Monday, November 21, 2011

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22.11. (Tue) 18:00 CSKA Moskva - Lille Metropole

Eden Hazard - Lille (Getty Images)
Getty Images

PROBABLE LINE-UPS



CSKA MOSCOW

Gabulov
V.Berezutski, Ig'vich, Nababkin, A.Berezutski
Aldonin, Mamaev, Honda, Cauna
Dzagoev
Vagner Love

LILLE


Landreau
Debuchy, Rozenhal, Chejdou, BonnartBalmont, Mavuba, Gueye
Hazard, Sow, Payet

Leonid Slutskiy will welcome back striker Vagner Love after he missed the 2-1 defeat to Rubin Kazan at the weekend due to suspension, and he will likely be a straight replacement for Seydou Doumbia, who will be sidelined courtesy of his red card on matchday four. Zoran Tosic's knee ligament injury sustained in training at the beginning of November is likely to keep him out until the new year.

Igor Akinfeev, Tomas Necid and Mark Gonzalez are all long-term absentees, but playmaker Keisuke Honda has made his comeback after three months out with a knee problem.

For the French side, Benoit Pedretti missed Friday's stalemate against Toulouse due to a hip injury, and may miss out on the clash. Florent Balmont returned from a knee injury to play 90 minutes in the same match, and is likely to retain his place. Marko Basa has been struggling with a shoulder injury in recent weeks and may once again be forced to sit out.

Rudi Garcia can, however, welcome back defender Mathieu Debuchy, who was suspended at the weekend.

DID YOU KNOW?

  • CSKA's seven-game unbeaten run came to an end when Rubin Kazan defeated them in their last outing. Striker Seydou Doumbia, who is suspended for this match, missed a second-half penalty.
  • Doumbia, however, did convert in the first half - taking his tally to 11 goals in his last seven outings.
  • Before this season Lille had faced Russian opposition just once before, taking on Zenit St Petersburg in the 2004-05 Uefa Cup group stage.
  • Lille have conceded 12 goals away from the Stade Lille-Metropole in all competitions this season.
  • The Ligue 1 champions have lost just one of their last 14 away matches in all competitions - versus Inter on matchday three.
  • Striker Moussa Sow is on the shortlist for the Caf African Footballer of the Year award.
Prediction
Lille have struggled to come to terms with the step up to Champions League football, while CSKA are difficult to overcome on home turf. The Russians will be within touching distance of the next round with victory, and they should have enough, even without suspended striker Doumbia.
Editor's Prediction
PFC CSKA Moskva 2-1 Lille