Champions League - Group Stage 21/11/2012

Arsenal - Monpellier 1.35 - 11.00

This French side lacks international experience and that is probably why they ended up losing both their games against Olympiakos. Over the two legs Montpellier were probably the stronger side, but alas, no points. The Montpellier domestic form has improved lately and they will face this game in a positive frame of mind. They have nothing to lose with no expectations on their shoulders. Camara, forward, will be suspended for the French.
Arsenal certainly knew how to take advantage of the Adebayor dismissal at the weekend. They looked to be in all kinds of trouble before the Adebayor incident, but after that it was plain sailing for Arsenal and they won the match rather impressively 5-2. K Gibbs and Gervinho will return to the Arsenal squad for this game, but T Walcott will not play tomorrow. Arsenal will face this match in a rather confident mood, I guess, but 1.35 on the home win represents no value for me.

Porto - Dinamo Zagreb 1.17 - 27.00

Not much to say really. Zagreb just do not seem to function in Europe and facing Porto in Portugal is one of the trickiest tasks there is, for stronger sides than Zagreb. Fermando and Alex Sandro will most likely miss out for the home side.

Dynamo Kiev - P S G 3.00 - 2.63

Those were the easy days for PSG, when they won 4-1 at home to this Dynamo Kiev side. The PSG campaign is in a very critical phase, but so far their crisis only takes place on their domestic front. They have played against Dinamo Zagreb twice in this group and there is no way to know if they have gone down in form also in Europe. I would think so, but we will see first tomorrow. Ibrahimovic will be back tomorrow. With him lined up PSG improve immensely and the important Motta will also be fit to play. Menez, Gameriro and Jallet will not be involved.
Kiev look set to be without Raffael, Michalik and N Kranjcar and I Brown is an injury doubt.Kiev drew 0-0 in their recent home game against Porto and I should think that also PSG would be happy returning home with a point from their visit to Ukraine. X2 game.

Schalke 04 - Olympiakos 1.45 - 8.43

In Greece Schalke missed a penalty, but at the end of the day they deservedly defeated Olympiakos 2-1. They are the better side in general, no doubt about that, but there is something about this Olympiakos side in their European fixtures. You cannot deny their overall experience on this level and they have caused upsets in Europe once or twice before. They do not fear strong sides. Last year they defeated Borussia Dortmund 3-1 in Greece and only lost 0-1 away to the same side.
So just a bit of a warning is in order, but like most people I guess this match will end in a home win. Scahlke, however, played their season worst game at the weekend, at least according to reports. I Afellay has joined Uchida, Metzelder and M Höger on the Schalke injury list.
What I know, still no Djebbour for Olympiakos. In their last league game Mitroglou played upfront flanked by Abdoun and Fuster. Schalke, likely winners, but I will pass on this fixture.

Zenit - Malaga 1.92 - 4.73

I guess I will end up backing this constantly underachieving Zenit side again. Underachieving in Europe that is, because they have won their last six domestic league games. They will miss Criscito and Lukovic tomorrow, but both N Lombaerts and Hulk will be available. Bystrov is considered a major doubt.
Malaga are already through to the play off phase and they will rest regulars tomorrow. Saviola, Joaquin and Kameni have not even made the journey to Russia. Their domestic form is far from great and they have a big home game awaiting them on Sunday vs. Valencia. Also missing will be the suspended Iturra. Zenit should win this one.

Anderlecht - Milan 2.90 - 2.61

The Belgian league leaders are on a winning run, although their winning goal arrived very late at the weekend, scored by M’bokani in the 90th minute against Kortrijk. Not so impressive I guess, but no doubt Anderlecht already had this game on their minds. Once again the home side will be without the suspended Wasilewski.
Milan were 0-2 down against Napoli, but it was against the run of the play. It was their keeper Abbiati who gifted Napoli their two goals. That is Abbiati, the best or the worst, nothing in between. Milan fought back, El Shaarawy scored twice and Milan earned a deserved point. It is a sign of strength coming back from 0-2 down away to Napoli. Tricky one, but I prefer the away win alternative.

Ajax - Borussia Dortmund 4.33 - 2.00

The home side is hopeful that both their defender Alderweireld and keeper K Vermeer will be back for this game, but they have to manage without their injured striker R Babel. Boerrigter and Chr.Eriksen will most likely start upfront, but who will be their third man?
Lewandowski is back, both playing and scoring for his Dortmund side.
Borussia won 1-0 at home to Ajax thanks to a very late Lewandowski goal. They missed a penalty, they squandered numerous scoring chances, but Ajax were far from outplayed dominating the ball possession in true Ajax fashion. I am not impressed by the present Ajax strike force and my choice will be the away win.

Manchester City - Real Madrid 3.36 - 2.35

Must be the first time Mancini’s City are outsiders in a home fixture. You may say what you like, but backing the home win is inevitable for this writer. I just have to take advantage of the favourable odds. They can do it, they can defeat Real. They were 2-1 up at the Bernabeu Stadium in the second half, but Real won the match 3-2. City are probably in their best form of the season and then we will see if their European anguish will still linger on tomorrow.
Both Benzema and Khedira were back playing for Real at the weekend, but they go on missing players like Higuain and Marcelo. Real just look great and this match have everything that makes me believe that we are about to witness a truly great game tomorrow. City have to win this match and Real, they are always going for the three points. Home win, say 4-3 or 3-2. Yes, I am serious, but maybe not right.