Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Champions League Day Three

Its another day of top European football as the big guns clash against each other for honors. Two English Clubs take on their German counterparts in what promises to be an entertaining and highly tactical game of football.

Arsenal host Dortmund at the Emirates Statdium knowing that a win will almost certainly guarantee them a place in the knockout stages. The importance of this game cannot be over-emphasizes as it is a back to back duel with Dortmund hosting Arsenal on match day four. A win for Dortmund will give them that push to go for it at the Signal park and leapfrog Arsenal to top the group. For Arsenal, a win would be a bonus knowing that a draw will still keep them at the top with Napoli still to visit Dortmund on the last day. I tip Arsenal to continue their run of form and get the win
Chelsea having lost their home encounter to Basel know there is no room for further slip and nothing short of a win at Veltins Arena will all but bring them back in contention to finish their group as leaders. Schalke on the other hand are fully aware of the threats posed by Chelsea and will do well not to lose as the return leg at Stanford Bridge in a fortnight won't come any easier. Schalke conceeded two goals in their last Bundesliga match, I won't bet against Chelsea getting at least a point in this encounter.

Barcelona face a tricky tie as they face AC Milan in as many times in the past previous season. Barcelona has been in good form even without Messi; but for the draw away at Osasuna, it has been a perfect run for them in the La Liga. AC Milan though will provide a stern test with Massimo Allegri having mastered Barcelona over time and coming close to eliminating them last season. This would be close but I tip Milan to edge Barca in this one.

Surely other matches will provide the tension and excitement associated with football as today's result in most Groups will provide the pointers as to the likely top two qualifiers and those fighting for Europa qualification.
Below is the fixture list for today's matches.

Tuesday, October 22, 2013
Time                           Home                                         Away                             Stage     
18:45 GMT              Schalke 04               v                Chelsea                         Group E    
18:45 GMT              Steaua Bucuresti      v                FC Basel                       Group E    
18:45 GMT              Arsenal                    v                Borussia Dortmund       Group F    
18:45 GMT              Marseille                 v                 Napoli                            Group F    
18:45 GMT              Austria Vienna        v                 Atletico Madrid             Group G
18:45 GMT              FC Porto                  v                Zenit St Petersburg         Group G    
18:45 GMT              AC Milan                 v                 Barcelona                        Group H    
18:45 GMT              Celtic                        v               Ajax Amsterdam             Group H

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