Unless Cristiano Ronaldo suddenly decides to add mercy to his list of virtues, the Real Madrid forward will have a good shot at scoring his 100th goal in European competition on Wednesday.
Ronaldo, who once aptly described himself as "rich, handsome and a great player," is two goals short of that landmark before Madrid visits legia Warsaw in the Champions league on Wednesday.
The Portugal forward arrives primed for more goals after recovering his ruthless touch on Saturday, when he scored his 38th career hat trick in a 4-1 win at Alaves in the Spanish league. Ronaldo is the all-time leading scorer in the Champions league, with 95 of his European goals coming in the tournament he helped Madrid win for a record 11th time last season.
But Barcelona rival lionel Messi has closed the gap with Ronaldo in their never-ending scoring duel after netting six goals to lead the Champions league this season.
legia looks like easy pickings for Ronaldo. The Polish team has lost all three group matches and conceded a tournament-high 13 goals. And its players will face Madrid all alone at Wojska Polskiego Stadium, whose doors will be closed to the public by UEFA as a penalty for fans' racist behavior and the fireworks thrown during a previous loss to Borussia Dortmund.
Meanwhile, Group E is proving to be this season's most competitive quartet.
Only three points separate leader Monaco from last-place CSKA Moscow before they meet in the Mediterranean principality. Monaco has been boosted this campaign by the arrival of Poland defender Kamil Glik, whose late goal earned a draw against Bayer leverkusen.
Tottenham hosts leverkusen with both sides hoping for a win combined with a Monaco slip to move to the top of the group. Spurs haven't won in five matches across all competitions without injured striker Harry Kane.
GROUP F
Dortmund, like Madrid, can advance with a win over Sporting lisbon. Mario Goetze, who returned to Dortmund this season from Bayern Munich, has shown some flashes of his rich talent. But more will be needed for Dortmund make another run to the final like in 2013, which Goetze missed because of injury.
Elsewhere in Group G, its Premier league title defense may be in serious trouble, but leicester City is outperforming the other English sides in its first foray in the Champions league. Three wins in as many matches mean leicester can seal a place in the knockout rounds with another win over FC Copenhagen.