Welcome to the Best Bet Soccer preview of the European Champions League matches for 8 December 2009.
We’ve previously mentioned that we consider this round of matches just too difficult. There are several games where the result will have a direct impact on whether or not either or both teams go through. There are other matches where there is virtually nothing riding on the outcome. There are one or two which were simply too difficult to call.
Wolfsburg are at home to Manchester United. Manchester United are virtually certain of qualification. With their injury problems we believe they may have difficulty overcoming Wolfsburg. Wolfsburg need the win to be themselves almost certain of qualification. The result in the match between CSKA Moscow and Besiktas is a very difficult one to call but we can see a situation where CSKA absolutely overwhelm Besiktas and could steal the second spot if Wolfsburg don’t convincingly beat Manchester United. We’ll leave this group alone.
We then have FC Zürich versus AC Milan. AC Milan really should have the beating of Zürich and this would see them nicely through to the knockout stages, whatever happens in the match between Marseille and Real Madrid. However, AC Milan have been unreliable this season and we cannot support them. In the Marseille/Real Madrid match a win would see Marseille nicely through to the knockout stages and could leave Real Madrid with a problem. Given home advantage we can see Marseille at least holding out for a point but not overconfident in the outcome so will also be leaving this group alone.
Chelsea will be at very short odds for a home win against Apoel Nicosia. Although we expect them to win we cannot take them on at the expected odds. Particularly where the match means nothing to Chelsea but Apoel Nicosia need all three points to have any chance of qualifying for the Europa Cup there is a distinct possibility of a shock result. In the second match in this group FC Porto are also already through to the knockout stages. They play Atletico Madrid who with a win would be certain to take their place in the last 32 of the Europa cup. FC Porto cannot overtake Chelsea to top spot and therefore the match means almost nothing to them whereas Atletico both have something to prove and the certainty of a place in the Europa cup at stake. We’ll certainly be leaving this group alone.
That leaves us with group A where Bordeaux play away Maccabi Haifa. In the normal run of things we would expect Bordeaux to win comfortably. However, they are already qualified and guaranteed top spot. Although the Maccabi Haifa so far have no points this could be their big opportunity! The remaining match in this group really is the one with all to play for where Juventus are at home to Bayern Munich. With Juventus on 8 points Bayern on 7 where a draw will be sufficient for Juventus, Bayern really have to go all out for the win. With Juventus possibly at the end of a good run but with Bayern Munich apparently beginning to hit form this one really could go either way. We’ll therefore be leaving this one alone too.
No selections on Tuesday. Look out for our Wednesday review.
