Champions League Preview!

By: Rob | November 4th, 2008

Today we’re back to Champions League action – and its been all go my end. I really love it here on Champions League Offside, but with keeping the EPL Offside as well, what I could do with is a helping hand here, someone to run the day-to-day element. Its not paid, but it can be a hell of alot of fun, and its a great way to follow the tournament, and get your views on a wide range of things across. If your interested email Daryl at Daryl[at]theoffside[dot]com or me here at cl[at]theoffside[dot]com.

Now thats out the way, here’s a lightning quick run through of the games this week! Some teams can get through to the knockout stages over the next couple of days – and I’ll let you know where thats a possibility. Its all heating up now we’re passing the halfway stage of the group stage. No-one can afford any slip ups now. So without further ado, after the jump, lets have a look at the situation.

Group A

Chelsea visit Rome tonight for the return fixture from last times close 1-0 encounter. Roma possibly would have liked it to wait a couple of weeks due to injury worries. Just as interesting is Cluj hosting Bordeaux. The Group currently sits as below.

Chelsea 7
Cluj 4
Roma 3
Bordeaux 3

So if Chelsea Win today, and Cluj beat Bordeaux, Chelsea will be through to the next round.

Group B

Surprise package Anorthosis play host to Inter Milan today, while Bremen are at home to Panathiaikos, in a game both sides have to win if they want to keep their qualification hopes alive.

Inter 7
Anorthosis 4
Bremen 3
Panathinaikos 1

If Inter beat Anorthosis, they’ll be in the knockout stage already.

Group C

Group leaders Barcelona host pointless FC Basel, the reverse fixture provided five goals. Sporting meanwhile are up against Shakhtar. And like Bush’s term as Commander-in-Chief, this group could be all over by the end of the night.

Barcelona 9
Sporting Lisbon 6
Shakhtar 3
Basel 0

Barca qualify if they beat Basel and Sporting win or draw at Shakhtar, or if Sporting wins, and Barca get at least a draw.

Sporting meanwhile can make it through if they beat Shakhtar and Barca get at least a draw against Basel.

Group D

Liverpool host Atletico Madrid while Marseilles play host to PSV. The second game is very very important for who will qualify as we shall see

Liverpool 7
Atletico 7
PSV 3
Marseille 0

If Marseille beats PSV, then whoever wins the game between Liverpool and Atletico will be through to the knockout stages.

Wednesday

Group E

Man United visit Celtic Park as the Glasgow club need to hit the ground running – and their home record is exceptional despite their awful record on the road. Aalborg host Villarreal elsewhere.

Manchester United 7
Villarreal 7
Celtic 1
Aalborg 1

If Aalborg don’t win against Villarreal, and Man United beat Celtic, United will qualify for the KO stage.
If Man United beat Celtic, and Villarreal win against Aalborg, they’ll be in the KO stage.

Group oF death.

Still tight in the Group of Death, as Fiorentina prepare to host leaders Bayern, and Lyon welcome Steaua.

Bayern 7
Lyon 5
Fiorentina 2
Steaua 1

Bayern will be through if they win and Lyon get at least a draw.

Group G

An enticing encounter at the Emirates where Arsenal host Fener, and Porto make the long trip to Kiev.

Arsenal 7
Dynamo Kiev 5
FC Porto 3
Fenerbahce 1

Arsenal will qualify for the KO stage if they win and Porto lose in Kiev.

Group H

BATE visit Zenit, but that isn’t what you wanna hear about is it? Its Juve vs Real Round 2 in Madrid.

Juventus 7
Real Madrid 6
BATE 2
Zenit 1

Juve will be through if they beat Real Madrid this evening. No mean feat.