Champions League 2009/2010

Tuesday 24th November

19:45 GMT – Debreceni V Liverpool (Group E)

19:45 GMT – Fiorentina V Olympique Lyonnais (Group E)

17:30 GMT – Rubin Kazan V Dynamo Kiev (Group F) 

19:45 GMT – Barcelona V Inter Milan (Group F) 

19:45 GMT – Rangers V VFB Stuttgart (Group G)

19:45 GMT – Unirea Urziceni V Sevilla (Group G)

19:45 GMT – AZ Alkmaar V Olympiakos (Group H) 

19:45 GMT – Arsenal V Standard Liege (Group H)

Wednesday 4^th November

19:45 GMT – Bordeaux V Juventus (Group A) 

19:45 GMT – Bayern Munich V Maccabi Haifa (Group A)

17:30 GMT – CSKA Moscow V VFL Wolfsburg (Group B) 

19:45 GMT – Manchester United V Besiktas (Group B)

19:45 GMT – Real Madrid V FC Zurich (Group C) 

19:45 GMT – AC Milan V Marseille (Group C)

19:45 GMT – FC Porto V Chelsea (Group D) 

19:45 GMT – APOEL FC V Athletico Madrid (Group D)

Our Bets:

Barcelona, Arsenal, Manchester United & AC Milan ALL TO WIN – 5/1 Bet365

Value Bet: AC Milan to WIN – 1.95 Expekt.com

The seven time winners of the competition have yet to book their place in the last sixteen so they head into this match with French outfit, Marseille, in a winning mindset, yet they can still be had at glorious odds of 1.95, a touch of odds on. Milan do top the group but only on goal difference, but a win would be enough to bypass this awkward looking group and, although they would have preferred to play FZ Zurich on Wednesday night, Milan have already beaten Marseille in this years competition, a 2-1 win in France, so Milan should be good enough to make it back-to-back wins over Marseille back on Italian soil at the San Siro.

Game Of The Week – Bordeaux V Juventus

Many will circle the Barcelona V Inter game as the match to watch this week but they tend to be dull affairs and preference is for an intriguing fixture which involves Bordeaux, a team top of Group A, and Juventus, who sit currently in second position, four points above Bayern Munich in third. Bordeaux only need a point to secure qualification while Juventus would go through with a victory in France, one that would knock Bayern Munich out of the competition. However, Were Bordeaux to do Bayern a favor and Bayern to do themselves a favour by beating Maccabi Haifa at the same time then it would set up nicely for a winner takes all game on match Day 6 as Bayern Munich head over to Italy to face Juventus in the final fixture of the group, one that could potential decide who goes through.

Bordeaux do have the credentials to do Bayern a favour and they certainly owe them some sort of a refund after beating them twice in the Group stages, winning 2-1 in France and 2-0 in Germany. Juventus, however, are unbeaten on the road in this years Competition, drawing 0-0 at the Allianz Arena against Bayern Munich and winning 1-0 in Israel against Maccabi Haifa. Another point for Juventus would be ideal as it would mean they only need a point in their remaining game with Bayern Munich to progress, whereas a win would see them go through without any qualms

Group D – (Match Day 3)

Chelsea

Group D Position: 1st

Champions League Form: WW

Chelsea, after attaining six points from their opening two group outings, will have high hopes of securing another vital set of three points as an out-of-sorts Athletico Madrid arrive in London. Chelsea themselves haven’t been in glorious form of late it has to be said after suffering defeat at the weekend so they’ll be desperate to put their recent setback behind them and get straight back to winning games, something they are more then accomplished in.

Fortunately, for Chelsea fans, their side isn’t on their travels this week, which will be greeted with sighs of relief after Chelsea’s run of two successive away defeats back in the league. They were undone on Saturday at Villa Park against a valiant and hard-working Aston Villa side and, although the result wasn’t what manager Carlo Ancelotti had in mind, Chelsea’s performance on the day wasn’t actually that bad so they shouldn’t be too hard on themselves. However, we expect no sympathy from Carlo Ancelotti and we reckon Chelsea will be like a wounded animal on Wednesday, deeply suffering after that defeat but craving blood as Athletico Madrid come to Stamford Bridge. 

At home, this season, Chelsea have been playing well and getting the right results. They have a 100% record at home thus far in all competitions, including their victory over FC Porto on Match day 1, beating the Portuguese outfit 1-0 via a Nicolas Anelka goal. They also have the scalp’s of both Liverpool & Tottenham Hotspur this season, teams who, in our honest opinion, are far better then their match day opponents, although, the last time a Spanish side came to the Bridge it ended in misery for Chelsea fans. Who can forget Chelsea’s tie with Barcelona in last seasons Semi-Final, with Chelsea controversially ending up on the losing side via a late Iniesta goal and some dubious referring decisions going against them.

Chelsea fans will be somewhat relived to hear that only once in eleven meetings with Spanish opponents have Chelsea lost on home soil, that coming against Barcelona back in the 2005/2006 competition. However, It’s now been three home fixtures in succession that Chelsea have been held at home by Spanish sides, with Barcelona drawing 1-1 at the Bridge last season and Valencia drawing with the Blues the two seasons previously. A small glimmer of hope it would seem for the travelling Athletico Madrid fans.

Athletico Madrid

Group D Position: 4th

Champions League Form: DL

Athletico manager, Abel Resino, will be feeling the heat after a horrendous start to the campaign which has not only seen them fall way behind in their respective league but also make a lethargic start in this seasons Champions League. Athletico are just a point above the relegation zone in the Spanish La Liga and their 3-0 drubbing away at Deportivo La Coruna last Saturday will have dampened the spirits in the Madrid camp even further.

As far as this competition is concerned, Athletico have just one solitary point to their name after two outings, with a 1-1 draw at home to APOEL their only noteworthy result to date, although, saying that is noteworthy is certainly debatable. They were heavily fancied and expected to bring home the bacon in that game and the fact that they couldn’t beat APEOL, a side from Cyprus, would have sent the alarm bells ringing crazy around the capital of Spain. They didn’t make amends in their following group encounter, either, away at FC Porto. The Portuguese side secured their first three points of the campaign at the expense of an Athletico Madrid side seriously lacking in inner confidence it would seem.

It’s not as if several key players were sold over the summer as they weren’t. Diego Forlan, Sergio Aguero, Maxi Rodriguez and even Simao, all remained faithful, despite the rumours over the summer, and stayed with Athletico for at least another six months, so there is no excuse for the poor early season form. Diego Forlan didn’t start at the weekend, mainly due to his Uruguay commitments, but he is expected to start from the off against Chelsea, while their so called ‘Big names’ will need to start performing before Athletico dig themselves an even bigger hole.

Athletico have drawn their last three games on English sides, against English opponents of course, and a draw at Stamford Bridge would be a massive step in the right direction. However, their only victory in England came way back in 1997 when they beat Leicester City 2-0, whereas Chelsea are unbeaten at home in 19 Champions League games.

Match Verdict:- Chelsea to WIN – 1.37 Coral

We fully expect Chelsea to make amends for their defeat against Villa at the weekend by smashing a hapless Athletico Madrid off the park. The travellers have shipped 13 goals in just four away fixtures back in La Liga, losing three and drawing the one. Chelsea, however, have won all four of their home fixtures in the Premiership, scoring 10 and conceding just one. It really doesn’t look good for the Spanish visitors and we can foresee Chelsea giving Athletico a good spanking at the Bridge.

Match Odds:

Chelsea – 1.37 Coral

Draw – 5.0 Bet365

Athletico Madrid – 11.0 SkyBet

Group B – (Match Day 3)

CSKA Moscow

Group B Position: 3rd

Champions League Form: LW

CSKA won’t get many better opportunities to claim the scalp of such a prestigious and converted European side and Wednesday night could be a big night for the Moscow players. With United missing several key players, including the biggest of them all in Wayne Rooney, that should spur CSKA on and give the players the lift they need to put in a big performance on the night and claim a vital set of three points, points they so desperately need if they are to qualify from a competitive group.

CSKA’s league form isn’t the best, currently floundering just above mid-table, but they have generally produced their best stuff at home. The former Russian champions have won 13 league games this season with 7 of those coming at the Luzhniki Stadium, in Moscow. They are on a run of five consecutive home victories in the league, scoring 13 goals in the process, although, they do lack that forward potency now Brazilian Vagner Love has moved on loan to Palmerias in Brazil, a strange move it has to be said as he was their most high profile player.

The Russian side come into this clash with the English champions off the back of an emphatic 4-0 win over Kuban Krasnodor at the weekend, and that result should be ideal preparation ahead of such a high profile match for them. They haven’t conceded a league goal at home for over 270 hours and, although Besiktas did push them when they played in Moscow, with CSKA winning 2-1, United may have their work cut out locating the CSKA goal.

After suffering defeat on Match day 1 to Wolfsburg, losing 3-1 after taking the lead early on, CSKA Moscow shown good character to win their following Group fixture with Besiktas, winning 2-1. That win over the Turkish outfit keeps the Russian’s firmly in the hunt for qualification from the group but with the Russian’s facing some lengthy trips across Europe, they will need to capitalise on their home games in bid to put as many points on the board as possible.

Manchester United

Group B Position: 1st

Champions League Form: WW

The Red Devil’s top Group B after two hard fought victories over Besiktas (0-1) & Wolfsburg (2-1), in which both games seen United tested to the full, with the tough Turkish venue a challenge United overcame against Besiktas and the attack minded Wolfsburg being somewhat kept on a leash by United. So far, Sir Alex Ferguson’s men have passed each test with flying colours but they now face one of their longest European trips ever when they fly out to Moscow to take on the Russian favourites; CSKA Moscow.

The omens aren’t too good for United, though, as they possess a poor record against Russian clubs. However, although United may not have beaten a Russian side ever in a competitive affair, they do have fond memories of the capital after their 2007/2008 Champions League triumph in Moscow, so they will be somewhat familiar with the surroundings.

Back in league action, Manchester United have been doing their fans proud and, after seven wins from their opening nine fixtures in the Premiership, they top the table and, in combination with their weekend success at home to Bolton, one which they have to work extremely hard to achieve it has to be said, United should be in a buoyant mood and the players will be brimming with confidence. Their two wins in the Group, thus far, will also have added to their ever increasing team morale. United are unbeaten in the Premiership for seven games, registering 19 points from a possible 21, lean form.

However, Alex Ferguson was dealt several swift blows this week with news that not only will several of his players miss the trip to Moscow with injuries but he will also face an improper misconduct charge after his recent referee rant. Enough said about that the better but the injuries have to be highlighted as it leaves United a lot thinner in positive numbers; Ryan Giggs, Wayne Rooney, Patrice Evra, Ji-Sung Park and Darren Fletcher, all didn’t fly out with the rest of the squad. Most of those mentioned would have been starters on Wednesday night and now Ferguson will need ponder a change of tactic as the Russian’s look to seize on United’s number disadvantage.

Match Verdict:- DRAW – 3.3 PaddyPower

United are missing key players and their history against Russian sides is hardly formidable. CSKA are a strong outfit on home soil and they will be gunning for all three points against an understrength United team. ‘Fergie’ will have to pull off a master-stroke to record a victory in the Russian capital and we would be more inclined to have a bet on the home side rather than the travellers. We must admit that we don’t follow the Russian league that closely but, from the information available to us, they will be a tough side to overcome, one we don’t see United getting the better of. A draw would be a worthy and pleasing result for both camps.

Match Odds:

CSKA Moscow – 3.75 Boylesports

Draw – 3.3 PaddyPower

Manchester United – 2.2 SkyBet

Group C – (Match Day 3)

What a scrumptious match we have on offer here. Two teams with 16 major European titles under their belts clash on Wednesday evening in what promises to be a battle of the giants. Well, that may not be the case if Real Madrid have something to say about it. AC Milan have gone off the boil somewhat in recent years while Madrid have spent millions within the space of a few months so the gulf in class could be too big for Milan to bridge, which doesn’t bode well considering the stature of Milan.

A win for Madrid would see them take their tally to 9 points in the group, moreover, putting them in pole position in terms of not only securing qualification from the group but also finishing the group as top dogs. Milan, however, appear to have a battle on their hands just to make the last sixteen. Their shock defeat on Match day 2 at home to FC Zurich has cast doubts in the minds of not only the players but also the fans and they have to approach this game with Madrid in a winning mindset as defeat could see them lose ground on second placed Marseille.

Real Madrid

Group C Position: 1st

Champions League Form: WW

Real Madrid have stormed to the top of Group C with two emphatic wins over FC Zurich (2-5) & Marseille (3-0). They are now a ridiculous price to bypass the group and they should do so with consummate ease. However, Milan may prove a tough cookie to crack but Madrid are in top form, both at home and in Europe, and they should wrap up their third successive win in the competition leaving them on 9 points and one win away from last sixteen certainty.

Although Real have spent well into the hundreds over the summer, their defence is still not as strong as you would want it to be, despite Madrid only conceding six goals in La Liga this season. They have kept four clean sheets back in league action, plus one at home to Marseille in this competition, but their defence can be found wanting at times, with a distinct lack of concentration the main reason as to why the Madrid defence is far from breach-able. If FC Zurich can exploit the Madrid back line, TWICE, then there is hope for all of us.

It’s Real Madrid’s fire-power which has been all the talk in the town thus far, and it’s not surprising when they boast the likes of Karim Benzema, Raul, Kaka, Higuain & the world’s best player – Christiano Ronaldo. The Galactico’s have already scored 21 goals in seven games back home, whilst they have managed eight goals in the Champions League after just two games, the most prolific side in the competition at current. However, you may well of heard that arguably their greatest player; Ronaldo, is injured and will be out of action for some time. Madrid did cope without him at the weekend, smashing Valladolid 4-2, but against a quality opposition it remains to be seen how they will fare without their £80 million pound man.

The odds on a Madrid win aren’t the best but with Milan struggling at the moment and Madrid boasting such an array of talent, we can only see the home side coming out on top. They will play on the front foot and attack from the off and, although we fancy them to beat Milan on the night, we can also see Milan breaching the Madrid goal. Backing Over 2.5 could be worth a punt as we expect a few goals in this clash.

AC Milan

Group C Position: 3rd

Champions League Form: WL

The pressure will firmly rest on the shoulders of the AC Milan manager and players, of which the former has already come under heavy fire after a less-than-impressive start to the league. Milan opened their Champions League campaign in style, beating a versatile Marseille 2-1 in France on Match day 1, but that defeat was overshadowed by their humiliating home defeat against FC Zurich, a Swiss side who many won’t have heard of, which just reiterates how embarrassing that defeat was.

After the humbling by FC Zurich, Milan have slipped down to third in the group table, level on points with Marseille & Zurich, and with one of their two ‘three point bankers’ now gone, they now have to make up for that pointless game with positive results elsewhere, starting with a trip to Madrid. Were they to lose and Marseille were to beat FC Zurich, which is expected, then the initiative would go to Marseille as they would go three points clear of Milan with three games left to play.

AC Milan may have ended their three game run without a win in the league at the weekend but it hasn’t hid their early doors flaws. Milan had to come from behind to beat rivals AS Roma on Sunday night in a feisty encounter at the San Siro, with goals from Ronaldhino and Alexander Pato. However, now Milan will be without their number 1 choice goalkeeper, Marco Storari, and their defensive shield; Rino Gattuso. The latter won’t be missed as much as some may think but Marco Storari has been one of the few shining lights for Milan this season and his absence in the Milan goal is a massive negative in our eyes.

Milan are an ageing side, with Pato being their only young player with any real potential. They are struggling to pick up results in their own league so it would take a colossal performance from them to claim the scalp of Real Madrid on their own patch. Milan have won just one of four away fixtures back home and with their form ‘patchy’ at best, we can only see Milan struggling to get a point here, spending most of the game chasing after Madrid.

Match Verdict:- Real Madrid to WIN – 1.45 VictorChandler

Lack of quality, ageing players, lacklustre form and a shock defeat in the previous match day means Milan are a terrible bet, despite the stunning odds available on an away victory. Madrid have too many world-class to oppose and their form heading into this clash is ideal, losing just one competitive match thus far. Of course, Christiano Ronaldo will be missed but manager Manuel Pellegrini has several suitable replacements to fill the Portuguese sensations big boots and we expect Madrid to beat Milan and possibly inflict a heavy defeat on the Rossoneri.

Match Odds:

Real Madrid – 1.45 VictorChandler

Draw – 4.5 Bet365

AC Milan – 8.0 SkyBet

Group H – (Match Day 3)

Arsenal

Group H Position: 1st

Champions League Form: WW

Arsene Wenger will have his sights set on all three points here as he takes his Arsenal side over to Holland where the Dutch Champions; AZ Alkmaar, lay in waiting. The Gunners have already accumulated six points in Group H and one more victory would see them go within one more win of a place in the last sixteen after victories over Standard Liege (2-3) and Olympiakos (2-0).

Arsenal have shown two contrasting performances in the competition so far. They were well below par on match day 1 when they rather fortunately edged out a battling Standard Liege in Belgium, grinding out a 3-2 win after coming from two goals down. Their second group encounter didn’t necessarily go to plan as Arsenal struggled to find the opposing goal but they did dominate proceedings from start to finish and were fully deserving of the three points, albeit making their home fans sweat a bit more then they initially intended. Still, Arsenal have notched up two victories on the back of one another and they set the standard in Group H as they head over to the Netherlands.  

Arsene Wenger will be confident of securing all three points but he will have a few key abseentee’s to deal with firstly. Theo Walcott will be out of action once again, up to a month, while Thomas Rosicky misses the trip through a knee injury, while Nicklas Bendtner, Denilson & Eduardo will also miss this fixture with AZ. A boost is the return of Gael Clichy who has flown out with the rest of the squad to Holland.

Arsenal’s last visit to Holland in the Champions League proper wasn’t a pleasant one, with Arsenal succumbing to a 1-0 defeat in Eindhoven to PSV. However, they did beat Steve McClaren’s FC Twente in qualifying for the group stages last season so Arsenal do obviously posses the credentials to perform well in Holland.

AZ Alkmaar

Group H Position: 3rd

Champions League Form: LD

Arsenal’s opponents are the newly crowned Dutch Champions, AZ Alkmaar. Many will remember Ronald Koeman from his playing days but he’s now in charge of this ever improving AZ side and they were rampant in last years league campaign, securing the title in comprehensive fashion, with the nearest pursuer eleven points adrift, that being FC Twente. They are a team who prefer to play on the front foot, especially when playing at the DSB Stadion, the home of Alkmaar.

Ronald Koeman’s side sit rock-bottom in the group after only managing one point from their opening two group games. They were left stunned after Standard Liege clawed back an injury time equaliser to dash their hopes of achieving their very first Champions League win and this doesn’t look the most ideal opportunity to register their first three point in this years campaign. However, they have to add some more points quickly else they could find themselves out of the running sooner then expected.

AZ finished last season with an immense goal tally of 66-22, a goal different of 44. That’s a remarkable achievement for a side that had previously only won the league once before way back in 1981. However, the Dutch league has dropped of the European map somewhat with the main Dutch giants of the past going dormant it would seem. Nevertheless, AZ took the league by storm and they will be a big threat on Tuesday, especially when striding towards the Arsenal goal, which may or may not see the return of Almunia.

Alkmaar haven’t hit the road running this time around though with the club currently languishing in 6^th position, a far cry from their comfortable league success of last season. They have patchy form at best, winning five and losing five, with the Dutch side yet to draw a game this season, although the same can be said for their opponents. Surprisingly, AZ have found scoring the main cause for concern this season, especially at home, managing just five goals on home soil, with none of the early home fixtures being against quality opposition, either.

The Dutch Champions are seriously struggling to build up momentum and gather in a bit of form. They have lost four of their last five league fixtures and confidence within the Alkmaar can’t be all that high. The visit of Arsenal may not be what they need right and, considering they could only manage a draw in their only group home fixtures to date, that being a 1-1 draw with Liege, all the arrows are pointing in the direction of an away win, or so it would seem.

Match Verdict:- Arsenal to WIN – 1.53 SkyBet

Arsenal have look a nifty side this season which isn’t surprising in the slightest. They have players that can really alter the pace and tempo of the game and the posses so many potential match winners. Arshavin, Fabregas & Robin Van Persie have all been in sublime form in recent weeks and the fact that all three are fit and raring to go is a massive positive for Arsenal fans. Their opponents, AZ Alkmaar, are suffering a bad patch of form, winning just one game in five and are without a win in two champions league games thus far. Arsenal have the far better players and they are riding high on the form front so we expect another Arsenal victory, one that would take them to the verge of qualifying.

Match Odds:

AZ Alkmaar – 7.0 Bet365

Draw – 4.0 Boylesports

Arsenal – 1.53 SkyBet

Group E – (Match day 3)

After suffering their first defeat in the competition on match day 2, Liverpool will seek out the win they need to amend not only their poor showing against Fiorentina in their most recent Champions League outing but also their run in the league which has now seen them lose two on the bounce. Lyon, on the other hand, have made the perfect start in Group E, winning both their opening two fixtures against Fiorentina (1-0) & Debrecen (0-4). Another win for them would take them to the magic 9 point marker, with 9 points generally enough to see most sides through any group.

Liverpool

Group E Position: 3rd

Champions League Form: WL

Just as Liverpool were starting to look good, Fiorentina came along. The Italians were underdogs on Match day 2 but they defied all the odds when they gave Rafael Benitez’s side a jolly good pounding in Florence, handing the reds a 2-0 defeat. Now Liverpool will be eager to return to winning ways after their opening success on match day 1 at home to Debrecen, a side who Lyon smashed off the park on Match day 2, defeating Debrecen 4-0 away from home. Compare that to Liverpool’s narrow 1-0 victory at home to Debrecen and you may find it a tad strange why Liverpool are so short in price.

A big boost for Liverpool fans is the return of Steven Gerrard, or at least his return to training anyway. However, there has been no news whatsoever on the Fernando Torres front and the Spaniard looks set to miss another clash for Liverpool, one more important then their weekend defeat at Sunderland. Torres has scored seven goals for Liverpool this season and it would be stating the obvious to say that he will be massively missed in the Liverpool camp, especially as Liverpool don’t have a like-for-like replacement that can score with such ease as the Spanish maestro.

Because of the International break it’s been a long time since Liverpool last celebrated a victory in any competition, just under a month ago in fact when they smashed Hull City 6-1 in the league at the latter end of September. That’s a long time for a club as big as Liverpool to go without a win and it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Liverpool ranks slightly demoralised after a poor run of form. Their league campaign appears to have gone completely off the rails while injuries to key players hasn’t helped their cause, at all. Hopefully, Steven Gerrard will return to the fray but even if he does there will be major doubts over his fitness and ability to put his all in for the full 90 minutes.

Liverpool boast a strong record against French opponents but it was a French outfit who last beat them at Anfield. Marseille came to fortress Anfield back in 2007 and they weren’t fancied to get anything from the game but ended up taking all three points via a fine Mathieu Valbuena strike. That is Liverpool’s sole defeat at Anfield in 12 outings and they will have high ambitions of reforming the stadium back into a happy hunting ground as another French side tests their wits against Liverpool.

Lyon

Group E Position: 1st

Champions League Form: WW

Lyon have been impressing in the Champions League and they were also performing particularly well back in league action, that was until last Saturday. Lyon were undefeated in the league this season before the visit of Sochaux at the weekend, with the game ending 2-0 to the away side, ending Lyon’s unbeaten start to the season. That was the worst result possible heading into an away fixture with European giants Liverpool and their will be questions surrounding that defeat as it came completely out of the blue.

Despite that defeat Lyon still find themselves in a handy position league wise. They have lost just once in nine, with seven victories and two draws. However, both their draws did come on the road and it wouldn’t be at all surprising to see them play a tad more negatively then they usually do as they will be aware of the atmosphere and history of Liverpool’s famous Anfield on European occasions. A draw against the reds would still be a huge result for them as it would take them a step closer to securing a berth into the last sixteen of the competition.

Lyon have spent big bucks over the summer although the kitty was boosted by the departure of Karim Benzema to Real Madrid. Lisandro Lopez & Bafetimbi Gomes were just two of the players purchased during the summer months and they form one lethal striking duo up front, with Lopez having a particularly keen eye for goal and Gomes’s sheer pace a big problem for even the leanest of defences. With Liverpool’s star defender; Jamie Carragher, showing signs of wear and tear, the pace of Gomis maybe a big concern for Rafael Benitez.

Lyon’s last visit to England wasn’t a happy one when they lost 1-0 at Old Trafford, against Manchester United. However, they do boast an immensely impressive away record in the groups, winning ten of their previous fifteen away encounters in the group stages since 2004/2005, losing just twice. They will be eager to extend Liverpool’s misery and they will know full well that one more win would all but secure their status in the next round.

Match Verdict:- Liverpool to WIN –1.80 Bet365

Despite their recent problems on and off the pitch, it’s hard to oppose Liverpool at Anfield, a venue will is usually electric on European nights. The fans will get right behind their players and with Steven Gerrard possibly back in the fray, there will be renewed optimism around the ground that a win over Lyon would give them the lift they need to get their season firmly back on track. A defeat for the reds is unthinkable for Rafael Benitez as it would leave them playing catch up and having to secure wins in some tough venues, more notably the return trip to France. If Steven Gerrard does play then we expect a home win, if he doesn’t then this could set up nicely for the French to record a big draw or better.

Match Odds:

Liverpool – 1.80 Bet365

Draw – 3.60 BetFred

Lyon – 5.0 PaddyPower

Inter Milan V Barcelona

Kick-Off: Tuesday 15^th September – 19:45 GMT

Venue: San Siro (Italy)

There are many intriguing ties in the Champions League this week but none will match the hype surrounding the game of two returning strikers as Samuel Eto’o & Zlatan Ibrahimovic make an instant return home back to a familiar hunting ground but something tells me the latter won’t get such a rousing reception at the San Siro this evening. Zlatan left the San Siro on somewhat unpleasant terms with the striker clearly hinting at a move to a ‘Big Club’ for some time before the transfer eventually went through, and the fact that Jose Mourinho was quick to dash any speculation that Ibrahimovic was far better than Eto just speaks words on how Ibrahimovic and Mourinho actually got on.

The Battle of Eto & Ibrahimovic

Zlatan Ibrahimovic, however, is the inform striker of the two after scoring in both of Barcelona’s opening two fixtures in La Liga, putting one past a poor Sporting Gijon at the Nou Camp on his league début and then exploiting Getafe’s back line when he prodded home his second of the campaign on Saturday. He has, though, not been his glistening best but he’s put that down to his niggling injuries that he has had to endure over the summer and he ‘still’ recovering from them. However, the Swede does insist that the best is yet to come from him claiming “you’ve not see the real, Zlatan”.

Samuel Eto’o had also found the net twice this season but both his goals came in quick succession, at the very start of the season. He has since gone two games without finding the opposing net but this does look a glorious opportunity for the Cameroon international to end his mini baron run and put one over on some old friends.

Two inform Teams

Inter have hardly been in sublime form but their early setback, drawing 1-1 with Bari at the San Siro, on the opening day of the season, was put right with two successive victories over AC Milan (0-4) & Parma (2-0), with the very first result being a resounding 4-0 win over their bitter Milan rivals. Inter have now scored six goals in their last two games, conceding just one goal in their opening three games. However, Barcelona represent Inter’s first real test of the new campaign and their defence will certainly be under constant pressure from the silky attacks of Xavi & Iniesta, if the latter plays.

Barcelona have made light work of their opening fixtures back in the Spanish Primera, registering two unsurprising wins over Sporting Gijon (3-0) & Getafe (0-2). However, Barcelona took a while to get going away at Getafe, who are a side with a lean defence, so lumping on Barca making the early breakthrough might not be wise if they were to walk out of the blocks like they did on Saturday.

Game Plans

Barcelona will play their usual patient passing style at the San Siro, with the likes of Xavi & possibly Iniesta plotting to exploit the Inter back line with some silky but crisp through balls through to their new start studded striker – Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Jose Mourinho tends to back the midfield up whenever Inter face some of the toughest sides in Europe and tonight should be no exception, despite this being a home fixture. Patrick Veira doesn’t seem to be at the forefront of Mourinho’s plans this season but he may get a run out from the start in a bid to protect Milan’s back four. Sulley Muntari will have a big part to play in terms of breaking up the Barcelona attacks, while Inter’s main source of creativity will come from both Dejan Stankovic and new Real Madrid signing, Wesley Sneider, who was outstanding in his league début.

Betting Market

Inter Milan look an outstanding price to make the early breakthrough in Group F with victory over Barcelona, with Jose Mourinho’s side currently available at 23/10 with Bet365, totesport & Coral. That looks a crazy price with Barca’a reputation obliviously the catalyst for such a ridiculous market. However, that doesn’t mean we don’t think Barcelona will win as they do have the qualities required to brush aside any team on their day. However, considering Barcelona are a best priced 8/5 with PaddyPower, we can clearly see where the value is.

Betting Odds:

Inter Milan – 23/10 Bet365

Barcelona – 8/5 PaddyPower

Draw – 2/1 Ladbrokes

SoccerBetting Tip: Inter Milan to WIN – 23/10 Bet365