18.10. (Tue) 20:45 Napoli - Bayern Munchen

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PROBABLE LINEUPS

NAPOLI De Sanctis  Campagnaro, Cannavaro, Aronica,Maggio, Inler, Gargano, Dossena Hamsik, LavezziCavani

BAYERN MUNICH Neuer Boateng, Van Buyten, Badstuber, Lahm Luiz Gustavo, Schweinsteiger Muller, Kroos, Ribery Gomez

Walter Mazzarri fielded a full-strength team against Parma in the 2-1 loss at the weekend and is unlikely to make major changes for the game against Bayern Munich.

Napoli will, however, have to do without the services of new signings Miguel Britos, Marco Donadel and Goran Pandev, who are recuperating from injuries.

Arjen Robben, who is recovering from another minor injury, is the glaring absentee for the Bavarians as Jupp Heynckes and his team are expected to welcome back Luiz Gustavo into the starting XI. Centre-half Breno, who had been in jail until recently, has also been ruled out of the game and will not feature on Tuesday.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Napoli are unbeaten in their last nine home games in European competitions, keeping six clean sheets in the process.

• The last German team to win in Naples was coached by none other than current Bayern Munich coach Jupp Heynckes. The Borussia Monchengladbach legend led Eintracht Frankfurt to two 1-0 victories in the Uefa Cup third round in 1994.

• Careca-inspired Napoli ousted the Bavarians 4-2 on aggregate in Uefa Cup semi finals in 1989, with the Brazilian legend bagging two goals in Naples and one in Munich.

• Bayern Munich's Jupp Heynckes faces Italian opposition for the first time since his Real Madrid side beat Juventus in the Champions League final in 1998.

• The Bavarians are set to face Serie A opposition for the 12th time in the last four seasons.

• Bayern Munich defender Diego Contento's family originates from Naples. He is named after Napoli legend Diego Maradona.

Prediction

Napoli are a great side, they possess great strength in attack, but their lack of experience in the Champions League is likely to make the difference on Tuesday night. Walter Mazzarri's men are probably facing the most in-form team in Europe and with the Bavarians at full throttle, a spectacle is guaranteed.

Editor's Prediction

Napoli 0-2 Bayern Munich

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18.10. (Tue) 20:45 Basel - Benfica

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PROBABLE LINEUPS

BASEL Sommer Steinhofer, Kovac, Dragovic, Joo-Hoo F. Frei, Huggel, Cabral, ShaqiriA. Frei, Streller

BENFICA Artur Maxi Pereira, Luisao, Garay, Emerson Javi GarciaGaitan, Witsel, Aimar, Nolito Cardozo

Pablo Aimar is expected to start for Benfica after recovering from a minor muscle problem which saw him miss the club's last two games. Javi Garcia has been included in the 21-man squad for the game, and although his involvement remains in doubt because of a leg injury, coach Jorge Jesus could risk him in this clash.


Star playmaker Xherdan Shaqiri will make his first Champions League game of the season for Basel after missing the club's first two matches through suspension. Benjamin Huggel is back in the team after serving a one-match ban for a red card against Otelul Galati.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Basel's 5-1 victory against FC Schotz at the weekend in the Swiss Cup was the first game for coach Heiko Vogel, who replaced Thorsten Fink at the helm of the club.

• The club are currently fourth in the Swiss Super League, with five victories from 11 games.

• Alexander Frei tops the Champions League's scoring charts after netting one goal against Otelul Galati and two against Manchester United.

• Benfica are joint leaders with Porto in the Portuguese Liga, with 17 points from seven games.

• They are undefeated against Swiss opposition in European competitions after meeting La-Chaux-de-fonds in 1964-65 and FC Zurich in 1982-83.

• Both teams have posted a victory against Otelul Galati and a draw against Manchester United in this edition of the Champions League.

Prediction

Basel impressed in their stunning 3-3 draw against Manchester United on matchday two, and will provide a stern challenge for Benfica, who, with four points to their name in the group so far, may be content to accept a point.

Editor's Prediction

Basel 1-1 Benfica

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18.10. (Tue) 20:45 Dinamo Zagreb - Ajax

PROSHOTS

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

DINAMO ZAGREB Kelava Vida, Tomecak, Tonel, Cufre Calello, Badelj, Leko, Sammir Beqiraj, Krstanovic

AJAX Vermeer Van der Wiel, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Anita Enoh, Eriksen, Janssen Sulejmani, S. de Jong, Boerrigter

Full-back Sime Vrsaljko serves the last of a three-game ban and is still unavailable, while head coach Krunoslav Jurcic will also be without the injured Igor Biscan (ankle), Arijan Ademi (ankle) and Mehmed Alispahic (broken arm).

Ajax coach Frank de Boer will have to make do without the services of left-back Nicolai Boilesen due to a hamstring injury, while striker Kolbeinn Sigthorsson is unavailable because of a fractured ankle.

Their places in the starting XI are expected to be taken by Vurnon Anita and Eyong Enoh. Shot-stopper Kenneth Vermeer picked up an injury in last weekend's Eredivisie draw against AZ, but is expected to be recovered in time for Tuesday's game.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Dinamo Zagreb have neither registered a win nor scored a goal in their previous three home games against Ajax.

• In each of the last five seasons Dinamo's Champions League dreams came to an end in the third qualifying round.

• The Croatians are one of four teams that have yet to score in the group stage.

• Ajax have lost only three of their 10 games against Croatian opposition so far.
  

• Ajax have kept only one clean sheet so far this season; at home against Olympique Lyonnais.

• De Boer's men have won just one of their last seven fixtures in all competitions.

Prediction

Both sides have yet to find the net in the group stages of the Champions League and a scoreless draw on Tuesday seems to be a realistic option. Neither Dinamo Zagreb, nor Ajax can afford to lose in order to keep their chances of finishing at least third in Group D alive and they will both start rather cautious. The support of the home fans could prove to be an advantage for the Croatians, but the Amsterdam club have the quality to pick up at least a point.

Editor's Prediction

Dinamo Zagreb 0-0 Ajax

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18.10. (Tue) 20:45 Lille Metropole - Inter

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PROBABLE LINE-UPS

LILLE LandreauDebuchy, Rozenhal, Basa, BeriaBalmont, Mavuba, Pedretti Cole, Payet, Hazard

INTER Julio Cesar Maicon, Lucio, Chivu, Zanetti Stankovic, Cambiasso, Obi, SneijderPazzini, Milito

Ludovic Obraniak and Dimitri Payet returned from injuries at the weekend, with the France international scoring the second goal in the 3-1 victory over Auxerre. Moussa Sow has recovered from a toe injury and could make the bench on Tuesday.

Claudio Ranieri will have to make do without Walter Samuel who sustained a leg injury in the 2-1 loss to Catania on Saturday. Andrea Ranocchia will also be absent due to injury while Diego Forlan is cup-tied. Wesley Sneijder has returned to training and will likely feature behind the two strikers.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Lille are unbeaten in their last five matches in all competitions at the Stade Lille Metropole.

• The French outfit have picked up two draws in their first two encounters in the Champions League.

• Eden Hazard scored his first goal for Belgium in the 4-1 win over Kazakhstan on October 7.

• Inter have conceded 12 goals away from San Siro in all competitions this season.
  

• The Italian club are currently second in Group B, one point behind surprise leaders Trabzonspor.

• Mauro Zarate is joint first for the most shots on goal in the Champions League (six).

Prediction

Inter are in big trouble at the moment and are unlikely to stop the bleeding against a Lille side who are tough to beat at home.

Editor's Prediction

Lille 2-1 Inter Milan

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18.10. (Tue) 20:45 Otelul - Manchester Utd.

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PROBABLE LINEUPS

OTELUL GALATI   Grahovac Skubic, Perendija, Costin, Salageanu Antal, Filip, Ibeh, Giurgiu, Bus Pena

MANCHESTER UNITED De Gea Fabio, Jones, Vidic, Evra Valencia, Carrick, Anderson, Young Rooney, Hernandez

The Romanian side have not been in the best of form this season, as they are currently in a mid-table position in their local standings.

Their maiden tryst with the Champions League has not yielded any fruit either, as they look for their first ever points in the group stage against a club that has tasted the ultimate triumph in the competition three times in their history.

The wide array of attacking talent that the Red Devils possess might prompt the hosts to stick with a 4-5-1 line-up in the hope of snatching a point from the encounter.

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson made a few changes to his line-up in the recent 1-1 draw with Liverpool, keeping Wayne Rooney, Javier Hernandez and Michael Carrick on the bench. All three could make a return to the starting line-up, considering the gravity of their current situation in the group.

Tom Cleverley (foot) and Darron Gibson (ankle) are concerns for Sir Alex Ferguson, while Rio Ferdinand has not made the trip to Romania, with the club yet to confirm why the England defender has remained in Manchester.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Otelul Galati won their domestic league last season and qualified for the Champions League for the first time in their history. They are yet to register their first points in the competition, having lost to Benfica and Basel in their first two games in Group C.

• They have not won a match on the European stage since a 2-1 second leg victory - 4-2 on aggregate - over Turkish side Trabzonspor in the third round of the 2007 Intertoto Cup.

• The hosts will be playing an English club for the first time in their history, while Sir Alex's charges have played a Romanian club only once before - Dinamo Bucharest in 2004-05.

• Manchester United have conceded four goals so far, drawing both their games in Group C. Ironically, Otelul have shipped in three but have lost both their games.

• The Red Devils began their legendary 1998-99 European campaign with two draws, but eventually ended up conquering Europe.

• Sir Alex has guided United to two European triumphs in his long and distinguished career at Old Trafford. Should his team taste glory again, he will have equalled Liverpool's legendary former boss Bob Paisley's record of three European cups. No other manager has won as many.

Prediction
Editor's Prediction 
Otelul Galati 0-2  Man Utd.

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18.10. (Tue) 20:45 Real - Olympique Lyonnais

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PROBABLE LINEUPS

REAL MADRID Casillas Arbeloa, Ramos, Pepe, Marcelo Khedira, Xabi Alonso Ronaldo, Ozil, KakaHiguain

LYON Lloris Reveillere, Cris, Lovren, Cissokho Kallstrom, Gonalons, Briand, Gourcuff, Bastos Gomis

Jose Mourinho's men will be looking to continue their perfect start to the Champions League when they welcome Lyon on Tuesday evening. The Portuguese coach will return to the dugout after serving a touchline ban.

Gonzalo Higuain bagged his third hat-trick in four matches for club and country against Real Betis, and Mourinho is faced with a selection dilemma with Karim Benzema returning to full fitness. Marcelo is also likely to come back into the side after being suspended for the match against Ajax on matchday two.

Kaka has also rediscovered form in the absence of Angel di Maria, who is available after being suspended for Madrid's last two La Liga matches, and both will fight for a starting slot. Madrid are without Raul Albiol (cheekbone) and Nuri Sahin, whilst there are doubts over the fitness of Ricardo Carvalho.

Lyon travel to the Spanish capital without Lisandro Lopez, who is continuing to recover from a severe ankle strain, but the French side will be boosted by the return of Yoann Gourcuff who made an appearance as a substitute against Nancy.

Club captain Cris returned to action and is expected to line-up in central defence against Madrid after two months out.

DID YOU KNOW?

• The two sides have met in the last two Champions League seasons during the knockout stages, with each team having progressed once.

• Madrid ended a run of six consecutive round of 16 defeats by overcoming Lyon last season, only to eventually crash out to eventual winners Barcelona.

• Los Blancos conceded just two goals in the group stage in 2010-11, both away from Santiago Bernabeu.

• Lyon lost to Real Madrid in the last 16 last season, with the Spanish side winning 3-0 at the Bernabeu after the teams had shared a 1-1 draw in France.

• Remi Garde's team managed one victory outside of France in last year's competition - a 3-1 win over Hapoel Tel Aviv.

• Lyon have yet to concede a goal in their opening two games; having drawn 0-0 against Ajax before a 2-0 win over Dinamo Zagreb.

Prediction

Home advantage may prove enough for the Primera Division side with the absence of Lisandro Lopez leaving the visitors short in attack. With Higuain in blistering form, expect Madrid to collect the points.

Editor's Prediction

Real Madrid 2-0 O. Lyon

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18.10. (Tue) 20:45 Manchester City - Villarreal

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PROBABLE LINEUPS

MANCHESTER CITY Hart Richards, Kompany, Lescott, Kolarov De Jong, Yaya Toure Nasri, Silva, Balotelli Dzeko

VILLARREAL   Diego Lopez Zapata, Marchena, Gonzalo, Catala De Guzman, Bruno, Senna, Cani Valero Rossi

With Sergio Aguero not yet recovered from a groin injury and Carlos Tevez training in isolated exile, in-form Mario Balotelli is likely to keep his place in the City side alongside the returning attacking triumvirate of David Silva, Samir Nasri and Edin Dzeko.

Villarreal are without striker Nilmar for the foreseeable future after the Brazilian underwent an operation on a cyst in his right knee, and with Marco Ruben also a serious doubt through injury, Giuseppe Rossi is likely to start up front on his own.

Borja Valero, who returns from suspension after missing the first two matches, is likely to be employed just behind the Italian.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Manchester City and Villarreal have never faced each other in a competitive or non-competitive match.

• Both of these sides have failed to win either of their first two matches in Group A.

• Villarreal have featured in the Champions League group stage twice, reaching the semi-finals in 2005-06 and the quarter-finals in 2007-08, both times losing to Arsenal.

• While Manchester City as a club may be inexperienced in the Champions League, many of their players most certainly are not – Carlos Tevez, Mario Balotelli and Yaya Toure have all won the competition with previous teams.

• Villarreal have scored just 10 goals to Manchester City’s 32 in all competitions so far this season.

• The Yellow Submarine are currently on a run of four matches without a win after drawing with Getafe 0-0 over the weekend.

Prediction

The testing situations of these two teams within Group A will likely result in a tense encounter, but nevertheless City should ultimately come out on top.

Editor's Prediction

Man City 2-0 Villarreal

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18.10. (Tue) 18:00 CSKA Moskva - Trabzonspor

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PROBABLE LINEUPS

CSKA MOSCOW Gabulov V.Berezutski, Ign'vich, Nababkin, A.Berezutki  Aldonin, Mamaev, TosicDzagoev Doumbia, Vagner Love

TRABZONSPOR Zengin Celustka, Kacar, Glowaski, Cech Colman, ZokoraVolkan Sen, Alanzinho, Halil Altintop Brozek

Kirill Nababkin, Vasili Berezutski and Evgeni Aldonin are all expected to start the game after missing CSKA's 2-2 draw against Terek Grozny on Saturday through domestic suspension.


Vladimir Gabulov will continue in goal with Igor Akinfeev out with a cruciate ligament injury while Keisuke Honda, Mark Gonzalez and Tomas Necid are all long-term absentees.


Turkish international striker Burak Yilmaz continues to miss out through suspension after picking up a straight red in qualifying. Paulo Henrique is expected to be out for another fortnight so Pawel Brozek will likely lead the line on his own.

DID YOU KNOW?

• CSKA Moscow have never met Trabzonspor in the past although the club did face Turkish opposition in the competition two seasons ago, defeating Besiktas 2-1 home and away.

• Seydou Doumbia is currently in superb form, notching eight goals in his last nine appearances for the Russian giants.

• Leonid Slutsky's men are bottom of Group B and will be looking for their first win against the Turkish side.

• Trabzonspor are top of the group with four points after sensationally beating Inter 1-0 at San Siro on matchday one before picking up a 1-1 draw versus Lille a fortnight ago.

• The club are currently fourth in the Turkish Super Lig, after picking up three wins from their opening six fixtures.

• Trabzonspor coach Senol Gunes was in charge of the Turkish national side between 2000 and 2004, leading the country to third place in the 2002 World Cup.

Prediction

Expect the Russian side to pick up their first win of the campaign at home against Tranzonspor. Leonid Slutsky's side rested key men over the weekend and they could make the difference against the group's surprise leaders.

Editor's Prediction

CSKA 2-0 Trabzonspor

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