Ajax vs Arsenal
Arsenal last drawn 2 of their Champions League matches. While Ajax too drawn against Arsenal at Highbury. Arsenal seldom draw so many matches so I can't see them draw nor can I see Ajax draw again. Therefore a draw is out of the picture. Both teams are virtually unchanged. While Ajax have been tough at home for this season. Arsenal away form in the Premier League is not very convincing. But nevertheless, their Champions League away form has been good. With just an away lost to Dortmund with a penalty goal involved in that match. They have beaten
PSV Eindoven, Auxerre and Roma at their own turf. Not an easy feat in the Champions League. While Ajax are not too bad at home, beating Lyon and Roma while drawing with Rosenborg and lost to Inter. At home, I would suspect them to play a more attacking game against Arsenal, thus allowing Arsenal to deploy their usual fast counter-attacking football. In their last match, ajax tend to sit very deep and harrass very ball when Arsenal have the ball. If Ajax is to do a la Man City, there could be space being made available and Arsenal will certainly thrive on that.
Prediction: Ajax 1 Arsenal 2
Arsenal win @ 2.30
Arsenal -1/4 @ 1.925
Gilberto Silva to be the 1st goal scorer @ 23.00
Valencia va Roma
Roma simply need to win every single matches left in the Champions League group phases and hope that other teams stumble along the way in order to have them qualify for the quater finals. But on current state, I can't see them winning at the Mestalla. A draw seems quite difficult as well given their current squad which look to be losing on morale and depleted. Their strikers just can't put the ball into the net. Although Totti return tonight, I doubt he can come in and turn the team around. Totti is not an out and out striker, Delvecchio and Montella are both not available. This left Capello to use young Cassano to partner Totti upfront.
But Cassano is very similar to Totti and he is still inexperience. There are alot of times where he misses chances that are being presented to him. In all of the 9 games played in the Champions League, they have only scored 5 goals so far. I really can't see them score and with Valencia's striking rate at home with 12 goals so far, I think it will be a convincing win for Valencia.
Valencia -1 @ 1.975
Newcastle vs Leverkusen
Leverkusen will be without Schneider, Juan, Berbatov, Balitsch, Bierofka, Lucio and Nowotny on Wednesday due to a combination of injuries and suspensions. With relegation looming over them for the Bundesliga, Thomas Hörster has insisted that their European adventure must surely end here and instead concentrate on their relegation dogfight. Newcastle have found some stability with their defense. They have kept clean sheets on 4 occassions and let in just 2 goals on their last 6 games. Leverkusen who have just beaten Hannover over the weekends have being struggling to string 2 wins together. Don't think they can get away with anything at St James Park. Another convincing win for Bobby Robson's side.
Newcastle -1 @ 1.825
Inter vs Barcelona
Everyone must be thinking when will Barcelona's winning streak will end? Inter need to get a result here while Barcelona can afford to slip up tonight. Inter will also have an important game against Juventus this week. Although Moratti insisted that tonight's match is far more signaficant than Sunday's match, you can't totally believe him as I think he will ant to win both of these match badly. Inter will be missing Almeyda, Crespo and Emre who are injured. Cordoba and Recoba are suspended. Batistuta is ineligible. Barcelona will miss Juan Pablo Sorin who is not eligible for the Champions League, while Thiago Motta will replace Marc Overmars on the left of midfield.
A run through Inter's probable line up, the midfield seems to lack some creativity and flair. With Okan or Guly, Di Biagio, Cristiano Zanetti and Morfeo supplying to Vieri who has yet to score in the Champions League and Kallon. I'd feel that Inter lack the fire power to overcome the in form catalan giant. A Barcelona win seems more likely as Inter may be a little bit distracted because of Sunday clash.
Prediction: Inter 0 Barcelona 1
Barcelona win @ 3.50
Barcelona +1/4 @ 1.95
