Sturm Graz has no chance to qualify from the group while Dinamo Bucharest have a chance even it is slim. They will wait Panathinaikos to lost in Istanbul against Galatasaray today if that happens; they will try to beat Panathinaikos on the last matchday in Athens. Sounds like mission impossible but still, it is a possibility on the table.

Dinamo Bucharest will be playing with their fans as the fan ban they had is now over. They will also welcome some of their doubtful players back in the team.

Sturm Graz on the other hand played some good matches in this group. They never got outplayed in any match but they just couldn’t find a way to get a result. Plus, their manager said in the press conference that they will be playing for pride and won’t take this match as a friendly game.

As for the prediction; I don’t think Dinamo Bucharest will have an easy day here. Sturm Graz might be out of the race but they definately could have collected more points if they were a bit more careful. Even the hosts win this, I don’t think they can outplay Sturm Graz, and if Sturm Graz keep it serious and perform like the previous matches in the group, they might cause an upset here, as well. The wisest choice would be to go for an under prediction.

Prediction
Goals | Under 2,5
Extras
Draw at HT | Draw at FT
Sturm Graz | Not to Lose

Both teams are placed on the top two in the group standings, respectively. Galatasaray being on the top with a point clearance.

Galatasaray won the first match in the group stage in Athens 1-3 and Panathinaikos are looking forward to make it even and secure the next round with this encounter. A win or a draw will do it for Panathinaikos, if not, they still have the upper hand on the last matchday, which they play at home against Dinamo Bucharest. Galatasaray already secured its place to advance, the only unanswered question for them is whether they will be the first placed or second.

Galatasaray are an offensive minded team but as mentioned in some earlier predictions in here; they lack quality in defence and central midfield. This also directly effect their strong offensive side in the matches against balanced teams.

Panathinaikos on the other hand are coming from a disappointing 2-0 derby loss against Olympiakos on the last matchday of their domestic league. They had their chances in that match but Olympiakos experienced goalkeeper was there to stop them. Today, they will also be looking for a bounce back. Another good reason for motivation.

As for prediction; I am expecting a tough battle on the pitch. Panathinaikos are a balanced team with some counter attack offensive threats, and as mentioned above; defensive side is the part where Galatasaray suffer much. I will go for a double chance in favor of Panathinaikos here.

Prediction
Panathinaikos | X2 Double Chance

AEK – Everton | Prediction: X2 Double Chance Result: 0-1
Twente – Fenerbahce | Prediction: Under 2,5 Result: 0-1

Third placed AEK and second placed Everton will meet in Athens in this important clash which will directly effect the advancing teams.

AEK have been disappointing recently but they managed to overcome a tough PAOK side in the domestic league on the last match day. That match was mentioned in the prediction here. This win had a positive effect on the team for sure but it didn’t wipe out all the problems the club have. The financial status is still causing a big unrest and it effects the players pretty much.

Everton on the other hand are having ups and downs lately and doing actually below the expectations in the English Premier League.  Their home defeat in the Merseyside Derby against Liverpool hurt them indeed. They will be looking to recover with at least an acceptable score from this match.

Everton will have some injury problems for this match and they are mostly defensive players. The missing list includes ineligibe players Lucas Neill and John Heitinga and injured players Joseph Yobo, Phil Neville, Phil Jagielka, Sylvain Distin, James Vaughan, Leon Osman, Mikel Arteta and Victor Anichebe. That’s an important bunch of players. Sylvian Distin reported to be doubtful and might play which is up to manager’s decision. The team still has lots of quality players including the on form attacker Bilyaletdinov, Jo, Yakubu and the offensive strentgh will even rise with the returning of Saha but still the missings will effect the team play, for sure.

As for prediction; I think the quality is on Everton’s side despite the important missings. AEK will try to attack but their offensive strength has a limit. Everton here will decide how this game will be played and I think they will not be disappointed with a draw from Athens. Therefore, I expect a slow tempo game which will be under Everton’ s control. AEK should win inorder to qualify, thats right but it is not a reliable reasoning for a prediction if the team don’t have a consistent form. Going for Everton not to lose seems a wise option.

Prediction
Everton | X2 Double Chance
Extras
Draw at HT | Everton at FT
Goals | Under 2,5

Twente are flying high in the domestic league and staying on the top of the standings. They have been quite impressive and they are not only getting results but also performing some quality football lately. They have their tenth victory in a row in the domestic league.

Fenerbahce on the other hand are having some hard times despite staying on the top of the Turkish Super League. They lost a local derby before the last matchday, and lost to relegation zone team Kasimpasa on the last matchday. Kasimpasa match was mentioned in the prediction here.

In the first game of this clash, Twente beat Fenerbahce 1-2 in Istanbul, thanks to the two goals came in 10 minutes and that defeat was the only defeat Fenerbahce got in this group; they have won the all three games since then and staying at the top of the group.

Fenerbahce have important missings for this match. Their enthusiastic and talented midfielder Emre Belozoglu will be out due to injury. His absence effects them too much. Colin Kazim-Richards will miss the game due to injury as well. A defensive midfielder will replace Emre’s position and that will lower the creativity and balance in the midfield but give extra strength to the team defense.

Twente will be with full squad except Theo who was already out due to a long term injury.

Fenerbahce manager Daum said in his press conference that they will gain their momentum starting from this match. Players are also under heavy criticism and they know they will silence those only if they produce some positiveness on the pitch.

Twente manager McLaren seemed comfortable in the press conference and stated that they surprised Fenerbahce in the first match and gave them their only defeat in the group but he added that now Fenerbahce are aware of Twente’s strong sides plus the willingness of Fenerbahce players to produce a good result after a two weeks bad run in their domestic league will make things harder for Twente.

The extra fan support Fenerbahce will have in Netherlands have to be underlined as well.

As for prediction; I am expecting a tactical battle in this match. A loss would damage Twente a lot as they sit on the second place and they are still under danger. They won’t risk to lose and will probably choose a conservative approach to the game. Fenerbahce on the other hand will be more than OK with a draw as it will keep them at the top before the last matchday. I don’t think this clash will produce too many goals considering the facts mentioned above.

Prediction
Goals | Under 2,5
Extras
Draw at HT | Draw at FT

Quarter Final of the English League Cup brings us a Manchester United – Tottenham clash. Both teams faced in the final of the very same cup last year where Manchester United won the title.

For Manchester United and some other top fliers, these kind of cup matches in the busiest time of the fixtures are a good opportunity to field youngsters. Mostly, these youngsters give more than a regular would give in such games to prove a point and stay in the manager’s plans.

Tottenham on the other hand are taking this cup more seriously than Manchester United do. Club board and manager mentioned they would be delighted to have a cup trophy in their cabinet. League Cup is the most suitable one around, isn’t it?

Manchester United youngsters were pretty useless in their Champions League match against Besiktas which they lost 0-1 at their home venue. They were unable to show their true potential due the opponents solid defensive approach and taking the match more seriously than them, which surprised me a bit actually. Apperantly, similiar kind of situation is awating us here and Tottenham are way more dangerous than Besiktas when it comes to taking games seriously.

As for the prediction; I am expecting Tottenham’s willing to go through will overcome the talents of Manchester United’s youngster. So, it sounds right to say; Tottenham will not lose this one.

Prediction
Tottenham | X2 Double Chance
Extras
Draw at HT | Tottenham at FT

Kaiserslautern – A. Bielefeld | Prediction: 1X Double Chance Result: 1-0

Closing game of the German 2nd Bundesliga 14th matchday with a clash of two top fliers; 1. FC Kaiserslautern and Arminia Bielefeld.

Two defensively impressive teams are flying high in the standings while 1. FC Kaiserslautern sit on he top and Arminia Bielefeld stay on the 3rd place.

Kaiserslautern have been performing quite well up to now and they proved they also have quality in offense addition to their nearly perfect defensive side.

Arminia Bielefeld on the other hand has also nothing less than 1. FC Kaiserslautern when it comes to show some defensive skill but just recently struggling in the offensive side of the game scoring no goals in their latest two encounters. Their lost against 1860 Munich on the last matchdat was one of the examples and concerning the Bielefelders. On th other hand, their impressive defensive record includes a clean sheet for 8 matches in a row before last matchday lost against 1860 Munich.

Kaiserslautern will be without their attacker Lakic and also Mathias Abel due to injuries. Lakic have been not so productive in the offense therefore that shouldn’t be a big blow for the 1. FC Kaiserslautern side.

Arminia Bielefeld will be without defender Schueler due to injury. As he is not a regular starting line-up this won’t effect Bielefeld that much, too.

1. FC Kaiserslautern fans are taking this match seriously and they will probably fullfill the stadium.

As for the prediction; I am expecting a tactical battle especially in the midfield. These two defensively well built teams will not leave so many gaps in the defense no matter the result is. Therefore, it wouldn’t be that realistic to predict a high scoring game on a Monday night. With the help of the huge support of the fans, 1. FC Kaiserslautern has the upper hand here without a doubt and a narrow win for them is likely but wiser choice would be to go for a double chance in favor of 1. FC Kaiserslautern, considering that a draw also won’t be a bad outcome for both teams plus Arminia Bielefeld will be more than happy with a possible draw and thus going out on the pitch with that in their minds.

Prediction
1. FC Kaiserslautern | 1X Double Chance
Extras
Goals | Under 2,5

Atletico Madrid are at a place that they are not familiar with. They are at the bottom of the Spanish Primera Division and things have not been going well, up to now.

Espanyol on the other hand are also struggling especially in the recent weeks. They have some serious problems in their attacking organizations and this made them suffer on the matches against Getafe and Gijon where they lost without scoring a single goal.

Atletico Madrid will give all they got here and try to turn things around and looking to make this match a new beginning. Espanyol seems a suitable opponent for a such come back.

As for the prediction; I expect Atletico Madrid to play their hearts out and finally get the win they have been looking for to turn things around. I’ll go for an Atletico Madrid Win.

Prediction
Atletico Madrid | Win
Extras
Goals | Over 2,5

Lyon had an impressive Champions League campaign considering the fact that they qualified from a tough group leaving  Liverpool out of the picture. Now they are fully focused to the domestic league where they had some unexpected point losses recently.

Rennes are known to cause trouble to Lyon especially in the recent years. They are an unpredictable team which has ups and downs in the matches.

As for the prediction; I expect Lyon too fully concentrate on this match leaving the Champions League group stage out of their mind which they already qualified. There is a squad quality difference between Lyon and Rennes and this is kind of a situation where the quality makes the difference. I’ll go for a Lyon win.

Prediction
Lyon | Win
Extras
Draw at HT | Lyon at FT