |
| Real Madrid | Mariano Diaz | Thigh | February | Out |
| Karim Benzema | Muscle | February | Doubtful | |
| Ferland Mendy | Muscle | February | Doubtful | |
| Man City | Benjamin Mendy | Suspended by club | ||
| Kyle Walker | Suspended | |||
| Jack Grealish | shin | February | Out | |
| Gabriel Jesus | Knock | February | Out | |
| Liverpool | Divock Origi | Knee | February | Doubtful |
| Inter Milan | Carlos Correa | Muscle | February | Out |
| Nicolo Barella | Suspended | |||
| Robin Gosens | Thigh | March | Out | |
| Alessandro Bastoni | Ankle | February | Doubtful | |
| Bayern Munich | Manuel Neuer | Meniscus | May | Out |
| Leon Goretzka | Foot | February | Out | |
| Alphonso Davies | Heart | April | Out | |
| Jamal Musiala | COVID | February | Out | |
| Stanisic | thigh | February | Doubtful | |
| Salzburg | Bernardo | Knee | February | Out |
| Junuzovic | Heel | February | Out | |
| Sesko | Thigh | February | Out | |
| Lille | Renato Sanches | Groin | February | Doubtful |
| Isaac Lihadji | Thigh | February | Doubtful | |
| Chelsea | Reece James | Thigh | February | Doubtful |
| Mason Mount | Muscle | February | Doubtful | |
| Loftus-Cheek | Knock | February | Doubtful | |
| Ben Chilwell | Knock | Summer | Out | |
| Villarreal | Gerard Moreno | Muscle | February | Doubtful |
| Ruben Pena | Shoulder | Unknown | Out | |
| Coquelin | Achilles tendon | Unknown | Out | |
| Juventus | Giorgio Chiellini | Calf | February | Doubtful |
| Bernardeschi | Muscle | February | Doubtful | |
| Federico Chiesa | Meniscus | Summer | Out | |
| Atletico | Griezmann | Thigh | March | Out |
| Daniel Wass | knee | March | Out | |
| Jose Gimenez | COVID | February | Doubtful | |
| Yannick Carrasco | COVID | February | Doubtful | |
| Man Utd | Edinson Cavani | Groin | February | Doubtful |
| Nemanja Matic | Shin | February | Doubtful | |
| Mason Greenwood | Suspended by club | |||
| Fred | COVID | February | Doubtful | |
| Eric Baily | Ankle | February | Doubtful | |
| Ajax | Stekelenburg | Unknown | End of Season | Out |
| Brian Brobby | Knee | March | Out |
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Keep an eye on the comments section for press conference reports and any other status updates before today’s deadline. Good luck to everyone!
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How’s your team faring? It is unlimited transfer period now, Do you have any tactical questions? And which matches do you plan / wish to watch as a fan? Please share your thoughts in the comments below!
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