24-11-2010 20:45 Hapoel Tel Aviv - Benfica

Down And Out
 
Hapoel Tel-Aviv were always going to be also-rans in Group B and they haven't disappointed. Currently stationed at the bottom of the group with just one point from four matches, the Israeli champions have relinquished even the chimera of progressing to the second round of the Champions League.

But pride is at stake for one of Israel's most famous clubs and they will give their all to register a win at home and give their supporters something to cheer about. Hapoel have lost one and drawn the other of the two group games at the Bloomfield Stadium and tonight they will attempt to go a step higher and bag all three points.

Hapoel coach Eli Gutman is determined to bring smiles on the club's supporters' faces and says, "It's our last home game in this campaign and we want to put in a performance that will make our fans happy. Some people here think that Lyon are the best team in this group, but I think it's Benfica and that they'll come here fighting to win.

"They're an experienced team who like to pass the ball around. The Porto result [Benfica lost 5-0 away on November 7] will have no bearing on this match so we can't draw any conclusions from that. We all make mistakes and have to learn from them, and I'm sure we won't let anyone down tomorrow."

Back In The Frame

Benfica's vital defeat of Olympique Lyonnais on Matchday 4 propelled them back into contention for a top two finish in the group and the Portuguese champions will attempt to build on from that game.

At the moment Benfica have six points and are third, a point behind second-placed Schalke and three behind leaders Lyon. The Eagles are a massive 10 points off the pace already in the Portuguese league and Europe is their main adventure zone.

Coach Jorge Jesus is fully aware of the significance of the match and explains, "It's a very important game for Benfica and our last away tie in the section, so we have to win this one. We know Hapoel are very strong at home; they almost beat Schalke, so we'll need to be at our best to win this match.

"We won't change our style from the league to the Champions League, but we do have a plan B in case that's needed. I'm not interested in the Lyon-Schalke game, only this one. All my players are aware of its importance and the goals we've set for ourselves."



TEAM NEWS

Hapoel Tel-Aviv

Mahran Lala and and Romain Rocchi are long-term injury concerns because of a knee and a groin problem respectively. Avihay Yadin hurt his knee in training last week and Salim Toama has a muscle tear but striker Etey Shechter is fit again. Captain Walid Badir is likely to start on the bench due to a hamstring injury.

Benfica

Both Oscar Cardozo and Fabio Coentrao trained on Tuesday in Israel and are available for selection. However, Cardozo hasn't played in around two months and he may not start against Hapoel.

Prediction

Hapoel will have home advantage but Benfica have superior quality. However, winning a game in Europe away from home is not an easy task and the Israeli side will make it tough for the Portuguese champions and should eventually bag a point.

Hapoel 1-1 Benfica

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24-11-2010 20:45 Inter - Twente

Pivotal Match Of The Season
 
Inter coach Rafael Benitez's reputation is constructed on his exploits in Europe both with Valencia and with Liverpool, and tonight the Spaniard will have to see to that he maintains that with the Beneamata. The Italian and European champions are in crisis as they have not won in their last five competitive matches and are a massive nine points off the pace in Serie A.

Even in the Champions League Inter have looked poor of later. On Matchday 4 they went down 3-1 to Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane and are now currently second in Group A with seven points, as many as leaders Spurs have.

A win against Twente at San Siro tonight will see Inter go through to the first knockout stage of Europe's premier club competition but the Italian giants have already lost at home this season and the Dutch champions will know that winning in Milan is not impossible.

Although club supremo Massimo Moratti continues to insists that Benitez will not be sacked, the Spaniard is under tremendous pressure and it is high time that he solves the Nerazzurri's problems. On Matchday 1, Twente held Inter to a 2-2 draw in Enschede and they will be happy with a similar result. Benitez, though, is confident of picking up a win tonight.

"I am sure this is going to be the first in a long series of victories," enthused Benitez. "The players are doing all they can, even if it's a quite tricky situation we are going through. We can still win everything, and when all our players are fit again I think we will do well.

"As always, things depend on us. I have worked in football for 25 years, so I know how things work. I worked with Valencia, Liverpool and now here. I can tell you that these players are united. I'm giving it 100% and the fans know it."

Lofty Dreams Continue To Flourish

Dutch champions Twente were supposed to fight for the runners-up spot in Group A at the start of the Champions League campaign and they are doing pretty much that. Currently stationed in third spot with five points from four matches, the Tukkers will inflate their hopes of qualifying for the first knockout stage with a win in Milan.

Twente have an encouraging record on the road in Europe too as they have won one and lost the other match. With Inter struggling for over a month and losing at San Siro, Michel Preud'homme's side will be emboldened to go for the kill.

However, Twente themselves are not exactly in the best of forms as on Saturday the Reds were defeated 2-1 at home by AZ in the Dutch Eredivisie. It was Twente's second loss in a row in the league and their third without a win, and forced them three points behind leaders PSV.

Nevertheless, Preud'homme says that now is the perfect time to confront Inter and hopes to take advantage of their crisis, but warns, "It is the best possible time to face Inter, but even with so many players missing they are tough opponents and they have a lot of interesting young players.

"They're still a great club. Their coach is under pressure, but we expect to face a good Inter side. We are not having an easy time either – we have lost two games in a row – but that is the league and this is something completely different.



TEAM NEWS

Inter

Cristian Chivu, Diego Milito, Joel Obi, Coutinho, Walter Samuel, Maicon, Sulley Muntari and Julio Cesar are the injured players for the home side and will miss the match. However, key defensive midfielder Esteban Cambiasso is back to full fitness while Thiago Motta has shaken off a knee problem.

Twente

Midfielder Theo Jansson is available again for the Dutch side and he could be slotted into the starting line-up.

Prediction

Inter have been struggling for a while now and this will encourage Twente to go for a win whereas on other occasions the Dutch side would have probably played for a draw. However, the Nerazzurri are likely to pick bag a win on Wednesday night given that they are desperate to repair their current situation and also because Benitez is a master at the European game. But it will be a hard fought and perhaps even scrappy victory.

Inter Milan 1-0 Twente

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24-11-2010 20:45 Panathinaikos - Barcelona

Turbulent Times

As the business end of the Champions League group stages approaches, Panathinaikos are in something of a state of flux as they welcome Barcelona to Athens for what is a fixture of vital importance for both teams.

Pana’s approach to the game has been difficult. Little over a week ago they parted company with head coach Nikos Nioplias via mutual agreement, despite sitting joint top of the Greek Super League. Jesualdo Ferreira has since been installed as the club’s coach, though he wasn’t in charge when they defeated Iraklis 4-2 at the weekend, rallying after slipping two goals down in the first quarter of the game.

Ferreira will have had ample opportunity to have studied Barcelona from closer quarters than Greece over the last few months as he was until recently the coach of Primera Division side Malaga, who were quick to sack him after a disappointing run of results led them into the drop zone.

But there have been other issues for the hierarchy of the club to mop up. French attacker Sidney Govou has reportedly been censored for his frequent enjoyment of the capital’s night life, with some sources hinting that the player who opened the scoring at Camp Nou earlier this season could be sacked from the club.

All this has rather detracted from the mammoth task at hand, which is to belie their fourth placed ranking and overcome Barca. Traditionally strong at the OAKA, where they have lost just three of their last 56 domestic league matches, Pana have already slipped 2-0 against Copenhagen and drawn 0-0 with Rubin Kazan.

Playing For Top Spot

European champions in 2009, Barcelona have endured a surprisingly difficult group stage campaign to date. Though they sit top of Group D on eight points, Copenhagen have surprisingly pushed them hard for the headline billing, with away draws in Denmark and against Rubin Kazan ensuring that an entirely smooth campaign has not been possible.

At home, Barca have rubbished talk of their demise, shooting an impressive seven points clear of the main body of sides in La Liga, though trailing Real Madrid heading into next Monday’s Clasico, which is to the forefront of the nation’s mind, despite this testing trip to Greece.

Pep Guardiola’s men showed that they will not be distracted by the prolonged build-up to the Camp Nou clash by simply annihilating Almeria last Saturday. Barca struck eight times in total without reply, with Lionel Messi typically the star of the show in grabbing three, though the supporting cast of Catalan club also flexed their muscles impressively.

Bojan Krkic was one of those who impressed, though he is now focussing on Pana. “Wednesday is a key game for us. The Madrid game will come around soon enough,” he told the media.

“They are a hard team and they’ll make it hard for us. We are playing for the top spot in the group.”

First position should ensure an easier passage through to the quarter-finals, and with a packed schedule forthcoming, Guardiola will want to ensure that Barca’s journey is made as simple as possible.

TEAM NEWS

Panathinaikos

Giorgos Karagounis is the main absentee for the Shamrock. He is suspended.

Jean-Alain Boumsong has overcome an injury concern and should start, while Sotiris Ninis will be in the squad. Sebastian Leto has a knee injury.

Barcelona

Jeffren Suarez is available after nearly a month out, but Eric Abidal hasn’t yet been cleared to play, though the Frenchman has travelled in a squad of 20. Definitely omitted are suspended goalkeeper Jose Pinto and the injured Gabriel Milito.

Prediction

Barcelona were in irresistible form on Saturday evening and though they have El Clasico in their minds, there can be little doubt that they start as favourites to win this game. Jesualdo Ferreira’s appointment may give Pana a little kick, but not sufficiently to worry the Spaniards.

Panathinaikos 0-2 Barcelona

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24-11-2010 18:30 Rubin - FC Kobenhavn

Win Or Go Bust

Rubin Kazan started the European campaign as Russian champions and on the back of a promising time in Europe in 2009-10. However, things haven't gone to plan for them as they have lost the championship in Russia and are on the verge of elimination from the Champions League altogether.

Rubin are currently third in Group D with just three points from four matches and are four points behind tonight's opponents Copenhagen. The Tatars have yet to win in Europe so far this season but they have to register a victory at the Central Stadium to maintain their already slim chances of progress to the second round.

Kurban Berdyev's side aren't in great form either as their 2-2 draw with newly crowned Russian champions Zenit St Petersburg at the weekend consigned them to third place in the table. But Berdyev is confdent that his players can display an improved perfomance tonight.

"Copenhagen are possibly in better shape now than on Matchday 1," pondered Berdyev. "They look more mobile and mentally stronger. Ståle Solbakken has built a good team and organised them in defence and attack.

"What are our chances of qualifying? Well, the situation was complicated by our home draw against Panathinaikos. We will try our best and leave that question till the last matchday."

On The Brink Of Qualification

Copenhagen have been one of the surprise packages of the Champions League so far this season as well as one of the most impressive teams. They held Spanish champions Barcelona to a 1-1 draw at home on Matchday 4 and are now just a point behind them in second place with seven points.

A win in Kazan tonight will see the Danish champions go through to the second round of Europe's most premier club competition and will also maintain their chances of finishing in pole position in Group D. Even a draw in Russia will be enough for Copenhagen to book a place in the Round of 16 should Barcelona register a victory against Panathinaikos in the other match in the group.

Coach Stale Solbakken, though, is aware of Rubin's desperate situation and says, "We are looking forward to the game and know it will be difficult. Rubin have to win while we can go through with a draw. However, we will try for three points even though we know Barcelona have not won here in two attempts."

He adds, "We have great respect for Rubin. They are a top team and know how to play together, which is even more important than to have a big star. If we succeed it will be the best night in our club's European history – especially taking into account that there are four national champions in our group."



TEAM NEWS

Rubin Kazan

Carlos Eduardo is sidelined with a knee injury he suffered against Spartak Moscow earlier this month. Obafemi Martins missed Saturday's match against Zenit St. Petersburg because of flu but he trained on Tuesday and should be fit for tonight's game.

Copenhagen

Defender Solvi Ottesen has stayed behind in Denmark as his wife is due to give birth. But forward Morten Nordstrand is fit and running again as he has shrugged off his thigh and groin problems.

Prediction

Rubin Kazan need to win to maintain any chance of qualifying for the next round but Copenhagen have looked strong and confident on the road in Europe. The Russians have yet to win at home in the Champions League but the Danish champions will make it extremely tough for them. This is a very difficult game to call and one suspects that a single goal would settle the scores. Rubin are likely to find that winner.

Rubin Kazan 1-0 Copenhagen

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24-11-2010 20:45 Rangers - Manchester Utd.

On The Brink

Rangers welcome Manchester United to Ibrox currently sitting in third place in Group C and knowing that two wins from their final two games are imperative if they are to have any chance of making the knock-out stages.

Whilst the final game for the Scots is away at the group’s whipping boys Bursapor, that match will be rendered all but meaningless should they fall to defeat to Sir Alex Ferguson’s charges.

Yet Rangers will take on the Premier League outfit with confidence having held them, comfortably it must be said, to a goalless draw at Old Trafford back in September.

The Scottish champions are also unbeaten at home in the Champions League this season, Bursaspor were despatched 1-0 and Valencia were held to a 1-1 draw.

Whilst the point against the Spaniards appeared a good result, the Scots will surely rue that draw now as had it not been for a Maurice Edu own goal and some profligate finishing from Kenny Miller, the Gers would have secured a vital win and with it a real chance of making the knockout stages.

Out To Make A Point

 The visitors, meanwhile, sit top of the group with 10 points and only need a draw to confirm their progression having beaten Bursaspor home and away and Valencia at the Mestalla following their opening draw to Rangers.

Sir Alex Ferguson opted to field virtually a reserve side for the reverse fixture but may look for a more experienced line-up and will hope for a better outcome from the game at Old Trafford that was notable not for the drab football on show, but for the horrific injury suffered by Antonio Valencia.

While the Red Devils have rarely hit the heights this season, they are still unbeaten, and with eight wins from their last nine away games in the Champions League, will be favourites to depart Glasgow with their progression to the next round safely ensured.

TEAM NEWS

Rangers

A hamstring injury rules Madjid Bougherra out of the tie, with the centre-back set to miss the next three weeks, and he joins Maurice Edu, who is suffering from a knee problem, James Beattie and Andy Webster on the sidelines.

However, there is some good news as Sasa Papac could return, despite missing Rangers’ last two games against Aberdeen and Kilmarnock with a head injury.

Possible starting XI: McGregor; Foster, Weir, Broadfoot, Whittaker; Weiss, Davis, McCulloch, Naismith, Lafferty; Miller. 

Manchester United

Sir Alex Ferguson has insisted Wayne Rooney will start for the visitors and he may be joined by Ryan Giggs who has recovered from a hamstring problem and is expected to be named in the squad.

Rafael remains a doubt at right-back for the visitors and Paul Scholes could also feature having begun the win against Wigan on the bench. However, expect changes from the weekend, although not perhaps the 10 United made the last time they faced Rangers.

Possible starting XI: Van der Sar; Brown, Ferdinand, Smalling, Evra; Nani, Fletcher, Gibson, Giggs, Park; Rooney.

Prediction

The match at Old Trafford between these two sides was a drab affair but Rangers are expected to adopt a more attacking approach, and with a fervent home support roaring them on, should prove a different proposition altogether.

The visitors are difficult to predict at the moment, although away from home they have become draw specialists and with a just a point needed will no doubt be more than happy with another stalemate.

Rangers 1-1 Man Utd.

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