The second round of Champions League matches begin on Tuesday with both Manchester clubs in action. The duo are sweeping all before them in the Premier League so can they both do the business in Europe this week? (United 13/2, City 10/1 Champs League Outright)
Manchester United v Basle
A glance at the league tables from England and Switzerland, plus a look at the respective squads and most people would point towards a huge United win on Tuesday evening at Old Trafford, but just who will Sir Alex Ferguson have in his starting XI? (United 1/6, Basle 18/1, draw 13/2 – match prices).
Reports suggest that the veteran tactician might be missing as many as eight senior players when Basle come calling, with star striker Wayne Rooney certain to miss out.
He has been the lifeblood of the side so far this term and is in the form of his life and his absence will certainly be felt at the Theatre of Dreams.
Javier Hernandez limped off early in the Stoke game with a dead leg and he is rated as doubtful while central defenders Jonny Evans, Chris Smalling and Nemanja Vidic were all absent from training on Monday morning.
With Rafael, Tom Cleverley and Darron Gibson long-term absentees, the United physio’s couch is certain to be a busy place and Ferguson will have to look to his fringe players to do the business in Europe this week.
Michael Owen did his chances no harm at all with a mid-week Carling Cup brace last week and he could start alongside forgotten man Dimitar Berbatov, who was scoring goals for fun this time last year.
Danny Welbeck is also an option while Rio Ferdinand and Phil Jones look set to be paired in the centre of defence with Antonio Valencia again being used as an emergency right-back.
United certainly have injury problems at the moment but, such is the strength of their squad with the likes of Michael Carrick, Ryan Giggs, Park Ji-Sung and Darren Fletcher able to fill the midfield berths, that they should have more than enough to beat a Basle side who are already eight points behind leaders Lucerne in the Swiss top flight.
And they need all three points having managed just a draw at Benfica in their opening match.
Bayern Munich v Man City
City also kicked off their debut season in the Champions League with a 1-1 home draw against Napoli but, unlike their neighbours, will probably be happy to come away with a point against Bayern Munich (Bayern Evens, City 11/4, draw 13/5 – match prices).
The Bavarians have won nine games in a row, are top of the Bundesliga and are playing some superb football both home and away.
Add to that the fact that they have scored 26 goals and not conceded during that run and it all points to a tricky night for Roberto Mancini’s men.
Indeed the Italian tactician has stated that he feels the current Bayern team is the best he has ever seen and it would be no surprise to see him set up his side with defence in mind at the Allainz Arena.
The City rearguard showed a vulnerability against Fulham and now they will have to contend with the likes of Arjen Robben, Franck Ribery and Mario Gomez, while the German side’s defence has conceded just one goal at home in the top flight this term.
City will not be overawed by their task, however, as they possess quality throughout their squad and have plenty of options up front to try and do what has been virtually impossible in Munich this season – score a goal.
David Silva, Yaya Toure and Samir Nasri have been on fire in midfield, while Sergio Aguero and Edin Dzeko will always provide a threat up front and will be hoping to find the back of the net on Tuesday evening.
Mancini was criticised for being too defensive in the early part of his City tenure but now his Italian attitude of keeping a clean sheet might be just what the doctor ordered in week two of the Champions League.
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