Monday, October 18, 2010

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19-10-2010 20:45 Arsenal - Shakhtar

Fight for top spot
  With both teams having taken six points from six so far in Group H, this is a shootout for claiming top spot as their own. Arsenal are currently in first place on goal difference, thanks to their stunning return of nine goals from their first two games compared to Shakhtar’s very respectable four.

As the other teams in the group are languishing without a point on the board, no result would be catastrophic for either team, but of course it is the top spot that everybody wants, so it will be keenly contested.  Having said this, it is very likely that the Ukranians would be delighted with a draw in the hope of beating the Londoners back in Donetsk.

The two teams faced each other in the 2000/01 group stages with each side claiming wins at home.  A repeat of the leg at Highbury would be a great one for the neutrals, as Arsenal came from 0-2 down to win 3-2 with a late brace from defensive rock Martin Keown making the difference.

Fortress Emirates
Arsenal have an exceptional record at home in the Champions League. The Gunners didn’t lose at home in last year’s competition, winning five and drawing one. They lost at home to Manchester United in the previous year’s tournament, but that was their first loss at home in the Champions League for five years. Shakhtar, however, are looking good away from home having won their last three in all competitions.

Arsenal have an exceptional record at home in the Champions League. The Gunners didn’t lose at home in last year’s competition, winning five and drawing one. They lost at home to Manchester United in the previous year’s tournament, but that was their first loss at home in the Champions League for five years. Shakhtar, however, are looking good away from home having won their last three in all competitions.

TEAM NEWS

 
Arsenal
  Arsenal are set to welcome back inspirational captain Cesc Fabregas as he has returned to the squad prior to Tuesday’s fixture, although his starting place isn’t guaranteed with Arsene Wenger saying on the club’s official website, “I do not know yet whether I start him or not but he is available.”

The injury list is still a long one for the Gunners though, as Robin van Persie, Bacary Sagna, Manuel Almunia, Thomas Vermaelen, Laurent Koscielny and Aaron Ramsey all remain sidelined. Theo Walcott, however is likely to shake off a slight knock and be ready for action.

The question Wenger will be asking himself is how much of a threat Shakhtar will look to pose, he may well be tempted to play a very creative midfield just leaving Alex Song with defensive duties in order to break down the Ukranian champions.

Possible Starting XI: Fabianski; Eboue, Squillaci, Djourou, Clichy; Nasri, Song, Wilshire; Walcott, Chamakh, Arshavin

Shakhtar 

 Shakhtar are likely to be without Douglas Costa, who was injured during their win over Dynamo Kiev earlier this month, although he is nearing a come back.  Despite picking up four bookings in their last Champions League outing, the Ukranians are, like Arsenal, without any suspensions hampering their selection.

The notable player in the Shakhtar squad is Eduardo da Silva who is making his return to The Emirates after his summer move.  The Croatian is likely to get a great reception from the Arsenal faithful, although he is likely to start on the bench.

Possible Starting XI: Pyatov; Rakytskyy, Kucher, Chygrynkyi, Rat; Srna, Gai, Mkhitaryan, Hubschmann, Willian, Adriano

 

Prediction
Arsenal will clearly be made favourites for the game, but Shakhtar are a team in form and are capable of shutting out teams (they have conceded just two in their last eight games).
However, if Wenger does decide to unleash the creative forces of Chamakh, Arshavin, Walcott, Nasri and Wilshire then it is hard to see Arsenal not scoring, especially with Chamakh in the goal scoring form he is in.  Shakhtar are usually good for a goal though, and with Arsenal’s centre-backs and goalkeeper being their major issues so far this season it is easy to see them scoring, especially when you throw in the curse of the old boy scenario that could see Eduardo coming off the bench to spoil things for his former team-mates.

Arsenal 2-1 Shakhtar  

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19-10-2010 18:30 18:30 Spartak Moskva - Chelsea

Riding high on confidence
Spartak have been in fine form in recent weeks, as they are currently on an unbeaten run of seven games in all competitions that includes six victories. These include a surprise win over Olympique Marseille on matchday one, as well as a 3-0 result against Slovak club MSK Zilina.

Their most recent victory was against Alaniya in the league, which saw Valeri Karpin’s men register a 3-0 result at home – in a game that could have seen them score more. Despite the confident victory, the coach has warned his charges that they must take all their chances if they are to secure a positive result against Chelsea.

"We played well in defence, managed to keep our net clean, it's very good," he said. "But I'm upset that we missed too many scoring chances. We should have scored at least two more goals. Such a waste of chances in the match with Chelsea is absolutely inadmissible."

Memories of 2008...

Chelsea’s trip to Russia will probably feel like a victim returning to the scene of a crime, as it at the Luzhniki Stadium on that fateful night in 2008 that they tasted a bitter defeat in the Champions League final – to Manchester United, and on penalties, no less.

The script was perfectly written for the Blues to emerge victors, as the game was held in owner Roman Abramovich’s homeland. But defender John Terry’s miss proved very costly as United went on to lift the trophy.

Two years on, the Blues are arguably stronger and have in them a manager, Carlo Ancelotti, who has already guided them to the Premier League title last season.

"I watched the game on television," the Italian recalled, concerning the defeat in 2008. "Chelsea played at the same level as Manchester United but when you arrive at penalties, it is difficult to say who can win the game."

Now, however, the former AC Milan boss remains cautiously optimistic ahead of the game, as he said: "Our dream is to do our best in this competition. We will use all our power, our character, our personality to do our best but it is difficult to say [what will happen]. The Champions League is a strange competition."

TEAM NEWS


Spartak Moscow
Brazilian attacking midfielder Alex has been ruled out of this encounter, as is the case with Kirill Kombarov.


 But prolific goalscorer Welliton is expected to play a part in this game, having recovered to make an appearance in a Russian Premier League game against Alaniya Vladikavkaz.


In the meantime, Ari has done well to score twice against Zilina and once in the club’s most recent game, against Alaniya.  He could likely lead the line alongside his fellow Brazilian forward.

Possible starting line-up: Dikan; Sheshukov, Suchy, Parshivlyuk, Pareja; McGeady, Ibson, Sabitov, Kombarov; Ari, Welliton.

Chelsea

Didier Drogba’s much awaited return to European football will likely have to wait a little while longer, as he is a major doubt for this game. The Ivorian is still recovering from a virus that kept him out of the recent Premier League clash with Aston Villa, and manager Carlo Ancelotti has all but ruled him out of this game.

Alex (hip), Yossi Benayoun (Achilles) and Frank Lampard (groin) are all out due to injury, but Salomon Kalou has shaken off a thigh problem and is available for selection.

In the meantime, defender Jose Bosingwa could start this game having recovered to make a substitute appearance against Aston Villa over the weekend.

Possible starting line-up: Cech; Bosingwa, Ivanovic, Terry, Cole; Zhirkov, Essien, Mikel, Ramires; Anelka, Kalou.


Prediction
Artificial turf and an injury hit squad could come in the way, but Chelsea should not have any significant trouble bullying Spartak Moscow to eventually register a victory away from home.

Spartak 1-3 Chelsea

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Tiket 19-10-2010

Ajaks - Okser11.63
Sporting Braga - PartizanX3.25
Olimpik Marsej - MŠK Žilina0-21.95
Real - Milan11.58

Olimp17.86

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18-10-2010 21:00 Hercules - Villarreal

So Much For Home Comforts

Faced with an intimidating early season schedule that included matches against the likes of Barcelona, Sevilla and Valencia, Hercules have coped well on their return to the Primera Division, picking up seven points in their opening six encounters. The tough run of fixtures continues on Monday, when Villarreal pay a visit to the Alicante side, and then a fortnight later it’s the turn of Real Madrid to visit the Jose Rico Perez.

Before los Blancos can be considered, Esteban Vigo’s side must first deal with the Yellow Submarine, one of a clutch of teams going well towards the summit of the Primera Division. To date, Hercules have won only once at home this season, defeating Sevilla, and they must improve their record in front of their home support if they are to maintain ambitions of finishing away from the relegation battle.

A high profile summer transfer campaign seems to have worked to date. Names such as Royston Drenthe, Nelson Valdez and David Trezeguet have all joined los Herculanos over the space of the last three months, and each has played a significant role in the successes of the club so far this term.

These names were left helpless as Hercules were hammered 3-0 by Getafe in their last league outing, and Vigo must have nursed his side’s wounds effectively if they are to bounce back against opponents going very well this term.

Nothing For Granted


An opening day defeat against Real Sociedad sparked concerns over the health of Villarreal going into this season, but these have since been spectacularly put to bed. Juan Carlos Garrido has led his side on an impressive five game winning streak, carrying them to second in the table with a record unblemished since August.

El Madrigal’s finest have cope impressively with the demands of juggling European football with their domestic form, though it’s quite clear already that their commitments in Spain are to take precedence over their achievements on the continent. Having spent a fair portion of last term battling against relegation, Villarreal are taking nothing for granted even at this early stage.

“A year ago people said that we had the best team the club had ever had, but it went badly,” Angel told the media. “Now it is different, because we have a good cushion of points and are confident of victory in every game.

“We face several complicated games and we want to keep up our run. It is nice to be near the top, because the atmosphere is great around the club.

“We have to first ensure we are safe in the division, and then we can think about things like Europe or the Champions League.”

There is little danger that Villarreal will engage in the relegation battling duel they were forced into last term, though victory away in Hercules will not be easy to come by.

TEAM NEWS

Hercules


Esteban Vigo is set to alter his starting XI slightly, partly because Kiko Femenia is injured and Abel Aguilar is suspended. Tiago Gomes is expected to replace the latter, while there is a little more doubt over who will step in for the former, with Tote and Rufete the major options.

Villarreal

Carlos Marchena is set to miss out due to muscular problems, opening the door for Gonzalo Rodriguez to start the game. Juan Carlos will be absent due to tonsillitis.


Prediction
With Villarreal’s recent form, they will certainly start the match as warm favourites, though Hercules cannot be written off as they’ve already proven their ability to raise their game against the big sides. Don’t be surprised to see Esteban Vigo’s side earn a share of the spoils in this match.

Hercules 1-1 Villarreal