VFL Wolfsburg V Manchester United

Tuesday 8^th December – 19:45 GMT

Group B

With United already through but still wanting a first place finish, will the Manchester United manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, field a strong side for their final Group B outing of the campaign, in Germany?

Wolfsburg, a team who are a win short of securing their place in the last sixteen, will be gunning for success, but will they have what it takes to beat the English champions and secure the win they need that would take them into the next round of the competition for the very first time in their history?

Two very important questions many punters will be asking this week and they are two we can’t give an accurate answer to, unfortunately. However, the answers largely depend on the side Ferguson puts out in Germany. A strong Manchester team would make for a nervy night for the current German champions, who need all three points to guarantee progression, whereas an understrength United side, similar to the one which lost at home to Besiktas in their last outing, would heavily favour the Germans to not only obtain the three points they crave but to also finish top of Group B at the expense of Manchester United.

VFL Wolfsburg

Group B Position: 2^nd

Group B Form: WLDWL

Wolfsburg could have been through already were it not for spurring their chance away in Russia on Match Day 5. The Germans were in the same predicament then, win and progression into the last sixteen was theirs. However, despite taking an early lead through Edin Dzeko, a player who was prolific throughout last season but hasn’t lived up the hype surrounding him since, Wolfsburg couldn’t hang onto their advantage and were soon spending the entire second half on the back foot before having to chase the game with 10 minutes to go. CSKA Moscow won come the end, 2-1 the final score, and that no means Wolfburg’s job is far from done and dusted as they now entertain a Man Utd outfit in a game where they know they must better CSKA’s result elsewhere.

Wolfsburg stormed to the German league title last season, scoring a whopping 80 goals in 34 fixtures. However, they have fallen well off the pace this season and already find themselves eight points adrift of the leaders. The are currently eighth in the German Bundesliga, a million miles off their rare league success of last season, but progression in the worlds greatest club competition would cover over Wolfsburg apparent league cracks as the prospect of facing even better teams and more income looms large. To achieve this, though, they will need to win their first game in four outings. Their last win in all competitions came away at Hoffenheim, a 2-1 success while just days before they were winning Turkey, away at Besiktas. Perhaps the win over their Turkish opponents spurred them on in their following league fixture and with Wolfsburg without a win in three back home, a win over the mighty Manchester United could be just the thing to reignite their season.

Last season, Wolfsburg were renowned and feared amongst every German side in the land for their dangerous attacking play. On occasions, they were literally scoring goals for fun, even against the big boys in the league, but when they were thriving on the euphoria of the moment back then, they are currently drowning in their despair at the present moment. They’ve opened up a win less run of four games and it’s vital they put this bad streak to bed. A fixture with the English champions isn’t one of the more ideal games to achieve this but we expect United to take to the field with some of their fringe players which should greatly enhance Wolfsburg’s chances of getting that illusive win.

Manchester United

Group B Position: 1^st

Group B Form: WWWDL

Sir Alex Ferguson has opted for youth in his previous two champions league outings, both of which have ended in miserable results for the Red Devils, and with injuries hitting Man Utd hard recently, Fergie is expected to make even more changes for the trip to Germany, one which could see a few unfamiliar faces, especially at the back. However, there is still all to play for as top spot within the group still needs cementing and a point would be enough to complete this objective, the minimum Alex Ferguson expects to get from this encounter in Germany.

The big question beforehand was what sort of side would start in Germany, but news that up to eight defenders have been ruled out for the trip to Germany pretty much speaks for itself. Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic, Wes Brown, Gary Neville, Rafael, Fabio, John O’Shea and Jonny Evans; have all been ruled out for the clash on German soil and have not flown with the rest of the squad. As a result, Michael Carrick, normally a defensive midfielder, should drop back to centre-back just like he did at the weekend, while Darren Gibson, one of United’s starlets who has scored three goals in his last two outings, could also drop back into defensive to form one that looks very makeshift.

With United look extremely bare at the back, Ferguson could feel obliged to field a strong midfield in a bid to minimise the amount of defending his side will have to do during the course of the game. However, were both Carrick and Gibson to drop back into defence then United have lost their best two defensive midfielder’s. Anderson may have to drop back into that role just in front of the back four while Paul Scholes, a player buoyed by his opener against West Ham at the weekend, could also be handed a starting berth in the United midfield. Arguably one the biggest flops the Premiership has ever seen – Nani, looks almost certain to start, while Ryan Giggs won’t play any part after he didn’t travel with the United squad, either. Federico Macheda & Danny Welbeck have been Ferguson’s preferred striking partnership in these types of nothing encounters and they could be paired together once more after a baron 90 minutes against Besiktas last time out, although Michael Owen could replace one of them.

All the task is about United’s team as it’s at the bare bones right now. For a team that apparantly boasts one of thee strongest squads in the country, this game with Wolfsburg really could test that statement to the full. Fergie has had to dip into the reserves to pluck up enough eligible players for this trip but, after fielding two very weak sides in their previous two champions league outings, United could struggle on the night as the kids simply haven’t cut it on the biggest stage.

United’s defence was crumbling on Saturday, with players all around the pitch ready and waiting to fill in for injury prone defenders. However, they did cope stoutly, albeit against West Ham United, and we feel the Germans will provide a shaky and unconvincing United rearguard with a more thorough test. The Germans love to attack and they will be licking their lips at the prospect of facing Manchester United, and not too many sides have said that in the past.

Match Verdict:- VFL Wolfsburg to WIN – 2.20 Bet365

United’s defensive problems are too much for us to ignore and against a strong offensive Wolfsburg, United should come unstuck. The Germans did actually give the United defence a going over at Old Trafford, and that defence consisted of both Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic, so God only knows what they’ll do to a defence that consists of Michael Carrick and Darren Gibson. Wolfsburg for us in a game where they have to win and one which they should win.

Match Odds:

VFL Wolfsburg – 2.20 Bet365

Draw – 3.40 SkyBet

Manchester United – 3.75 VCbet

SoccerBetting Value Tip: Edin Dzeko FGS – 7.00 Ladbrokes