19.10. (Wed) 20:45 Olympique Marseille - Arsenal

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PROBABLE LINEUPS

MARSEILLE Mandanda Azpilicueta, N'Koulou, Diawara, Morel Lucho, Diarra, CheyrouValbuena, Remy, A. Ayew

ARSENAL   Szczesny Jenkinson, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Santos Arteta, Song, Rosicky Walcott, Van Persie, Gervinho

The hosts had to do without creative outlet Mathieu Valbuena in a 0-0 draw at Toulouse at the weekend but he is likely to return to the line-up, hoping to terrorise the Gunners’ defence. In-form striker Loic Remy should be joined by the prolific Andre Ayew in attack for the French side.

Lucho Gonzalez was one of many alleged Arsenal targets this summer and is set to take his place in a three-man central midfield.

Stephane Mbia remains a key injury problem for OM, while Rod Fanni and Jordan Ayew are both banned.

For the Gunners, choices in squad rotation are limited by a growing injury list to which Aaron Ramsey and Kieran Gibbs have been added this week. Arsene Wenger is likely to bring in Andre Santos at full-back if Gibbs isn't ready, and otherwise the team will be the same as the one that defeated Sunderland 2-1 in the Premier League at the weekend.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Arsenal and Marseille are set to face each other for the first time in European competition.

• Marseille won the inaugural Champions League when current manager Didier Deschamps captained them to a 1-0 win over AC Milan.

• Deschamps played in England for just one season with Chelsea, as the Stamford Bridge outfit finished fifth in the 1999-2000 season.

• Marseille are one of three sides (along with Real Madrid and Bayern Munich) to maintain a 100 per cent record in the competition this year having won their two opening Champions League matches.

• The French outfit are also amongst three teams who have yet to concede a Champions League goal in this campaign along with Real Madrid and rivals Lyon.

Prediction

Marseille have suffered an unimpressive start to the season domestically as they sit 15th in Ligue 1 having lost three times and drawn an incredible six. Their form in the Champions League however has been a different matter as they posted wins away at Olympiakos and at home to Dortmund. 

Arsenal themselves have had a poor domestic start but moved into the top half of the Premier League with victory at the weekend. Both sides have struggled defensively this year but contain exciting attacking units meaning we could well see a high scoring contest if this tie goes to form.

Editor's Prediction

Marseille 2-2 Arsenal

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19.10. (Wed) 20:45 Chelsea - Racing Genk

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CHELSEA CechBosingwa, David Luiz, Terry, Cole Malouda, Meireles, LampardSturridge, Torres, Mata

GENK KotelesNgongca, Masuero, Vanden Borre, Pudil Hyland, De Bruyne, Buffel TozserOgunjimi, Barda

 
Chelsea's only new injury concern is Ramires who picked up a knee problem against Everton at the weekend and is likely to be replaced by Florent Malouda.
After a suspect performance against Everton, John Obi Mikel could be replaced by Raul Meireles, who will sit back and protect the defence.
Andre Villas-Boas is likely to start Fernando Torres, who is currently serving a domestic suspension but will be ready to go in this encounter.
Genk will be without Jose Nadson, Torben Joneleit, Jelle Vossen and Jeroen Simaeys due to them all being sidelined through injury.

DID YOU KNOW?

• This is the first ever encounter between the two teams. This is also the first occasion in which Genk are playing against English opposition in England.

• Villas-Boas has experience against Genk after his former team Porto beat them 7-2 over two legs last season in the Europa League.  

• While Chelsea are in good domestic form, winning their last three games, Genk are suffering from a poor run - occupying ninth position in the Belgian League.

• Chelsea’s summer target Kevin De Bruyne looks set to start against the team who were on the verge of signing the young midfielder in the summer.

• Genk have not scored in this year's Champions League and have scored only twice in their last four games in all competitions. Chelsea, however, have bagged an impressive tally of 13.

• The Blues haven’t conceded a goal in three European home matches against Belgian teams and have subsequently won all three games.

• Genk have the worst pass completion rate in this year's Champions League.

Prediction

The odds are stacked up against the Belgian side with Chelsea in good form and playing on home turf. Villas-Boas has warned his team of complacency, citing the "individual talent" of Genk’s players as a cause for concern. However, an upset does seem unlikely.

Editor's Prediction

Chelsea 3-0 KRC Genk

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19.10. (Wed) 20:45 Milan - BATE

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PROBABLE LINEUPS

AC MILAN Abbiati Abate, Nesta, Bonera, Antonini Nocerino, Van Bommel, Aquilani Boateng Ibrahimovic, Robinho

BATE BORISOV Gutor Baga, Simic, Radkov, Bordachev Volodko, Bressan, Kontosevoi, Olekhnovich Rudik, Kezman

AC Milan have been provided with a timely boost as Alexandre Pato is available for selection once more after successfully recovering from a thigh problem. However, Clarence Seedorf will miss out due a knee injury he contracted in training during the week, while Thiago Silva also looks set to follow suit after picking up a knock against Palermo.

Meanwhile, Kevin-Prince Boateng, Gianluca Zambrotta, Mario Yepes and Massimo Ambrosini are all fit to participate, while Gennaro Gattuso remains suspended and Mathieu Flamini is expected to miss the group stages of the competition as a result of a serious injury.

Coach Massimiliano Allegri has been trialling Kevin-Prince Boateng as the trequartista in the side ahead of the match, and it is a distinct possibility that the 44-year-old may choose to experiment, with Robinho partnering Zlatan Ibrahimovic in attack.

For their Belarusian counterparts, defender Yegor Filipenko is their only recent absentee after picking up a back injury on international duty for Belarus, joining Aleksandr Yurevich, Vitali Rodionov, Evgeni Kuntsevich and Alexsandr Pavlov on BATE's treatment table for the forseeable future. As a result, Artyom Radkov is expected to come into the fold.

DID YOU KNOW?

• AC Milan are one strike away from reaching 200 goals in the Champions League.

• They have also kept clean sheets in three of their last four fixtures in all competitions.

• Surprisingly, Milan have won two only two of their last 10 matches at San Siro in Europe.

• However, Allegri's side ar the team with the best tackle success rate in the current Champions League campaign, succeeding in 87 per cent of their challenges.

• BATE Borisov went a club-record nine matches unbeaten in European competition before their 5-0 defeat to Barcelona.

• However, the Belarusian side have never won a Champions League game to date, drawing four times and losing four.

• Viktor Goncharenko's side have already conceded six goals in Group H; the highest amount out of any other side in the group stage.

• These two sides previously met in the 2001-02 Uefa Cup first round, where Milan emerged victorious in a 6-0 aggregate win, triumphing 2-0 and 4-0 respectively.

Prediction

The Italian champions are finally starting to come into their own this season after a stuttering start, with an influx of important players returning to the side, while also showing signs of returning to their best under Massimiliano Allegri. They should be far too much for a severely-weakened BATE outfit, hit by a significant injury crisis.

Editor's Prediction

AC Milan 3-0 BATE

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19.10. (Wed) 20:45 Porto - APOEL

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PROBABLE LINEUPS

PORTO Helton Sapunaru, Otamendi, Rolando, A. Pereira  Fernando Guarin, Moutinho Hulk, Kleber, James Rodriguez

APOEL Chiotis Poursaiditidis, Jorge, Jahic, Boaventura Morais, Pinto Trickovski, Marcinho, Manduca Ailton

Porto have been provided with a crucial boost as striker Kleber has recovered from a shoulder injury sustained in the 3-1 defeat at Zenit St Petersburg on matchday two. The problem saw him miss the last two matches for both his club and the Brazil national team.

Jorge Fucile has been ruled out of the match following his sending off against the Russian side, being replaced by Cristian Sapunaru on the right side of the defence. Fredy Guarin is back in contention after serving a two-match ban for a red card in the Uefa Super Cup against Barcelona.

APOEL are expected to stick to the same formula used in the last two European matches, seeing Ailton spearhead the team's attack, while Manduca and Trickovski keep their places down the flanks.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Porto have not suffered back-to-back defeats in European competitions since the 2008-09 season, when they lost 4-0 to Arsenal and then 1-0 to Dynamo Kiev.

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

• This will be the third match between the two teams after they were also paired together in the 2009-10 Champions League group stage.

• Back then, Porto posted a 2-1 victory at home and a 1-0 away triumph against the Cypriots.

• APOEL's 2-1 success against Zenit St Petersburg was their first-ever victory in the Champions League.

• The Cypriot champions have lost their place at the summit of their domestic league following a 1-0 defeat to AEL Limassol at the weekend.

• No Cypriot senior side has ever defeated Portuguese opposition, at either club or international level.

Prediction

APOEL have so far been able to impress in the competition, but Porto should be too hot for them to handle in their trip to the Estadio do Dragao as the Europa League holders are determined to get back to winning ways.

Editor's Prediction

Porto 2-0 APOEL Nicosia

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19.10. (Wed) 20:45 Barcelona - Viktoria Plzen

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PROBABLE LINEUPS

BARCELONA Valdes Alves, Puyol, Mascherano, Abidal Xavi, Busquets, Thiago Pedro, Messi, Villa

VIKTORIA PLZEN Cech Limbersky, Bystron, Cisovsky, Rajtoral Horvath, Jiracek, Fillo, Kolar, Petrzela Bakos

Barcelona will be without Cesc Fabregas and Alexis Sanchez, who are both unavailable with hamstring injuries, although the former is almost back to full fitness.

Ibrahim Afellay is still in rehabilitation after undergoing knee surgery. Gerard Pique suffered a hamstring strain in the 3-0 win over Racing Santander at the weekend and is set to miss two weeks of action.

Pep Guardiola's men will be big favourites for this match, and with a tricky game against Sevilla coming up at the weekend, the Barca coach may opt to give Thiago a run in midfield in place of Andres Iniesta, who has only recently returned from injury.

Viktoria Plzen have injuries to first-team squad members going into the match. Roman Pavlik has not featured since July 27 due to a knee injury, and Vaclav Pilar suffered a concussion in Czech Republic's 4-1 win over Lithuania last week, so is a doubt for the match at Camp Nou.

DID YOU KNOW?

• The last time an opponent from the Czech Republic came to Camp Nou, Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola was on the scoresheet, in a 5-0 victory over Sparta Prague.

• Barcelona have faced teams from the Czech Republic 10 times, with a record of six wins, a draw, and three losses.

• Pep Guardiola's side are unbeaten at home in Europe in 11 games, with the last loss coming at the hands of Rubin Kazan, who pulled off a shock 2-1 victory.

• This is the first match in history between the two sides. Viktoria Plzen have never faced Spanish opposition.

• The Czech outfit have only played two European away matches before in this campaign, and lost both, shipping nine goals in the process.

• Viktoria Plzen have the joint highest yellow card count in the competition so far, collecting six cautions.

Prediction

Barcelona have learned and improved a great deal since their surprise Champions League loss to Rubin Kazan at Camp Nou in 2009 so it is unlikely that a shock will be on the cards. Viktoria Plzen done well against AC Milan in their previous European match and made a good account of themselves, but against a Barca team at the top of their game, you cant see anything but a dominant home win with the Czech side shipping a few goals.

Editor's Prediction

Barcelona 4-0 FC Viktoria Plzeň

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19.10. (Wed) 20:45 Bayer Leverkusen - Valencia

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PROBABLE LINEUPS

LEVERKUSEN Leno Balitsch, Schwaab, Renartz, Kadlec Rolfes, Bender Sam, Ballack, Schurrle Kiessling

VALENCIA Guaita Bruno, Ruiz, Rami, Jordi Alba Albelda, Parejo Pablo Hernandez, Canales, Piatti Soldado

Leverkusen welcome Valencia to Germany without several key players due to injury as Robin Dutt's side look to return to winning ways in the Champions League.

Bernd Leno will continue to deputise for the injured Rene Adler in goal, whilst star men Renato Augusto and Tranquillo Barnetta are both absent because of knee injuries. Andre Schurrle could be utilised as a winger, or centrally behind a main striker, depending on how Dutt decides to line up his midfield. Michael Ortega is also unavailable after the Colombian picked up a meniscus injury.

Valencia, meanwhile, are without Hedwiges Maduro who damaged ankle ligaments whilst on international duty. The Dutchman is expected to be out for at least two months. Ever Banega is also unlikely to participate after the Argentine missed the 1-1 draw against Mallorca at the weekend.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Leverkusen have recorded a win and a loss from their opening two matches, seeing the Germans lie second in Group E.

• Last season's Bundesliga runners-up do not enjoy playing against Spanish opponents; Leverkusen have not won any of their last seven encounters against teams from La Liga.

• Robin Dutt's team have won their last two home games in the Bundesliga, but they did lose 4-1 in the derby match against Koln.

• Valencia have drawn their opening two fixtures in the Champions League, with Roberto Soldado rescuing a point against Chelsea in the last matchday.

• Los Che have failed to score more than one goal in their last four matches in all competitons, the last time they managed two or more was against Barcelona in a 2-2 draw.

• Unai Emery's side have enjoyed a respectable start to la Liga campaign, los Che are placed fifth in the league with 14 points from their opening seven games; three away from top spot.

Prediction

Neither side will want to give the other the upper-hand in Group E as they look to follow Chelsea into the knockout stages, and could well cancel each other out in Germany.

Editor's Prediction

Leverkusen 1-1 Valencia

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19.10. (Wed) 20:45 Shakhtar - Zenit

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SHAKHTAR DONETSK Rybka Srna, Chyzhov, Chygrynskiy, Shevchuk Hubschman, Mkhitaryan Eduardo, Texeira, Willian Luiz Adriano

ZENIT ST PETERSBURG    Malafeev Lukovic, Bruno Alves, Lombaerts, Criscito Faizulin, Denisov, Shirokov Zyryanov, Bukharov, Danny

After his red card on matchday one in against Porto, Dmytro Chygrynskiy is set to return in the centre-back position, but Yaroslav Rakitskiy must serve another game following his dismissal in the same fixture and will subsequently miss out. Brazilian playmaker Jadson limped out of Saturday's 3-1 victory over Tavriya Simferopol, giving his compatriot Alex Texeira a chance to impress on Wednesday.

Striker Aleksandr Kerzhakov sat out Saturday's 0-0 draw with Dynamo Moscow due to an injury sustained two weeks ago,and could miss out again. Meanwhile, Alexander Anyukov limped off on Saturday and is a serious doubt, and may not be risked for fear of aggravating his condition.

DID YOU KNOW?

• These two teams have no met since the Soviet era, and their last clash was a 1-0 victory for the Russian side in St Petersburg.

• Shakhtar Donetsk's last success over Zenit in normal time came in 1981 - a 3-2 victory in the Soviet Supreme League.

• The Ukrainians also beat their rivals three times in the Soviet Cup semi-finals in the 1980s - each time on penalties.
  
• Zenit St Petersburg boss Luciano Spalletti suffered a 1-0 defeat against Shakhtar with his old side Roma during the 2006-07 Uefa Cup.

• The following season Spalletti and Roma recorded two wins against Ukrainian opposition, including a 4-1 away win against Dynamo Kiev. 

• Zenit's 2-1 reverse at the hands of APOEL last month was the Russian champions' third consecutive away loss in Europe.

Prediction

Shakhtar Donetsk's European campaign has not lived up to the promise that last season's delivered so far. Zenit, meanwhile, have been on poor form on their travels in Europe, and despite their impressive win over Porto in matchday two, I'd expect the two sides to play out a draw.

Editor's Prediction

Shakhtar Donetsk 1-1 Zenit

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19.10. (Wed) 20:45 Olympiakos - Borussia D.

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PROBABLE LINEUPS

OLYMPIAKOS Costanzo Modesto, Papadopoulos, Mellberg, Holebas Orbaiz, Makoun Mirallas, Ibagaza, Abdoun Djebbour

DORTMUND   Weidenfeller Piszczek, Subotic, Hummels, Lowe Bender, Gundogan Grosskreutz, Gotze, Perisic Lewandowski

Dortmund's Patrick Owomoyela sustained a groin strain on Friday and will be missing, although Lukas Piszczek will be available to take over for the veteran in his usual post at right-back. Marcel Schmelzer faces a race to be fit, but Chris Lowe is tipped to get the nod in his stead. Finally, Lucas Barrios was forced to withdraw from the BVB squad on Tuesday due to a calf strain.

Jurgen Klopp will have a selection headache as he decides on a number of positions. Any two of Shinji Kagawa, Kevin Grosskreutz, and Ivan Perisic could start along with Mario Gotze in attack, while either Ilkay Gundogan or Sebastian Kehl will be chosen to partner Sven Bender in defensive midfield.

For the hosts, David Fuster will be missing after fracturing a rib on Saturday. He will join fellow absentee Fran Yeste in the stands. There are also question marks over the availability of Ljubomir Fejsa, Vasilis Torosidis, and Giannis Fetfatzidis, who have all had injuries in recent weeks.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Olympiakos are in a five-way tie for first place in the Greek Super League, with 10 points from four matches.

• Marko Pantelic is the Greek outfit's most prolific scorer in Uefa club competitions, having scored 14 goals in 39 appearances.

• Tuesday's hosts have not kept a clean sheet in six matches in all competitions this season.

• Dortmund's worst-ever Champions League defeat came in their most recent match, a 3-0 loss to Marseille.

• BVB have not won a Champions League match since October 30, 2002, when they beat Arsenal 2-1 at the Westfalenstadion.

• The German champions have never faced Greek opposition in Uefa club competition.

Prediction

It's do-or-die for both teams entering matchday three, and although the Greeks will have the advantage of playing on their own home soil, Dortmund are expected to find their scoring touch at long last and take thier first victory of the Champions League.

Editor's Prediction

Olympiakos Piraeus 0-1 Borussia Dortmund

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19.10. (Wed) 12:30 Suwon Bluewings - Al Sadd

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PROBABLE LINEUPS

SUWON BLUEWINGS Jung SR Oh BS, Neretljak, Gwak HJ, Yang SM Lee YR, Lee SH Park HB, Oh JE, Yeom KH Ristic

AL SADD Ahmed Belhadj, Majid, Zakaria, Lee JS Al Hamad, Rizik, Al Bloushi, Khalfan, Keita Niang

Suwon boss Yoon Sung-Hyo has few injury concerns ahead of Wednesday's match although his side do have to recover from Saturday's disappointing 1-0 FA Cup final loss to Seongnam Ilhwa. Skipper Yeom Ki-Hun will have a key role to play in this game, while Stevica Ristic will lead the line.

Al Sadd coach Jorge Fossati knows his side are fortunate to have reached the semi-finals after Sepahan's indiscretion in the quarters, however they'll be keen to make the most of their stroke of luck. Internationals Nadr Belhadj, Kader Keita and Mamadou Niang offer Al Sadd real threat and the team should be full of confidence having moved into top spot in Qatar's Stars League over the weekend after a 3-1 win over Al Khor.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Suwon Bluewings were Asian champions in 2001 and 2002, while they were runners-up in the Asian Cup Winners Cup in 1998.

• Current manager Yoon Sung-Hyo was part of the Bluewings' coaching staff when they were back-to-back Asian champions in the early part of last decade.

• In 2009 Suwon were knocked out of the ACL in the Round of 16, while in 2010 they bowed out in the quarter-finals. Could 2011 follow the pattern?

• Suwon are four-time K-League champions and three-time FA Cup winners, but lost Saturday's final 1-0 to Seongnam Ilhwa.

• Al Sadd were Asian champions all the way back in 1989 and are the only Qatari club to have ever done so.

• Al Zaeem, or 'The Boss', are a dominant force domestically, claiming 12 league titles and 13 Emir of Qatar Cups and five Crown Prince Cups.

Prediction
Editor's Prediction
Suwon Samsung Bluewings 2-0 Al Sadd

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