Here we go for Match Day Two in the Champions League over the next two days. The first week had a few surprises and I wouldn’t bet against a few more this time around. Already drama has started with Jose Mourinho walking out of a pre match press conference after taking exception to questions regarding Kevin DeBryne. I would be surprised if this was the only drama of the next 48 hours.
We see a reverse of the days from Match Day one and so the teams who played on Tuesday last time now play on the Wednesday and vice versa. Without further delay let me give you a rundown of how it looks.
All kick offs are at 7:45 BST/2:45 ET unless stated.
GROUP E:
FC Basel v Schalke:
After match day one you would have not expected Basel to be top of the Group. At half time last time out they were down 1-0 away to Chelsea only to turn it around for a 2-1 victory.
This game they will be at home and we will get to see exactly in the Chelsea result was a sign of things to come or just a one off. In Schalke though they have a more organized German side who I doubt would let a winning score get turned over so easily.
At the weekend Basel conceded a goal after 3 minutes at home but again overturned the deficit after halftime to be looking at a 2-1 win before FC Sion scored to tie it up three minutes from time. That should give Schalke a bit of confidence but their weekend game wasn’t much better. 2-0 up after 15 minutes they let Hoffenheim back in the game. Just before the half Schalke restored their two goal advantage to 3-1 but conceded two goals in the first twenty minutes of the second half wiped out the lead and hold them to a draw.
Prediction: 1-2
S Bucuresti v Chelsea:
The visitors did lose to the hosts by a 1-0 score line last March. Although that was in the Europa League and Chelsea went on to win the whole competition. Make no mistake though, no Chelsea fan will see it as a sign if they lose this one 1-0 Tuesday. A win is essential for both sides for this game to kick start their Champions League campaign.
Steaua won 3-0 in their game at the weekend and Chelsea, considered one of the favorites, are struggling in their League. Eleven points from the first six games is certainly better than the two Manchester sides can boast currently but the fact is Chelsea do not look as if they have the cutting edge they did the first time around under Mourinho.
Prediction: 1-1
GROUP F:
B Dortmund v Marseille:
Again, as in Group E the two Match Day One winners play each other and obviously then so do the two losers. This match is a battle between the latter. Marseille lost at home against Arsenal in the opening day in a Group where home wins are going to be essential. Now they face Dortmund in Germany who, although will not have Klopp on the touchline, will still provide a tough test for the French side.
Klopp will serve his one game suspension after losing his cool in the previous Champions League game. The Germans certainly warmed up in good style with a weekend 5-0 demolition of SC Freiburg.
Marseille fans will be expecting better from their side also with experienced veterans in their side. If they can play as well as they did at home to Arsenal but maybe be a bit more clinical in front of goal then they may not be six and out.
Prediction: 2-0
Arsenal v Napoli:
I am not sure there are many sides who will envy the thought of playing Arsenal at this current point in time. After losing their initial home game they have gone on an amazing run, in all competitions and find themselves 2 points clear at the top of the Premier League and a huge 8pts away from United.
Like I had said earlier, the home games are important and you need to win those to give yourself a good chance of progressing. Wenger is a Champions League veteran and will be well aware of what needs to be done. Their weekend game was a dominant one against Swansea but again the minds drifted towards the end to let the Welsh side back in and ride out a nervy end.
Napoli coach will return to London after Managing Chelsea to the Europa League title last time around. He too will be well aware of what is needed for this game. His side needs to slow it down, spread Arsenal out and quiet the fans. A draw would be a good result in the grand scheme of things but if the Italian side could get a win then watch their odds get cut.
Prediction: 1-1
GROUP G:
Zenit v Austria Wien (Kick Off 5pm BST/12pm ET)
I do not honestly think either of these two sides will progress in the Champions League with the two other sides in the Group Porto and Atletico. So if you wanted you could look at this as the first of a two leg playoff final for progression to the Europa League.
The Russian side have made it five straight wins in their domestic league, including this weekends 4-2 win against Spartak Moscow, but this is more than a step up for them and it is a very unforgiving game.
Austria Wien, if I were a betting man, would be the ones to end up at the bottom of the barrel when all six games have been played.
Prediction: 2-0
Porto v Atletico:
I have spoken about making your home stadium a fortress then you only have to look at the Portuguese side as an example of that. Their home domestic League form is fantastic as they are currently on a 75 game undefeated run. If they could translate that into Europe it would be a dominating side. As it is they cannot and in Atletico they will arguably face the toughest opposition, at least so far this season.
Speaking of the visitors, they barely lost away to Real Madrid at the weekend. Costa is out through a ban and Lopez is out after fracturing his cheekbone in Match day One.
Prediction: 2-0
GROUP H:
Ajax v Milan
Last time out Ajax were hammered by Barcelona 4-0. This time out they will look to stop AC Milan who also won their opening game, although not as convincing, relying on two late goals in a home game against Celtic.
Ajax go into the game after having scoring practice on the weekend. Half Time it was 0-0 but with 20 minutes to go Ajax found themselves 6-0 up.
AC Milan were second best at times against Celtic and were extremely lucky to get the go ahead goal and the 2-0 score line was extremely flattering of the Italians. Away from home and against possibly a stronger side, certainly one with something to prove, this might be a better idea of what kind of Milan we will get throughout this tournament.
Celtic v Barcelona:
Neil Lennon was asked what he made of the absence of Lionel Messi for their game tonight. He said it was good news for them and to a certain extent it is. However, I doubt Iniesta, Busquets, Dos Santos, Fabregas and Xavi will be allowed that as an excuse by the fans or the Manager if they fail to win and win convincingly in Scotland.
The better news for Celtic, I would argue, is the fact that Samaras has started scoring again. He netted a hat trick at the weekend, his first hat trick in the League in six years.
This Group could not have been any more difficult for Celtic had they tried and so their realistic expectations would be to try their best to secure the third position, but ultimately give a good account of themselves.
Prediction: 0-3
