14.09. (Wed) 20:45 Dinamo Zagreb - Real

PROBABLE LINEUPS

Dinamo Zagreb (4-4-2):
Kelava; Tonel, Vida, Cufre, Ibanez; Calello, Leko, Sammir, Badelj; Beciraj, Rukavina

Dinamo Zagreb currently have three first-team players out injured. Arijan Ademi is sidelined with a knee ligament problem, while Mehmed Alispahic is currently shelved with a broken arm, and club captain Igor Biscan is recovering after undergoing ankle surgery. The Croatian side will also be without influential defender Josip Simunic, who is suspended for the first match, and young starlet Sime Vrsaljko, who is serving a three-game ban.

Real Madrid (4-2-3-1):
Casillas; Sergio Ramos, Pepe, Carvalho, Marcelo; Xabi Alonso, Coentrao; Di Maria, Ozil, Ronaldo; Benzema

Jose Mourinho currently has a favoured first XI available, so expect him to kick off his Champions League campaign by fielding his strongest team. Nuri Sahin and Hamit Altintop have still to make their Real Madrid debuts since their summer transfers, and remain on the sidelines with a back injury and a knee injury respectively. Sami Khedira is still out of action after suffering a thigh muscle injury against Barcelona in the Spanish Super Copa. Meanwhile, the Portuguese coach himself is serving a touchline ban and will not be in the technical area.

DID YOU KNOW?

This will be the first time the two sides have met in a competitive fixture.

Dinamo Zagreb's last five Champions League campaigns came to an end in the third qualifying round. The Croatians have progressed past three preliminary rounds to get to the group stage this season.

Krunoslav Jurcic's side are unbeaten at the Stadion Maksimir in 2011.

Dinamo are celebrating their centenary year this campaign, having being founded in April 26, 1911.

Real Madrid's only European trip to Croatia ended in defeat when they lost 3-1 to HNK Rijeka 27 years ago.

Madrid ended a run of six successive last-16 exits when they made it through to last season's semi-finals, where they were eliminated by arch-rivals Barcelona.

The Spanish side have never once failed to make it out of the Champions League group stage.

Iker Casillas has made more appearances in the Champions League than any other goalkeeper.

Prediction

The Croatian side are unbeaten at home in 2011 as the Stadion Maksimir has become somewhat of a fortress. However, the hosts have not played a team the calibre of Real Madrid in their unbeaten run, so expect the Spanish side to pull off a professional Champions League away performance. Zagreb are by no means minnows and expect a victory of no more than a couple of goals and Madrid to make a solid start to their European campaign.

Editor's Prediction

Dinamo Zagreb 0-2 Real Madrid

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14.09. (Wed) 20:45 Villarreal - Bayern Munchen

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

Villarreal (4-4-2):
Diego Lopez; Mario, Gonzalo, Zapata, Oriol; Camunas, Bruno, Senna, Cani; Rossi, Nilmar

Goalkeeper Diego Lopez will return to start in goal after being sent-off in the club's 2-2 draw in La Liga with Sevilla over the weekend.

Nilmar is expected to return to the starting line-up, replacing experienced midfielder Javier Camunas as Villarreal look to start their Champions League group stage campaign with a home win.

Bayern Munich (4-2-3-1)
Neuer; Boateng, van Buyten, Badstuber, Lahm; Gustavo, Schweinsteiger; Muller, Kroos, Ribery; Gomez

Arjen Robben will not feature for the Bavarian club and could be out for another month with a back injury. Toni Kroos is expected to continue his spell in the side behind Mario Gomez with Thomas Muller on the right wing.

Daniel van Buyten could return to the starting line-up in at centre-half with Jerome Boateng making his way back to right-back. Rafinha is expected to be on the bench for Jupp Heynckes' men.

DID YOU KNOW?

Villarreal are unbeaten at home to German opposition, winning two and drawing one including the 2-1 victory over Bayer Leverkusen in last season's Europa League round of 16 (winning 5-3 on aggregate).

This is Villarreal's third appearance in the Champions League, with the Yellow Submarine reaching the semi-finals on their first attempt in the 2005-06 campaign.

Star striker Giuseppe Rossi netted the equaliser against Bayern's Manuel Neuer for Italy in their international friendly against Germany in February.

Bayern Munich have a poor away record against Spanish opposition, winning four, drawing four and losing nine of their 17 encounters in the Iberian nation.

The Bavarians qualified for the group stages with a 3-0 aggregate win over FC Zurich in the play-offs, their fourth consecutive Champions League campaign.

Bayern tactician, Jupp Heynckes won the competition in 1997-98 when he was in charge of Real Madrid. Coincidentally, this was the last time the 66-year-old coached in the Champions League.

Prediction

Bayern are certainly the team in form yet their poor away record in Spain indicates that Villarreal will have a chance to stifle the German giants. Expect a tight game with neither side able to come out on top.

Editor's Prediction

Villarreal 1-1 Bayern Munich

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14.09. (Wed) 20:45 Benfica - Manchester Utd.

PROBABLE LINEUPS

BENFICA
Artur
Pereira, Luisao, Garay, Emerson
Garcia
Witsel, Gaitan, Nolito
Saviola, Cardozo


MANCHESTER UNITED
De Gea
Jones, Smalling, Ferdinand, Fabio
Nani, Carrick, Anderson, Young
Rooney, Chicharito

Benfica are likely to line up similarly to their impressive 2-1 win over Vitoria Guimaraes, with the main choice for manager Jorge Jesus concerning old head Pablo Aimar. The Argentine has plenty of big-game experience but was left on the bench against Guimaraes with fellow countryman Javier Saviola playing ahead of him. Relative youngster and former Barcelona graduate Nolito might have given way if not for his sterling early-season form, so Aimar should be omitted. Spanish World-Cup-winning left-back Joan Capdevila is not even included in his new club’s 25-man squad list for the competition after failing to dislodge incumbent Emerson.

Sir Alex Ferguson will surely keep faith in most of the team that dished out such a hammering to Bolton at the weekend, with the only changes being enforced. Tom Cleverley (ligaments) is definitely out and defenders Jonny Evans (hip) and Patrice Evra (knee) are both doubts. Chris Smalling should return to the Red Devils' defence, with either he or Phil Jones filling in again at right-back, where both have done well out of position so far this season.

DID YOU KNOW?

Benfica have made an unbeaten start to their season, winning their last three league games after drawing their first, and overcoming Trabzonspor and FC Twente on their way to the group stage.

United are not only unbeaten but have won every game they have played of the campaign so far.

Including the Community Shield victory over rivals Manchester City, Manchester United have scored an incredible 21 goals in their five matches this season.

This season is the 50th anniversary of Benfica’s European Cup triumph in 1961-62. That victory, inspired by Portugal legend Eusebio, was their second in as many years. They missed out on an unprecedented hat-trick by losing in the 1963 final and have not won Europe’s top prize since.

Striker Nolito, who moved to the Estadio de Luz from United’s nemesis Barcelona this summer, has scored five goals in his first five games for his new club, equalling a record held by Eusebio.

But striker Wayne Rooney has hit an even more impressive vein of goalscoring form, scoring eight in five so far.


Prediction
Benfica 1-3 Man Utd.

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14.09. (Wed) 20:45 Ajax - Olympique Lyonnais

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

Ajax (4-3-3):
Vermeer; van der Wiel, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Boilesen; S. de Jong, Eriksen, T. Janssen; Sulejmani, Sigthorsson, Boerrigter

Ajax boss Frank de Boer is set to go with the side that beat Heracles 3-2 in the Eredivisie at the weekend. Eyong Enoh is doubtful with a hamstring problem, whilst Uruguyan defender Bruno Silva is nursing a discolated shoulder. Striker Kolbeinn Sigthorsson is among those making their Champions League debuts.

Lyon (4-4-2):
Lloris; Reveillere, Lovren, Kone, Cissokho; Pied, Gonalons, Kallstrom, Bastos; Briand, Gomis

Remi Garde has to contend with a lengthening injury list for the trip to Amsterdam. Defender Cris is still a few weeks away from a return after suffering muscle pain. Yannis Tafer is out with a broken toe, whilst Lisandro Lopez misses a month of action after injuring his ankle. Ederson (knee ligament) and Yoann Gourcuff (ankle) are also on the sidelines. Jeremy Pied deputised for Lopez in the 2-1 win over Dijon, and is expected to continue on Tuesday night.

DID YOU KNOW?

Ajax reached the group stage by qualifying automatically. The Dutch side won the Eredivisie last term.

In last season's Champions League, Ajax finished third in a group comprising of Real Madrid, AC Milan and Ligue 1 side AJ Auxerre.

Ajax are unbeaten in 2011-12 Eredivisie season so far. Frank de Boer's side have won four encounters while drawing one. They beat Heracles 3-2 at the weekend.

The Amsterdam side beat Lyon in the opening group game of the 2002-03 Champions League by a 2-1 scoreline. Both their goals were scored by Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Olympique Lyonnais qualified for the group stages by beating Russian side Rubin Kazan in the play-off round 4-2 on aggregate.

Under Claude Puel, Lyon were eliminated by Real Madrid in last season's competition. They face Jose Mourinho's men on matchday three.

The French side have made it past the group stage of the Champions League every year since 2002-03.

Les Gones recorded 1-0 wins over Fiorentina and Schalke in each of their opening group games over the last two seasons.

Prediction

With Lyon missing the services of Lisandro Lopez, it is difficult to see them scoring too many goals against Ajax, who themselves have notched 18 strikes in the league this term. With the hosts in such prolific form infront of goal, and Lyon showing their defensive ability in recent games, a draw is probably the most likely outcome.

Editor's Prediction

Ajax 1-1 O. Lyon

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14.09. (Wed) 20:45 Inter - Trabzonspor

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

Inter (3-4-1-2): 
Julio Cesar; Lucio, Samuel, Zanetti; Jonathan, Stankovic, Cambiasso, Nagatomo; Sneijder; Milito, Pazzini

Gian Piero Gasperini will likely hand Wesley Sneijder a place in the starting XI as new summer signing Diego Forlan is ineligible to play in the group stage. Thiago Motta will miss the match with a thigh problem while Maicon, Ivan Cordoba and Emiliano Viviano are all nursing knee injuries.

Trabzonspor (4-4-2):
Zengin; Glowacki, Kacar, Celustka, Balci; Zokora, Colman, Alanzinho, Akgun; Brozek, Altintop

Trabzonspor coach Senol Gunes will serve the start of his two-game touchline ban on Wednesday. Burak Yilmaz and Adrian Mierzejewski will both miss the encounter due to suspension.

DID YOU KNOW?

Inter had not lost a Serie A opener since 2000 before falling to Palermo 4-3 in Sicily on Sunday.

The Serie A club have qualified for the round of 16 in the Champions League in eight of the previous nine campaigns.

Inter were beaten 7-3 on aggregate by Schalke in the quarter-finals of last season's tournament.

Inter conceded 21 goals in 10 matches in the competition last campaign.

Trabzonspor were held to a 1-1 draw by Manisaspor in the opening game of their new Super Lig season.

The Turkish outfit beat Inter in the first leg of the Uefa Cup first round in 1983-84 but crashed out after losing the return fixture 2-0.

Trabzonspor lost to Benfica in the third qualifying round of this season's Champions League but were handed a place in the group stages after the Turkish Football Federation axed Fenerbahce from the tournament.

The Super Lig side's last meeting against Italian opposition came in 1999 when they succumbed to a 2-1 loss to Perugia in the Intertoto Cup.

Prediction

Inter conceded four goals against Palermo at the weekend but should be able to keep a clean sheet against the Turkish outfit in San Siro. Look for Diego Milito to cause all sorts of problems for the visitors on Wednesday.

Editor's Prediction

Inter Milan 2-0 Trabzonspor

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14.09. (Wed) 20:45 Manchester City - Napoli

PROBABLE LINEUPS

MANCHESTER CITY
Hart
Richards, Kompany, Lescott, Clichy
Yaya Toure, Barry
Nasri, Silva, Milner
Aguero


NAPOLI
De Sanctis
Campagnaro, Cannavaro, Aronica
Maggio, Inler, Dzemaili, Dossena
Hamsik
Cavani, Lavezzi

The home side have very little injury worries ahead of their Champions League debut against Napoli, with just Nigel de Jong guaranteed not to feature as he recovers from his ankle injury and will not be even close to fitness until the weekend.

Samir Nasri should be fine to start the game after coming off the bench in the win over Wigan in which he played with a broken finger.

Walter Mazzarri has just the two players to worry about in Marco Donadel and Miguel Britos, with neither looking fit enough to feature at the Etihad Stadium.


DID YOU KNOW?

Both Manchester City and Napoli will be making their first appearances in Europe’s elite competition in its current format on Wednesday night.

The duo also have the same single European triumph each in the now rebranded Uefa Cup. City claimed the competition in 1970, with the Italian outfit winning in 1989.

City striker Sergio Aguero’s father-in-law Diego Maradona was one of four different scorers for Napoli during the two-legged final back in that Uefa Cup victory.

In terms of appearances in European competitions, City’s former goalkeeper Joe Corrigan heads the English club's list with 27, whilst Napoli’s comes in the form of Ciro Ferrara with just one more at 28.

The Naples-based club stand in the current Uefa rankings at 72, with Roberto Mancini’s side a fair bit higher at 34.

City boss Mancini has three European titles to his name from his playing career, winning the Cup Winners’ Cup on two occasions with Sampdoria and then Lazio, but he has yet to find any continental glory as a manager.

Prediction

Man City 3-1 Napoli

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14.09. (Wed) 20:45 Basel - Otelul

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

Basel (4-4-2):
Sommer; Steinhofer, Abraham, Dragovic, Joo-Ho Park; Huggel, Cabral, F.Frei, Xhaka, A.Frei, Streller

Basel look set to make one change from the side that impressively defeated Servette 4-0 in the Swiss league over the weekend.

Star playmaker Xherdan Shaqiri will start a two-game suspension so Granit Xhaka is likely to come back into the starting line-up following a torn kneww ligament injury. Scott Chipperfield, Giles Yapi and Genseric Kusunga all miss out through injury.

Otelul Galati (4-5-1):
Grahovac; Rapa, Costin, Sarghi, Ilie; Antal, Giurgiu, Frunza, Paraschiv, Ibeh; Pena

Dorinel Munteanu has a full squad to choose from and is likely to line-up with a five-man midfield in the club's first Champions League game.

Marius Pena is expected to replace Laurentiu Bus upfront with veteran attacking midfielder Gabriel Paraschiv providing the creative spark in the team.

DID YOU KNOW?

Basel are making their fourth appearance in the Champions League, a record for Swiss clubs.

The Swiss side have only faced one Romanian team in the past. Thorsten Fink's men came up against Cluj in last season's Champions League group stage where they won 1-0 at home but were defeated 2-1 away.

Basel's best performance in the competition came in their debut season nine years ago when they reached the round of 16.

Otelul Galati have never appeared in the Champions League before and qualified for this term's competition by winning their first ever Romanian league title last season.

Dorinel Munteanu's men are the fourth team from Romania to appear in Europe's elite competition, following in the footsteps of Steaua Bucharest, Cluj and Unirea Urziceni.

Only one member of the squad, Sorin Frunza, has featured in the competition before. The experienced midfielder appeared for Unirea Urziceni in their maiden Champions League campaign two seasons ago.

Prediction

Basel have plenty of Champions League experience compared to Otelul, who will be making their first appearance in the competition and expect this to show. Basel come into the game on the back of a 4-0 league win over Servette while their Romanian opposition lost 4-0 against Cluj at the weekend which could show in the two sides' confidence.

Editor's Prediction

Basel 3-0 Otelul Galati

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