Champions League, October 21, 2014

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE - GROUP STAGE

AS ROMA v BAYERN MÜNCHEN 

Possible lineups

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

• Out: Keita (calf), Castán (thigh), Strootman (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), Reina (calf)

I anticipate a very balanced match this evening between two teams that have become favorites to qualify after the first games of the group stage. A draw is very likely thankful for both managers and they will not take too many risks from my point of view. There are two great defenses, which can hardly be overcome. Bayern have not received a goal in the last eight matches, while Roma has received a single goal on Olimpico this season when they led by 5-0 against CSKA Moscow. I think we will see a fairly cautious game, with two teams who are afraid of each other and the main concern will be to not lose.

• Draw - 3.80  | ✖

BARCELONA v AJAX AMSTERDAM

Possible lineups

Barcelona(4-3-3) : Ter Stegen - Alves, Bartra, Piqué, Alba - Mascherano, Rafinha, Xavi - Pedro, Messi, Neymar.

• Out: Adriano (groin), Busquets (hip), Douglas (foot), Mathieu (rested), Roberto (rested), Vermaelen (match fitness)

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

• Out: Fischer (hamstring), Serero (hamstring), Boilesen (concussion)

• Barcelona to score from a penalty - 4.00  | ✖

SCHALKE v SPORTING LISBON   

Possible lineups

Schalke(4-2-3-1) : Fährmann – Uchida, Howedes, Ayhan, Aogo - Neustädter, Hoger – Mouting, Boateng, Draxler – Huntelaar.

• Out: Felipe Santana (thigh), Kolašinac (knee), Farfán (knee), Giefer (groin) 

• Doubtful: Sam, Goretzka 

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

• Out: Rabia (stomach)

I anticipate a very nervous game in Gelsenkirchen between two teams fighting for the last qualifying position in the group. It's a match said "six points" and it is unlikely that any of the bands to throw himself into the attack. Any mistake in the defence can be decisive in qualifying equation and most likely nobody will take risks. It seems to be an underish game, but I my feeling is, despite the facts ... we can see a spectacular game... 

• both teams to score in first half - 4.50   | ✓
• both teams to score in 2nd half - 3.40   | ✓
• penalty awarded - 3.40   | ✓

BATE BORISOV v SHAKHTAR DONETSK

  

Possible lineups

BATE(4-2-3-1) : Chernik – Khagush, Tubic, Polyakov, M.Volodko – A Volodko, Likhtarovich - Baga, Karnitski, Gordeychuk - Signevich

• Out: Filipenko(thigh), Rodionov 

• Doubtful: Mladenovic 

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

• Out: Kryvtsov (ankle)

• Doubtful: Kucher

• Luis Adriano to score - 3.00   | ✓
• Douglas Costa to score - 3.50   | ✓
• both teams to score in 2nd half - 3.75  | ✖

FC PORTO v ATHLETIC BILBAO  

Possible lineups

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

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

I expect both teams to score this evening if we take into account that FC Porto has already scored eight times in two games in this group and Athletic Bilbao is one of the most spectacular teams in Spain. It is an important match for guests, because if they lose their chances to qualifiy further in Champions League will seriously decrease. Porto has scored at least two goals in five of the last seven official matches at Dragao Lopetegui has in his roster quality offensive players headed by Jackson Martinez, the hero of the match from Donetsk. Bilbao has the force to score at least once today, despite their disappointing performance this season, Muniain, Susaeta or Aduriz being quality players. 

• both teams to score in 2nd half - 3.75   | ✓