Champions League Matches Preview & Predictions - Oct 17th

Woo.. Its time for champions league again! After missing champions league action for 3 weeks straight, i bet most fans must be dying to see all the best teams in Europe battle it out for the coveted european champions trophy again! The 1st match day is indeed filled with the big teams as Real Madrid, Manchester United, AC Milan and
Arsenal will be up against relatively weaker counterparts. Despite so, anyone wld tell u that these supposedly weaker teams are most capable of springing surprises and knocking out the bigger names. So lets take a peek at what we have up for the 1st day of European action and some of my own predictions...

Tuesday, October 17th 2006

Group E

Dynamo Kiev vs Lyon

Dynamo Kiev have let in a total of 9 goals in just two games in the competition so far. Their defence has been at the bulk of the criticism and it doesn't look like its going to change overnight for this game. Lyon on the other hand tops the group with 6 maximum pts including an impressive win over Real Madrid. Therefore, everything points to a comfortable win in Lyon's favour. However, backed by a strong crowd support and eagerness to salvage some pride, I expect Kiev to be fully charged up for this game. Hence, I forsee a tight match for this one.

My humble Prediction: Dynamo Kiev to lose 1-2.

Steaua Bucharest vs Real Madrid

Madrid has been experiencing a rough patch recently. After slumping to their first league loss this season over the weekend, they now find themselves 6 pts of the title race in the Primera Liga. Similarly in the Champions League, they are now 2nd in place behind Lyon. Despite losing their 1st match to Lyon, they managed to get back into their winning streak by thumping Dynamo Kiev 5-1. And with their key players rested during against Getafe, you can expect a rejuvenated Madrid side, hungry for success. Hence,

My humble Prediction: Real Madrid to win 2-1, with Raul having a hand in both goals.

Group F

Celtic vs Benfica

This is most likely to be a very tight match. With Copenhagen facing Man U, both teams will be eager to gain something out of this so as to secure 2nd place.

My humble Prediction: A 1-1 draw...

Manchester United vs FC Copenhagen

To be previewed in a separate post.

Group G

CSKA Moscow vs Arsenal

To be previewed in a separate post.

Porto vs Hamburg

My Humble Prediction: Porto to edge out Hamburg 2-1

Group H

Lille vs AEK Athens

My humble Prediction: Lille to win 2-1

Anderlecht vs AC Milan

The six-times European champions arrive in Belgium on the back of four consecutive draws - including the Lille game - a sequence which has caused the club to slip 10 points behind Serie A leaders Inter Milan. Their strikers have not scored since Filippo Inzaghi hit the target in the 3-0 win over AEK Athens in their Champions League opener more than a month ago. Hence, i most certainly wld not fancy an easy win for Milan here.

My humble Prediction: A 0-0 draw...

Alright, there u have it.. Be sure to come back for the review of today's matches and see all the goals, spills, action and gossip!
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