Champions League

Manchester City V Bayern Munich

Date & Kick-Off: Wednesday, 7 December 2011 – 19:45 GMT

Venue: Etihad Stadium

Preview

The UEFA Europa League beckons for Roberto Mancini and Manchester City following their 2-1 defeat in Naples on Match Day 5. The Citizens are now heavily reliant on others performing, more than themselves even, though they still have to beat Group A winners Bayern Munich if they’re to stand any chance of progressing into the Round of 16.

For City to qualify for the knockout stage of the Champions League, second placed Napoli must come unstuck in Spain away to Villarreal. An Italian victory at El Madrigal – where Mancini’s men cruised to a 3-0 victory on Match Day 4 – and the current Premier League leaders would finish third in the group, regardless of their result in Manchester with the German champions.

An uncomfortable, nervy evening awaits the Manchester City fans – the manager and players, however, will be too focused on their formidable task at hand to worry about what’s going on elsewhere, although every goal scored in Spain will be meet with varying levels of euphoria or painstaking cries inside the Etihad Stadium.

The least City can do, then, is apply some pressure, as any lead over Bayern – the team who knocked Manchester United out of the competition two seasons ago – will filter through to El Madrigal, which could unsettle the Napoli camp. The Bavarians, though, insist they won’t do their English adversaries any favours in Manchester and that they intend to finish the group phase with five wins out of six.

Nevertheless, we’re expecting changes from the visitors, who are no longer going great guns, not like they were when the two first met in Munich for their opener. It is no coincidence that Bayern have mustered only one win from their last five matches at a time when Bastien Schweinsteiger is out injured. The German midfielder pulls all the strings and without him they struggle to dominate sides – which was precisely what they did in the early part of the season.

So this is a game for the taking for Man City, who are looking to build on their weekend trouncing of Norwich at home, when winning 5-1, by securing their eight consecutive win on home soil in all competitions. During this remarkable run, City have notched 21 times, so there is a feeling their attacking prowess may prove too much for a potentially much-changed Bayern side who have been leaking goals in recent games; Manuel Neuer, the Bavarian shot-stopper who kept 12 consecutive clean sheets earlier in the campaign, has now gone six without keeping one.

The club have exceeded the billion-pound marker in terms of investment for nights just like this, but will they see any return? Money can’t help them now; it’s all about character and how much they want it, as well as plenty of good fortune, as remember, City’s fate no longer rests in their own hands.

Match Pointers

- Manchester City are unbeaten in 14 at home in Europe, drawing 1-1 with Napoli and recording a 2-1 win over Villarreal in their two group games at home in this season’s Champions League.

- The Citizens have won their last seven matches at home in succession, scoring 21 goals in the process.

- It has been almost a year since Manchester City were last beaten on home soil, on 20 December 2010 to Everton; they’re unbeaten in 26 home games since, winning 24.

- Bayern Munich have won just one of their last five away matches in all competitions (W1 D2 L2).

- The Bavarians have six wins from their last eight away matches in the Champions League (W6 D1 L1).

- On their last visits to Manchester, Bayern eliminated City’s arch rivals United at the quarter-final stage; their 3-2 loss at Old Trafford meant they qualified via away goals with the tie ending 4-4 on aggregate.

- In fourteen trips to England, Bayern Munich have won only twice (W2 D7 L5).

Betting

I don’t think there is any chance of Manchester City suffering their first loss at home for twelve months. In fact, I’d be surprised if they didn’t record a win over a Bayern Munich side whom while they may already be through as section winners, could be much-changed from the side which beat City 2-0 in Munich and are going through a difficult period right now with regards to form and the expensive loss of midfield linchpin Schweinsteiger.

At home, City haven’t merely been consistent with regards to winning matches, they’ve scored goals for the sheer hell of it at times. At the weekend alone they plundered five, making it 11 in their last three matches at the Etihad Stadium, and I very much expect City to outscore their German visitors; the craft and vision of David Silva and Sergio Aguero will be too much for a Bayern defence which shipped three away to Mainz (a team struggling at the foot of the Bundesliga standings) in their most recent away assignment.

Unfortunately, though, victory isn’t enough on its own to send Roberto Mancini’s lavishly assembled squad of superstars through to the knockouts. Nevertheless, I expect them to at least uphold their end of the bargain. Now all they require is Villarreal picking up their first points of the campaign at home to Napoli.

Prediction: Manchester City to WIN – 4/6 888Sport

Value Bet: Sergio Aguero First Goalscorer – 11/2 BetFred

Match Odds

Manchester City – 4/6 888Sport

Draw – 16/5 bWin

Bayern Munich – 5/1 VictorChandler

FC Basel V Manchester United

Date & Kick-Off: Wednesday, 7 December 2011 – 19:45 GMT

Venue: St. Jakob-Park

Preview

Seldom is it that Manchester United fail to make the cut for the knockouts of the Champions League; just twice in the past sixteen years in fact. However, such fate awaits the former three-time European champions should they come unstuck at FC Basel on Wednesday night, as they so nearly did back at Old Trafford on Match Day 2.

Despite seemingly cruising to victory, after scoring twice without reply in the opening 20 minutes, United inconceivably conceded three times without replay themselves to almost succumb to what would have been one of the greatest upsets in European history on 27 September. Fortunately for United, Ashley Young popped up in added time to not only spare their blushes, with the game eventually finishing 3-3, but, ultimately, lessen the size of the task which awaits he and his team-mates in respects to qualifying.

Had United lost the reverse encounter in Manchester, only a two-goal margin of victory would have been sufficient in Switzerland. As it is, United are still the firm holders of their own destiny; so long as they avoid defeat on Wednesday, they’ll avoid the ignominy of dropping into the Europa League, thus sustaining their quest for a fourth European title. Defeat, however, an outcome they were within mere minutes of at Old Trafford, and their exit from the competition will be swift.

The fact Manchester United have everything to play for heading into their final group game is an unusual predicament in itself, as normally Sir Alex’s Red Devils would have matters sewn up by now. But even though there is an incredible amount riding on Wednesday’s outcome, the general consensus believe last season’s losing finalists will ground out the result they need to successfully make the cut for the last-16 – as they’ve done on a near-frequent basis of late, domestically.

Saturday’s 1-0 win at Aston Villa was United’s fourth consecutive league win by that scoreline, whilst it also put the brakes on their three-match winless streak. Previously they had failed to beat Benfica (2-2), Newcastle (1-1) and Crystal Palace (1-2), all at home. But were they convincing this time round? Arguably so, despite only mustering one goal – the sixth occasion in their last eight matches in which they managed to score precisely one goal.

So, in typical United fashion, the Red Devils managed to relocate the winning track immediately before a big game. Their performance was also much improved, though it did come at a price. Chicharito, otherwise known as Javier Hernandez, has had a tendency to score the majority of his goals away from home this season, so his four-week lay-off through injury comes as a massive blow. Michael Owen and Dimitar Berbatov are also out injured, leaving Ferguson with Danny Welbeck as his only recognised striker.

On a night when United could do with a few goals, their attacking options are depleted somewhat. Nevertheless, you’d still expect a team boasting a rich source of creativity, and a player of the calibre of Wayne Rooney, to quell the threat of FC Basel, the reigning Swiss champions who have won their last two domestic matches on home soil 1-0 – a result which would see them through – but were beaten 2-0 in their own backyard by Benfica on Match Day 3.

Qualifying Permutations

- A win or draw will suffice for United, though they must win and hope Benfica fail to beat Otelul Galati at home if they’re to top the group – an unlikely scenario considering the Romanian minnows have yet to register a point in their debut campaign.

- Only a win will be enough to send FC Basel through to the last-16.

Match Pointers

- Only Ashley Young’s header in stoppage time denied FC Basel victory when the two sides met at Old Trafford on 27 September, with the pair playing out a thrilling 3-3 draw.

- United have only failed to reach the knockout stages of the Champions League twice previously, the last during the 2005/06 campaign when they finished bottom of a group of their group.

- The Premier League champions won 3-1 on their last visits to Switzerland to face FC Basel, some nine years ago back in 2002.

- Sir Alex Ferguson’s United are without defeat in their last eight away Champions League matches, winning six and keeping a staggering seven clean sheets.

- United have won just one of their previous four matches in all competitions (W1 D2 L1), but have won their last four away from home without conceding.

- Basel are unbeaten in their last nine matches (W8 D1), stretching back to 18 October when they were beaten 2-0 by Benfica on match day 3.

Betting

Although United clearly felt they should have recorded a win over FC Basel in September, the Swiss side found goalscoring opportunities remarkably easy to come by at Old Trafford. Defensively United were at sixes and sevens, a shambles, but Sir Alex has since shored things up with his team keeping six clean sheets in their previous nine matches, including each of the previous four away from home. Continue in that vein, defensively, and progress will be assured, regardless of whether they score themselves or not.

Because of the way FC Basel play in general, and with this being a must-win match for them, United will have to score, I feel. Although they have kept an impressive number of clean sheets of late, if truth be told United haven’t come up against much since their 6-1 drubbing to Man City, and this fixture does represent the biggest test of their defensive credentials for some time. To be honest, FC Basel aren’t much either. Nonetheless they are a team which merit the utmost respect, after scoring three times at Old Trafford – a feat very few have managed over the years.

It would be humorous seeing Manchester United compete in the Europa League after Christmas, but that does seem highly unlikely to happen. An FC Basel victory is a long-shot, so much so that I fancy United to wrap up qualification with victory themselves at St. Jakob-Park. That said, I’m not exactly on fire right now with my predictions.

Prediction: Manchester United to WIN – 8/13 Bet365

Value Bet: Manchester United 3-1 (Correct Score) – 12/1 WilliamHill

Match Odds

FC Basel – 6/1 StanJames

Draw – 3/1 SkyBet

Manchester United – 8/13 Bet365

Chelsea V Valencia

Date & Kick-Off: Tuesday, 6 December 2011 – 19:45 GMT

Venue: Stamford Bridge

Preview

It is crunch time for Chelsea in the UEFA Champions League who on Tuesday, after 90 minutes with Valencia at Stamford Bridge, will know exactly where their European commitments lie for the remainder of the campaign. A win over the in-form La Liga outfit would assure the Blues of their place in the Round of 16; however, anything less and the Europa League could await Andre Villas-Boas’ charges.

Stamford Bridge has hosted many a momentous night in the Champions League, but this early in the tournament? The ignominy of failing to guide Chelsea into the latter stages of the competition for the very first time in nine-years awaits Andre Villas-Boas, that is unless the Portuguese tactician can mastermind a win over Valencia on Tuesday night. Should he not, he’ll be presented with the opportunity to defend his Europa League crown that he won as manager of FC Porto last season.

Nobody at Chelsea is contemplating failure, though. They boast a 100% record at home in the group phase thus far, recording comfortable wins over Bayer Leverkusen (2-0) and Genk (5-0), and will use Saturday’s impressive 3-0 win at Newcastle in the league as a platform for Tuesday’s make or break encounter.

The omens appear good, then, for Villas-Boas & Co especially as Valencia are without a win away from home in this season’s competition. Los Che were held to a goalless draw in Genk, where, incidentally, Chelsea were also held to a draw (1-1), while they too, like Chelsea, went down 2-1 away to Bayer Leverkusen.

Their forms is general, however, could not be more contrasting. Chelsea may have been victorious at the weekend, but that was only their third win in an otherwise disastrous eight-game spell containing three defeats in four at Stamford Bridge. Meanwhile Valencia have won seven of their previous eight in all competitions, including the previous three away from home, with the only blemish being a narrow 3-2 loss at home to La Liga leaders Real Madrid.

As you can patently see, Chelsea’s inclusion in the knockouts is anything but a foregone conclusion. A 0-0 draw would suffice, but it isn’t in Andre Villas-Boas DNA to target such a result. So expect the hosts to at least try and seize the initiative at Stamford Bridge. Many have called for Fernando Torres to start, though the Spaniard is unlikely to do so having started just one of the previous five matches – the 2-0 loss to Liverpool in the Carling Cup last Tuesday.

So long as Valencia score on the night, they’ll significantly enhance their chances of progressing. I suspect Unai Emery, the Valencia head coach, will want his team to remain compact and organised in the early stages, playing mainly on the counter. However Chelsea, under Villas-Boas, do invite teams onto them and Valencia may struggle to resist – not that it’s necessarily a bad thing from their point of view; Chelsea have conceded nine goals in their last four matches at home, all coming against teams in Arsenal and Liverpool who thrived using a counter-attacking style.

Qualifying Permutations

- A Chelsea victory would see them qualify regardless of what happens elsewhere, as they would then finish three points above Valencia, who would drop into the Europa League.

- A Chelsea win, accompanied by Bayer Leverkusen losing or drawing out in Belgium versus Genk, would ensure Andre Villas-Boas’ men top Group E.

- Valencia require either a win or a score-draw to qualify for the last-16; because their meeting at the Mestalla finished 1-1, and with Valencia boasting a superior goal difference (by 2 goals), a score-draw of any kind would be sufficient for the Spanish side to qualify at Chelsea’s expense, who would then drop into the Europa League.

- Valencia will finish top if they beat Chelsea and Bayer Leverkusen fail to win at Genk, or if they draw with Chelsea and Bayer Leverkusen lose at Genk.

Match Pointers

- Chelsea have only ever lost once to Spanish opposition, back in 2005 to Barcelona at Stamford Bridge, with their record overall an encouraging W7 D3 L1.

- The Blues are also unbeaten in five versus Valencia, though the previous two meetings in England ended in draws.

- Valencia have only been victorious once on English, beating Liverpool 1-0 back in 2002, drawing on nine of their previous fourteen visits including each of the last four.

- Chelsea have only won three of their last eight matches in all competitions (W3 D1 L4), and have suffered defeats in three of their previous four at Stamford Bridge.

- Valencia have won seven of their last eight games in all competitions, with their only reverse in a little over a month coming at home to La Liga leaders Real Madrid at the Mestalla; they’ve won each of their previous three on the road.

Betting

Stamford Bridge lives for nights like this in the Champions League – but the fact it’s comes so early has taken everyone by surprise. This is huge, colossal even, and could very well be a defining night in Chelsea’s season – and possibly Andre Villas-Boas’ future as manager. So will Terry, Lampard, Drogba & Co rise to the occasion? They haven’t done so on too many occasions this season, and I am afraid to say I have little faith in them doing so on Tuesday, either.

Saturday’s 3-0 win at Newcastle should have given them a welcome boost in self-belief, but the final scoreline didn’t half flatter them. Yes they created chances, enough to score three times, but they were still very suspect at the back and this same suspect backline, one which shipped four in two games within the space of a fortnight at home to Liverpool, and five at home to Arsenal a little over a month ago, has been found wanting this season against anything resembling quality. Valencia’s offence is certainly that, with Roberto Saldado in particular keen to capitalise.

My view on Chelsea at the minute is that they are unbalanced and severally lacking cohesion. Villas-Boas doesn’t appear to know who his strongest eleven players are. In stark contrast, Unai emery has a settled team, one no doubt buoyed by their rich vein of form which has seen them win seven of their last eight matches, and with a ruthless striker up top I see them scoring the goal(s) to take them through.

Match Outcome: Draw – 11/4 Bet365

Value Bet: Roberto Soldado to Score – 12/5 StanJames

Match Odds

Chelsea – 8/11 Boylesports

Draw – 11/4 Bet365

Valencia – 4/1 PaddyPower

Arsenal V Borussia Dortmund

Date & Kick-Off: Wednesday, 23 November 2011 – 19:45 GMT

Venue: Emirates Stadium

Preview

The UEFA Champions League Round of 16 beckons for Arsenal, who could qualify for the knockout phase with just a draw on Wednesday in their match with Borussia Dortmund at the Emirates Stadium in north London; though a win would settle matters on the spot.

Arsenal go into the match top of their sector, a point clear of Marseille in second and three above third in the group Borussia Dortmund, while Olympiacos are still in contention in fourth. Victory on Wednesday would guarantee the Gunners’ inclusion in the knockout phase, while coupled with an Olympiacos result out in France, where they face Marseille, and progression as Group F winners will also be assured.

Maintaining their interest in the competition after Christmas is Arsenal’s objective first and foremost; however, never has finishing top of your group been more essential to a successful Champions League campaign. Avoiding the formidable Spanish duo of Barcelona and Real Madrid for as long as humanely possible has become a must, something the Gunners’ failed to do last season when finishing second in their sector.

Their destiny is in their own hands, however. Victories in their remaining two group matches and Arsenal will top the group. It really is as simple as that – in principle. In practice, however, not so, as standing in their way on Wednesday will be a resurgent Borussia Dortmund side – the defending Bundesliga champions – who on Saturday became the first team this season to record a win over Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena, where two months ago Premier League leaders Man City were comfortably beaten 2-0.

Saturday’s highly impressive win over Bayern was Dortmund’s fourth in a row, stretching their unbeaten run in all competitions to seven. So they’ll take plenty of confidence and momentum with them to north London, which is just as well as awaiting them at the stunning Emirates Stadium is a team who’ve not been beaten on their own patch in the group phase for over eight years. It is also eight matches without defeat for Arsene Wenger’s team (W7 D1), following their 2-1 Premier League victory at Norwich at the weekend.

It is all or nothing as far as Dortmund are concerned, which is a mouthwatering prospect for a fixture which already boasts the necessary ingredients to create a potential classic. Defeat for the German side and they’ll be left clutching at straws, pinning all their remaining hopes on Olympiacos pulling off something extraordinary in Marseille. The latter is very unlikely. In fact, Marseille should comply in France, which means anything less than victory for Jurgen Klopp’s men in London and they are out of the tournament.

This has all the makings of an unmissable contest in the English capital; Arsenal gunning for the victory that would secure them qualification, possibly as section winners, while Dortmund are desperately seeking the win they need to keep alive their faint hopes of making the cut for the last-16. There should no love lost and all that cliché rubbish.

Match Pointers

- Victory for Arsenal would guarantee their inclusion in the last-16, regardless of what happens in the other group game. A win, coupled with Marseille slipping up at home to Olympiacos, however, and the Gunners would qualify for the knockouts as section winners.

- Elimination from the competition awaits Borussia Dortmund should they suffer defeat at the Emirates Stadium and Marseille avoid defeat in France against bottom of the group Olympiacos. Only a win would keep slim qualification hopes alive, as they would then go into their final match, at home to Marseille, needing some form of a result, probably a victory.

- These two sides met on Match Day 1, in Dortmund. Robin Van Persie opened the scoring for Arsenal, however Dortmund levelled late on through a wonderful strike from Croatian Ivan Perisic. The match finished honours even, with the final score reading 1-1. It was, though, a game the German side dominated for large periods.

- Arsenal are unbeaten in 12 home Champions League matches, winning eight of their previous nine in north London. Their last home defeat in this competition, during the group phase, dates back to 2003 when they lost 3-0 to Inter Milan.

- The Gunners have won seven of their last eight matches in all competition in an unbeaten sequence, while they’re without defeat in nine at home, winning eight.

- Dortmund have lost both their away matches in the group, conceding three in defeats to Marseille (3-0) and Olympiacos (3-1).

- The German club have, however, won their last four competitive games on the trot, scoring 14 goals with their most recent a 1-0 triumph at the Allianz Arena over Bayern Munich.

Betting

I wouldn’t like to say how this game will pan out – yet that is what I’m here to do. Such a riveting contest is this, and that’s before the match has even kicked off. Both teams arrive with a spring in their step, with plenty of morale boosting wins under their belts. The pair haven’t exactly been shy in front of goal either, so we could be treated to a few goals as well, on top of what should be a very competitive affair between two teams with absolutely everything at stake.

At first I wasn’t too impressed with Arsenal and how they were playing, but I am slowly coming round. The return of Thomas Vermealen is massive, as he’s brought some much-needed leadership and backbone to a defence which has been at sixes and sevens throughout most of the season. Mikel Arteta is growing in stature with every game, as is Aaron Ramsey, while Theo Walcott is also in decent form – and I haven’t said that too many times over the years.

Obviously the key player for Arsenal is striker Robin Van Persie, who scored twice at the weekend to extend his tally to 15 for the season. The Dutch ace will spearhead the Gunners’ attack on Wednesday, which means Arsenal are almost bankers to score at least once. On current form anyway.

Dortmund are stern opposition though, arguably more of a team than Arsenal. Jurgen Klopp has assembled a breathtaking squad of players who work tirelessly for the cause each and every game. There isn’t a team fitter in the Bundesliga, nor a team who runs more miles on the pitch, and it was evident in the pair’s opening match, on Match Day 1, when Dortmund dominated for large periods.

Ominously, though, there’s quality amongst all this Dortmund industry and endeavour, and I cannot help but think the Germans champions will get something from this match. It’s 13/5 the draw, which looks cracking value to me. Believe me, there won’t be a lot to choose between them at the Emirates.

Match Outcome: Draw – 13/5 Totesport

Alternative Both Teams to Score – 8/11 Coral

Match Odds

Arsenal – 6/5 VictorChandler

Draw – 13/5 Totesport

Borussia Dortmund – 14/5 StanJames

Napoli V Manchester City

Date & Kick-Off: Tuesday, 22 November 2011 – 19:45 GMT

Venue: San Paolo

Preview

It is all fairly simple for Roberto Mancini and Manchester City – in principle. Victory in Naples on Tuesday and a last-16 berth is theirs. However, a win for Napoli and the Italians would seize the initiative in this pulsating race to finish second, behind Bayern Munich, in the group widely perceived as the ‘Group of Death’ – Group A.

In all likelihood, Bayern Munich will top Group A. Victory in Munich over bottom-placed Villarreal, the La Liga outfit who have lost every group game thus far, would leave the Germans needing only to avoid defeat on Match Day 6 away to Man City in order to seal qualification as section winners. There is, however, no formality over who finishes second.

With Villarreal already eliminated, the race for second is between Napoli and Manchester City – and that basically turns Tuesday’s clash into a straight knockout… sort of. While a loss for City, whom have only been beaten once in eighteen matches this season, wouldn’t finish them off, what it would do is leave them requiring an awful lot on the final match day. Victory, however, and they would go through to the next round no matter what happens on Match Day 6.

Defeat in Naples and City would have to beat Bayern Munich in two week’s time AND require Villarreal to pull something off at El Madrigal against Napoli. That’s a scenario Roberto Mancini will be keen to avoid, obviously. Even a draw would shroud their last-16 participation in doubt.

So this is a monumental fixture for the Citizens, the current leaders of the Barclay’s Premier League, comfortably so, and, arguably, thee in-form team in Europe right now. Saturday’s clinical 3-1 victory at home to Newcastle was Manchester City’s ninth in succession in all competitions. And this was without star man David Silva, who wasn’t introduced from the bench until the 69th minute. It’s also worth pointing out that City have now scored 33 goals during this sensational run of theirs, taking their tally in all competitions to a staggering 55.

Italian teams are renowned for their robust defending, and few right now are more astute defensively than Napoli. The men from Naples have conceded just once in almost ten hours of football in Europe at the San Paolo Stadium, while domestically they have kept three clean sheets in their previous four Serie A matches. It almost sounds like the perfect match-up. Almost.

Although Napoli seemingly have the credentials to become only the second team in 2011/12 to claim the scalp of Manchester City, on current form their hopes of a famous win – one that would move them to the cusp of qualification – are very slim at best. Saturday’s goalless draw with Lazio, in Naples, meant it is now one win in seven for Walter Mazzarri’s charges, whose team’s only wins this season have tended to come against the big sides: AC Milan at home (3-1), Inter Milan away (0-3) and more recently Udinese (2-0), who were leading Serie A up till last weekend.

Furthermore, Napoli also held Bayern to a 1-1 draw in Naples on Match Day 3. They were also sightly unfortunate to go down 3-2 the following match day in Munich, at the Allianz Arena. There’s little doubt the Italian side have been a team for the big occasion in recent seasons, it’s simply a case of whether or not they can put their dismal recent sequence of results behind them to record not only a famous a win, but a win that would put them in pole position to qualify.

Match Pointers

- The result of this particular match could prove decisive with regards to who qualifies from Group A. Victory for Man City would guarantee their participation in the competition after the New Year, as they would then boast an unassailable five-point lead over the Italians. A win for the home side however, Napoli, would see them climb above City into second, a point clear of the Citizens heading into the final round of group games which will see City entertain Bayern Munich and Napoli go to rock-bottom Villarreal.

- Napoli have only won one of their last seven matches in all competitions, though they have been beaten just twice on their own patch in seventeen (W9 D6 L2).

- At home in European competition, Napoli are unbeaten in ten matches, since completing their return to the continental fold back in 2008. Their last defeat occurring way back in 1994.

- Bayern Munich are the only team to have scored at the San Paolo Stadium in Naples in almost ten hours of European football, with the Bavarians doing so on Match Day 3 in a 1-1 draw.

- Manchester City are enjoying a scintillating run of nine straight wins in all competitions, scoring 33 times – over 3 goals a game on average – whilst conceding nine.

- The Citizens’ only defeat in eighteen competitive games this season (W15 D2 L1) came on Match Day 2 in a 2-0 loss at Bayern Munich. They have scored 55 goals and conceded just 15.

Betting

When these two teams met for the very first time on Match Day 1, in a 1-1 draw in Manchester, Roberto Mancini wasn’t in the best bit pleased with how open the affair was as a contest. It was end-to-end from start to finish, with City monopolising most of possession, and in fairness creating the clearer opportunities, yet Napoli were a constant threat on the counter. It will be exactly the same in Naples, only Napoli should attack with more swagger and confidence in front of what is always a hostile, partisan San Paolo following.

Although their first meeting was thoroughly entertaining to watch, I am not so sure the sequel will be as riveting. Both sets of players will be wary of leaving themselves exposed, so there could be a distinct lack of conviction in their play. Napoli are always well-organised, but when they attack they do so with real purpose and a lot could depend on how well City contain playmakers Marek Hamsik and Ezequiel Lavezzi, who will both provide the main supply line to the prolific Edinson Cavani, the Uruguayan who opened the scoring in Manchester.

For City, there are numerous key players which could heavily influence the final result – which is why I fancy them to sneak a win. In terms of creativity, they ooze the stuff. The prospect of a fresh David Silva entering the fray is frightening, after the Spaniard featured only briefly in his side’s 3-1 victory over Newcastle on Saturday, City’s ninth victory in succession. Sergio Aguero and Mario Balotelli just haven’t stopped scoring in recent weeks and months, and Mancini will unleash the pair of them on a Napoli defence which has conceded just once in 573 minutes of European football at the Stadium San Paolo.

Napoli boast a formidable reputation for being incredibly well-organised at the back, combative and industrious in the middle of the park and very clinical in the final third – however, their opponents really are something else. Manchester City will take a wealth of attacking options to Naples and they should have too much quality up top for the Italian side, whom fired blanks at the weekend in a dour 0-0 draw at home to Lazio.

Match Outcome: Manchester City to WIN – 11/10 WilliamHill

Value Bet: Man City 2-0 (Correct Score) – 9/1 WilliamHill

Match Odds

Napoli – 3/1 StanJames

Draw – 5/2 PaddyPower

Manchester City – 11/10 WilliamHill

Manchester United V Benfica

Date & Kick-Off: Tuesday, 22 November 2011 – 19:45 GMT

Venue: Old Trafford

Preview

We have a winner takes all contest at Old Trafford on Tuesday between Group C joint-leaders Manchester United and Benfica.

Both can almost reach out and touch the last-16; however, qualification as section winners is the real prize at stake in Manchester – a draw would send both clubs through to the knockouts provided FC Basel lose out in Romania to Otelul Galati, but victory at Old Trafford would secure top spot for the victorious party courtesy of a superior head-to-head, as their reverse meeting in Lisbon on Match Day 1 ended 1-1.

The hosts are firm favourites to secure all three points and the win that would rubber-stamp their inclusion in the knockout stage of the competition for the sixth season running, with visiting Benfica sizeable underdogs to become the first team since Besiktas, in November 2009, to win a Champions League match at Old Trafford.

For starters, United have never been beaten by Tuesday’s opponents, who themselves have a rather lousy record on English soil (W3 D0 L9), with the reigning English champions winning six of the pair’s previous eight meetings. That isn’t all, though. Sir Alex Ferguson’s many different charges over the years have put together a formidable home record in Europe that has seen them lose only once at the ground dubbed the ‘Theatre of Dreams’ in 34 Champions League games. A staggering 25 of those were victories.

However, United haven’t been at their fluent best recently. Saturday’s hard-fought win away at Swansea maintained their winning momentum, which was all-important, after winning for the fifth match in a row in all competitions, but it was yet another highly unconvincing display from the Red Devils, who have scored an uncharacteristic five goals in their last four games – though it has been over seven hours since they last conceded.

Solid and unspectacular would certainly be a fitting way to describe Sir Alex’s men of late, and while their efficiency can be lauded, because they have been winning games, you sense there is an element of vulnerability about them.

Defensively they have been very sound, thanks in no small part to Ferguson deploying Wayne Rooney in a deeper role in an audacious bid to add some steel and combativeness to a midfield which was overrun by Man City last month in that infamous 6-1 loss at Old Trafford; they’ve not conceded a single goal in five games since. However, going forward they haven’t been as menacing as they were in the early stages of the campaign, when they were blowing teams out of the water with their goalscoring prowess.

So a mixed bag really with United. If you’re a fan, you’ll be delighted with their response to the Manchester derby defeat in that they’ve since embarked on a five-game winning run, but the lack of goals – and entertaining football to some degree – will come as a frustration.

Benfica are ideal opponents for United as they look to gauge how far they have come since suffering their first loss of the season, as the Portuguese side remain undefeated in 2011/12, winning 13 of 17 in all competitions, and those include back-to-back away wins in the group at FC Basel (0-2) and Otelul Galati (0-1). And, like United, Benfica too have a knack for keeping clean sheets, doing so in six of their previous nine.

We should be in a highly competitive affair, then. Based on their respective statistics, one goal may settle this as a contest, and, ultimately, who goes through to the last-16 as Group C winners.

Match Pointers

- Victory for either at Old Trafford would seal top spot in the section, as well as qualification, with the two sides locked together at the Group C summit on eight-points. Their first encounter ended 1-1 in Lisbon, Portugal meaning a win would secure qualification as section winners via a superior head-to-head record.

- Manchester United’s record versus Portuguese sides at home in Europe, and especially Benfica, is exceptional: they’ve never lost to either, winning six of eight versus Benfica (W6 D2 L0) and eight of ten versus Portuguese teams in general (W8 D2 L0).

- Meanwhile, Benfica have succumbed to defeat on nine of their twelve visits to England, winning only three times (W3 D0 L9).

- Domestically, both teams sit prominently in the English Premier League and Portuguese Liga Sagres respectively, with Manchester United winning their ninth match of the season (W9 D2 L1) away at Swansea (0-1) on Saturday whereas Benfica weren’t in action and thus retained their unbeaten start of seven wins and three draws.

- United have lost just one of their previous 34 home UEFA Champions League matches, however, Benfica are unbeaten on their travels in this season’s competition winning both of their away fixtures in the group at FC Basel and Otelul Galati.

Betting

In the knowledge that qualification as group winners would be assured with victory on Tuesday, you’d like to think Sir Alex will field his strongest possible eleven. But the United legend tends to have his own unique way of thinking when it comes to group matches. Still, I’d expect most of the big names to be involved – which is just as well as Benfica are no mugs. The Portuguese sides are compact, extremely well-organised, fantastic on the ball and a huge threat on the offensive and they’ll be huge players in this fixture, make no mistake about it.

Having watched a lot of United during this five-game winning streak of theirs, it’s clear Sir Alex has gone to town on both his defence and midfield. Dropping Wayne Rooney back has had mixed results. Yes United aren’t conceded the alarming number of chances they were beforehand, but at the same time they aren’t creating a great deal themselves, either. Against Benfica, a side who retain their shape and will approach this crucial match with a clear game-plan in mind, United will far more guile and craft going forward if they’re to be successful.

Home and away, I haven’t been impressed with Manchester United. They’ve managed to ground out ugly victories, important ones, mind, but the fact they aren’t scoring many goals leaves them susceptible up against the sides who do actually know where the goal is, and how to locate it. Benfica do. They can also defend, which only adds to their appeal.

I feel there could be a shock on the cards here, although United always show tremendous character through adversity, so should Benfica take the lead, I’d expect to see a typically dogged fightback from Sir Alex Ferguson’s charges. A score draw in what I hope, and believe, will be a thoroughly entertaining contest.

Match Outcome: Draw – 10/3 SkyBet

Value Bet: 2-2 Draw (Correct Score) – 20/1 Ladbrokes

Match Odds

Manchester United – 4/7 WilliamHill

Draw – 10/3 SkyBet

Benfica – 13/2 Ladbrokes

Genk V Chelsea

Date & Kick-Off: Tuesday, 1 November 2011 – 19:45 GMT

Venue: Cristal Arena, Belgium

TV Coverage: LIVE on SKY SPORTS 4

Preview

They may have fallen off the bandwagon domestically but in Europe, Chelsea are still going hell for leather in their pursuit of Champions League glory. The Blues find themselves a point clear at the summit, marginally ahead of Bayer Leverkusen in second but four clear of third-placed Valencia, while after their 5-0 thrashing of Genk at Stamford Bridge a fortnight previous, only reigning champions Barcelona have plundered more goals than Andre Villas-Boas’ charges at this stage of the tournament.

A return to continental competition will come as a welcome relief to Andre Villas-Boas, the Chelsea manager who has endured his most forgettable week at the Stamford Bridge helm thus far. His team’s discipline and ethics have been brought into serious disrepute, with Ross Turnbull, Jose Bosingwa and Didier Drogba having seen red in recent games, while John Terry is still being probe by the FA for comments he made during last week’s 1-0 loss at QPR.

On top of all the avoidable off-pitch debacles, Chelsea’s form domestically has gone seriously awry. Progress in the League Cup clearly delighted Andre Villas-Boas; however, back-to-back defeats – in consecutive London derbies as well – has led to some questioning their title credentials this season, which is understandable when you consider the 2010 Premier League winners now trail early season pace-setters Manchester City by nine-points.

Fortunately for Chelsea, they’ve been presented with a glorious opportunity to leap straight back on the proverbial horse. A trip to Genk to face the reigning Belgian champions, whom they comfortably beat just two weeks prior to their second ever meeting, should be fairly straightforward – even for Chelsea, who have had a knack of doing things the hard way of late.

Against QPR last week, Chelsea had to play the entire second half down to nine men; later on in the week they were forced to play an extra 30 minutes during their League Cup tie with Everton, in which the game ended 1-1 after normal time. Then, at the weekend, in what was a pulsating affair with Arsenal at Stamford Bridge, the Blues twice squandered a lead to lose 5-3 after a performance littered with high-profile errors. So who knows what handicap they’ll give themselves at the Cristal Arena in Genk, Belgium.

In a bizarre twist of fate, Chelsea’s opposition on Tuesday, Genk, notched five goals at the weekend, literally hours after Andre Villas-Boas’ side had shipped that very same amount at home to Arsenal. However, this is the same team which has won just two of their last seven matches in all competitions. Moreover, Genk, appearing in the group stage of the Champions League for only the second occasion, are still to score their first goal in this season’s edition, conceding seven goals without reply – though they did hold Valencia to a 0-0 draw in their only group game in Belgium thus far.

Didier Drogba is available to Villas-Boas for Tuesday’s trip to Belgium, with his current suspension limited to domestic action only. However, the Ivorian is unlikely to dislodge Fernando Torres from the team-sheet, the Spaniard who scored twice in the reverse fixture at Stamford Bridge and is quite clearly Villas-Boas preferred frontman, ahead of Drogba and Nicolas Anelka, who are entering the twilight of their playing careers at 33 and 32-years-of-age respectively.

However, Chelsea’s Portuguese tactician may decide to shuffle his pack after seeing his team concede five at the weekend. Defenders Alex and David Luiz will both come into contention, with John Terry and Jose Bosingwa most at risk, as will Raul Meireles in midfield, who could replace John Obi Mikel in the starting line-up. Daniel Sturridge didn’t have a particularly good game either, so Nicolas Anelka could be drafted in to play on the right of a three-pronged attack.

Genk manager Mario Been doesn’t any any fresh concerns regarding injuries, which is just as well; the 47-year-old Rotterdam-born coach will need his strongest array of players if he’s to masterminded a result on Tuesday that would galvanises the club’s hopes of finishing at least third in the group.

Match Pointers

- Chelsea top Group E on seven-points, ahead of Bayer Leverkusen (6 Pts) in second, Valencia (2 Pts) in third while Genk (1Pt) prop up the table in fourth.

- The Blues began with a routine 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge at home to Bayer Leverkusen before drawing 1-1 out in Valencia, striker Robert Soldado equalising in the closing stages of the game for the La Liga side. However, Chelsea responded in winning fashion on Match Day 3, spanking Genk 5-0 in London.

- Genk, competing at this stage of the competition for only the second time, took their first points of this season’s competition on Match Day 1, holding Valencia to a goalless draw in Belgium. They were then beaten 2-0 in Germany by Bayer Leverkusen before slumping to a heavy 5-0 reverse at Chelsea on Match Day 3.

- The Belgian side scored five times at the weekend, in a 5-4 away at domestic rivals Club Brugge in the Jupiler League. On the same weekend, Chelsea just so happened to concede five at home to London rivals Arsenal in a 5-3 defeat in the Premier League.

Betting

Saturday’s humiliating defeat at home to Arsenal will have been a shock to the system for Chelsea, whom conceded five goals in a top flight match for the first time since 1989. Hopefully it will serve as a timely reminder that no team should be underestimated, as Genk, while they were no match for the Blues in London, should pose far more problems over in Belgium. Nonetheless, it’s difficult to envisage anything other than a Chelsea victory, one which could qualify them on the spot should Bayer Leverkusen avoid defeat in Spain away to Valencia.

So Chelsea for me, tentatively, as their odds aren’t great at all. There could, however, be some value in backing goals; Genk’s weekend fixture featured nine goals, five scored by them, while Chelsea’s epic encounter with Arsenal produced no fewer than eight.

Match Outcome: Chelsea to WIN – 1/4 WilliamHill

Value Bet: Over 3.5 Goals – 13/8 Bet365

Match Odds

Genk – 14/1 Bet365

Draw – 5/1 Ladbrokes

Chelsea – 1/4 WilliamHill

Arsenal V Marseille

Date & Kick-Off: Tuesday, 1 November 2011 – 19:45 GMT

Venue: Emirates Stadium

TV Coverage: LIVE on SKY SPORTS 2

Preview

Arsenal have qualified for the knockout stages of the Champions League in each of the previous eleven seasons and their hard-fought victory over in Marseille on Match Day 3 has left them on the cusp of their twelfth successive Round of 16 appearance. The Gunners top Group F, a point above Marseille who they face on Tuesday in north London, but are four ahead of Olympiacos with Borussia Dortmund a further two-points back.

Should Borussia Dortmund justify favouritism in Germany the same night, when they host Olympiacos at Signal Iduna Park, Arsenal would find themselves six-points clear of third-placed Dortmund with only two rounds of matches left to play. Looking at the bigger picture, though, topping the group will be of more concern to Arsene Wenger, as the Frenchman will be keen to avoid a situation similar to last season when his team drew eventual winners Barcelona in the very first round of knockouts.

High-scoring victories, domestically, for both teams at the weekend should mean we’re in for a competitive affair at the Emirates Stadium, which is just as well as Arsenal have been dominant in the north of London for a considerable period now. Focusing solely on previous group matches, Arsenal are without defeat at home for over eight-years, winning 20 of their last 24, including each of the previous eight.

If Marseille are to enhance their chances of qualification, particularly if they wish to finish as section-winners, then the 2008/09 & 2009/10 French champions must repeat the feat of Inter all those years ago and win in North London. That does seem a long-shot though; in ten previous visits to England for a continental fixture, L’OM have recorded just one solitary win. Last season, Didier Deschamps’ team slumped to narrow defeats at both Chelsea (2-0) and Manchester United (2-1).

Winning for the second weekend in a row, away at Dijon (2-3), back home in France will have raised spirits however, particularly as it stretched their unbeaten streak domestically to six matches (W3 D3). I’m pretty sure they will have taken some heart from Arsenal’s 5-3 victory at Chelsea in the Premier League on Saturday as well, despite seeing their opponents on Tuesday score five times at what is a notoriously difficult venue to even score at, let alone win.

Although Arsenal’s weekend win over London rivals Chelsea was hugely impressive, more so the number of goals they scored and how they counter-attacked with real fluidity and purpose, defensively it was another horror show. Chelsea were extremely wasteful, as they carved open the Arsenal defence times and time again. Johan Djourou and Andre Santos at full-back had terrible games; they were caught out of position on countless occasions, as was centre-half Per Mertesacker, the German defender who is set to be replaced in the team-sheet by a now fit Thomas Vermaelen.

Furthermore, Arsenal weren’t entirely convincing at home to Olympiacos on Match Day 2, while there were hairy moments over in France as well, although for both sides in truth. What I’m trying to say is that despite being the favourites, and rightly so, it is by no means a formality that this match should end in a home win.

However, Arsenal are beginning to race through the gears, with Saturday’s morale boosting win extending their unbeaten run in all competitions to nine, eight of which were wins, while the form of their three-pronged attack has been especially eye-catching. Gervinho has been a little indifferent since arriving in the summer but his quick turn of foot and the fact he attacks defenders with real purpose has impressed me, though not as much as a confident Theo Walcott. The England winger was exceptional at the weekend and was only narrowly beaten to the Match of the Match award because of Robin Van Persie’s hat-trick, the Dutchman who now has 12 goals for the season, scoring seven in his last four competitive games.

Marseille, though, have a couple of nifty individuals of their own who could catch the eye. Lucho Gonzalez pulls all the strings in the middle of the park, a player Arsene Wenger rates so highly he tried to sign him on the final day of the summer transfer window. French schemer Mathieu Valbuena is another tricky customer in the middle; however, it is the pace in behind of Andre Ayew and Loic Remy which could cause this leaky, hapless Arsenal defence problems.

Match Pointers

- Arsenal (W2 D1 L0) top Group F with seven points, a point above second-placed Marseille (W2 D0 L1).

- The Gunners opened their accounts with a creditable 1-1 draw in Dortmund before securing back-to-back victories at home to Olympiacos (2-1) and away to Marseille (0-1).

- L’OM started with successive wins over Olympiacos (0-1) in Greece and Borussia Dortmund in France (3-0); however, a last-gasp winner from Aaron Ramsey sent them to their first reverse of the campaign last time out, losing 1-0 at home to Arsenal on Match Day 3.

- Unbeaten in 24 home group games in UEFA Champions League, Arsenal are seeking their ninth straight home win in the group stage with their last reverse coming against Inter Milan back in 2003.

- Marseille have been victorious on just one of their ten visits to England in continental competition, losing away at Chelsea and Manchester United in last season’s tournament.

Betting

In seasons gone by, Arsenal only had to turn up with their boots to win Champions League group games at home. If they were really geared up, they’d win at a cantor. With this current batch of misfits, that isn’t the case any more. The recent form of Gervinho, Theo Walcott and especially Robin Van Persie, who has been a goalscoring machine in recent weeks, certainly bodes well but defensively they still look alarmingly suspect. Plus Marseille don’t often suffer heavy defeats on their travels, they like to keep things tight when playing away from home in Europe under Didier Deschamps, hoping to catch teams out on the break.

Marseille’s pace on the counter could wreak havoc on an Arsenal defence which back home posts the third-worst defensive figures in the Premier League (conceding two-goals per-game on average). However, I’m putting faith in Arsene Wenger’s reinvigorated team and backing Van Persie & Co to outscore their opponents.

Match Outcome: Arsenal to WIN – 4/6 Bet365

Value Bet: Arsenal 3-1 (Correct Score) – 14/1 WilliamHill

Match Odds

Arsenal – 4/6 Bet365

Draw – 3/1 Boylesports

Marseille – 9/2 PaddyPower

Marseille V Arsenal

Date & Kick-Off: Wednesday, 19 October 2011 – 19:45 (GMT)

Venue: Stade Melodrome

TV Coverage: LIVE on ITV1

Preview

Despite their abysmal form domestically, Marseille have laid down the gauntlet to the rest of the teams in Group E following back-to-back wins over Olympiacos and Borussia Dortmund and go into Wednesday’s home match with Arsenal knowing victory would put them on the cusp of qualification. However, the Gunners have never been beaten on French soil – winning four of seven – and they too recognise the significance of victory.

Sat second in Group E on four-points, just a couple shy of Marseille but three ahead of Borussia Dortmund, Arsenal would also make substantial ground on qualification with a win on Wednesday. And that will be the one and only thing on Arsene Wenger’s mind heading to the Stade Velodrome, a venue where domestic rivals Chelsea and Manchester United both failed to win at last season, this a man who believes playing away from home has little baring on the final result; if you’re good enough collectively, you’ll win no matter where you are, is the Frenchman’s mantra.

Achieving victory won’t be an easy task though, not for this current batch of Gunners who have been drawn together out of chance more than anything else. Most of Arsene Wenger’s last-ditch signings were made out of haste and panic due to the sudden departures of Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri, who have definitely not been adequately replaced. Now the place is littered with numerous difference nationalities, making communication incredibly difficulty, establishing any sort of cohesion impossible, and winning results sporadic.

So far this season, Arsenal have managed just five wins in all competitions. Only three of those came in the league, where they currently lie 10th, a staggering 12-points off the pace of leaders Manchester City. It’s also worth pointing out that none of those five triumphs came away from home, all at their Emirates Stadium in North London, with the Gunners’ last away victory coming in their Champions League qualifier in Italy, a 2-1 win in Udinese.

Arsenal are, however, unbeaten in continental competition in France, winning four and drawing three.

It does say everything you need to know about Marseille that they would take Arsenal’s dismal start to the season. The 2009 & 2010 French champions have made a truly awful start to the new term, winning just one of their first ten fixtures. L’OM are a solitary point above the relegation zone as it stands, 14-points adrift of leaders PSG. Had it not been for their impressive start in Group F, Didier Deschamps may well be starring down the barrel.

So, in a strange sort of encounter between two beleaguered sides domestically but in-form continentally, Marseille and Arsenal will meet for the very first time at the Stade Velodrome. The hosts eager to build on successive wins over Olympiacos in Greece, where they battled to a hard-fought 1-0 victory, and their 3-0 rout of Borussia Dortmund. The visitors keen to extend their seven-game unbeaten run in France and, at the same time, achieve what they were within minutes of in Dortmund on Match Day 1, which Is secure a priceless away Champions League victory.

Bacary Sagna, Thomas Vermealen and Jack Wilshere all miss the trip to France while full-back Kieran Gibbs is rated doubtful, with Andre Santos expected to fill in. Central midfielder Aaron Ramsey, who sat out Sunday’s 2-1 win in the league over Sunderland with a minor hamstring problem, is available.

Match Pointers

- Marseille top Group F with six points after victories over Olympiacos (0-1) in Greece and Borussia Dortmund (3-0) in France, two ahead of Arsenal whose only dropped points came in Dortmund.

- The French side’s European fortunes this season are in stark contrast to their domestic form: Didier Deschamps’ team have already played ten league games but have triumphed only once (W1 D6 L3).

- The Gunners, meanwhile, have been similarly indifferent in the league: Sunday’s 2-1 home defeat of Sunderland was only their third in eight games (W3 D1 L4).

- Both Chelsea and Manchester United failed to win in Marseille in last season’s tournament; Chelsea losing 1-0 in the group stage while United were held to a goalless draw in the Round of 16.

- Arsenal, though, are unbeaten in seven European visits to France (W4 D3), though their last came way back in 2002.

Betting

I watched Arsenal last month make extremely hard work of what should have been a straightforward assignment against Greek outfit Olympiacos. I actually tipped them to struggle, and they did just that. Their narrow 2-1 victory was slightly fortuitous in that the Greeks created numerous opportunities that on another night would have found the back of Wojciech Szczesny’s goal.

Now Marseille aren’t renowned for their prolific qualities, however L’OM coach Didier Deschamps does posses a number of individuals with the ability to trouble an Arsenal defence which has been exposed and exploited and numerous occasions already this season – namely playmaker Lucho Gonzalez and a couple of athletic, agile forwards by the names of Andre Ayew and Loic Remy.

Nobody is convinced with Arsenal’s defence at the minute, especially Per Mertesacker, who has been found wanting against pace in the Premier League. So the prospect of Marseille scoring looks good. However, the Gunners will also fancy their chances up against a defence which has yet to concede in the competition thus far but has kept just three clean sheets back home in the league, against lesser opposition if we’re being brutally honest.

So I expect to see a few goals, for both sides, but at the same time I don’t think there will be much to choose between them. BUT… Arsenal do look very alluring at the odds and if they can produce a performance similar to that which almost earned them victory in Dortmund first time out, perhaps they could surprise a few? Namely, me.

Match Outcome: Arsenal to WIN @ 9/4 Ladbrokes

Value Bet: Arsenal 2-1 (Correct Score) @ 12/1 PaddyPower

Match Odds

Marseille – 7/5 Boylesports

Draw – 12/5 Bet365

Arsenal – 9/4 Ladbrokes

Chelsea V Genk

Date & Kick-Off: Wednesday, 19 October 2011 – 19:45 (GMT)

Venue: Stamford Bridge

TV Coverage: LIVE on Sky Sports 2

Preview

Having registered four points from their first two group games, Chelsea are well aware that back-to-back wins over arguably the weakest team in their sector would earn them a berth in the next round of the competition, the knockouts. Their opponents, though, know that should the worst case scenario happen – that they collect no points from their upcoming two matches with the Premier League side – then qualifying for the latter stages would become almost impossible, and they would then have to switch their objective to finishing third and at least prolonging their spell in Europe this season.

The onus and pressure will all be on the Blues, however, who are firm favourites to overwhelm their opponents on Wednesday inside what is expected to be a sell-out Stamford Bridge, after the club decided to hand out free tickets (some section of supporters were planning a protest at the huge inflation in ticket prices). But pressure isn’t anything new for Chelsea, nor their manager, who oversaw FC Porto’s thumping 7-2 aggregate victory over Genk in last season’s Europa League.

Chelsea began their European adventure, their pursuit of Europe’s most coveted prize, with a routine victory at home to Bayer Leverkusen. It was far from comfortable, though, for the six-time semi-finalists. The Germans caused them problems at the back while it took the Blues until the 67th minute before finally making the breakthrough, Brazilian defender David Luiz with an authoritative finish. Summer signing Juan Mata, a player the fans have taken an instant liken to – as well as every football pundit in England, added a second in the closing minutes after some wonderful play from Fernando Torres.

Speaking of Fernando Torres, who featured heavily in Chelsea’s 1-1 draw in Valencia on Match Day 2, the Spaniard is set to return to Andre Villas-Boas starting eleven after serving the second of his three-match domestic suspension at the weekend. Torres missed a host of gilt-edged chances at the Mestalla – which is no different from what he’s been doing all season, since his move to Stamford Bridge back in January in fact – but this does look a golden opportunity for ‘El Nino’ to once again recapture his scoring form.

Quite how Chelsea didn’t win in Valencia dumbfounds me. Although the draw was probably a fair result, a combination of chances created and the fact the Spanish side required a penalty right at the death, courtesy of Salomon Kalou’s inexplicable handball, meant it was a case of two points dropped for Andre Villas-Boas than one gained, even though the Portuguese maestro may have settled for a share of the spoils before the match got underway.

Three points on Wednesday, followed by another set in two weeks time away in Belgium, would more than make up for their profligacy and errors out in Spain. That’s because another six points would, realistically anyway, guarantee at least a top-two finish. And when you consider how tight the battle for second is likely to be, between Bayer Leverkusen and Valencia, we could even go out on a limb and say two victories over Genk, who are in dire form at the present; they’ve failed to win any of their last four matches, losing three, would secure top-spot in Group E?

Match Pointers

- Chelsea top Group E with four-points from two games, defeating Bayer Leverkusen 2-0 at home and drawing 1-1 with Valencia in Spain.

- Genk prop up the group, registering one point from a possible six after an opening day draw at home to Valencia and a 2-0 loss in Germany to Bayer Leverkusen.

- Andre Villas-Boas’ Chelsea have lost one of their eleven competitive games in 2011/12 (W8 D1 L1) and are unbeaten in their last five, winning four.

- The Blues have also plundered eight goals in their last two matches, seven in their last two at Stamford Bridge, where they’re unbeaten in 24 Champions League group stage fixtures.

- Belgian club Genk are without a win in four (D1 L3), three of which were away from home – they’ve yet to win an away fixture in the Champions League proper in four attempts.

Betting

The last time Genk were involved in the group stages of the Champions League, the Belgian side drew two of their away matches but were emphatically beaten in the other. If history is to repeat itself, they’ll snatch a draw here, as they’ve already tasted defeat on their travels, away at Bayer Leverkusen. To be brutally honest, I’m more inclined to back another away mauling cropping up. Chelsea are improving with every game; they’re starting to dominate teams, decent teams of a Premier League standard, which doesn’t bode well for the Belgians.

The return of Fernando Torres will also provide some fresh impetus, and the Spaniard will be determined to impress Andre Villas-Boas, the Portuguese manager who has seen his side notch eight goals in the two league games in Torres’ absence. The Chelsea number nine will more than likely spearhead the attack a much-changed Chelsea side, one likely to contain Florent Malouda and Nicolas Anelka on either flank, while Raul Meireles will replace the injured Ramires in midfield.

Match Outcome: Chelsea to WIN @ 1/8 StanJames

Value Bet: Fernando Torres First Goalscorer @ 3/1 PaddyPower

Match Odds

Chelsea – 1/8 StanJames

Draw – 19/2 VictorChandler

Genk – 33/1 VictorChandler