Champions League Preview (Tuesday, 09.18.07)
Group A could have the match of the day with Liverpool traveling to Porto. If Saturday's match against Portsmouth was further proof that manager Rafa Benitez has still to figure out how to field a proper side in the Premier League, this should be further proof he knows how to secure advancement in the Champions League. Look for 1-1 draw, but overall a very exciting match. Especially given that Fernando Torres will want to make his arrival on this stage immediately felt. Marseille hosts Turkish club Besiktas in a what should be the French club making an early effort to solidify their place in the UEFA Cup.
Prediction: Porto 1 - Liverpool 1; Marseille 2 - Besiktas 0
Expect plenty of fireworks at Stamford Bridge this evening...From the boardroom should Chelsea fail to brush aside Rosenborg. The Norwegian club ought to be a sure 3 points for all the other clubs in Group B. That being said, Chelsea's poor league start will only be magnified if they fail to cruise to victory tonight. Schalke hosts Valencia in the other match. I like Schalke to advance out of this group with Chelsea. And I expect them to take full points in the opening fixture.
Prediction: Chelsea 4 - Rosenborg 0; Schalke 2 - Valencia 1
Group C has a couple enticing match ups. To begin, the Olympiakos vs. Lazio match is quite important for the Italian side as they are not to be overlooked with a majority of the attention being paid to Real Madrid and Werder Bremen. If they can get full points traveling to Greece it sets them up early to be a spoiler to the other top clubs in the group. Speaking of which, if Real Madrid keep their current La Liga form in the Champions League it could be time to consider them a serious threat to conquer Europe. When I think of Real Madrid right now I think of one player: Wesley Schneider. The Dutchman has been phenomenal. Werder Bremen will be ready though. Surely this is a date they've had circled in the calendar for quite some time. But Madrid at home just seems a bit much for the Germans to overcome right now.
Prediction: Olympiakos 0 - Lazio 1; Real Madrid 3 - Werder Bremen 1
Holders AC Milan welcome Benfica tonight. Coming off a disappointing result over the weekend Milan will have to get things right in a hurry. Benfica are always difficult and I would not be at all surprised if they manage a draw in Italy tonight. The other Group C fixture has Celtic traveling to Shakhtar Donetsk. Despite being the opening match, it is crucial for Celtic to take 3 points in Ukraine tonight. Should they draw - or worse, lose - I would be willing to go so far as to say Celtic would have a very deep hole to climb out of. Celtic will be extremely tough at home and I could see them not losing a single match in Scotland during the Group Stage. But I also could see them losing big in Italy and Portugal.
Prediction: AC Milan 0 - Benfica 0; Shakhtar Donetsk 2 - Celtic 2
Prediction: Porto 1 - Liverpool 1; Marseille 2 - Besiktas 0
Expect plenty of fireworks at Stamford Bridge this evening...From the boardroom should Chelsea fail to brush aside Rosenborg. The Norwegian club ought to be a sure 3 points for all the other clubs in Group B. That being said, Chelsea's poor league start will only be magnified if they fail to cruise to victory tonight. Schalke hosts Valencia in the other match. I like Schalke to advance out of this group with Chelsea. And I expect them to take full points in the opening fixture.
Prediction: Chelsea 4 - Rosenborg 0; Schalke 2 - Valencia 1
Group C has a couple enticing match ups. To begin, the Olympiakos vs. Lazio match is quite important for the Italian side as they are not to be overlooked with a majority of the attention being paid to Real Madrid and Werder Bremen. If they can get full points traveling to Greece it sets them up early to be a spoiler to the other top clubs in the group. Speaking of which, if Real Madrid keep their current La Liga form in the Champions League it could be time to consider them a serious threat to conquer Europe. When I think of Real Madrid right now I think of one player: Wesley Schneider. The Dutchman has been phenomenal. Werder Bremen will be ready though. Surely this is a date they've had circled in the calendar for quite some time. But Madrid at home just seems a bit much for the Germans to overcome right now.
Prediction: Olympiakos 0 - Lazio 1; Real Madrid 3 - Werder Bremen 1
Holders AC Milan welcome Benfica tonight. Coming off a disappointing result over the weekend Milan will have to get things right in a hurry. Benfica are always difficult and I would not be at all surprised if they manage a draw in Italy tonight. The other Group C fixture has Celtic traveling to Shakhtar Donetsk. Despite being the opening match, it is crucial for Celtic to take 3 points in Ukraine tonight. Should they draw - or worse, lose - I would be willing to go so far as to say Celtic would have a very deep hole to climb out of. Celtic will be extremely tough at home and I could see them not losing a single match in Scotland during the Group Stage. But I also could see them losing big in Italy and Portugal.
Prediction: AC Milan 0 - Benfica 0; Shakhtar Donetsk 2 - Celtic 2
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