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Wednesdays Soccer – by Chris

UEFA Cup

Zurich   -   B Leverkusen          2.90   -   2.50
This game is all about group supremacy with both teams through to the play offs. I have no strong opinion about this fixture but at the same time I cannot really understand why the Germans have become favourites. Bayer will be without their first choice keeper Adler and there are two candidates for the job. Their coach will make changes in the line up indicating that Bulykin, Gekas, Faty and Callsen-Bracker could start tomorrow. Maybe also a change of system will be made, 4-4-2, using 2 strikers (Gekas and Bulykin) for once. I do not get the feeling that Bayer are desperate for the 3 points.

Zurich lost a cup game to Thun at the weekend, Raffael and Alphonse played up front, but it obviously did not help. Their striker Hassli returns from suspension period and maybe he will put Raffael out of work. If I had to make a choice I would probably pick the home win, but only because the odds are more attractive.

Zurich 0 Bayer Leverkusen 5

Toulouse   -   Spartak Moscow        2.50   -   2.90
If Spartak should win this match then Bayer and Zurich can forget about winning the group. All is in the hands of the Spartak players. OK, Toulouse have also a big say of course, but they only play for their pride. Spartak have won their two home group games on their plastic pitch of course, but they were plain lucky drawing 0-0 with Sparta in Prague. They still miss a couple of regulars including Kalynichenko.

Toulouse are in good form despite all their many injuries and they have won their last two league games. Elmander, their amazing sharpshooter, has scored their last six goals. The only question ahead of this game was will Elmander play? No, Elmander will be rested, Mansare is suspended and once again the injury list is over whelming. My choice will be the away win (2.90).

Toulouse 2 Spartak Moscow 1

Bayern Munich   -   Aris Saloniki         1.30   -   18.50
Would you believe that Bayern have actually played out four 0-0 draws in their last seven games. A team with Klose, Podolski and Toni as strikers! Toni was out injured at the weekend, but he will return tomorrow along with O Kahn and W Sagnol. Van Bommel definitely fit to play. Luca Toni and Miroslav Klose will start up front.

Aris were lucky last in their last group game at home to Braga. The match ended in a 1-1 draw, but Braga were the stronger side. If Bayern should win this match they will top the group. Surely they will not miss this chance. Home win (1.30).

Bayern Munich 6 Aris Saloniki 0

Braga   -  Crvena Zvezda        1.33   -   11.00
The Serbs are out of the running while Braga have their destiny in their own hands. They have drawn all their group games this far, at Bolton and Saloniki and then they drew 1-1 with Bayern in Portugal. It is pretty strong side, especially at home and I cannot believe that an unmotivated Crvena side will able to trouble the Portugese. Braga will be without a trio of players, Rodriguez, Ze Manuel and J Pinto.

It seems like Crvena lost all their interest when they lost narrowly to Bayern, 2-3, in their opening game. They will be without 3-5 regulars, including Jestrovic and their keeper Randjelovic. Rumours say that star player Koroman will be rested (he is one booking away from a suspension). Home win, but quite useless odds (1.33).

Braga 2 Crvena Zvezda 0

Getafe   -   Anderlecht         2.18   -   5.40
A draw in this fixture and both teams will go through to the next round. Both teams could be group winners, they only have to win this match. Losing could prove costly, should Hapoel win their match.

Getafe are of course the stronger side and according to coach Laudrup winning is what matters tomorrow. Losing to Hapoel, was that part of the plan? Their keeper Abbondanzieri and Licht return form suspensions, but players like Sousa, Cortes and probably Uche remain sidelined. Manu will play together with Braulio up front.

Anderlecht are playing poorly these days and their domestic season is close to a disaster. Baseggio, Bousouffa, Pareja and Frutos are out of this match and Akin also risks missing it. 1X, but I will choose the home win alternative as I cannot resist the odds (2.18).

Getafe 2 Anderlecht 1

Hapoel Tel Aviv   -  Aab        1.77   -   5.00
What can Hapoel hope for? First they must win this game and then there must not be a draw between Getafe and Anderlecht. The Danes? Planning for Christmas, I should think. Their Swedish coach is saying something else but they usually do. "We will be professional and I expect us to win the match". They have travelled without R Prica, Nomvethe and M Pedersen. All played against Getafe in their last group game. Prica is their leading striker. Hapoel keep on losing at home and they are firmly anchored at the bottom of the table with form figures of 1-3-9 so far. How on earth could they defeat Getafe in Spain?

The Danish season has taken a long break and this will be the last competitive game for quite a while for Aab. Maybe they will put some energy into this fixture after all. OK, I will back the outsider (5.00).

Hapoel Tel Aviv 1 Aab 3

Galatasaray   -  Austria Wien       1.25   -   13.50
This is a tough situation for Galatasaray. Their group rivals Panionios, face Bordeaux tomorrow. Bordeaux have already won this group and they will show little or no interest in their away fixture at Panionios. That is the way it is, playing football in December is tough as it gets after four months of back to back football and you are happy to be able to skip a game every now and then. Anyway Galatasaray must be expected to do their part, defeating a totally unmotivated Austria side, but under the circumstances, who is prepared to use this 1.25? Missing Gala players are Lincoln, Linderoth and Ugur. Home win but then what? (1.25)

Galatasaray 0 Austria Wien 0

Panionios   -   Bordeaux          1.62   -   6.00
There is certainly nothing great about this Greek side, so well demonstrated by Galatasaray 2 weeks ago, when they won 3-0 in Greece. The Panionios win against Panathinaikos at the weekend, might however, contradicts my statement. They just are in a very nice position, no denying this fact. Win this match and they are through.

Bordeaux will rest all their regulars, so now you know but that was totally expected of course. Jussie and Cavenaghi are included in tomorrow's squad. These two came on as second half substitutes against Marseille and Jussie scored the 2-2 equaliser. Bordeaux will rely on youth for this match. Home win! (1.62).

Panionios 2 Bordeaux 3

Carling Cup - Quarter Final

Chelsea   -   Liverpool         2.10   -   4.33
M Ballack is back in the Chelsea squad for this match with Essien and Carvalho also included. Chelsea only miss two players, but two of their best, Drogba and Terry.
I take it for granted that coach Grant will make changes in his starting line up, but Chelsea will come with a strong squad for this quarter final. I have said it so often, there are no fringe players in the Chelsea squad.

What will the "serial rotator" come up with for this game? That is what they call the Liverpool manager Benitez and I found it very funny. He will not use the same players that lost to United, that is for sure, but his ambition is to field a very competitive side, strong enough to defeat Chelsea. Grant just said that the Carling Cup is not that important for the club, but the way I see it, there are no indifferent fixtures when two of the top four are involved. I would like to see the actual starting line ups, but till then I will back the home win (2.10).

Chelsea 2 Liverpool 0

Chris.