Tonight's Champions League Results
The Champions League group games start tonight with Arsenal and Liverpool in action.
Eight ties and for every team it's important not to lose but I see most games having a positive result with only one ending in a draw.
Olympiakos are a strong side at home, their two games this season have been 3-1 and 3-0 wins. They are bedding in some new signings which makes them a little vulnerable but they are an experienced Champions League club. They have found themselves in a very tough group for them and it will be important for the other sides to pick up points against them.
Atletico Madrid are bedding in some new players who have to learn the Simeone system, however they have started the La Liga season as defending champions well with a 0-0 draw and two straight 2-1 wins, one against rivals Real Madrid at the Bernabeu. They have bought Manduzkic to replace the departed Costa and Tottenham target Antoine Griezmann, a goal scoring wide man. They still look to have enough fire power to overcome the Greeks 1-0 or 2-1.
This looks a one sided affair on paper, the Italians have been dominant domestically in the last few years but have made no impression in the Champions League and were beaten by Benfica in last seasons Europa League. They only win 1 game in the Campions League and are determined to get off to a fast start this season. That is probably essential for their confidence but they are missing midfield duo Andrea Pirlo and Arturo Vidal.
Malmo FF, coached by Age Hareide, are Swedish champions and have set themselves a target of finishing third in the group and therefore gaining entry into the Europa League. They have had to win three qualifying games just to get here and everyone will be expecting them to finish bottom.
Their task is made tougher though by injuries to defender Ricardinho and midfielder Simon Thern, For them to have any impact you would think they will need their best XI fit for every game. Juventus have an outstanding home record domestically and that should continue in this group opener.
A home loss to Aston Villa was not the ideal preparation for the Champions League but the fact Liverpool are back in the competition after an absence will give them a huge boost and in Mario Balotelli they have a striker who will always score goals, he was one of the buys of the summer for me.
Ludogorets are a Bulgarian football club that were amateurs 4 years ago and who haven't played a game since 27th August. In last seasons Europa League they put out Lazio but lost both games to Valencia. They look to be the whipping boys and should Liverpool should collect the three points.
The Champions League holders begin their defence against Basel in a game I expect the to win but may not be the one sided affair some probably think it will be. Real Madrid may be full of superstars but they have started the season poorly losing 2 of their opening 3 La Liga games. The are sorely missing Xabi Alonso who now plays at Bayern Munich and haven't yet found the answer to his absence. There are also stories that Cristiano Ronaldo is not happy with both Manchester United and Chelsea said to be preparing bids for him.
Basel are another side we know from the Europa League, a side who played us off the park. We know they have great movement and with Alonso missing that could well be a problem. I think they'll score but perhaps go down 2-1.
Benfica put us out of the UEFA Europa League last season on their way to the final losing to Sevilla. They sit 4th in the Portuguese league and have started the season in reasonable form again. However they come up against a Zenit side, now managed by Andre Villas-Boas, who sit top of the Russian league and are winning everything at the moment. This is going to be a very tough game for Benfica I believe and I take the Portuguese boss to put one over on the Portuguese team.
These two complete Group C with Benfica and Zenit so this is a big game even though it's the first one. Monaco are in disarray at the moment losing Abidal, Falcao, Rodriguez, Riviere, Brazite and Medjani without it seems getting any adequate replacements. They started the season losing 2-1 to Lorient, 4-1 to Bordeaux, beat Nantes 1-0, drew 1-1 with Lille and lost in their last game 2-1 to Lyon. They sit 19th in Ligue after 5 games having only won 1 and drawn 1.
Leverkusen have beaten Dortmund away 2-0, beat Herta Berlin 4-3 and drew 3-3 with Werder Bremen. This is the time to be taking Monaco on and I'm backing the side who have had 6 different goalscorers already Bayer Leverkusen for a comfortable win.
Borussia Dortmund at home should be a tough nut to crack but they have not been in the greatest of form so far. They lost 2-0 to Bayer Leverkusen at home on the opening day before getting their season on track, but have conceded in every game. Mind you so have Arsenal which suggests perhaps a score draw. It should be a tough game but even in the difficult ties Arsenal always seem to be able to come away with something. I can see this being either 0-0 or 2-2.
These two are in the same group as Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund so you'd expect them to finish third and fourth respectively. If a side wants to put themselves in pole position for third place then they have to be winning this game and I take Galatasaray to do just that. In their last 4 games Anderlecht have had three 2-2 draws and a 1-0 win, Galatasaray have started the season with a 2-0 win and a 0-0 draw. The Turkish side will make home advantage tell and the Belgians.
Eight ties and for every team it's important not to lose but I see most games having a positive result with only one ending in a draw.
Group A - Olympiakos v Atletico Madrid - Away win
Olympiakos are a strong side at home, their two games this season have been 3-1 and 3-0 wins. They are bedding in some new signings which makes them a little vulnerable but they are an experienced Champions League club. They have found themselves in a very tough group for them and it will be important for the other sides to pick up points against them.
Atletico Madrid are bedding in some new players who have to learn the Simeone system, however they have started the La Liga season as defending champions well with a 0-0 draw and two straight 2-1 wins, one against rivals Real Madrid at the Bernabeu. They have bought Manduzkic to replace the departed Costa and Tottenham target Antoine Griezmann, a goal scoring wide man. They still look to have enough fire power to overcome the Greeks 1-0 or 2-1.
Group A - Juventus v Malmo - Home win
This looks a one sided affair on paper, the Italians have been dominant domestically in the last few years but have made no impression in the Champions League and were beaten by Benfica in last seasons Europa League. They only win 1 game in the Campions League and are determined to get off to a fast start this season. That is probably essential for their confidence but they are missing midfield duo Andrea Pirlo and Arturo Vidal.
Malmo FF, coached by Age Hareide, are Swedish champions and have set themselves a target of finishing third in the group and therefore gaining entry into the Europa League. They have had to win three qualifying games just to get here and everyone will be expecting them to finish bottom.
Their task is made tougher though by injuries to defender Ricardinho and midfielder Simon Thern, For them to have any impact you would think they will need their best XI fit for every game. Juventus have an outstanding home record domestically and that should continue in this group opener.
Group B - Liverpool v Ludogorets - Home win
A home loss to Aston Villa was not the ideal preparation for the Champions League but the fact Liverpool are back in the competition after an absence will give them a huge boost and in Mario Balotelli they have a striker who will always score goals, he was one of the buys of the summer for me.
Ludogorets are a Bulgarian football club that were amateurs 4 years ago and who haven't played a game since 27th August. In last seasons Europa League they put out Lazio but lost both games to Valencia. They look to be the whipping boys and should Liverpool should collect the three points.
Group B - Real Madrid v Basel - Home win
The Champions League holders begin their defence against Basel in a game I expect the to win but may not be the one sided affair some probably think it will be. Real Madrid may be full of superstars but they have started the season poorly losing 2 of their opening 3 La Liga games. The are sorely missing Xabi Alonso who now plays at Bayern Munich and haven't yet found the answer to his absence. There are also stories that Cristiano Ronaldo is not happy with both Manchester United and Chelsea said to be preparing bids for him.
Basel are another side we know from the Europa League, a side who played us off the park. We know they have great movement and with Alonso missing that could well be a problem. I think they'll score but perhaps go down 2-1.
Group C - Benfica v Zenit St Petersburg - Away win
Benfica put us out of the UEFA Europa League last season on their way to the final losing to Sevilla. They sit 4th in the Portuguese league and have started the season in reasonable form again. However they come up against a Zenit side, now managed by Andre Villas-Boas, who sit top of the Russian league and are winning everything at the moment. This is going to be a very tough game for Benfica I believe and I take the Portuguese boss to put one over on the Portuguese team.
Group C - Monaco v Bayer Leverkusen - Away win
These two complete Group C with Benfica and Zenit so this is a big game even though it's the first one. Monaco are in disarray at the moment losing Abidal, Falcao, Rodriguez, Riviere, Brazite and Medjani without it seems getting any adequate replacements. They started the season losing 2-1 to Lorient, 4-1 to Bordeaux, beat Nantes 1-0, drew 1-1 with Lille and lost in their last game 2-1 to Lyon. They sit 19th in Ligue after 5 games having only won 1 and drawn 1.
Leverkusen have beaten Dortmund away 2-0, beat Herta Berlin 4-3 and drew 3-3 with Werder Bremen. This is the time to be taking Monaco on and I'm backing the side who have had 6 different goalscorers already Bayer Leverkusen for a comfortable win.
Group D - Borussia Dortmund v Arsenal - Draw
Borussia Dortmund at home should be a tough nut to crack but they have not been in the greatest of form so far. They lost 2-0 to Bayer Leverkusen at home on the opening day before getting their season on track, but have conceded in every game. Mind you so have Arsenal which suggests perhaps a score draw. It should be a tough game but even in the difficult ties Arsenal always seem to be able to come away with something. I can see this being either 0-0 or 2-2.
Group D - Galatasaray v Anderlecht - Home win
These two are in the same group as Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund so you'd expect them to finish third and fourth respectively. If a side wants to put themselves in pole position for third place then they have to be winning this game and I take Galatasaray to do just that. In their last 4 games Anderlecht have had three 2-2 draws and a 1-0 win, Galatasaray have started the season with a 2-0 win and a 0-0 draw. The Turkish side will make home advantage tell and the Belgians.
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