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Saints set to sink struggling Dons

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St Johnstone suffered a set-back to their hopes of qualifying for Europe last weekend but they have a chance to put things right on Tuesday night when they host Aberdeen at McDiarmid Park (St Johnstone 11/10, draw 12/5, Aberdeen 12/5 – match prices).

Saints were not at the races on Saturday, as third place Motherwell showed why they are the side chasing down Rangers and Celtic in the Scottish Premier League this season.

Manager Steve Lomas blamed his side’s lack of focus for the heavy home defeat last weekend but has highlighted the Tuesday night game against Aberdeen as a great opportunity to get their domestic campaign back on track.

Saints are now seven points off Motherwell in the table but will be able to narrow the gap if they can get a win over a struggling Aberdeen outfit.

Francisco Sandaza (9/2 first goalscorer) has been a dangerman for the Perth side, scoring six goals in the SPL so far this season.

The 27-year-old Spaniard, has notched up eight goals in all competitions and the visitors will have to be wary of the former Brighton striker on Tuesday night.

As for the Dons the alarm bells will be ringing among their fans as they continue to search for that elusive win.

Aberdeen are level on points with bottom of the table Dunfermline, after failing to secure a victory in their last six games.

Pressure is starting to mount on former Scotland manager Craig Brown, who could be forgiven for wondering why he left high-flying Motherwell in a controversial move last season.

The club’s problems have really started from the back as they have only kept one clean sheet in their last 11 outings in all competitions.

They will need to start tightening things up in defence if they want to start climbing the table north of the border and avoid a battle at the bottom with the likes of Dunfermline, Hibernian and Inverness CT.

Aberdeen do have threats of their own upfront, with New Zealander Rory Fallon (8/1 first goalscorer) and Englishman Scott Vernon both having the ability to unlock defences and they may well fancy their chances against a side who shipped in three goals on the weekend.

Both teams will be desperate to pick up the three points for different reasons as they compete at different ends of the SPL table.

Despite being outclassed in their last outing Lomas should get his side fully focused on this game on Tuesday and it’s hard to see the home team not beating the lacklustre Dons, who may need to look in the January transfer market if they are to get themselves out of trouble this season.

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Barca, Bayern & Juve sitting pretty

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As they approach the winter break, Barcelona, Bayern Munich (1/3 German Bundesliga 2011/2012 Outright) and Udinese (10/1 Serie A 2011/2012 Outright) made significant moves in their domestic title chases at the weekend while Juventus have a chance to return to the Serie A summit tonight against injury-hit Roma.

Barcelona’s 3-1 victory at the Bernabeu on Saturday night brought them back on to level points with their title rivals Real Madrid, although Jose Mourinho’s side have a match in hand.

However, the psychological damage that Barca’s win inflicted on Madrid minds will be measured in the wees to come – making it possibly fortunate for Real that La Liga shuts down for three weeks after this weekend’s round of fixtures.

In Germany, Bundesliga favourites Bayern won 2-1 away at Stuttgart while title holders Borussia Dortmund failed to beat struggling Kaiserslautern – all but ensuring that Jupp Heynckes’ side will be the winter champions.

Bayern hold a three-point lead and 10-goal advantage over Dortmund going into the last round of fixtures this weekend with Bayern at home to Cologne on Friday night.

Schalke are only three points behind Bayern ahead of their clash with Werder Bremen on Saturday after hitting a rich vein of form which has seen them take 16 points from the last seven Bundesliga matches.

Juventus (6/4 – Serie A Outright 2011/2012) face Roma at the Stadio Olimpico tonight as Antonio Conte attempts to capitalise on a weekend slip-up from AC Milan, who drew 2-2 with Bologna.

Napoli also lost ground when they only managed a 1-1 draw away to lowly Novara while Inter, down in 10th place, already appear to be out of the title race.

Juventus (23/20 – Match Prices, Roma 5/2, draw 11/5) will be without injured ex-Roma striker Mirko Vucinic but Conte has a wealth of attacking options at his disposal with red hot striker Alessandro Matri (9/2 – First Goalscorer) and Italian international Simone Pepe expected to start.

This match could be the last-ever Serie A clash between two ageing gods of Italian football with Juventus legend Alessandro Del Piero hoping to make an impact off the bench while Roma icon Francesco Totti is fit again after ankle trouble.

But under-fire Roma coach Luis Enrique is struggling for numbers at the back and may even press midfielder Daniele De Rossi into action as an emergency centre-back with Simon Kjaer and Marco Cassetti having joined the long list of injured Giallorossi defenders.

Nicolas Burdisso, David Pizarro and Fabio Borini are also injured while defender Juan, midfielder Fernando Gago and striker Bojan Krkic are suspended after picking up red cards in Roma’s 3-0 defeat to Fiorentina last week.

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City set for latest challenge

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Manchester City face their next big test in the Premier League campaign this season when they travel to Stamford Bridge on Monday evening to take on Chelsea.

These two sides had different fortunes last week in the Champions League, despite both teams picking up big wins against established European clubs. It was Andre Villas-Boas’ side who made it through to the last 16 of the competition, with Roberto Mancini having to settle for a place in the Europa League.

City are two points clear at the top of the Premier League but do have a game in hand over rivals Manchester United in second place. They would be delighted to come away from London with a point to extend the gap back to three points following a tricky round of fixtures on their part. The draw is priced up at 12/5 and looks the most likely outcome.

Chelsea have found a bit of form recently with wins over Valencia and Newcastle but, with respect to both of those sides, they don’t possess the quality and threat that City will bring on Monday evening.  They will though be buoyed by their recent success and it could finally ignite their season.

Monday’s game is another chance for Villas-Boas to prove that Chelsea are still in the hunt for the Premier League title and that they are capable of matching City on the field, despite not being able to compete with the Manchester club in the transfer market anymore.

Didier Drogba showed his importance to the Blues on Tuesday evening when he scored twice against the Spanish opposition to help his side into the last 16 of the Champions League. The 33-year old reminded Chelsea fans that he still has a big part to play in the future of the club despite the exit looming for his former strike partner Nicolas Anelka. Take the Ivorian to score the first goal in the game at 9/2.

Mancini’s men have already travelled to Old Trafford, Anfield and White Hart Lane in the league this season, so this is one of the few remaining difficult away visits that they will have to deal with. If they keep their unbeaten record intact it would be a big point as they look to win their first Premier League title.

The visitors have scored 24 goals on the road this season in just five Premier League fixtures. Mancini has neglected the more cautious approach he adopted last year and is quite happy for his stars to play attacking and expansive football home and away. If he continues to use these tactics at Stamford Bridge it should be make for an exciting and open game. The 14/1 on a 2-2 draw looks a really tasty proposition.

Although City can’t win the Premier League title with a win at Stamford Bridge, a defeat for Chelsea could end their slim hopes of winning the league this season. The Blues will be 13 points behind the leaders following defeat on Monday evening.

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Juve could end Enrique reign

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Another weekend of Serie A football comes to an end on Monday when Juventus travel to the Olimpico to face this season’s surprise strugglers, AS Roma, in what may be coach Luis Enrique’s last game (AS Roma 11/4, draw 11/5, Juventus 11/10).

The team from the capital invested heavily in the summer but have failed to live up to expectations and currently languish in the bottom half of the table. They know victory on Monday could see them jump to sixth and only eight points short of the European spots.

However, after the 3-0 defeat to Fiorentina last Sunday the fans appear to have lost patience with the team and especially the coach. The red cards that Juan, Fernando Gago and Bojan Krkic picked up in that game means they will be seriously weakened for the clash, especially as they’re already missing Simon Kjaer, Marco Cassetti, Nicolas Burdisso, David Pizarro and Fabio Borini.

However, they still have a number of stars to call on and focal to their success could be the performance of captain and talisman Francesco Totti (15/8 to score a anytime). Like many of his teammates, the 35-year-old has struggled to adapt to Enrique’s system but undoubtedly still has the class to unlock any defence. The former Italy star will be looking to be looking to prove his leadership qualities following the Fiorentina debacle so look out for a big performance from the skipper.

In total contrast to the Giallorossi’s problems, Juventus have been flying this season and know victory will see them reclaim top spot from Udinese, as well as maintain their unbeaten run.

Il Bianconeri nearly came unstuck in the week when they were taken to extra time by Bologna in the Coppa Italia but made it though thanks to a late goal from Claudio Marchisio (11/4 to score at anytime).

Much of their fine form has been down to midfielder Marchisio, who seems to have come of age this season and is developing into a fine playmaker at both club and international level. Like Totti for Roma much of the positive aspects of the Antonio Conte’s side’s play goes through Marchisio so look for him to once again impress of Turin club.

Marchisio’s form could be the deciding factor in the game and Juve should come out comfortable victors, especially with all the problems Roma are experiencing. (Juventus 16/1 to win 3-0).

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O’Neill factor to pay dividends

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Sunday’s Premier League double-header throws up two intriguing match-ups, kicking off with a basement battle at 1.30pm before two European-chasing teams go head to head at 4pm.

Sunderland v Blackburn

Much was expected of Sunderland this season following a massive summer of transfer activity but the Black Cats have failed to fire with Steve Bruce paying the penalty to become the first Premier League managerial casualty of the season.

The Wearside faithful will no doubt be delighted to have seen Martin O’Neill – a boyhood fan of the club – installed in the hotseat, charged with the task of pulling the Black Cats out of the relegation zone.

The ‘new manager syndrome’ may well have the desired affect on Sunday with players perhaps playing for their futures under the new boss, although O’Neill will undoubtedly be aware of finding regular goals from his squad.

Love him (and there is seeming few that do) or loathe him but it looks as though Steve Kean is set to stay at Rovers, but he needs to start picking up points to deliver a ‘top ten’ target that he thinks is infinitely possible.

A 4-2 win over Swansea last weekend did little to appease the Rovers fans calling for his head at the final whistle, but a few more wins might just get them to rethink their attitude and start getting behind the team.

Yakubu is very much a man in form for Blackburn and his four-goal salvo last week took his tally to 10, more games than he has played, while he has bagged seven in his last five.

The Nigerian is on offer at a tempting 7/1 First/Last Goalscorer and 15/8 Anytime, and considering Rovers have scored in every away game, he is not a bad shout to get on the scoresheet again.

Sunderland won this fixture 3-0 last season but the fact that Darren Bent, Danny Welbeck and Asamoah Gyan scored the goals tells its own story as Bruce was unable to keep any at the club.

The Black Cats have not made the Stadium of Light the fortress that they would have wanted with just one win there so far, but they do have an impressive record against Rovers, particularly at home.

With both sides having won just one of their last nine games it does make it difficult to call, but injuries to Ruben Rochina and Martin Olsson as well as Steven Nzonzi’s absence through suspension may just swing things the home side’s way (Sunderland 5/6, Draw 13/5, Rovers 7/2 Match Betting).

Stoke v Spurs

These two sides have enjoyed contrasting fortunes this season with Stoke progressing in the Europa League, a tournament Spurs seem destined to be knocked out of – although they are very much in the title race.

Spurs are Evens in the match betting to extend their unbeaten run in the Premier League to 12 matches, winning 10 of the last 11, as they look to close the seven-point gap on Manchester City at the top of the table.

Scott Parker, Emmanuel Adebayor and Brad Friedel seem to have had the desired affect with the club winning their last six games and last three on the road, with Gareth Bale (7/1 First/Last Goalscorer, 15/8 Anytime) in particularly fine form.

Rafael van der Vaart has also been instrumental in the Lilywhites recent surge, although injury doubts over Bale, Jermain Defoe and Sandro could upset the applecart on Sunday.

Stoke have had one or two difficulties this term, particularly playing in Europe, but go into the game on the back of successive league wins – and have not had to worry about Europe this week.

Goals have been a problem but 14/5 on the home win or 12/5 on the draw look decent value considering they have beaten Liverpool and held both Chelsea and Manchester United at the Britannia Stadium – while they also knocked Spurs out of the Carling Cup.

The Potters have not exactly been full of goals this term but do provide an obvious aerial threat – something which Spurs have struggled with this season – and Robert Huth looks a good shout at 16/1 First/Last Goalscorer to add to his game winner at Everton last week.

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Canaries can clip Magpies wings

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The Premier League teams will be tested to the maximum over the festive period, with a packed fixture list. Injuries and suspensions are starting to kick in and could have a major impact this weekend – with the rarity of all seven matches kicking off at 3pm.

Norwich v Newcastle

Newcastle’s blistering start has come to an end during a recent tough spell, which has seen the Magpies pick up just one point from their last three games – against Manchester city, Manchester United and Chelsea.

Alan Pardew has lost first-choice centre-back partnership Fabricio Coloccini and Steven Taylor to injury and that may see them slip to a third defeat in four games, when they travel to Carrow Road.

Norwich have surprised many this term and have lost just two of their seven home fixtures to date. The Canaries have also scored the joint-most headed goals in the top division (seven), with Steve Morison and Grant Holt likely to cause a makeshift Newcastle backline problems.

Suggested Bet: Norwich to win @ 6/4

Arsenal v Everton

The Gunners go into this game as strong favourites and it seems highly unlikely they will slip up against an Everton team desperately struggling for goals. The Merseysiders have not won at Arsenal since 1996 and that run looks set to continue.

Mikel Arteta will be particularly keen to show Everton what they are missing and Robin van Persie will be fresh having sat out the midweek Champions League trip to Greece.

Suggested Bet: Van Persie to score 2 or more @ 11/4

Man Utd v Wolves

Sir Alex Ferguson has endured arguably his worst week as United boss for ten years, with the shock midweek Champions League exit and the news that captain Nemanja Vidic will miss the rest of the season.

The champions normally respond though from key setbacks and Wolves will be fearing a backlash. A lack of striking options will mean Danny Welbeck and Wayne Rooney should start up front and they will be desperate to quash talk of an Old Trafford crisis.

Suggested Bet: Welbeck to score at anytime @ 8/11

Liverpool v QPR

Kenny Dalglish’s men are unbeaten at home this season, but draws against Swansea and Norwich have frustrated fans and management alike. An unfortunate defeat at Fulham on Monday makes this a must-win game for the Reds as they look to keep pace in the race for the top four.

QPR are capable of causing any team problems on their day, recording victories over Chelsea and at Stoke this season. Their away form has been more miss than hit though and the stats suggest they will struggle to clinch a second ever win at Anfield – their first coming in 1991.

Suggested Bet: Draw HT/Liverpool FT @ 7/2

Bolton v Aston Villa

Bolton’s home form is one of the biggest puzzles of the Premier League to date – their record at the Reebok is normally impressive, but they have lost six of their seven home games this term. The only win was a crushing 5-0 success over Stoke but Villa could provide Owen Coyle’s men with their second scalp.

Villa have struggled with form and injuries in recent weeks and head to the North West having failed to win on the road this season. Pressure is already growing on Alex McLeish, who was an unpopular appointment among many Villa fans.

Suggested Bet: Bolton win @ 6/4

Swansea v Fulham

These two teams are almost a mirror image, hard to break down but struggling for goals. The Swans and Cottagers have scored just 30 goals between them this term so expect a low scoring affair.

Martin Jol’s men gained a much needed win over Liverpool which will boost their confidence, but Swansea have the pace to cause a sluggish Fulham backline some problems.

Suggested Bet: Under 2.5 Goals @ 4/6

West Brom v Wigan

The Baggies have not pulled up any trees so far this season and their home form – two wins from seven matches – will be a concern for Roy Hodgson. They look strong enough though not to be dragged into a relegation battle…..unlike their opponents on Saturday.

Many believe Wigan are already doomed, but they have picked up four points from their last three games and did take four points off West Brom last season – which included a 2-2 draw at the Hawthorns.

Suggested Bet: Draw @ 13/5

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Madrid hold upper hand

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The El Clasico showdown is regarded by many to be the best club football match on the globe, and this season it is Real Madrid who are on fire while Barcelona are more vulnerable than in recent years (Madrid 7/5, draw 13/5, Barcelona 7/4 – Match Betting).

Real currently hold the upper hand in La Liga and sit top of the table with a three-point advantage over their rivals. With 10 wins in their last 10 league matches – 15 games unbeaten in all competitions – confidence will be flowing through their veins as they look to increase the gap over Barca.

A win for Barcelona would get them back into the title race before they board a plane to compete in the FIFA Club World Cup in Japan, but what makes life tough for them is the fact they need to defeat Real at a time when they look unbeatable.

Pep Guardiola’s side can boast an impressive recent record themselves as, either side of their shock loss to Getafe, they have won six matches in which they conceded only two goals and scored 21 themselves.

Barcelona fans will also pay close attention to their manager’s record against Madrid, with Guardiola boasting five wins, one draw and no defeats in his six El Clasico league games as boss. The record at the Bernabeu is two wins and one draw, with an average of 2.6 goals per game.

But this season is different to recent years as Barcelona have struggled on the road. Just two wins in six games is below their usual high standards, while they have failed to keep a clean sheet in six of their 11 away fixtures in all competitions.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have both scored an impressive 17 league goals this season already and seem the obvious two options for first goalscorer (Ronaldo 10/3, Messi 7/2 – First Goalscorer), while Cesc Fabregas (7/1) has weighed in with seven league goals himself and, given the fact he practically plays as a striker in all but name in this Barca team, he could find himself in the right place at the right time.

Madrid could benefit from the fact Jose Mourinho managed to rest a lot of his star players for their Champions League game in midweek, and the biggest decision for ‘The Special One’ is whether to choose Karim Benzema or Gonzalo Higuain in attack.

Barcelona have switched between 4-3-3 and 3-4-3 formations this season but don’t be surprised if Guardiola opts for caution against a Madrid side that are capable of scoring goals at will. That means Javier Mascherano could be at centre-half and the midfielder’s lack of pace will then be targeted by the men in white (Real Madrid 2-0 – 10/1).

For the last few years Barcelona have been considered the best team in the world, but this game will be a huge test of their credentials as Madrid are playing like a team possessed at this point in time.

This weekend’s game could signal a dramatic momentum shift in Spanish football.

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Rivals to forfeit Europa League?

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Both Manchester clubs have now slipped into the Europa League (City 5/1f Outright Winners) after their failure to qualify for the last 16 of the Champions League. The pair now head the market, but just how seriously will they take the competition?

They say that money talks in football and, generally, that is the case, as the ‘haves’ more often than not occupy the top places in the league and the ‘have-nots’ struggle to compete.

But try telling that to Basel, who defied the odds to dump Manchester United out of Europe’s elite club competition and resigned them to life in the Europa League in the New Year.

United are the first club that has previously reached the final to be knocked out in the group stage and it just the third time in 17 attempts that Sir Alex Ferguson’s side has failed to reach the knockout stage.

The fall-out has already begun with Patrice Evra labelling the exit as “embarrassing” and “a catastrophe” and it remains to be seen just what sort of side Fergie actually fields when United begin their Europa League campaign.

There are still some big clubs in the second-tier tournament, with Valencia, Porto and Ajax also making an early Champions League exit, while Athletic Bilbao, Atletico Madrid and Udinese look set to be in the draw for the next stage.

Ferguson will doubtless make all the right noises and pledge to put out a strong side in each match but, with Manchester City ( 4/7 Premier League Outright) currently topping the Premier League and challenging United’s domestic dominance, the fiery Scot will surely have one eye on Premier League matters when he next hands in a European team sheet.

But it could be that the Europa League is United’s best chance of silverware this term, as they have hardly pulled up any trees in the English top-flight and have been hanging onto City’s coattails all season with several 1-0 victories.

Their lack of a creative midfielder has haunted them right from the start of the season and they finally got found out in Switzerland, and the boss may well be forced to dip into the transfer market in January to try and address the problem or run the risk of the season tailing away over the next few months.

City will have also harboured ambitions of winning the Champions League this time with the money that has been spent on assembling their talented squad, but it has it be remembered that it was their first foray into the competition and they are still gelling as a unit.

It is true that they look world beaters in the Premier League but that might just add fuel to the argument that the English game is not as strong as we are all led to believe.

City finally won a trophy when lifting the FA Cup last season and any silverware will be welcomed at Eastlands, and it just might be that boss Roberto Mancini uses the Europa League as a stepping stone for nest season’s assault on the Champions League.

Both City and United have the squad to cope with European football throughout the season, but it would surprise nobody to see a few fringe players appear as the tournament progresses.

Manchester was rocked on Wednesday with the twin failures, but the scene is now set for the Premier League rivals to meet in Bucharest for the final on May 9. Whether they actually want to is open to debate.

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Jury still out on AVB

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Chelsea’s impressive 3-0 Champions League win over Valencia on Tuesday has eased the pressure on their young coach, Andre Villas-Boas, but the Portuguese still has plenty of work to do to convince he is the right man to bring silverware back to Stamford Bridge (Chelsea 14/1 – Premier League Outright).

AVB survived in the Chelsea hot-seat last month, despite a run of just one win in five games and a home Carling Cup defeat to Liverpool at the quarter-final stage. The critics were circling during that period as the pressure intensified on him, but owner Roman Abramovich, notoriously impatient with his managers in recent years, decided to stick with the former Porto boss.

However, doubts remain that the 32-year-old has the experience, man-management skills and sheer nous to be a hit in the cut-throat world of the Premier League as he comes up against seasoned campaigners like Sir Alex Ferguson, Harry Redknapp and Arsene Wenger – men who know what it takes to succeed in England.

A good start to the season and the recent back-to-back 3-0 victories – against Wolves, Newcastle and Valencia – prove Villas-Boas is a top-class coach to be feared when he gets it right and it is fair to say he has rallied his troops well to ensure they have come through a difficult period.

Tuesday’s victory was certainly impressive as AVB appeared to get his tactics and selection spot on for a game where his reputation was on the line. A defeat and an early Champions League exit would have cast further doubt on his suitability to lead Chelsea back to glory and would surely have left a big question mark hovering over him in the mind of Abramovich, who craves European glory more than anything else (Chelsea 12/1 – Champions League Outright).

His reaction to the press following the Valencia victory may have been the result of a few weeks of pent-up frustration as he hit out at what he felt was the “persecution” of his side by the media over the past month or so. But a few more defeats over a testing couple of weeks could yet see his words return to haunt him.

Chelsea take on league leaders Manchester City next (Chelsea 11/8, City 13/8, draw 11/5 – Match Prices) before tough London derbies against Spurs and Fulham follow over the busy Christmas period and should they lose, say, two of those games, more criticism, whether he likes it or not, will be coming his way.

Some have questioned whether, at just 34 years of age, he is old enough to command authority in the dressing room and get the backing of the club’s experienced players.

Certainly, Frank Lampard has not been impressed at times as he has had to settle for a place on the bench in some big games and there have been mumurs that the England man remains unconvinced about the coach’s ability at this level.

The Valencia win has bought AVB time, no question about that, but the jury remains out on his long-term prospects with tougher tests to come for the Blues.

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Bayern can scupper City hopes

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Both Manchester clubs go into their final Champions League group games on Wednesday still unsure whether they will make the knockout stages. United are in the stronger position, with City’s fate out of their own hands and facing a tough looking clash against Bayern Munich (totesport – Champions League).

Manchester City v Bayern Munich

Many expected big-spending City (9/4 To Qualify) to take the Champions League by storm this season, but it’s not happened so far and they are on the brink of a group-stage exit. Roberto Mancini’s men need to win on Wednesday and hope that Napoli suffer defeat at Villarreal.

The Premier League leaders have won just two of their five group games to date and suffered a comprehensive defeat in Munich back in September. Their form in Europe has been unrecognisable to their unbeaten run domestically and the pressure and quality of opponents will cause them more problems this week (Match Betting – City 8/13, draw 3/1, Bayern 9/2).

Bayern look like the real deal this season, a side that could make it to at least the last-four of the competition. The German giants are the fourth top scores in the Champions League this term, with 11 goals in five matches, and are unbeaten in Group A.

The Bundesliga outfit, who have already qualified for the last 16, have been critical of the way City appear to be buying their way to success and the full strength squad selected for the Eastlands clash, suggests they won’t to kill off City’s chances.

The Blues hopes rest largely on Sergio Aguero (6/5 To Score At Anytime), whose pace can cause a Bayern defence lacking in pace, a few problems. But pace on the break from the visitors will have City wary and could ultimately prove the downfall of Mancini’s men.

Basle v Manchester United

Sir Alex Ferguson’s men need just a point in Switzerland to make the knockout stages, but that sounds easier than it is likely to be for United (1/6 To Qualify). The Premier League champions have won just two of their five European ties this term – with both victories coming against Group C whipping boys Otelul Galati.

United have looked out of sorts in recent weeks and have struggled for goals, scoring just one goal in each of their last seven league games. They did score two against Benfica in their last group encounter, but also conceded two to take qualification down to the last game (Match Betting – Basle 5/1, draw 14/5, United 8/13).

With Javier Hernandez, Dimitar Berbatov and Michael Owen all sidelined, and Danny Welbeck just returning from injury, a lot of pressure sits on the shoulders of Wayne Rooney (7/2 First Goalscorer). United though have shored up at the back since the return of Ferdinand and Vidic and their defensive strength is likely to see them through this stern test.

Basle, who claimed a 3-3 draw at Old Trafford, have lost three of their last six Champions League home games and the experience of the visitors may prove too much for the home side, who need three points to qualify.

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