03-11-2010 Bets Of The Day

20:45 Partizan - Sporting Braga

Three straight defeats leaves Partizan propping up of Group H. Visitors Sporting Braga have blown hot and cold in the competition and will await a spicy reaction in Serbia. Both teams to score checks out @ 1.85 but we can see Partizan making the early running to make up for their paltry one goal so far.

Tip : Partizan Belgrade to score first (1.90) - (Sportingbet)

20:45 CFR 1907 Cluj - Bayern Munchen

Romanians Cluj gave Bayern a scare in Munich and are well priced to at least avoid defeat @ 1.90. Louis Van Gaal's team have maximum points in the Champions League and are gathering momentum after a poor start to the season. Europe has been good to them in 2010 and they should win in Romania tonight where the lines are very favourable.

Tip : Bayern Munich to win (1.75) - (Sportingbet)

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03-11-2010 20:45 Partizan - Sporting Braga

Going All Out

Partizan and Braga have not had life easy in the Champions League this season, and anything less than a victory for either side will likely be considered curtains for their dreams of chasing a place in the last 16.

The Serbians have been a little unlucky to date in losing all three of their matches. It took a late goal for Shakhtar Donetsk to defeat them in the Ukraine, while they ran Arsenal close two weeks later at the Stadion FK Partizan. A loss against Braga on the road may yet prove to be the decisive blow, however.

“We deserved more than the 2-0 defeat – we're not happy,” coach Aleksandar Stanojevic stated after the clash in Portugal. “In the second half we had chances and we should have scored.

“With this defeat our chances are now even slimmer but we will do everything we can to win in Belgrade. Braga will no doubt look to hit us on the counterattack there, too, but we have no option but to go all out for the win.”

The coach also promised the outcome of the match in Serbia will be “very different”, so now it’s up to his players to ensure such talk was not simply hollow. Top of their domestic league and having beaten Jagodina 3-0 at the weekend, the Black and Whites will approach Wednesday’s fixture with some justifiable confidence.

Holding Out Hope

When Braga smashed Sevilla out of the Champions League play-offs, it seemed that an exciting new Iberian force was blooming. But once amongst the elite, it quickly became apparent that Domingos Paciencia had benefitted from the Spaniards’ early season ineptitude and were not the powerhouse those earlier results suggested.

Arsenal were quick to humble the Portuguese side, giving the Minhotos a real lesson at the Emirates Stadium, where the Gunners romped to a 6-0 victory. At home a couple of weeks later, chances were passed up as they were smashed 3-0 by Shakhtar and pride was only restored to some extent when Partizan were beaten 2-0 at the Estadio AXA.

After that fixture, Lima, who struck the first blow before Mattheus got the second just before the break, professed his belief that the Arsenalistas can yet reach the last 16.

“We know it's going to be tough to make it to the next round, but there are still plenty of matches and many points to play for,” the Brazilian said. “If we win at Partizan we go to six points, and Shakhtar have to play Arsenal at home. We hope Arsenal can help us by beating them again in Ukraine, then we have to do our bit.”

Already 11 points off the pace in the Portuguese Liga, which a rejuvenated Porto are dominating, Braga have to make the most of this Champions League excursion, because they probably won’t get the chance next season.

TEAM NEWS

Partizan
Ljubomir Fejsa is a long-term injury problem for Partizan, but otherwise they don’t have any injury worries at all.

Braga

Quim remains a long-term issue due to a rupture Achilles tendon, while Paulao has a thigh injury and will miss out too.

Prediction

If Partizan play in the fashion they managed in Portugal, it’s unlikely that they’ll go down to another defeat. They’ve already given Arsenal a fright in front of their passionate home support, so it’s not unreasonable to suggest that they can take at least a point from the midweek clash.

Partizan 1-1 Braga

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03-11-2010 20:45 Milan - Real

A Potential Banana Skin

Talk to Silvio Berlusconi and he will tell you that Milan have the Champions League encrypted in their DNA. Which isn’t necessarily an exaggeration given that the Rossoneri are the second most successful club in European Cup history, but in coach Massimiliano Allegri they do have an inexperienced tactician and that could cost them dearly.

If Milan had won their opening three matches in Group G, one wouldn’t have questioned Allegri’s Champions League credentials but the fact is that the Rossoneri are staring at elimination in the eye. They may be second in the group with four points from three games but Ajax have the same number of points. On Wednesday evening while the Dutch giants are up against point-less Auxerre and should garner a win, Milan host a Madrid side who have won all three matches and have yet to concede a goal.

Winning is the only thing for Milan in this game as they wouldn’t like the prospect of playing catch-up to Ajax. However, the Diavolo will have to step up their game in order to defeat an imperious-looking Madrid side as two weeks back they were crushed 2-0 at the Bernabeu.

Moreover, the Rossoneri are coming off the back of a 2-1 defeat to Juventus in Serie A at the weekend but Allegri remains defiant and said, “We are a strong team. We lost against Juventus but they scored two lucky goals. Milan played very well on Saturday and did not deserve to lose. It was the same thing against Real Madrid two weeks ago.”

He added, “This is a strong group of players, playing at a good level, so we have everything needed to win. We have to keep Real Madrid under pressure – we can't repeat the technical mistakes we made in the first leg.”

Back In Milan

The match against Milan at San Siro will be Jose Mourinho’s first visit to the city since the summer when he left Inter after leading them to a historic treble. He was already welcomed by the Nerazzurri supporters, who will also hope for a Milan defeat after their 3-1 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane on Tuesday.
Madrid are one of the most in-form sides in Europe at the moment. Their 3-1 win against Hercules at the weekend saw them remain in pole position in the Spanish Primera Division; it was also only the fifth time that Madrid had conceded all season.

The nine-time European champions will qualify for the second rounds as group winners if they win against Milan and they will go into the match believing that they can. Two weeks ago los Blancos destroyed the Rossoneri 2-0 with Cristiano Ronaldo proving that he is not a big-game flop (well, not always) and the Portugal international will be keen to do likewise on Wednesday.

However, Madrid must be aware that last year in the corresponding fixture they could only draw 1-1 and that they have never won at San Siro. Mourinho knows this and said on Monday, “When a top team loses, they rarely lose two in a row so I think they will be stronger than Saturday. They will be more focused, and there's more pressure on them, but not that much as this game is not decisive.

“We're doing well now and want to continue that here. To play against Milan in San Siro is something everybody wants to do.”



TEAM NEWS
 
Milan

Massimo Oddo is out for four to six weeks with a left thigh problem he sustaining during training on Friday. However, Ronaldinho, Gianluca Zambrotta, Thiago Silva and Massimo Ambrosini are back to full fitness.

Real Madrid

Kaka, Ezequiel Garay and Fernando Gago are long-term injury concerns. Lassana Diarra has recovered from a groin injury but he has not travelled with the Blancos squad to Milan.

Prediction

Playing at home will be an advantage for Milan but winning will not be so easy. Madrid have yet to concede in the Champions League this season and Mourinho will be stern to see that it remains that way. Los Blancos could even nick it in the end as they have been scoring tons of goals recently but a draw looks to be a safe bet.

Milan 1-1 Real Madrid

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03-11-2010 20:45 Auxerre - Ajax

Finding Their Feet
 
After a difficult start to the campaign, Jean Fernandez’s Auxerre side have rediscovered their form, though progression in the Champions League is now an unrealistic goal. Instead, the Burgundy club will aim to regain some pride against Ajax at the Stade Abbe-Deschamps on Wednesday evening.

A strong conclusion to 2009-10 saw Auxerre sneak into third place in Ligue 1 to earn a berth in the Champions League play-off phase, in which they remarkably saw off Zenit St. Petersburg. The giant killing act wouldn’t last long as poor domestic form caught up with AJA, who lost to Milan and Real Madrid, giving a good account of themselves in the process. It was the loss against Ajax a fortnight ago that prevented them making real strides in Europe, yet after that defeat their fortunes have improved.

Three successive domestic wins have been achieved. Paris Saint-Germain’s eight-match unbeaten run was ended 3-2 by AJA at the Parc des Princes before Bastia were beaten up 4-0 in the Coupe de la Ligue. The resurgence continued at the weekend as Fernandez’s men got the better of struggling Nice 2-0 to move into 10th place in Le Championnat.

“I think the problem is both physical and mental. It's tough to cope with so many matches,” Fernandez explained to the media after the game.

The former Olympique de Marseille coach’s squad is certainly spread exceptionally thin due to injuries, while suspensions to Dennis Oliech and Jean-Pascal Mignot will only cause him more woe prior to a game they would have found tough in any case.

European Ambition

Auxerre’s Champions League dream may more-or-less be over, but the same certainly cannot be said of Ajax, who are presently battling with Milan to finish as runners-up in Group G. The Godenzonen have equipped themselves well in Europe this season but absolutely cannot afford to slip up in France if they are to maintain hope of reaching the last 16.

Four-times Champions League winners, Martin Jol’s side are no longer at those dizzy heights, but they are looking to establish themselves as a continental force once again after a number of relatively fallow years.

Ajax are no longer even top dogs in the Netherlands, having been outlasted last season by a remarkably consistent Twente side. After 12 Eredivisie games this season they again find themselves behind Twente, but PSV Eindhoven are also in the title mix, which appears set to be a three way battle.

For the time being, Ajax, who have lost only to Utrecht and Real Madrid since the season began, will be happy to have the distraction of European football, and victory against Auxerre in Amsterdam has allowed the Dutch side to focus even more intently on the Champions League. Despite being reduced to 10 men, the Godenzonen survived after taking a 2-0 lead, and they will expect another three points in midweek.

TEAM NEWS

Auxerre

There remain a plethora of attacking players out injured for AJA. Ireneusz Jelen would normally lead the line but is absent, while Anthony Le Tallec is missing too. Alexandre Licata and Yaya Sanogo are both long-term issues in attack. Steeven Langil will also return for this game, however.

Dennis Oliech was sent-off for two yellow cards in Amsterdam and serves a one-match ban, while regular centre-back Jean-Pascal Mignot didn’t even get onto the field a fortnight ago yet still contrived to be shown a red card.

It will therefore be a makeshift side deployed by the French club.

Ajax

Demy de Zeeuw missed out at the weekend but is fit again after a leg muscle problem. Additionally, Thimothee Atouba recently returned to action for the reserves after a long-term injury problem, but he’s not expected to be selected for this tie. Oleguer has overcome a broken nose, leaving Kenneth Vermeer as the only absentee.

Andre Ooijer is suspended after being dismissed in the previous meeting between these sides.

Prediction

Ajax won’t find this match an especially easy one. Auxerre are coming back into form and will feel that stealing a point isn’t beyond them given their recent form. Injuries will hit the home club exceptionally hard, and though they can get away with a second string in Ligue 1, at the elite level it’s likely they’ll be punished.

AJ Auxerre 0-2 Ajax

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03-11-2010 20:45 MSK Zilina - Olympique Marseille

Pointless

Zilina’s Champions League debut was expected to be difficult, though the Slovakian side would have held out hopes of avoiding a whitewash when the draw was made, pitting them against Chelsea, Spartak Moscow and Olympique de Marseille. Halfway through their campaign, they have yet to win a point, and after testing OM in France, they’ll hope to earn at least a draw on home soil.

Coach Pavel Hapal watched on a fortnight ago as MSK gave the Ligue 1 champions a real scare. There was little pretty about their direct approach, but their long accurate balls over the top of the OM defence for Momodou Ceesay to chase caused more than the occasional problem and on another day the group minnows might have enjoyed a good deal more success.

“Nobody expected such a good game from Zilina. We managed to compete effectively with OM, but it was not enough,” he told OMTV after the game with a sense of satisfaction yet frustration. “We almost got a point back but failed. We played against a great opponent but despite our very good performance, we could not beat them.

“We will do everything to grab third place. I'm sure we can do better at home with our fans behind us.”

The challenge has therefore been thrown down to Marseille by a side who have struggled a little at home domestically, drawing four of their six fixtures at the Stadion pod Dubnom. A split of the points might be considered a moral victory for the hosts come Wednesday night, but it’s unlikely to be enough to keep them with a serious interest in the group. Three points are required.

Washout
 
Marseille haven’t had the smoothest start to the season, but Didier Deschamps’ side are now firmly in the winning habit, having claimed victories in all of their last four matches. OM, who started the season with shock losses to Caen and Valenciennes, still aren’t playing to their true capacity, and are merely grinding wins out, having won 1-0 three times in their mini winning sequence.

Les Phoceens were left frustrated at the weekend as their Championnat clash with Stade Rennais was rained off. A prolonged downpour over the weekend left the Stade Velodrome pitch looking more like a swimming pool than a footballing surface, and despite attempts to play the match on Sunday after it was initially postponed on Saturday night, it proved a washout.

The last fixture that Marseille played, therefore, was a Coupe de la Ligue encounter against Championnat National side Guingamp. A fringe squad were really tested by their third tier opponents and come full-time they were lucky to walk away with a 1-0 victory.

That lethargic performance has been rather typical of OM’s season to date. At times they struggled to get into top gear, and though it hasn’t punished them too heavily domestically, they’re in a poor position in the Champions League after losing to Chelsea and Spartak Moscow.

This was finally supposed to be the season that les Phoceens progressed through the group stages, but unless they can lift themselves to a level as yet unattained this term, they face another spring of Europa League football.

TEAM NEWS

Zilina
 
The hosts are fortunate to have a clean bill of health going into this encounter. Babatounde Bello and Mario Pecalka have recently started playing again after physical problems.

Marseille

Only Hilton and Edouard Cisse are missing from Didier Deschamps’ panel to travel to Slovakia.

Prediction

Zilina have been the whipping boys in the group to this point but will try to take advantage of a Marseille side who have been especially lethargic in recent times. Didier Deschamps’ men have been playing in a mediocre fashion but doing enough to get the results, and they would ultimately settle for the same again in what appears to be a banana skin fixture. Poor performances will catch up with OM, but perhaps not on Wednesday.

MSK Zilina 0-1 Marseille

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03-11-2010 20:45 CFR 1907 Cluj - Bayern Munchen

Taking Home Advantage

Cluj are one of three teams in Group E that are stuck on three points. The Romanians are currently stationed third behind Basel but that could change at the end of Matchday 4 should they win against Bayern Munich and there is a draw between the Swiss side and Roma in the other match in the group.

However, Cluj have won just one of their three opening matches in the Champions League and also lost to Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena on Matchday 3. Furthermore, the Feroviarii have conceded more goals than they have scored, raising questions on their ability to cope defensively against what remains a very good attacking Bayern side despite their injury problems.

Cluj’s domestic form has been erratic as they are only in mid-table after drawing 1-1 with Otelul Galatu on Saturday. Coach Sorin Cartu knows how difficult it will be playing against the German giants and said on Monday, “I don't think Bayern are any less dangerous than they were in Munich. Their team will be similar to last time so we won't go charging in. We respect Bayern and anticipate a very tough game: they are always very strong in possession games and are very difficult to play against.”

He added, “Bayern are 90% there in terms of securing a place in the top two and they are going to play their normal game, with lots of possession. The key will be stopping them impose their style – we'll wait and see. We'll need a lot of luck to get a draw but even that would be a good result against Bayern.”

Win And Go Through

Bayern Munich have been largely disappointing in the German Bundesliga and there is a distinct possibility that they will not be able to successfully defend their title, but in Europe the Bavarians seemingly can do no wrong.
Perched on top spot in Group E with nine points from three matches, Louis Van Gaal’s side are going great guns in the Champions League. A win on Wednesday evening against Cluj will guarantee them a place in the last 16 and will help them focus more on domestic issues with two more rounds of matches left in the group stage.

Last season’s Champions League finalists are on a seven-match unbeaten run against Romanian oppositions and will be eager to extend that. Furthermore, Bayern received a huge boost ahead of the match when they defeated Freiburg 4-2 in the Bundesliga to rise up to seventh in the table.

Then on Monday afternoon the club released a statement saying that president Uli Hoeness and coach Louis van Gaal are back on talking terms after a recent exchange of words between the two men.
Van Gaal, though, remains focused on defeating Cluj and said on Monday, “We are very confident – we're not even considering the possibility of losing. I think the motivation to win here comes from reaching the final last year.

“The players are used to being motivated for every game so the gap between the two teams in terms of points is not an issue for me and my players.”



TEAM NEWS
 
Cluj

Gabriel Muresan has not played since his right leg injury in late September while Yssouf Kone is not in the squad because of a knee ligament damage in August.

Bayern Munich

Holger Badstuber will miss the game because of a groin problem while Miroslav Klose, Franck Ribery, Arjen Robben, Mark van Bommel, Ivica Olic and Diego Contento were already ruled out, leaving Van Gaal with just 15 players.

Prediction

Bayern Munich will guarantee their place in the round of 16 with a win and they may just be able to eke out a victory. Cluj are playing at home but Bayern do have the potential as well as the European form to return from Romania with maximum points.

CFR Cluj 1-3 Bayern Munich

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03-11-2010 20:45 Basel - Roma

Qualification Dreams Remain

Basel had lost their opening two matches in Group E in the Champions League but their 3-1 demolition of Roma at the Stadio Olimpico on Matchday 3 resuscitated their hopes of qualifying for the knockout stages. At the moment the Swiss side are second in the group with three points from as many games.

The problem is that Roma as well as Cluj have the same number of points and it is going to be a three-way fight for the runners-up spot from now on. The Swiss champions have to win their remaining matches at home or face the prospect of elimination from Europe’s premier club competition.

Basel head into Wednesday’s fixture on the back of a 3-1 win against Bellinzona on Saturday that propelled them to the top of the league. The Bebbi are currently on a three-match winning run in all competitions and interestingly have won all those games 3-1.

However, coach Thorsten Fink remains humble and is not getting carried away. He said on Monday, “It'll be tough and we're the outsiders despite our victory in the last match. They are the favourites and definitely want to win here.

“We have beaten Roma twice already [including last season in the UEFA Europa League] and that is good for my team because we know we can defeat them. We know a win will improve our position in the group but sometimes it's harder to get a result at home than it is away.”

Winning Is The Only Thing

Roma suffered the ignominy of suffering a defeat at the Stadio Olimpico two weeks ago when they were crushed 3-1 by Basel in Rome, reviving haunting thoughts of crisis. Claudio Ranieri’s men are now in serious danger of suffering elimination from the Champions League, meaning that a win in Switzerland on Wednesday evening is imperative.

However, the Lupi warmed up for this hugely crucial clash with a 2-0 win against Lecce in Serie A at the weekend that has stationed hem in mid-table. However, captain Francesco Totti was sent off in that fixture and with the Rome derby against Lazio looming large, Roma are facing a very tricky week.

The Italians have never won on Swiss soil and Ranieri knows the monster he is facing and said, “We have to improve and concentrate. In the last game Basel had three chances and scored three goals – that's something we need to avoid.

“Our Champions League future is on line so it's extremely important. We are getting better as a team and morale is excellent. We want to build on that. Winning is always the best medicine. “



TEAM NEWS

Basel

Genseric Kusunga suffered a muscle problem against Bellinzona at the weekend while Jacques Zoua has not played since early September because of a thigh muscle tear.

Roma

Philippe Mexes is out because of an asthma attack and so is Matteo Brighi because of a muscle injury. David Pizarro, Rodrigo Taddei and Adriano are unavailable as well while Francesco Totti appears to be struggling with a shoulder problem.

Prediction

Roma won at the weekend but their ‘crisis’ is still not over as the Lupi do not look very comfortable yet. Winning away in Europe is always a tough task and Claudio Ranieri’s side may just flounder on Wednesday evening. Basel should emerge victorious in this fixture.

Basel 2-0 Roma

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03-11-2010 20:45 Chelsea - Spartak Moskva

Blues Eyeing Qualification
Two weeks ago Chelsea had to confront their demons at the Luziniki Stadium in Moscow, as it was there that they suffered a heartbreaking loss in the 2008 Champions League final to Manchester United.

But their return to Russia was nothing like the previous game, as they went, they saw, and they conquered, with Yury Zhirkov and Nicolas Anelka scoring the goals to register an important 2-0 victory.

Now with the return of Didier Drogba, who is expected to make his first appearance in this edition of the competition on Wednesday night, the Blues’ attack looks all the more daunting. This makes it particularly more so, as Anelka has already taken his tally to four goals in the tournament.

Add to this the fact that the game takes place at Stamford Bridge, and the odds rest firmly in favour of Carlo Ancelotti’s charges raking in the points.

This is far from a must-win game for the Blues, who are currently cruising atop Group F with nine points and a 100 per cent record to boast about. But the primary aim will be to continue their strong run and finish as group winners to minimise the prospect of being pitted against a top European club in the first knockout round.

Karpin Calls For Fearless Display

Spartak are unbeaten since falling to a defeat at the hands of Ancelotti’s charges two weeks ago. At the time they had two victories in the group stage, and were being billed as relatively strong opponents, in light of home advantage, an artificial pitch, and the Luziniki being a stadium that the Londoners were dreading.

But they succumbed to a defeat, and manager Valeri Karpin believes that his charges were overwhelmed by their opponents on the day. He has now called on his players to go out and play without fear of their opponents at Stamford Bridge.

He said: "We were too scared of our opponents, we had given them too much respect, but if we play them like we did in the second half in Luzhniki and like we played Zenit in the second half, then we have a chance."

But realistically speaking, Spartak are playing for second place in the group barring a major surprise in London on Wednesday.

TEAM NEWS

Chelsea

Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed that midfielder Frank Lampard (groin) is out of contention for this fixture. Ramires (ankle) was sidelined during the recent victory over Blackburn Rovers, and remains a doubt for this game. Yossi Benayoun (ankle) is a long-term absentee.

But the Blues finally have Didier Drogba back in the European ring after suspension and injury kept the Ivorian out of the continental competition until now. Brazilian defender Alex could also feature, having missed the trip to Moscow a fortnight ago.

Possible starting XI: Cech; Bosingwa, Ivanovic, Terry, Cole; Essien, Mikel, Zhirkov; Anelka, Drogba, Malouda.

Spartak Moscow

The Russian side have been dealt a heavy handed blow, as influential striker Ari (thigh) has been ruled out of the encounter after picking up an injury in a recent game against Zenit St. Petersburg. Another blow to the Meat's preparations is the exclusion of Sergei Parshivlyuk in the 21-man squad set to travel today.

Valery Karpin showed faith in the club's youth system during their 2-1 victory over Rostov at the weekend by handing a debut to 18-year old Anton Khodyrev at left-back and it would be no suprise to see him continue against Chelsea.

Good news for Krasnye Belye is that captain Alex has made the squad, whether he will be risked is another question for the coach.

Possible starting XI: Dikan; Makeev, Pareja, Suchy, Khodyrev; Sheshukov; McGeady, Ibson, Kombarov, Zotov; Welliton.

Prediction

Spartak are certainly the strong underdogs for this encounter, while Chelsea are traditionally strong at Stamford Bridge. Anything other than a victory for the home side will be a surprise.

Chelsea 3-0 Spartak

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