Greece

The 2004 European champions kicked off the tournament with a battling 1-1 draw against co-hosts Poland but were then beaten 2-1 by the Czech Republic and are really up against it to qualify for the last eight.

Fernando Santos’ side (4/1- Match Prices) paid for two poor first-half performances in those games and they cannot afford a repeat when they take on Russia (8/11) on Saturday.

They were expected to be a side difficult to break down in the tournament and therefore hard to beat, as in 2004, but they conceded within the first 20 minutes against Poland before going two down to the Czechs inside the first six minutes.

They did improve in both games, with a spirited second-half display against Poland when down to 10 men the highlight, but Santos’ ageing side look too short of quality to hurt Russia. They rely too much on playmaker Giorgos Karagounis but when he gets over-run in midfield there is little to fall back on.

Losing first-choice central defenders Avraam Papadopoulos and Sokratis Papastathopoulos for the Czech Republic game clearly did not help their cause at the back and, while the latter returns from suspension on Saturday, Russia still have too much firepower for them.

Dick Advocaat’s men tore the Czechs apart in their first game, winning 4-1, and have a potential player of the tournament in Alan Dzagoev. His three goals so far leaves him joint top of the goalscoring chart in the competition and he will fancy his chances of more against the leaky Greece rearguard. Back him at 2/1 to score anytime.

Elsewhere, Andrey Arshavin has looked much more like the player Arsene Wenger paid all that money for a couple of years ago, providing the inspiration and ingenuity from just behind the forwards to unlock defences, while Alexander Kerzhakhov is also an all-round threat.

They are solid at the back with Sergei Ignashevich and Yuri Zhirkov excelling so another convincing victory is likely in this one.

Russia HT/FT at 8/5 looks a good bet too, while 3-0 in the correct score market appeals at 12/1 as Advocaat’s men power on to send Greece packing.

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Chelsea

It could be said simply that Chelsea would not have won the Champions League on Saturday without Drogba. Adding to the fact it was his goal that beat Barcelona in the first leg at Stamford Bridge in the semi-final before he converted to quite an impressive left-back for long periods of the second leg, it was also Drogba who scored a wonderful header to force extra-time in Munich, and who else but the Ivorian stroked in the winning penalty to send Chelsea fans into delirium and give Roman Abramovich what he has always desired.

That Champions League win, courtesy of Drogba’s right foot from 12 yards, has led every man and his dog to call for Di Matteo, who took over after Andre Villas-Boas (11/4 – Next Permanent Liverpool Manager) was shown the door, to be given the manager’s job properly at Chelsea.

It would be a bold move for the Russian chairman to look elsewhere given the calls for the Italian to get the job. A more realistic vision could be for Di Matteo to get a one-year rolling contract, which means that in 12 months’ time Chelsea could welcome former Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola with open arms if he wants to make a comeback to football following his self-imposed sabbatical.

With Drogba, who himself has been linked with a possible move to Barcelona but could be more likely for a big pay day over with former Blues striking partner Nicolas Anelka in China, going then that could open the door for Torres.

There is no doubt the Spaniard has looked a shadow of his former self since a massive £50 million move but the Chelsea fans have stuck with him as he got his head down and worked hard for the team. Indeed, his form really picked up towards the back end of the season.

But it remains to be seen how faithful they will be to him now after Torres effectively soured the Champions League celebrations by speaking out to Spanish journalist Guillem Balague and criticising how he has been treated.

Torres may wish he had kept his mouth shut as there remains a big chance the team could be fitted around him in the post-Drogba era – if they persevere with him after his outburst.

With the Ivory Coast man leaving that means Torres and Daniel Sturridge, who looked impressive in the first half of the season but then went off the boil and seemed to turn more selfish and frustrating for fans as the campaign went on, remain the leading forwards on the books at Stamford Bridge. And let’s not forget Romelu Lukaku, who made a sum total of eight appearances since signing for £13 million last summer.

Atletico Madrid striker Radamel Falcao and CSKA Moscow’s Seydou Doumbia have been linked to possibly replace Drogba but it remains to be seen how Chelsea’s transfer policy will play out until they confirm a new manager – although they do have a history of signing players without consulting the boss – Andrei Shevchenko springs to mind – and those higher up have seemed to be behind the signings of Marko Marin and Kevin De Bruyne over the last few months.

Chelsea used to be the big powerhouses when it comes to spending but Manchester City (11/8 – Premier League Outright 2012/13) have leapfrogged them over the last two years, and how the Blues would love to be able to splash out on a Sergio Aguero this summer.

They would also dream of someone of the calibre of Arsenal (10/1 – Premier League Outright) striker Robin van Persie, but the Blues will face massive competition if they wish to get a top, top striker. The fact they are Champions League holders will help them when it comes to attracting players this summer, but it would be a masterstroke to get a true replacement for Drogba.

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The most eye catching tie sees Danish side Odense BK travel to face Greek giants Panathinaikos with the tie evenly balanced at 1-1, after a hotly contested first leg in Denmark.

The game will be staged in the Olympic Stadium (Panathinaikos 4/6, Draw 5/2, Odense 10/3 – Match Betting) and the home side will be looking to use the intimidating atmosphere often created by their raucous fans to their advantage, as they attempt to qualify for the competition they finished runners-up in 1971.

Panathinaikos managed to reach the last 16 in the 2008-09 season and have Champions League pedigree, but have never really fulfilled their potential on the big stage. The Greek Champions (Panathinaikos/Panathinaikos 6/4 – HT/FT Betting) have a number of names that maybe familiar to English fans and lookout for, amongst others, former Liverpool winger Sebastian Leto. The Argentine arrived at Anfield as a youngster but never really adapted to life in the North West. However, he has excelled in Greece and after scoring his side’s goal in the first leg, will be looking for a big performance in the match to show he can do it on the big stage.

However, Panathinaikos’ main man is Greek youngster Sotiris Ninis who on his day can trouble any defence in Europe. The winger has long been touted as the future of Greek football and has been linked with a number of top clubs in the past, with Inter Milan reportedly tracking his progress. Ninis has the ability to unlock any defence and like Leto, maybe looking at the match as a springboard to bigger things.

Panathinaikos may have young talent, but Odense are also a club on the up although they have created a reputation for themselves as the nearly side, after finishing runners-up in the league in the last three seasons. They’ll be hoping the curse doesn’t strike again and will be looking to get off to a fast start in what could be the biggest game of their season.

Henrik Clausen’s side will be looking to their star man Peter Utaka, brother of former Porstmouth man John, to fire them through. Utaka is another man that Premier League clubs have been looking at and he will be hoping to make an impact on the game after a quiet first leg.

Another name English fans may notice is that of former Manchester United midfielder Eric Djemba-Djemba. The Cameroon international was billed as the next Roy Keane when he arrived at Old Trafford in 2003, but his career hasn’t quite turned out as planned and he has become somewhat of a journeyman. However, on his day he still has the tenacity and talent to dominate games and could be a key man if selected.

Odense will have high hopes ahead of the game and you never quite know what you’re going to get from Panathinaikos (13/2 – 2-0 Correct Score Betting). However, the Greek side should have more than enough to come through and will be looking to lay down a marker for the group stages by putting in a strong performance on Tuesday.

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Tottenham Hotspur

Newly-appointed Real manager Jose Mourinho has been linked with a move for the Wales international in the January transfer window.

The former Chelsea boss has been looking to bolster his defensive options at the Santiago Bernabeu, with Chelsea left-back Ashley Cole also being linked with a move to the Spanish giants.

However, Redknapp has insisted that he will not be letting Bale leave north London.

He said: “I read in the papers the other day that Gareth’s performances for Spurs have already caught the attention of other teams around the world – including Real Madrid  and their manager, a certain Jose Mourinho.

“Jose certainly knows a player when he sees one. But one thing is for sure. I am not letting Gareth go anywhere.

“Tottenham is a team on the up and we are building something at White Hart Lane,” he added.

Bale has had a strong start to the Premier League season, scoring three goals including one in the Champions League against Dutch side FC Twente.

The 21-year-old has developed into a great player for Spurs since he joined the North London club in 2007 from Southampton.

Initially Bale struggled to cope with life in the Premier League and had an astonishing run of not being part of a winning Spurs side.

However, the Welshman has improved greatly and Redknapp believes he is one of the best players in the top flight.

He said: “I do not make comparisons lightly but he and Ashley Cole are quite similar and that can only be a massive compliment to Gareth.

“My left-back at Tottenham has come through an amazing 12 months and matured into one of the best players in his position in the world.

“Just over a year ago, he had this awful jinx hanging over him where he had not played in a winning Spurs team,” he added.

Spurs will be hoping that Bale can continue his good form this season when they take on Aston Villa at White Hart Lane on Saturday (Tottenham Hotspur 20/21, draw 12/5, Aston Villa).

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Manchester United

The Serbian star, rated as one of the best centre-halves in the Premier League, has been linked with some of Europe’s top clubs over the summer but has now extended his stay with United by signing a new four-year deal.

The likes of Italian giants AC Milan and La Liga outfit Real Madrid, now managed by former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho, had been mooted as possible suitors for the powerful stopper but Vidic will stick with United.

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson was understandably delighted Vidic has agreed new terms.

Rio Ferdinand, who usually partners the powerful Serbian in the heart of the United defence, is still two or three weeks away from being able to play after suffering a knee injury in the build up to the World Cup and it was perhaps crucial that the United boss retained Vidic’s services.

“We are delighted Nemanja has committed his future to the club,” Ferguson said. “This kills all the silly speculation over the past few months.

“Nemanja has developed into one of the best centre-halves in Europe and we are pleased he will be here for many years to come.”

Both Real and AC Milan were rumoured to be lining up mega bids for the 28-year-old, with some sources speculating the duo would battle it out by launching bids of around £20million to capture the defender, but that speculation has now been ended.

The man himself revealed he was pleased to have extended his stay at Old Trafford and paid tribute to United for helping him improve as a player after joining in a £7.2million deal in 2005 from Russian side Spartak Moscow.

“I am very happy to sign this contract,” added Vidic. “I came to this club when I was young and have developed enormously with the help of the manager, coaching staff and my team-mates.

“During my time here we have had a lot of success and I look forward to continuing that success in the coming seasons.”

United take on Fulham at Craven Cottage as they look to continue their fine start to the season, having beaten Newcastle 3-0  and secured the Community Shield title with a 3-1 victory over Chelsea (Fulham 9/2, draw 14/5, Man Utd 8/13).

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Javier Mascherano

Danish star Poulsen was widely expected to join the Reds this week and, after completing a medical and the formalities of the transfer, has joined Hodgson’s new-look side and penned a three-year deal at Anfield.

The 30-year-old, who knows Hodgson from when he was manager at FC Copenhagen between 2000 and 2002, is seen as a direct replacement for Mascherano, with his defensive midfield and tough-tackling qualities earning him a decent reputation in Serie A in the past few years.

The experienced midfielder could even be in contention to make his Reds bow in the season-opener at home to Arsenal on Sunday as his capture clears the way for Mascherano to leave (Liverpool 11/8 to win, Arsenal 9/5).

The Argentinian, speaking after their 1-0 friendly win over Ireland in Dublin on Wednesday, admitted he wanted to leave the club and is seeking a move out of England amid reports his family have failed to settle on Merseyside.

Mascherano almost joined Barcelona last summer and has expressed a desire to join the Catalan giants again this year while Inter Milan, with former Reds boss Rafa Benitez now in charge at the San Siro, are also courting the 26-year-old.

“The only thing I want to say is I don’t have nothing against the Liverpool supporters, the Liverpool people,” he said.

“My problem is not to play for Liverpool. I’m very proud to play for Liverpool. It’s another thing.

“I said to him (new Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson) that maybe for my life I prefer to change the country, not to change the club – that is the fact.”

Meanwhile, Liverpool are also closing in on the capture of Middlesbrough keeper Brad Jones as Hodgson eyes experienced cover for number one Pepe Reina.

Jones is set to join the Reds for just over £2million and will cast doubt on the future of current reserve stopper Diego Cavalieri, who is attracting interest from Benfica.

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Fernando Torres

The 26-year-old has been linked with a move away from Anfield this summer following Rafael Benitez’s exit.

Benitez’s move to Inter Milan has seemingly unsettled some of the Reds’ top stars, with the likes of Steven Gerrard and Javier Mascherano both being linked with moves abroad.

Liverpool have already lost one of their stalwarts this summer with Yossi Benayoun opting to join Chelsea.

Given the Reds’ current financial peril its seems almost certain that a number of other players will be leaving Merseyside, with the likes of Ryan Babel, Lucas Leiva and Martin Skrtel all possible transfer targets for other clubs.

New Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson looks as though he will have a tough task on his hands to persuade some players to stay.

The club will be desperate to keep their top stars, especially Torres who has been prolific since he completed his £26.5m move from Atletico Madrid in 2007.

The striker is currently with the Spanish national side preparing for their World Cup semi-final against Germany (2/1 outright World Cup winners) and has put off talk over his club future until he returns from South Africa.

However, his agent David Martin has today hinted that Torres may ask to leave Anfield once he returns, suggesting his future lies with another Premier League side.

“Barcelona have signed David Villa and now they want to invest the money they have in other players,” he told the Daily Mail.

“It is very likely that Fernando Torres will stay in the Premier League, but I cannot say that it will be with Liverpool.

“We are working on his future but right now you cannot guarantee that he will stay with the English club.”

Martin’s comments have sparked rumours that Chelsea (1/7 to beat West Brom on the opening weekend of the new season) or Manchester City could make a bid for Torres.

However, any offer made would have to be huge with the striker still having three years left to run on his current deal.

City have already pushed the boat out in bringing in David Silva, Yaya Toure and Jerome Boateng and are looking to add further talent to their squad.

While Chelsea  could well be persuaded to break the bank to sign Torres should he become available.

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Inter Milan

The Italian giants face Bayern Munich (23/10) in European club football’s showpiece event on Saturday, with both teams looking for a treble after winning the league and cup in their domestic competitions.

But whatever the outcome at the Bernabeu, Moratti feels that the former Chelsea boss will be on his way this summer, with Real Madrid constantly being linked to the talented tactician.

“It is difficult to make percentages with a personality so explosive,” the Inter president told Italian radio. “No one knows what he’ll decide. Either it’s a surprising thing that we don’t expect or unfortunately one we do expect.”

The 47-year-old has enjoyed success since taking over at the San Siro in 2008, winning consecutive Serie A titles and the domestic double this season with a 1-0 victory over Roma in the Coppa Italia final.

A victory over the Germans in the Champions League final on Saturday would likely bring the curtain down on his time at Inter, and maybe in Italy, as the self-styled ‘Special One’ has made it clear that he does not like the way football is played in Italy.

The Portuguese manager has a history of moving on after success, leaving Porto after guiding them to Champions League glory and Chelsea after two Premiership crowns, and so even a victory in Europe’s premier club competition is unlikely to keep him at Inter if he decides it is time to depart.

Mourinho was seen to shed a tear after claiming the Scudetto on Sunday and Moratti believes it showed the human side of a man who is totally driven to succeed.

“He is a complete man who also has a sentimental part that he keeps hidden because he is the boss,” Moratti said. “The tears showed his affection and gratitude for the players.”

There are plenty of other betting opportunities with totesport for the Champions League final. Mourinho’s sides, Inter included, are always defensively sound and so an early goal might be all that is required for the Italians to secure the treble.

An Inter 1-0 victory can be backed at 11/2, while 2-0 trades at 7/1. A goal-less draw is also on offer at 7/1 and if you feel Bayern might sneak it by the odd goal then they can be backed at 15/2 to win 1-0.

A 1-1 draw, taking the final into extra time, is also priced at 11/2.

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