Olympiakos need at least a single point to go through as the second placed team in a group Arsenal already guaranteed to qualify at the top place.
Arsenal reported to filed some rotational players and resting some of the regular players that are considered exhausted. It is an expected move anyway as the team already qualified. Best opportunity to field the substitutes to see their shape and add experience to them.
Olympiakos have their destiny in their hands in this scenario. If they manage to stay undefeated against an already qualified Arsenal with rotational and young players, they will be through. Greek clubs are well known to make their home venue a hard place for opponents. Better to underline; Defensive approach in football is the well known Greek football mentality. National team and clubs are interestingly perform that style pretty well when necessary.
As for the prediction, Olympiakos will not risk the match at any minute. They will more likely stay at back and try to make it a midfield battle from the start. A draw looks the probable resulst here but Arsenal’s going out with rotational players might produce some unexpected occasions for both sides and wise option here seems to go for a goal prediction.
Prediction
Goals | Under 2,5
Unirea Urziceni is pretty close to make a history for their country as they will be the first Romanian team to advance from a Champions League group stage if they manage to avoid a defeat tonight against Stuttgart. The thing makes the whole dream scenario a tough one is; if Stuttgart win they will advance instead of Unirea Urziceni.
Stuttgart are quite unreliable this season, having many up and downs in the matches. However they managed to keep their hopes alive for the last matchday of the Champions League. Defining the mission is easy; Win and advance, but achieving it wouldn’t be…
Unirea Urziceni are a very organized side with their coach on duty for years. They are one of the masters of counter attacking style football which we know pays back pretty well in such competitions, and this match fits very well to the playing style of Unirea. We have mentioned their approach to such games and their ability to grab the required result in Unirea – Sevilla match as a prediction.
As for the prediction; I am expecting Unirea Urziceni to have the job done here, again. Not loosing is the result they need and they have been preparing for this match knowing that in their mind. They have to perform in the way that they are already very capable of. If the opponent was a more balanced and reliable team than we might have mentioned some other factors but Stuttgart just seem a suitable opponent for such them. I ‘ll go for Unirea Urziceni not to lose.
Prediction
Unirea Urziceni | X2 Double Chance
Extras
Goals | Under 2,5
Draw at HT | Unirea Urziceni at FT
If Wolfsburg win this game, they will advance from the group without looking to the Besiktas – CSKA Moscow match in the group.
Manchester United will travel to Germany to field mostly rotational and young players like they did against Besiktas on the previous matchday of the group,which they lost 0-1 in Old Trafford.
Wolfsburg are having ups and downs this season but they are well aware of the importance of this game and will be motivated on the top level. It is clear; A win means to qualify from the Champions League group stage. No need to look for any other factors motivational wise.
Manchester United’s rotational and young players are talented, no doubt, and I always think these kind of matches are great opportunities for them to show their worth to the manager. Still, the ones I watched against mediocre Besiktas side on their last matchday was pretty disappointing and seemed unorganized.
As for prediction, I don’t think Wolfsburg will blow their chances here, they will play for a win. They also have chance to go through if CSKA Moscow lose against Besiktas but they can’t risk it and this won’t make them to play for a draw from the beginning. Still there is a reasoning here and better to keep the draw possibility in hand. I ll go for a Wolfsburg double chance.
Prediction
Wolfsburg | 1X Double Chance
Things are a bit complicated in this group. Besiktas have the chance to continue in the Europa League if they can beat CSKA Moscow with at least a two margin but it also depends on the Wolfsburg getting at least a point against Manchester United in Germany. If Wolfsburg lose and Besiktas win; CSKA Moscow, Wolfsburg and Besiktas will all have 7 points and Besiktas will be out of European Cups with the worst general average between these three teams.
The part we should be interested here is the Besiktas being motivated to win this game and win it by a margin to keep the hopes alive and wait for a result from Germany.
Besiktas have been better comparing to the season start but failed to win at their last home game which they had the chance to be the league leader. Their squad quality is not too high and apparently they have hard times to get a result when the expectations are high. This Champions League game is one of those kinds. This leaves the door open for an upset for them in this game and considering they will approach an attacking style from the start it will not be a narrow one if so.
CSKA Moscow on the other hand will be without Berezutski and Ignashevich after a last minute ban from UEFA due to using a substance. This will lower their team defence and balance.
As for prediction, considering the fact that both teams will aim to play for and Besiktas being so willingful to score and make a margin which will also leave gaps to CSKA Moscow talented attackers; wisest choice seems like goals prediction.
Prediction
Goals | Over 2,5
Bordeaux are staying on the top of the group. They are performing well over the expectations and enjoying their lead.
Juventus on the other hand have been in a good shape recently except the last matchday that they played Udinese. They struggled to open the lock and seemed ineffective, although Udinese’s tough defense has to be underlined here.
Bordeaux in this match will probably be without creative attacking midfielder Gourcuff and the attacker Chamakh as they are doubtful. Without this duo Bordeaux’ offensive power would suddenly down to a mediocre quality.
Juventus on the other hand are nearly full squad and Del Piero might find a place on the pitch for this game.
Both teams are looking to advance and they won’t risk to lose a game before the last matchday. Therefore I expect both teams to play a cautious style from the beginning. Bordeaux anyway will be OK with a draw in this match while their best players are named doubtful. Even if they manage to play it is hard to expect a top performance from them. As for the prediction; I’ll go for a double chance in favor of Juventus.
Prediction
Juventus | X2 Double Chance
Extras
Goals | Under 2,5
Draw at HT | Juventus at FT
Manchester United are on the top of the group and guaranteed to advance. Only question remaining is whether they will be the 1st placed or 2nd. Ferguson mentioned there might be some replacements in the team to rest some of the exhausted regular players. This can be taken in two ways; Replacements are not capable of being in the starting line-up as they are the substitutes or the replacements will give extra strength to the team as they will do anything to prove themselves. I think, in teams like Manchester the second option is the one to take into consideration.
Besiktas on the other hand had no chance to be in the top two but still have hopes for a Europa League seat. They performed below the Champions League quality up to now and willing to at least play in the European Cups by grabbing the third place.
As for the prediction; I ‘ll go for a Manchester United comfortable win. There are kind of matches that rotational players wait in the season and this one is one of that kinds.
Prediction
Manchester United | Win
Extras
Correct Score | 2-0
Manchester United to keep Clean Sheet
Arsenal top the Group H of Champions League and a point will book their place in the next round while a win will guarantee advancing as the 1st placed team.
Standard Liege on the other hand still have a hope to advance. They are placed 3rd behing second placed Olympiakos and will be looking to keep their hopes alive for the last match day.
Arsenal had a bitter matchday in the domestic league as they lost to Sunderland. They will be looking to replace the morale missing and this match is a perfect situation for that. Now, they will try to give more than expected.
Standard Liege will be without De Camardo and talented Defour, plus their strong attacker Jovanovis is doubtful after a slight injury.
As for the prediction; a goal-fest seems possible here. Standard Liege will try to stay in the game and will do their best to keep their hope alives for the last match day while Arsenal will try to guarantee advancing on top which will also help them to recover from the defeat they had in the domestic league.
Prediction
Goals | Over 2,5
Unirea found themselves in a good position to advance to the next round in the Champions League. Their direct and counter attack style of play produced impressive results up to now.
Sevilla on the other hand booked their place in the next round, the question remains is whether they will be first or second placed in the group to advance.
Sevilla will be a bit relaxed before this game and might look into field some rotational players to rest some exhausted ones. They are doing pretty well in their domestic league and they are looking to keep and improve their performance in the league. Therefore, it is doubtful that if they give all they got in this match after a travel to Romania in a group they already guaranteed to advance. Plus they have a chance of a make up in the last matchday as they are playing at their home pitch against struggling G. Rangers.
Unirea’s opponent for advancing is Stuttgart and Unirea will face them on the last matchday. Things are a bit complicated between these two. They had a 1-1 draw at the first match in Romania and Unirea had two points clearance in the standings at the moment. This means they have to win in the last matchday inorder to advance if they lose against Sevilla in this match. One would prefer to play for a win at home venue rather than doing it at an away game. Therefore, Unirea will be playing for a win here but not risking the defense too much. If they got a draw, and if Stuttgart wins over G.Rangers then both teams will go on the pitch at the last matchday with the same points. Unirea will at least try to keep that single point in hand and looking for a win in that mood.
As for the prediction; I will go for a double chance in favor of Unirea. They will give all they got here and will try to produce at least enough result to keep their hopes alive on the last match day.
Prediction
Unirea | 1X Double Chance
Rubin Kazan clinched the title in domestic league last week and they are flying high at the moment. This is their two domestic championships in a row.
Dynamo Kiev on the other hand are in a good shape domestically, they beat rivals Shaktar Donetsk on the last matchday with a convincing 3-0 and coming to this match with in a good shape.
In the first game Dynamo Kiev beat Rubin Kazan after a great come back in the second half. In that match they seemed like a more balanced and determined team at the end.
Group F is open to any team at the moment. Therefore, the remaining matches will be played in a final mood.
Rubin Kazan’s title celebrations and relief is a question mark here. Right, these players are professionals and they are definately aware of the serious Champions League tournement but anyway, if you have a champions league match three days after that celebration day, it could be tricky no matter what.
There is an other factor to be underlined; Rubin Kazan have some quality players and in the transfer market they will be targeted as their domestic league is over, for sure. Some rumours already have it. The performance these players will show is a key factor while they have transfer deals in mind. This can go to both ways; Players might double their efforts or will keep it in a relaxed mood and just give an acceptable performance to avoid any potential injuries. My vote would go to the second option considering the similiar situations in the past.
By the way, The weather or pitch conditions will not be a disadvantage for Dynamo Kiev like it was for many teams travelled to Russia.
As for prediction; I am not expecting too many goals here but I will go for a double chance prediction in favor of Dynamo Kiev.
Prediction
Dynamo Kiev | X2 Double Chance
Extras
Draw at HT | Dynamo Kiev at FT
Goals | Under 2,5
