Champions League, 30 September, 2014

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE - GROUP STAGE

CSKA MOSCOW v BAYERN MÜNCHEN 

CSKA Moscow began the competition with a shameful defeat against AS Roma (1-5) and it seems that it cannot rise to the level of the top teams which it has to face. If until now they hoped to reach third position, the chances have decreased already after the first match and looks sticking out of the calculations. In the League copes quite well, occupying second place in the standings, but has a distance of four points behind the leader, Zenit. They met Bayern and in the previous edition of the Champions League too, losing without appeal both matches. A big plus for today is the return of Seydou Doumbia after an injury, he played 30 minutes in the last game and is a probable starter. Unfortunately, the match will be held without spectators, which is a big disadvantage for the Russians. 

Bayern Munich seems to retrieve their form and pace of last season, having now a period with eight matches without defeat. In the first round of the group they passed by Manchester City (1-0), but in the last minutes. They are looking for a much easier victory today and their roster's value makes it definite favourite. If at the beginning of the season I saw an unexpected dreamy defensive yield from them, Guardiola appears to have corrected the errors and the Germans haven't received goals in the last five matches, the attack works increasingly better and they climbed to the top in the Bundesliga. Bayern cannot afford to stumble tonight, because they may have surprises in a group so strong. 

Possible lineups

CSKA(4-4-2) : Akinfeev – Mario Fernandes, V Berezutski, Ignashevich, Schennikov – Tošić, Natcho, Eremenko, Milanov – Musa, Doumbia.

• Out: Dzagoev (suspended), Wernbloom (suspended), Cauņa (foot), Elm (stomach), Vitinho (ankle), Panchenko (knee)

Bayern (4-2-3-1) : Neuer – Rafinha, Boateng, Dante, Alaba – Lahm, Alonso – Robben, Müller, Götze –  Lewandowski.

• Out: Schweinsteiger (knee), Thiago Alcántara (knee), Badstuber (left thigh), Martínez (knee), Ribéry (knee)

• Doubtful: Boateng (back)

• Bayern to win by exactly 2 goals difference - 4.00 (Bet365)  | ✖

MAN CITY v AS ROMA  

The match between Manchester City and Rome looks to be a grand spectacle, especially as they will give the chest two teams in great shape and with offensive philosophy! Defending England champions desperately needs victory and I expect them to attack sustained, while the Italians will stake on counterattack, especially because they have speedy players in attack like Gervinho, Florenzi or Ljajic! Roma has won all six matches of the new season, the five managing to score at least twice, while the English have just 11 goals in his last two official games! 7 of the last 9 matches in European cups of both teams ended with over 2.5 goals! 

Possible lineups

City (4-2-3-1) : Hart - Zabaleta, Kompany, Demichelis, Clichy - Touré, Fernandinho - Navas, Silva, Milner - Agüero.

• Out: Nasri (groin)

• Doubtful: Nastasić (knock), Jovetić (hamstring), Fernando (groin)

Roma (4-3-3) : De Sanctis; Maicon, Yanga-Mbiwa, Manolas, A.Cole ; Pjanić, Keita, Naninggolan; Florenzi, Totti, Gervinho.

• Out: De Rossi (thigh), Astori (knee), Castán (neck), Strootman (knee)

• Doubtful: Iturbe (thigh), De Sanctis (fatigue)

I hope we will see a spectacular game, but an Italian team will be on the pitch tonight, so I expect a tough game, City is playing better in the second half from my point of view so I will try this bet : 

• Draw / Man City - 4.70  | ✖

APOEL v AJAX AMSTERDAM

APOEL was clearly dominated on Camp Nou two weeks ago, but has not made a fool of. He had "only" lost  with 0:1 and the evolution of the game give hope that Cypriots may obtain more tonight against Ajax. After the failure in Spain, APOEL played three matches in the domestic competition. They won the first two quite easy, but Saturday could not pass AEL on Neo GSP. In the current edition of the Champions League, the team prepared by Giorgos Denis played two matches with HJK Helsinki and Aalborg, earning them both to nil. 
Denis said that if they hope to reach third place in the group, then they need to obtain today all three points. It also said that if it was impossible to have superior possession than Barcelona, tonight against Ajax he wants from his players to make a better possession game.


Ajax Amsterdam has played from peer to peer with PSG in the first stage. Despite the fact that for one hour was led, they managed to secure a point. Ajax had a better possession than the Parisians, it is one of the reasons they managed to not lose. Since that game, Ajax obtained three victories, two in the Championship in Rotterdam and Breda and one in the Dutch Cup in front of a fourth League team. Ajax is undefeated in four games in the Champions League. 

Possible lineups

APOEL(4-2-3-1) : Pardo – Mário Sérgio, Carlão, João Guilherme, Antoniades – Morais, Vinicius – Tiago Gomes, De Vincenti, Aloneftis – Sheridan.

• Out: Alexandrou (thigh), Papazoglou (abdominal muscle strain)

Ajax(4-3-3) : Cillessen – Van Rhijn, Veltman, Moisander, Boilesen – Klaassen, Viergever, Zimling – El Ghazi, Sigthórsson, Schöne/Andersen.

• Out: Fischer (hamstring), Murić (ankle)

• Doubtful: Schöne (groin)

Both teams need a victory to have a chance at second place, although realistically speaking opportunities to overcome those two forces in the group are insignificant. Cypriots have played a good match at Camp Nou and Ajax will have a tough game today. I think we can see a small surprise here : 

• Ajax under 0.5 goals - 3.60 (Sportingbet)  | ✖
• Draw - 3.30   | ✓

PSG v BARCELONA

Possible lineups

Paris(4-3-3) : Sirigu - Van der Wiel, David Luiz, Marquinhos, Maxwell - Verratti, Thiago Motta, Matuidi - Pastore, Cavani, Lucas.

• Out: Ibrahimović (heel), Lavezzi (hamstring)

• Doubtful: Thiago Silva (thigh)

Barcelona(4-3-3) : Ter Stegen; Alves, Mathieu, Piqué, Alba; Busquets, Iniesta, Rakitić; Pedro, Messi, Neymar.

• Out: Masip (finger), Rafinha (thigh), Douglas (foot)

Despite the fact that until now has not received goal this season, Barcelona will meet this time a much stronger opponent, who will play this evening at home. PSG has a brilliant attack, despite the fact that Ibrahimovic will not play because of injury. Parisians have scored 18 of the previous 19 matches played in the Champions League, despite the fact that they have met strong teams. French team managed to score in both matches in the 2012/2013 season against Barcelona and certainly has the potential to do it again tonight. PSG knows how to play the big games and tonight they are trying to achieve at least a draw to have a chance to occupy the first position in this group. Parisians can take advantage of the fact that Barcelona has played very poorly in the latest editions of journeys made in the Champions League. Catalans have some matches where they can't find the way to the goal, proof being the game played in the Championship against Malaga. The host band instead is undefeated in the last 29 matches played at home in the European cups. I think the logical bets for this game are : PSG (+1.5) AH - 1.30 ✓ , PSG to score - 1.40  ✓, maybe 1X - 1.83 ✓, but I will try a fantasy bet. I expect a tough game, Barcelona is staying very good in defence, so will be hard for Cavani or Lucas to score, but Barcelona can receive a goal after a corner kick, because PSG has very dangerous players, so I think a beast like Marquinhos can make a huge surprise and score tonight :  

• Marquinhos to score - 13.00 (Bet365)  | ✖

SCHALKE v MARIBOR  

Schalke had big problems in this season debut with players who were unrecognisable and many injuries, the issues that led to the bad matches and extremely weak results. Seems to have overcome the problems and in the last two matches has obtained first triumphs... they are coming after a success with Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga (2-1), a result which gives much confidence to players and fans. In the first stage of the Champions League they managed a surprise making a draw on road against Chelsea (1-1) and seeks another victory for morale tonight. Coach Jens Keller seems to have settled on the go the defence and I expect Schalke to honor their favourite this evening. The strength of the team is the offensive, where players such as Choupo-Moting, Huntellar or Draxler can make the difference anytime.  

Maribor is living a historic participation in the groups of this competition and managed a surprise in the first round : draw against much better Sporting (1-1), therefore the morale is very good, especially since Ante Simundza's team is coming after five matches without defeat. They are playing a very defensive football, blocking the game in front of their own kind and that was viewed in the match against the Portuguese, when a team with so much quality as well as Sporting managed to score very hard. No players to impress individually, the group is the main force of the team. 

Possible lineups

Schalke(4-2-3-1) : Fährmann – Höger, Matip, Neustädter, Fuchs – Boateng, Aogo – Clemens, Meyer, Draxler – Huntelaar.

• Out: Höwedes (hip), Felipe Santana (adductor), Kolašinac (knee), Goretzka (thigh), Kirchhoff (knee), Farfán (knee), Giefer (adductor), Sam (back)

• Doubtful: Uchida (fitness)

Maribor(4-4-2) : Handanovič – Stojanovič, Rajčevič, Šuler, Viler – Vršič, Mertelj, Filipović, Bohar – Ibraimi, Tavares.

• Draw / Schalke - 4.50 (Bwin)  | ✖

SPORTING LISBON v CHELSEA 

Sporting Lisbon dropped through their fingers three points from the match against Maribor being equaled in the 93th minute after Nani had scored first in the 80th minute. "The Greens" are back in the Champions League after a five years break, so will be a big fan support !

Chelsea disappointed in the first round after a draw with Schalke at home and needs a victory in order to simplify things in this group, very easy at first glance. There will be a special match for Jose Mourinho, who comes into his own country as the opponent of the team, where was assistant coach in 1992-1993 season ! Portuguese coach has six games as Manager against Sporting, recording four wins and two draws. I expect Chelsea to win this game or maybe a 1-1 draw...

Possible lineups

Sporting (4-3-3) : Rui Patrício – Cédric, Maurício, Sarr, Jonathan Silva – William, Adrien,  João Mário – Carrillo, Nani, Slimani.

• Out: Rabia (abdomen)

Chelsea(4-2-3-1) : Čech – Ivanović, Terry, Cahill, Luis – Matić, Fàbregas – Willian, Oscar, Hazard – Costa.

• Out: Ramires (groin), Drogba (ankle)

• Chelsea (-1) AH - 2.50  | Chelsea won by one goal, stake returned 

BATE BORISOV v ATHLETIC BILBAO  

Possible lineups

BATE(4-4-2) : Chernik – Khagush, Filipenko, Polyakov, Mladenović – A Volodko, Aleksievich, Olekhnovich Pavlov – Gordeychuk, Rodionov.

• Out: Likhtarovich (cold)

• Doubtful: Rodionov (leg)

Athletic(4-5-1) : Iraizoz – De Marcos, Gurpegi, Laporte, Balenziaga – Iturraspe, Rico, Beñat, Susaeta, Muniain – Aduriz.

• Out: Aketxe (toe)

This is the most unpredictable game of the night. The teams are in a deep crisis, both are without a victory in September ! Belarusians have not scored more than one goal in 14 of the last 16 European games, and 4 of the last 5 games of the Basques were less than 2.5 goals. The game played at Borisov Arena is open to any outcome taking into account the fact that Basques have travelled more than 3,000 km, and the hard pitch can balanced the values, in conditions in which the Athletic team is much more technical. Expect therefore a balanced match, hotly disputed, but with few achievements and less than 2.5 goals

• Draw - 3.60  | ✖

SHAKHTAR v FC PORTO  

The match between the Shakhtar Donetsk and Porto will take place at Lviv, on neutral ground. This two teams finished without receiving goal in the first game of the group stage and probably will qualify together. 

Shakhar Donetsk can be disgruntled after the first game against Bilbao, because they secured only one point. They dominated the game by possession, were more consistency, but the team did not manage to score. After that game, the team coached by Mircea Lucescu suffered the first lost in Championship 0-1 at home with Zorya. "The miners" played last Thursday in Ukrainie Cup passing by FC Voltava witth 5:1. In conclusion, they had an extra day of rest in comparison with Porto, but also the advantage of being easier confrontation last week. 

FC Porto doesn't know the taste of defeat, although they played nine official matches already in the new season. For FC Porto after clinching the first stage success, 6-0 at home against BATE Borisov, was followed by 2 disappointing draws. They finished both games of the Championship in a tie, but if the draw Friday with Sporting Lisbon may be passed to the pluses instead draw with Boavista at home represents a minus in the evolution of the "dragons". Transferred from Granada this summer, Brahimi contribuited to the last two victories of Porto in the Champions League, 2-0 at home against Lille (a goal) and 6:0 with BATE (triple).

Possible lineups

Shakhtar (4-2-3-1) : Pyatov – Srna, Rakitskiy, Kucher, Azevedo – Stepanenko, Fernando – Douglas Costa, Alex Teixeira, Taison – Luiz Adriano.

• Out: Kryvtsov (ankle)

• Doubtful: Kucher

Porto (4-3-3) : Fabiano – Danilo, Maicon, Martins Indi, Alex Sandro – Rúben Neves, Óliver Torres, Herrera – Tello, Brahimi, Jackson.

• Out: Casemiro (ankle)

• Draw - 3.40 (Bet365)   | ✓