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Home , Admir Mehmedi, Aleksandr Bukharov, Aleksandr Ryazantsev, Ayila Yussuf, Carlo Ancelotti, Cesare Natali

RACING POST CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SPECIAL The ultimate guide Tuesday, September 15, 2009 Who will be the kings of Europe?

HHAll the odds HHGuide to the 32 teams HHKey stats and formguide for matchday one HHBetting advice from Racing Post experts Mark Langdon, Steve Davies & Kevin Pullein HHTop tips from football legend Tony Cascarino, plus European gurus Gabriele Marcotti & Guillem Balague 2 RACING POST Tuesday, September 15, 2009 racingpost.com INSIDE Mark Langdon can see English Previews WHO WILL LIFT THE CUP? winners this season Who will lift the Cup? ...... 2 Specials ...... 6 Group A ...... 8 Group B ...... 9 Group C ...... 10 Group D ...... 11 Group E ...... 12 CHELSEA CAN Group F ...... 13 Group G ...... 15 Group H ...... 18 Golden Boot...... 16-17 Trading Post ...... 20 Spreadwise ...... 24 FINALLY BREAK Today’s action Odds & form ...... 25 Match previews...... 27 Chelsea v Porto...... 29 Man Utd v Besiktas ...... 31 EURO HOODOO Opinions Ancelotti’s Blues look great value to bring Cup back to England HE Champions an amazing last-gasp from Tony Cascarino ...... 4 League curse which Andres Iniesta to stop the Gabriele Marcotti...... 21 has caused Chelsea marvellous run under previous Guillem Balague ...... 21 so much pain in boss . has taken Odds-compilers...... 22-23 T recent years could be lifted this season with the Blues over from Hiddink and he Kevin Pullein ...... 30 looking an outstanding bet to could be the missing piece of claim a first European Cup the jigsaw. Having twice won success. the Champions League as a Email us at Chelsea have suffered manager he definitely has horrendous luck in the what it takes. [email protected] competition despite reaching at Ancelotti has an incredible Web: racingpost.com/sport least the semi-finals in five of squad at his disposal, strong in the last six years. every area and able to Edited by Just about everything which tactically adapt to almost any Dan Williams could have gone wrong has situation. Production team gone wrong in the latter stages Defensively they have John Phil Agius, Michael Brear, from disputed goals to penalty Terry, Alex, , Henry Hardwicke, Alex Hilton, LAST FIVE FINALS shootout defeats – and last Jose Bosingwa, James Milton, Scott Samuels, 2008-09 ...... Barcelona 2 (8-1) Man Utd 0 year’s heartbreaking semi-final and Branislav Ivanovic, while Adam Scriven, Ian Wilkerson. 2007-08 ...... Man Utd 1 (8-1) Chelsea 1 exit to Barcelona was possibly in midfield Ancelotti can call Pictures & graphics Vic Jones, Man Utd won 6-5 on penalties 2006-07 ...... 2 (11-1) Liverpool 1 the most painful of the lot. upon , , Dave Penzer, John Kettle, 2005-06 ...... Barcelona 2 (13-2) Arsenal 1 With a better referee the , Frank Jenny Robertshaw, Stefan Searle. 2004-05 ...... Liverpool 3 (33-1) Milan 3 Lampard, , Joe Liverpool won 3-2 on penalties Blues would have gone to the Stats Chris Mann, Glenn final in , and a treble- Cole, and Florent Jeffreys, Tom Earl. *Odds quoted were the best price to win the tournament at the start of the group stage winning Barcelona side needed Malouda. is the best forward of his type in the CHAMPIONS LEAGUE world and he is partnered by LAST 6 EUROPEAN SEASONS (latest figure on the right) BET365 BFRED B SQ BOYLE CORAL HILLS LADS POWER S JMS TOTE VC Golden Boot Didier Drogba spearheads a superb Chelsea attack 4/16/W/16/SF/W Barcelona 4 9-2 4 9-2 4 9-2 4 4 4 4 7-2 winner . There Ronaldo capable of dominating squad is and they have QF/16/16/16/16/16 Real 9-2 559-2 559-2 559-2 9-2 are no weaknesses and they represent terrific value at 13-2. and destroying opposition defensive problems, although SF/SF/16/SF/F/SF Chelsea 6 6 11-2 6 6 13-2 6 6 6 11-2 11-2 Barca are worthy favourites sides in equal measure. the Italian threat of Inter and 16/16/GR/SF/W/F Man Utd 15-2 7 8 778 5 15-2 6 13-2 7 having played such stunning But there are question Juventus is growing following QF/16/F/16/QF/SF Arsenal 8910 9 10 10 9 10 99 8football en route to becoming marks, not least can all of the an impressive summer of the first Spanish team to win Galacticos play together? The spending. 4/W/16/F/SF/QF Liverpool 12 12 11 11 10 12 9 11 10 11 11 the treble under the amazing rectangle midfield of two Both could have their QF/QF/QF/16/16/16 Inter 12 12 12 11 11 12 12 12 11 11 11 influence of novice manager holders and two attackers does supporters, but it may just take 16/QF/QF/-/-/16 Juventus 20 20 22 22 25 25 20 25 22 22 25 . not inspire total confidence, one more year of rebuilding 16/QF/16/QF/SF/QF Bayern 25 25 28 25 25 28 28 25 22 22 25 However, they are virtually the defence lacks leaders and before can once again half the odds of last term, and the front pairing of Raul and become top dogs, while Lyon QF/F/SF/W/16/32 Milan 25 28 25 22 18 40 22 22 22 22 22 is their side that much better is far from the could be a big price but just -/16/W/W/16/GR 33 33 33 40 40 50 33 40 33 33 33 than 12 months ago? strongest in the competition. lack that something special to QF/QF/QF/16/16/16 Lyon 33 33 33 33 40 50 40 40 40 33 28 Swapping Samuel Eto’o and Manchester United have go all the way to the final. a bucketload of cash for Zlatan reached the final in each of the The same cannot be said of -/-/-/-/-/32/16 Atletico 40 40 40 40 40 66 50 40 40 33 33 Ibrahimovic was by far and last two years. However, while Liverpool when Steven -/-/-/-/-/32 Wolfsburg 40 50 50 50 50 100 66 66 50 40 50 away the biggest gamble of the sale of Ronaldo to Real Gerrard and 16/32/32/-/GR/32 Stuttgart 40 66 40 66 40 100 80 66 50 40 66 Guardiola’s short career. Madrid may have made sound are in the ranks, and no team -/-/-/-/-/SF/GR+32 Fiorentina 100 100 66 80 50 100 66 66 50 50 80 Ibra is a superb talent, but business sense, Sir Alex would enjoy a second-leg trip Barcelona’s great strength was Ferguson’s team is undoubtedly to where the special W/16/GR/16/16/QF Porto 125 66 66 66 66 100 80 66 50 50 80 the way they harassed teams weaker for his departure. atmosphere lives up to the QF/-/-/32/32/GR+32 Bordeaux 80 66 80 66 50 150 50 66 66 66 80 into winning possession back. It was Ronaldo who claimed hype. F/-/16/1/16/QF Marseille 150 66 80 100 50 150 80 80 66 80 80 The languid Swede makes the Golden Boot when United They have not started the look like went all the way in 2008, even GR/16/GR/GR/32/32 Olympiakos 100 125 100 125 100 150 150 125 150 125 100 season fantastically in the in terms of scoring in the final. It was Premier League and everyone -/SF/32/QF/GR/- AZ Alkmaar 125 100 100 125 80 200 100 100 100 100 125 workrate, and no longer will Ronaldo who took United past has become obsessed with the 2Q/GR+W/GR/32/GR/16 CSKA 125 100 125 125 100 250 125 100 80 100 125 Barcelona be able to defend Porto when he scored that loss of Alonso to Real Madrid. -/2Q/-/1/-/- Rubin Kazan 200 150 125 100 80 250 150 125 100 100 150 from the front like they did so phenomenal goal from 40 However, few have impressively last season. yards, and it was Ronaldo who mentioned the early-campaign GR/GR/16/16/F/2Q Rangers 150 200 200 200 250 250 150 150 150 125 200 Real Madrid have been the notched from a similar injuries to Martin Skrtel, GR+3/GR/GR/GR/GR/1 Besiktas 300 150 150 150 100 500 125 100 150 125 200 story of the summer and they distance in the semi-final Daniel Agger, Fabio Aurelio, GR/GR+32/2Q/GR/GR/GR+SF Dynamo Kiev 400 200 125 100 66 500 80 125 150 150 150 are desperate to win the against Arsenal before showing and Alberto his counter-attacking ability to -/GR/-/1/1/32 Standard Liege 200 150 200 250 150 500 200 150 150 200 200 Champions League after the Aquilani, and the Merseysiders success of great rivals Barca. make that tie safe at the should be a much stronger unit 2/1/2Q/16/-/- Maccabi Haifa 750 500 400 500 500 750 350 500 400 750 400 The fact the final is at Real’s Emirates. by the business end of the -/-/1/2Q/32/1 Zurich 1000 500 400 500 250 1000 500 750 500 750 300 Bernabeu home just intensifies He can’t be replaced despite competition. -/-/-/-/-/1 Unirea 750 500 300 1000 400 2500 500 750 500 750 500 the demand for victory. growing in Recommendations ’s midfield stature with every 90 minutes 3/-/3Q+1/2Q/2Q/3Q Debrecen 1000 1000 500 1000 500 2500 750 750 500 750 1000 Chelsea is a who’s who of world for club and country. 5pts 13-2 Hills 1/2Q/1/2Q/1Q/1 Apoel 1000 2000 500 1500 500 2500 500 1000 500 1000 1000 football with new signings Xabi Arsenal themselves are too Liverpool Each-way 1/2 1,2. NB: Bold figures in formguide denote round of Uefa Cup reached, all others Champions League Alonso, Kaka and Cristiano short given how weak their 1pt 12-1 Bet365, Betfred, Hills Racing Post Tuesday, September 15, 2009 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SPECIAL 3 4 RACING POST Tuesday, September 15, 2009 racingpost.com

The former Marseille striker sees few problems TONY CASCARINO for the English teams in the group stage

Kaka has had no problems in settling at Real Madrid and the Brazil looks a decent each-way shout to collect the Champions League Golden Boot at 40-1 Bayern have depth to see Don’t expect the big clubs to off Juventus GROUP A has got the bookmakers scratching their heads – Bayern Munich or Juventus? have many group difficulties Most of the layers just prefer Juve but I’m right TLETICO MADRID Real is at the back. They’ve Chelsea have got Group D at brought to behind Bayern at 7-5 with have got all the TONY’S TOP TIPS forked out fortunes on all their mercy and you can’t see our attention. To be fair, Boloni Hills. After a slow start to the firepower in the those attacking gems in Kaka, Manchester United making a hasn’t seen many players go All four English sides to qualify campaign under world, but that’s not 3pts 8-13 Betfred and Karim mess of Group C. United are in from that side and they went new manager Louis van going to stop them Benzema, but they are going to good form, have got key on to retain the Belgian Chelsea (1-2) & Real Madrid Gaal, suddenly they’ve finishingAa distant second (4-7) to win their groups get nothing defensively out of players like Nemanja Vidic title. whacked champions 2pt double Coral and Rio Ferdinand fit, and behind Chelsea in Group D. the front four. I think they are a Wolfsburg 3-0 and won 5-1 in It’s billed as a two-horse race Standard Liege to qualify from That means whoever Manuel shouldn’t be troubled by neat and tidy outfit either CSKA Moscow or Dortmund. for top spot in that section but Group H Pellegrini picks in the who can definitely Talk about a statement of to me Chelsea are good things 2pts 3-1 Boyles, Stan James, V Chandler defensive midfield holes – Xabi Besiktas. make the last 16. And Liverpool, apart intent. And amazingly, at 1-2 with Betfred and Coral. B Munich to win Group A Alonso has to be a certain Franck Ribery didn’t start from almost making a I’m going to put them in a 2pts 7-5 Hills starter – is going to be working either game, hash of qualification a group win double with Real Kaka top goalscorer overtime to protect some couldn’t get on the bench couple of seasons ago, Madrid – it works out at 0.5pt each-way 40-1 Bet365 seriously accident-prone and Miroslav Klose has know their way into the around 11-8 with Coral – and centre-backs, including Sergio hardly had a look-in either, last 16. While Lyon and I’m also taking Betfred’s 8-13 several other decent front Ramos and Christophe which gives you an insight Fiorentina will make it players. into how much depth van that all four Premier League Metzelder. competitive, Rafa But Chelsea are better Gaal has at his disposal. teams make it into the last 16. This is not yet the perfect Benitez’s men should defensively than ever under Van Gaal has yet to start How can they fail? formula – although it’s going still progress Carlo Ancelotti, especially with with his dream trident of Chelsea should have no to be far too hot for the rest of comfortably. Michael Essien back in Ribery, and difficulty eclipsing Atletico in a the group. Milan haven’t got Arsenal are in a midfield. And Atletico Mario Gomez, but when he group also featuring Porto and going at all this season and I’ve competitive section Apoel. The Cypriots are there defensively are awful. They said many, many times that does it will be dynamite. in Group H with Diego to make up the numbers, while have already been beaten 3-0 French football simply isn’t The changes made at Alkmaar, Forlan is Porto could also be a weapon by Malaga in and if good enough and gets exposed Munich over the summer are Olympiakos and a star really exciting and Juventus in the bet because while they they are talking about Lucas too often on the big stage. Standard Liege, but turn for look stronger, as well. are strictly sub-Chelsea class, Neill to replace Johnny Marseille don’t score enough again the Gunners will simply Atletico Players like Diego and Melo they have enough talent going Heitinga then you can goals and will be over-run by have too much class going Madrid appreciate the depth of their can only enhance their set- forward to nick at least a point the likes of Madrid and Milan. forward. up and it’s no surprise that problems. or two off Atletico. Madrid will score goals and I like Standard, managed by they are off to a 100 percent Atletico will score goals, of So qualification should be a go a long way in the my old boss at Nancy, Laszlo start in . that there is no doubt. Diego breeze for Chelsea, and also for tournament so Kaka, at 40-1, Boloni. They are such a slick But no one is quite sure Forlan, despite a rubbish time Real Madrid. They are 4-7 to might just be a bit of value to outfit and famously how will do as a at , is a proven top Group C – also featuring be top goalscorer. should have knocked coach – he’s had nothing go goalscorer in Spain, Sergio Milan, Marseille and Zurich – As I say, all four English Liverpool out of last wrong yet – whereas van Aguero is class and they’ve also and that’s a great price. sides to qualify looks an season’s Champions Gaal is massively got Simao, Jose Reyes and My one slight concern with absolute steal at 8-13. League, a match which experienced. Racing Post Tuesday, September 15, 2009 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SPECIAL 5 6 RACING POST Tuesday, September 15, 2009 racingpost.com SPECIALS

WINNING NATION BET365 BETFRED BLUE SQ BOYLE CORAL LADS S JMS TOTE VC England 5-4 5-4 5-4 11-8 11-8 11-8 11-8 5-4 5-4 Spain 7-5 6-4 6-4 6-4 6-4 13-8 13-8 6-4 5-4 Groups should hold no Italy 5 5 11-2 5 9-2 11-2 666 Germany 16 12 14 12 14 16 12 12 16 France 25 14 20 20 18 20 25 -20 Any other 50 20 20 20 20 14 14 10* 20 *Includes France fear for Premier teams TO QUALIFY FOR KNOCKOUT STAGES By Mark Langdon Lyon are a decent side, but Manager Zico has gone and from a section which also contains nowhere near as strong as been replaced by , Standard Liege, Olympiakos and GROUP A IT has happened in five of the Liverpool and with two qualify- yet it may take the Spaniard time AZ Alkmaar. last six years, but Coral are still ing berths the Merseysiders should to rectify the mess in Moscow. Standard Liege are missing BET365 BETFRED BLUE SQ BOYLE S JMS TOTE VC prepared to lay 4-6 about all of still cruise into the last 16. Chelsea are handicapped by their best player Steven Defour Bayern Munich 1-4 2-9 2-7 2-9 1-5 1-4 1-5 the English participants qualify- Fiorentina are far from being the suspensions of Jose Bosingwa after he picked up a serious injury Juventus 2-9 1-4 1-4 1-4 1-4 2-9 1-5 ing for the knockout stages and strong in terms of competing at and Didier Drogba, but there is on Saturday and AZ’s limitations Bordeaux 11-8 6-4 11-8 6-5 6-4 7-5 6-4 the advice is to lump on the the highest level. They gained still enough talent in Carlo are highlighted by top scorer Maccabi Haifa 10 8710 889Premier League’s big four. only 68 points in Serie A last Ancelotti’s team to make sure Mounir El Hamdaoui. Manchester United, in 2005-06, season and only just edged out they finish in the top two in a The forward failed to make are the only team to have blem- Genoa for a Champions League group alongside Atletico Madrid, the grade at Tottenham and GROUP B ished an otherwise perfect record spot. Debrecen will surely finish Porto and Cypriot minnows Apoel. struggled at Willem II before BET365 BETFRED BLUE SQ BOYLE S JMS TOTE VC with 22 of the 23 teams safely bottom of the pile. Atletico are a wildly inconsis- becoming a cult hero in Alkmaar. Man Utd 1-16 1-12 1-12 1-12 1-10 1-16 1-25 negotiating the group phase and United will clock up the air tent bunch, who struggle to put Olympiakos were given gimmes Wolfsburg 4-6 4-5 4-5 4-5 4-5 4-5 5-6 there is nothing to suggest one will miles with trips to CSKA Moscow two decent results together, while in their qualifiers, and this will be CSKA Moscow 6-4 11-10 5-4 21-20 6-5 6-5 11-8 crash out early this time around. and Besiktas, but neither should Porto have lost a number of their far tougher than games against Besiktas 9-2 4 10-3 4 7-2 4 3 Let’s deal with the teams indi- cause too many problems in terms key performers in the summer Slovan and Sheriff. vidually and start with Liverpool, of their footballing ability. transfer window. Recommendation who are arguably the most vul- Besiktas have failed to win four Arsenal have the easiest passage All four English teams to GROUP C nerable of the quartet in a section of their five domestic games and of the lot and it is difficult to see qualify for knockout phase BET365 BETFRED BLUE SQ BOYLE S JMS TOTE VC alongside Lyon and Fiorentina. CSKA have been in turmoil. them dropping too many points 4pts 4-6 Coral Real Madrid 1-16 1-16 1-16 1-20 1-20 1-20 1-16 Milan 2-7 2-7 4-11 1-3 1-3 4-11 1-4 SPECIALS Marseille 2 15-8 13-8 7-4 7-4 9-5 2 Bet365 – goalscorer match bets: 8-11 Zurich 18 10 11 9 12 9 8 Ronaldo v Evs Messi, 8-11 Eto’o v Evs Ibrahimovic, 4-5 Rooney v 10-11 Anelka, 8-13 Gerrard v 6-5 Lampard, 5-6 Kaka v 5-6 Arshavin; English specials: 9-2 all- GROUP D English final, 66 all-English semi-finals. BET365 BETFRED BLUE SQ BOYLE S JMS TOTE VC Betfred – highest-scoring group: 6 Group A, 15-2 Group B, 13-2 Group C, Chelsea 1-16 1-10 1-12 1-20 1-16 1-16 1-20 Group D, 5 Group E, 7-2 Group F, 9 Group Atletico 4-7 8-13 4-6 4-6 4-6 7-10 4-6 G, 5 Group H; group of winning team: 10 Group A, 11-2 Group B, 7-2 Group C, Porto 6-5 10-11 Evs Evs Evs Evs Evs 9-2 Group D, 15-2 Group E, 3 Group F, 20 Apoel 10 9 13-2 8 9 15-2 8 Group G, 8 Group H; other specials: 8-13 all four English teams to qualify, 4 all five British teams to qualify. Blue Square – Real Madrid stage of GROUP E elimination: 7 group stage, 3 last-16, BET365 BETFRED BLUE SQ BOYLE S JMS TOTE VC 10-3 quarter-final, semi-final, 5 runner-up, 5 winner; Barcelona stage of elimina- Liverpool 1-8 1-8 1-7 1-8 1-7 1-7 1-7 tion: 8 group stage, 7-2 last-16, 3 quarter- Lyon 2-5 1-3 4-9 1-3 2-5 3-10 2-5 final, 7-2 semi-final, 5 runner-up, 4 winner. Fiorentina 11-8 6-4 11-10 7-5 5-4 6-4 11-8 Boylesports – Real Madrid’s top goalscor- er: 5-4 Ronaldo, 6-4 Benzema, 13-5 Kaka, Debrecen 10 8 98898 only quoted players count. Coral – English specials: 4 all four to win group, 4-6 all four to qualify from group, 4 all-English final. GROUP F Hills – English team to win Champions BET365 BETFRED BLUE SQ BOYLE S JMS TOTE VC League: 4-6 no, 11-10 yes; other spe- cials: 3 all-British final, 11-2 all-Spanish Barcelona 1-20 1-20 1-20 1-20 1-33 1-20 1-25 final Rangers group stage points: 33 Inter 1-6 1-8 1-5 1-6 1-6 1-7 1-6 two or fewer, 11-2 three-six, 4-6 seven- ten, 11-5 11-14, 16 15-18; Rangers points Rubin Kazan 5 11-2 5 11-2 5 5 11-2 v Seville: 10-11 two or fewer, Evs three- Dynamo Kiev 13-2 11-2 5 4 11-2 11-2 11-2 four, 10 six; v Stuttgart: 11-10 two or fewer, 10-11 three-four, 8 six; v Unirea: Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard should be able to guide his side through their group 3 two or fewer, 8-11 three-four, 12-5 six; Rangers specials: 7 not to win a group GROUP G match, 12 not to lose a group match, 100 lose all six group matches, 150 win all six BET365 BETFRED BLUE SQ BOYLE S JMS TOTE VC group matches Seville 1-7 1-6 1-6 1-6 1-6 1-5 1-6 Scottish champs look set to struggle Ladbrokes – British team to qualify with most points: 9-4 Chelsea, Arsenal, Stuttgart 1-3 2-5 4-11 1-3 4-11 1-3 2-5 RANGERS have been given a given they have already been of 6-5 for to notch 5-2 Man Utd, 7-2 Liverpool, 66 Rangers; Rangers 2 7-4 7-4 2 15-8 7-4 7-4 decent chance of qualifying for troubled at Motherwell and more than England colleague English specials: 6-5 English winner, 5 all-English final, 33 all-English semi-finals. Unirea 5 7-2 4 7-2 4 4 4 the knockout stages of the Hearts in the SPL this term. Steven Gerrard. Paddy Power – goalscorer match bet: Champions League after avoiding Seville, boasting talent like Lampard is prolific from 4-5 S Eto’o v 10-11 Z Ibrahimovic. Europe’s giants, but it could still Luis Fabiano and Fredi Kanoute, midfield and always gets his fair Victor Chandler – English teams to win groups: 2-7 no, 12-5 yes; group of GROUP H be worth betting on Walter can beat Rangers home and away share of free kicks and penalties, winning team: 10 Group A, 11-2 Group BET365 BETFRED BLUE SQ BOYLE S JMS TOTE VC Smith’s side to struggle in and Stuttgart are also a pretty but Stevie G has outscored the B, 10-3 Group C, 4 Group D, 7 Group E, 11-5 Group F, 20 Group G, 13-2 Group H. Arsenal 1-20 1-14 1-20 1-33 1-20 1-22 1-33 Group G, writes Mark Langdon. strong attacking unit. Chelsea man in each of the last Hills are betting on the num- Unirea are seen as whipping AZ Alkmaar 13-10 11-10 6-5 Evs Evs 11-10 10-11 four Champions League seasons. ber of points the Gers accumulate boys, but that is not the case. ENGLISH TEAM TO Olympiakos 6-5 11-10 5-4 5-4 5-4 5-4 6-4 Recommendations and both two points or fewer Dan Petrescu is doing a fine job Rangers to get two points or GO THE FURTHEST Standard Liege 13-5 11-4 5-2 3311-4 3 (33-1) and three to six points in the Urziceni hotseat and they fewer in Group G BFRED HILLS LADS TOTE VC (11-2) appeal in a section along- could shock the SPL champions. 0.5pt 33-1 Hills Chelsea 7-4 7-4 15-8 17-10 7-4 side Seville, Stuttgart and Unirea. The one goalscorer match bet Rangers to get three to Man Utd 2 11-4 9-5 11-5 11-5 It is difficult to see Rangers which appeared to be most wrong six points in Group G GOLDEN BOOT PAGES 16-17 getting much on their travels at first glance was Bet365’s quote 0.5pt 11-2 Hills Liverpool 4 7-2 447-2 Arsenal 7-2 11-4 4 16-5 7-2 STAGE OF ELIMINATION BRITISH TEAM TO Manchester United Chelsea Liverpool Arsenal Rangers GO THE FURTHEST BFRED BLUE SQ CORAL BFRED BLUE SQ CORAL BFRED BLUE SQ CORAL BFRED BLUE SQ CORAL CORAL HILLS BFRED BLUE SQ CORAL Group stage 13-2 6 9-2 Group stage 11-2 6 4 Group stage 9-2 4 7-2 Group stage 8 8 11-2 Group stage 4-11 2-5 Chelsea 7-4 7-4 15-8 Last 16 5-2 5-2 11-4 Last 16 3 11-4 3 Last 16 2 2 9-4 Last 16 9-4 2 15-8 Last 16 11-4 9-4 Man Utd 11-4 12-5 2 Quarter-final 11-4 5-2 11-4 Quarter-final 3 3 11-4 Quarter-final 11-4 3 11-4 Quarter-final 5-2 9-4 5-2 Quarter-final 8 10 Arsenal 10-3 3 7-2 Semi-final 3 4 7-2 Semi-final 11-4 44 Semi-final 10-3 44 Semi-final 7-2 44 Semi-final 20 50 Runners-up 7 6 7 Runners-up 6 11-2 13-2 Runners-up 10 89 Runners-up 879 Runners-up 66 200 Liverpool 4 7-2 4 Winners 7 8 7 Winners 6 11-2 13-2 Winners 12 11 10 Winners 9 10 10 Winners 250 200 Rangers 50 50 40 Racing Post Tuesday, September 15, 2009 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SPECIAL 7 8 RACING POST Tuesday, September 15, 2009 racingpost.com

Group A by Mark Langdon

Best prices Best prices Tournament: 28-1 Tournament: 25-1 BAYERN MUNICH Group: 7-5 JUVENTUS Group: 6-4

Squad details Squad details Pos App Gls Yel Red Pos App Gls Yel Red 22 Hans-Jorg Butt G 2 0 0 0 Ribery stays put but 1 G 3 0 0 0 Confidence high that 35 G 0 0 0 0 12 Antonio Chimenti G 0 0 0 0 1 Michael Rensing G 3 0 0 0 13 Alexander Manninger G 0 0 0 0 4 Edson Braafheid D 2(2) 0 0 0 23 Lorenzo Ariaudo D 0 0 0 0 15 Breno D 0 0 0 0 it may not be enough 2 Martin Caceres D 1 1 1 0 Old Lady can deliver 6 Martin Demichelis D 0 0 0 0 5 D 2 0 1 0 13 Andreas Gorlitz D 0 0 0 0 The longest-running Recent club record 3 D 3 0 0 0 Juventus last tasted Recent club record 21 Philipp Lahm D 5 0 0 0 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09 6 D 1 0 0 0 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09 30 Christian Lell D 0 0 0 0 transfer saga of the summer 21 Zdenek Grygera D 2 0 1 0 Champions League success Europe 16 QF 16 QF SF QF Europe 16 QF QF - - 16 5 Daniel Van Buyten D 5 0 0 0 ended with Franck Ribery 33 Nicola Legrottaglie D 1(1) 0 1 0 in 1996, but there is genuine Domestic 211 4 12 Domestic 3111 32 28 Holger Badstuber M 5 0 0 0 remaining at Bayern Munich, 19 Cristian Molinaro D 0(1) 0 0 0 belief in that this could 19 Alexander Baumjohann M 1 0 0 0 Figures in bold signify Uefa Cup 15 Jonathan Zebina D 0 0 0 0 European meetings with group 8 Hamit Altintop M 5 0 0 0 and now the Frenchman needs European meetings with group 16 M 1(2) 0 0 0 be the year for the Old Lady opponents in last ten seasons 25 Thomas Muller M 1(4) 2 1 0 to prove he is worth all the fuss opponents in last ten seasons 29 Paolo De Ceglie M 1(1) 0 0 0 to rise to the top of the B Munich: Nov 05 H 2-1, Oct 05 A 1-2, 16 M 0 0 0 0 Juventus: Nov 05 A 1-2, Oct 05 H 2-1, 28 Diego M 3 2 1 0 Nov 04 A 1-0, Oct 04 H 1-0 23 Danijel Pranjic M 4 0 0 0 which saw countless clubs 4 M 2 1 1 0 European football. Nov 04 H 0-1, Oct 04 A 0-1 Bordeaux: None 7 Franck Ribery M 0(3) 1 0 0 chasing his signature. 8 Claudio Marchisio M 3 0 1 0 There has been significant Bordeaux: May 96 A 3-1, May 96 H 2-0 Maccabi Haifa: None 31 Bastian Schweinsteiger M 5 1 1 0 Despite not cashing in on Maccabi Haifa: None 39 Luca Marrone M 0(1) 0 1 0 investment this summer, with 20 Jose Sosa M 1(1) 0 0 0 18 M 1(1) 0 1 0 their star asset, Bayern boss tasty Diego an 44 Anatoliy Tymoschuk M 4(1) 0 0 0 7 Hasan Salihamidzic M 1 0 0 0 to watch in the tournament, 17 M 1 0 1 0 was still able Mario Gomez and Edson 22 M 0 0 0 0 eye-catching capture from 33 Mario Gomez F 5 3 0 0 while compatriot Felipe Melo to go on a spending splurge Braafheid arrive at the Allianz 30 Tiago M 2(1) 0 1 0 Werder Bremen. 18 Miroslav Klose F 2 0 0 0 11 Amauri F 3 0 1 0 will look after the defensive 11 Ivaca Olic F 3(2) 1 0 0 which has seen established Arena. 10 F 0 0 0 0 The Brazilian has been 10 Arjen Robben F 1(1) 2 0 0 internationals such as Ivica However, the problem (as 20 Sebastian Giovinco F 0(1) 0 0 0 compared to former Juve side in midfield. 9 Luca Toni F 0 0 0 0 9 Vincenzo Iaquinta F 2 1 0 0 Olic, Arjen Robben, Anatoliy always with Bayern) is the greats Italian internationals Fabio HH Figures relate to this season’s domestic league 17 F 1 1 0 0 Grosso and Fabio Cannavaro matches Tymoschuk, Daniel Pranjic, egos are as gigantic as the and and wage packets, and van Gaal’s will be one of the players have arrived to add steel to Franck biggest task will be to the rearguard and the quarter- Last season in Europe Ribery somehow build team unity Last season in Europe finals will be the minimum 1st goal Bookings Corners following a disappointing 1st goal Bookings Corners requirement for such a Champions League quarter-final Champions League last 16 Felipe B Munich 1 Barcelona 1 47 60 8 campaign last season. Juventus 2 Chelsea 2 19 95 6 talented squad. Barcelona 4 B Munich 0 9 40 13 Chelsea 1 Juventus 0 13 40 14 Melo The appointment of Last 16 Bayern finished second in Group stage B Munich 7 Sp. 1 8 20 8 the Bundesliga and were Juventus 0 BATE Borisov 0 90 50 16 inexperienced manager Ciro Sp. Lisbon 0 B Munich 5 41 30 11 Zenit 0 Juventus 0 90 50 10 Ferrara to replace Claudio Group stage bashed by Barca in the Real Madrid 0 Juventus 2 17 60 16 Lyon 2 B Munich 3 11 60 13 Champions League quarter- Juventus 2 Real Madrid 1 5 10 4 Ranieri is questionable, B Munich 3 Steaua 0 57 30 12 BATE Borisov 2 Juventus 2 17 60 7 Fiorentina 1 B Munich 1 10 30 9 finals, and it is difficult to Juventus 1 Zenit 0 76 30 11 although treble-winners B Munich 3 Fiorentina 0 4 50 14 see any improvement even Third qualifying round Barcelona didn’t do badly B Munich 1 Lyon 1 25 60 10 Artmedia 1 Juventus 1 14 30 - Steaua Bucharest 0 B Munich 1 15 30 9 with Ribery still on board. Juventus 4 Artmedia 0 7 20 - with a novice gaffer last term.

Best prices Best prices Tournament: 150-1 Tournament: 750-1 BORDEAUX Group: 5-1 MACCABI HAIFA Group: 66-1

Squad details Squad details Pos App Gls Yel Red Pos App Gls Yel Red 1 Cedric Carrasso G 5 0 0 0 Not easy for French 1 Nir Davidovitch G 3 0 0 0 European dream may 32 Abdoulaye Keita G 0 0 0 0 22 Amir Edree G 0 0 0 0 16 Ulrich Rame G 0 0 0 0 33 Haim Ziskind G 0 0 0 0 21 Mathieu Chalme D 4 0 2 0 3 Alon Harazi D 1 0 0 0 2 Michael Ciani D3 000 champions to advance 5 Jorge Teixeira D 3 0 0 0 turn into nightmare 3 Henrique D 2 0 0 0 21 Dekel Keinan D 2 0 1 0 6 Franck Jurietti D 1 0 0 0 There are flat-track bullies in Recent club record 4 Shai Maimon D 1(1) 0 0 0 It is a miracle that Maccabi Recent club record 13 D 0 0 0 0 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09 17 Tshepo Masilela D 3 0 0 0 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09 27 Marc Planus D 5 0 0 0 every sport and Bordeaux 27 Eyal Meshumar D 2 0 0 0 Haifa are even in the Champ- Europe QF --323232+GR Europe 2R 1R 2Q 16 -- 25 Ludovic Sane D 0 0 0 0 seem to have excelled in the 18 Ali Otman D 1(1) 0 1 0 ions League proper and their Domestic 12 15 2 6 2 1 Domestic 111 5 51 28 Benoit Tremoulinas D 5 0 1 0 art of beating the smaller 13 Talb Tawatha D 0 0 0 0 dream run to the group phase 4 M 5 1 0 0 Figures in bold signify Uefa Cup 8 John Culma M 2(1) 0 1 0 Figures in bold signify Uefa Cup 5 Fernando M 1(4) 0 0 0 teams. European meetings with group 15 Eyal Golasa M 2 1 0 0 is unlikely to go any further. European meetings with group 8 M 5 4 0 0 ’s side failed opponents in last ten seasons 7 Gustavo M 3 0 0 0 Elisha Levy’s outfit trailed opponents in last ten seasons 12 Paul-Bastien Lasne M 0 0 0 0 to win half of their 18 games B Munich: May 96 H 1-3, May 96 A 0-2 23 Biriam Kayal M 1(1) 0 1 0 3-0 at home to Kazakhstan’s Bayern Munich: None 18 Jaroslav Plasil M 3(1) 0 1 0 Juventus: None 26 Lior Rafaelov M 2(1) 0 0 0 Juventus: None 22 Gregory Sertic M 0 0 0 0 against their fellow top-half Maccabi Haifa: None 14 Tiago M 0 0 0 0 Aktobe in the second leg of Bordeaux: None 24 Abdou Traore M 0 0 0 0 teams in last season, 24 Israel Zaguri M 0(2) 0 0 0 their third qualifying round 17 Wendel M 5 1 1 0 19 Shlomi Arbeitman F 3 4 0 0 7 Yoan Gouffran F 1(3) 1 1 0 yet they were still able to competition last term. 9 Vladimir Dvalishvile F 2(1) 2 0 0 before storming back to record The Greens overcame 11 F 0(2) 0 0 0 take the title in France from They were eliminated from 16 Muhamad Ghadir F 0(3) 0 0 0 a famous 4-3 win. Olympiakos and Manchester 9 F 3(1) 0 0 0 20 Yaniv Katan F 3 1 0 0 29 F 5 3 1 0 perennial champions Lyon. the Champions League group 12 Eial Strahman F 0 0 0 0 Home and away triumphs United at home in the Champ- 10 Jussie F 1(4) 1 0 0 But there are very few easy phase in a section which over in the final ions League in 2002, but don’t 20 Henri Saivet F 0 0 0 0 matches in the Champions contained Chelsea, Roma and This season in Europe qualifying round suggests the expect too many miracles this League and Bordeaux Cluj and then went out of 1st goal Bookings Corners Aktobe performance can be time around. Champions League play-off struggled in European the Uefa Cup at the last-32 Maccabi Haifa 3 Salzburg 0 31 30 7 attributed to a mad 15 However, striker Shlomi stage to Galatasaray. Salzburg 1 Maccabi Haifa 2 22 50 13 minutes, but now they must Arbeitman is confident. “We Third qualifying round The loss of defensive linch- Maccabi Haifa 4 FK Aktobe 3 8 60 12 play impeccably just to stand are excited to be facing the Yoann pin is FK Aktobe 0 Maccabi Haifa 0 90 10 6 a chance of finishing in third likes of Bayern, Juventus and Second qualifying round Gourcuff unlikely to help matters, Glentoran 0 Maccabi Haifa 4 920- spot and taking their European Bordeaux, but we have a great Last season in Europe although retaining the Maccabi Haifa 6 Glentoran 0 37 20 - adventure past Christmas. coach who knows how to get 1st goal Bookings Corners Uefa Cup last 32 services of Yoann Gourcuff Striker Vladimir Dvalishvili, us ready,” he said. Galatasaray 4 Bordeaux 3 1 60 13 and Marouane Chamakh are a Georgian international, was “Why shouldn’t we think Bordeaux 0 Galatasaray 0 90 60 5 Champions League group stage considerable boosts for Blanc. the star signing from Skonto positive? If Haifa managed Roma 2 Bordeaux 0 61 40 7 HHKey to European records: Riga which tells you all you to beat Manchester United Bordeaux 1 Chelsea 1 60 85 4 Gourcuff, labelled the new 1GR= eliminated in first group phase, CFR Cluj 1 Bordeaux 2 6 50 14 Zidane, is a superb talent, 2GR=second group phase, 32= last 32, need to know about a club and Olympiakos in 2002-03, Bordeaux 1 CFR Cluj 0 54 95 7 16=last 16, QF=quarter-finals, SF=semi-finals, Bordeaux 1 Roma 3 18 85 6 but this is a difficult section RU=runner-up, W=won. lacking quality individuals in we can beat any team. Don’t Chelsea 4 Bordeaux 0 14 10 8 for Bordeaux to advance from. Figures in bold signify Uefa Cup. every area of the pitch. rule us out too early.”

GROUP A VERDICT Experienced can edge strong section BET365 BETFRED BLUE SQ BOYLE CORAL HILLS LADS POWER S JMS TOTE VC Bayern Munich 5-4 5-4 6-5 11-10 5-4 7-5 5-4 6-5 11-10 6-5 11-8 MICHEL PLATINI’S decision to Juventus and Bordeaux all holding in Felipe Melo, who is fast- Old Lady to a perfect start in make it easier for champions legitimate chances, although becoming the best in the world Serie A. Juventus 11-10 11-8 11-10 11-8 6-4 5-4 6-4 6-5 5-4 11-10 11-8 from minor leagues to qualify Maccabi Haifa look nailed-on for in that position. Bayern look a bit short in such Bordeaux 5 4 5 4 4 10-3 3 559-2 7-2 for the group stages has diluted bottom spot. Diego has taken over the a hot section, while Bordeaux Maccabi Haifa 33 25 50 40 16 33 33 25 66 66 20 the quality in some sections, but Juventus could be the best playmaking duties from former lack experience at the highest that is most definitely not the value at 6-4. They boast a team Juve greats such as Platini level. Fixtures – today Juventus v Bordeaux, Haifa v Bayern. Sep 30 Bayern v Juventus, case in this group. with four fifths of Italy’s defence and Roberto Baggio, and the Bordeaux v Haifa. Oct 21 Bordeaux v Bayern, Juventus v Haifa. Nov 3 Bayern v Bordeaux, Recommendation Haifa v Juventus. Nov 25 Bordeaux v Juventus, Bayern v Haifa. Dec 8 Juventus v Bayern, Group A is one of the strongest if you include goalkeeper Gigi former Werder Bremen star has Juventus Haifa v Bordeaux. divisions with Bayern Munich, Buffon and a holding midfielder risen to the challenge to lead the 1pt 6-4 Coral, Ladbrokes Racing Post Tuesday, September 15, 2009 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SPECIAL 9

Group B by Mark Langdon

Best prices Best prices Tournament: 8-1 Tournament: 250-1 MANCHESTER UTD Group: 2-5 CSKA MOSCOW Group: 10-1

Squad details Squad details Pos App Gls Yel Red Pos App Gls Yel Red 1 G 0 0 0 0 Red Devils are weaker 33 Evgeni Pornazan G 0 0 0 0 Plastic pitch could be 12 G 5 0 0 0 35 G 21 0 2 0 2 Gary Neville D 1(1) 0 0 0 77 Artur Nigmatullin G 0 0 0 0 3 Patrice Evra D 5 0 2 0 2 Deividas Semberas D 16(1) 1 4 1 5 Rio Ferdinand D 1 0 0 0 without Twinkle Toes 4 Sergey Ignashevich D 21 3 3 0 Horses’ main weapon 6 Wes Brown D 2(1) 0 1 0 6 D 8(1) 0 0 0 15 Nemanja Vidic D 3 0 1 0 Manchester United failed to Recent club record 15 D 8(1) 0 1 0 CSKA Moscow were one of Recent club record 20 Fabio Da Silva D 1 0 0 0 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09 24 D 21 2 3 0 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09 21 Rafael Da Silva D 0 0 0 0 become the first team to the most attractive teams to Europe 16 16 GR SF W F 54 Uros Cosic D 0 0 0 0 Europe 2Q GR+W GR32GR 16 22 John O’Shea D 4(1) 0 0 0 successfully defend the 7 Daniel Carvalho M 9(1) 0 3 0 watch when they won the Domestic 332 1 11 Domestic 121 1 32 23 Jonny Evans D 3 0 0 0 Champions League, and there 10 M 17(1) 5 1 0 2005 Uefa Cup, but the Horses 4 Owen Hargreaves M 0 0 0 0 European meetings with group 11 Pavel Mamaev M 19(1) 0 3 0 Figures in bold signify Uefa Cup 8 Anderson M 2 1 0 0 is now another stat which opponents in last ten seasons 13 Mark Gonzalez M 2(1) 0 0 0 are no longer capable of European meetings with group 11 M 3(1) 1 0 0 suggests looking elsewhere CSKA Moscow: None 17 Milos Krasic M 13(4) 5 4 0 galloping alongside the big opponents in last ten seasons 13 Ji-Sung Park M 1(1) 0 0 0 Besiktas: None 22 Evgeniy Aldonin M 17(2) 0 2 0 Man Utd None 16 M 2(1) 0 0 0 for a possible winner. guns in Europe. Wolfsburg: None 23 Nika Piliev M 0 0 0 0 Besiktas None 17 M 3(1) 1 0 0 No team in the Champions 25 Elvir Rahimic M 1(3) 0 0 0 Coach Valeri Gazzaev left Wolfsburg None 18 M 3 0 2 1 League era have ever finished although he will be worried 26 Sekou Oliseh M 0 0 0 0 and replacement Zico quickly 24 Darren Fletcher M 4 0 1 0 46 Aleksandr Stolyarenko M 0 0 0 0 25 Luis Antonio Valencia M 3 0 1 0 runners-up and lifted the by the way United were so 12 Maazou Moussa F 6(7) 3 1 1 followed with Juande Ramos Uefa Cup success, Daniel 26 M 0 0 0 0 trophy the following year, easily beaten by Barcelona 20 Guilherme F 1 2 0 0 the surprise new man to take 7 Michael Owen F 1(2) 1 0 0 56 Ganiyu Oseni F 0 0 0 0 Carvalho, has struggled to 9 Dimitar Berbatov F 3(2) 1 0 0 with magnificent Milan in last season’s finale in Rome. 89 Tomas Necid F 8(11) 5 2 0 over. He faces a tough job get fit and Yuri Zhirkov was 10 Wayne Rooney F 5 5 2 0 (1992-94) the last side to Cristiano Ronaldo left for 91 Anton Zabolotni F 0 0 0 0 and must work without sold to Chelsea for £18m. 19 Danny Welbeck F 0 0 0 0 turn tears to cheers in the a world-record transfer fee star forward Vagner Love 41 Federico Macheda F 0 0 0 0 There have been eight new next campaign. and Carlos Tevez crossed the Last season in Europe after the Brazilian returned 1st goal Bookings Corners arrivals in Moscow, but winger Last season in Europe Sir won’t be Manchester divide as Fergie Uefa Cup last 16 home for personal reasons. Mark Gonzalez is the only 1st goal Bookings Corners concerned with the history, struggled to keep up with the Shakhtar 2 CSKA Moscow 0 54 50 12 The key playmaker of that Champions League final CSKA Moscow 1 Shakhtar 0 50 60 8 one capable of making an Barcelona 2 Man Utd 0 10 40 11 inflated prices this summer. Last 32 impact in the Champions Semi-final Wayne Michael Owen and Antonio CSKA Moscow 2 Aston Villa 0 61 30 8 Arsenal 1 Man Utd 3 8 55 13 Rooney Aston Villa 1 CSKA Moscow 1 14 20 9 League and CSKA look one of Man Utd 1 Arsenal 0 17 10 4 Valencia were pretty low-key Group stage the weaker second seeds. Quarter-final reinforcements by United’s Nancy 3 CSKA Moscow 4 5 60 13 Porto 0 Man Utd 1 6 20 12 CSKA Moscow 2 Lech Poznan 1 31 40 9 Moscow’s best hope of Man Utd 2 Porto 2 4 20 12 lofty standards, meaning even 1 CSKA Moscow 3 14 75 11 progressing will be their home Last 16 more will be expected of CSKA Moscow 3 Deportivo 0 9 60 15 Man Utd 2 Inter 04306 First round form. CSKA will use the Inter 0 Man Utd 0 90 60 9 talisman Wayne Rooney. CSKA Moscow 1 Slaven 0 37 30 - as they wait Group stage Slaven 1 CSKA Moscow 2 43 40 - Man Utd 2 Aalborg 23106 The United squad looks for their new arena to be built Villarreal 0 Man Utd 0 90 75 9 weaker than 12 months ago Celtic 1 Man Utd 1 13 10 17 Milos Krasic and and no foreign visitors will Man Utd 3 Celtic 0 29 20 17 and they may struggle to new signing Mark be looking forward to a trip Aalborg 0 Man Utd 3 22 30 14 Man Utd 0 Villarreal 0 90 40 5 break their runners-up trend. Gonzalez (right) to play on the artificial surface.

Best prices Best prices Tournament: 500-1 Tournament: 100-1 BESIKTAS Group: 18-1 WOLFSBURG Group: 11-2

Squad details Squad details Pos App Gls Yel Red Pos App Gls Yel Red 84 Hakan Arikan G 4 0 0 0 Brilliant boss gives the 1 G 5 0 0 1 Free-scoring Wolves 87 Korcan Celikay G 0 0 0 0 12 Andre Lenz G 0(1) 0 0 0 1 Rustu Recber G 1 0 0 0 4 Marcel Schafer D 5 0 0 0 27 D 5 0 1 0 5 Ricardo Costa D 0 0 0 0 3 Ismail Koybasi D 3(1) 0 0 0 Eagles a slim chance 6 Jan Simunek D 1 0 0 0 are sure to entertain 5 Michael Fink D 4(1) 1 1 0 16 Fabian Johnson D 0(1) 0 0 0 4 Ibrahim Kas D 2 0 0 0 The Black Eagles reigned Recent club record 17 Alexander Madlung D 4(1) 0 0 0 Wolfsburg were surprising Recent club record 58 Ibrahim Toroman D 0 0 0 0 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09 19 Peter Pekarik D 0 0 0 0 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09 7 Ridvan Simsek D 0(1) 0 0 0 supreme in Turkey last year 20 Sascha Riether D 5 0 0 1 winners of the Bundesliga Europe GR+3 GR GR GR GR 1 Europe --- - -32 17 Ekrem Dag M 1(1) 0 0 0 with Besiktas claiming a dom- 43 Andrea Barzagli D 5 0 0 1 last term, but there was Domestic 343 2 31 Domestic 10 9 15 15 5 1 44 Erhan Guven M 3 0 1 0 estic league and cup double, 7 Josue M 4 0 1 0 nothing fortunate about their 77 Erkan Zengin M 0 0 0 0 Figures in bold signify Uefa Cup 10 Zvjezdan Misimovic M 5 3 1 0 Figures in bold signify Uefa Cup 28 Fabian Ernst M 5 0 0 0 although conquering Europe European meetings with group 13 Makoto Hasebe M 1 0 0 0 rise to the top in Germany. European meetings with group 19 Ibrahim Uzulmez M 2 0 0 0 is an unlikely dream. opponents in last ten seasons 14 Jonathan Santana M 1 0 0 0 The Wolves were a delight opponents in last ten seasons 25 Ugur Inceman M 1(3) 0 1 0 Money is tight, but they do Man Utd: None 15 M 3(1) 0 0 0 to watch with their gung-ho Man Utd None 18 Necip Uysal M0 000 CSKA Moscow: None 25 Christian Gentner M5 010 CSKA Moscow None 15 Rodrigo Tabato M 1 0 0 0 at least possess a marvellous Wolfsburg: None 26 Sergej Evljuskin M 0 0 0 0 attitude. They scored 80 goals, Besiktas None 21 Serdar Ozkan M 2(1) 0 1 0 manager in Mustafa Denizli, 36 Dennis Riemer M 0 0 0 0 nine more than any other 6 Tomas Sivok M 5 0 3 0 9 Edin Dzeko F 4(1) 1 0 0 14 Rodrigo Tello M 4 1 1 0 who is the only coach to have window, but he persuaded 11 F 1(3) 2 0 1 team, and finished with a hotshot Edin Dzeko, who was 29 Yusuf Simsek M 2 0 0 0 won league titles with Turkey’s Nihat to return to the club 23 Grafite F 5 2 1 1 goal difference of plus 39. second in the charts with 26. 13 Bobo F 1(2) 0 0 0 24 Ashkan Dejagah F 1(3) 0 0 0 23 Filip Holosko F 3(2) 1 0 0 big three of Besiktas, where he made his name as 27 Alexander Esswein F 0(1) 0 0 0 Much-travelled forward Influential central midfielder 11 Marcio F 2(2) 0 0 0 Fenerbahce and Galatasaray. well as bagging experienced Grafite was the top scorer in Zvjezdan Misimovic’s first 8 Nihat Kahveci F 4(1) 0 0 0 Denizli lost Edouard Cisse defensive stalwarts Michael Germany with 28 goals and instinct is to go forward and Last season in Europe and Turkish international Fink and Matteo Ferrari. he is partnered by Bosnian powerhouse striker Obafemi 1st goal Bookings Corners Gokhan Zan in the transfer The defence is an area of Martins has been added to Uefa Cup first round concern – Liverpool supporters the squad for good measure. Metalist 4 Besiktas 1 20 40 - Rustu Besiktas 1 Metalist 0 58 20 - will remember Besiktas losing Grafite There is no doubt Wolfsburg Second qualifying round Besiktas 4 Siroki Brijeg 0 14 - - 8-0 at Anfield when they have the potential to replace Sikori Brijeg 1 Besiktas 2 19 - - finished bottom of their Last season in Europe Werder Bremen as the great qualifying group in the 1st goal Bookings Corners entertainers of the Champions Uefa Cup last 32 2007-08 Champions League. Wolfsburg 1 PSG 3 38 20 10 League, although losing Last season’s run in the PSG 2 Wolfsburg 0 80 10 5 manager to Group stage Uefa Cup was poor as Besiktas Milan 2 Wolfsburg 2 17 30 9 Schalke may be enough to HHKey to European records: went out before the group Wolfsburg 3 Portsmouth 2 3 30 10 thwart significant progress. 1GR= eliminated in first group phase, Braga 2 Wolfsburg 3 6 70 12 2GR=second group phase, 32= last 32, phase, and only the brilliance Wolfsburg 5 Heerenveen 1 31 20 9 However, new coach Armin 16=last 16, QF=quarter-finals, SF=semi-finals, of Denizli can see them First round Veh is no mug and Wolfsburg RU=runner-up, W=won. Rapid Bucharest 1 Wolfsburg 1 15 50 - Figures in bold signify Uefa Cup. challenge for a top-two berth. Wolfsburg 1 Rapid Bucharest 0 45 40 - will be a threat in this section.

GROUP B VERDICT Lethal attack should get Wolfsburg through BET365 BETFRED BLUE SQ BOYLE CORAL HILLS LADS POWER S JMS TOTE VC Man Utd 2-5 2-5 2-7 1-4 2-5 1-3 2-7 4-11 2-7 2-9 2-7 SIR ALEX FERGUSON was to back Wolfsburg to qualify for Wolfsburg’s defensive woes. Edin Dezeko up front and Wolfsburg 7-2 9-2 9-2 5 4 9-2 5 5 5 5 11-2 concerned with the amount of the knockout phase in one of the CSKA have just appointed Zvjesdan Misimovic pulling the CSKA Moscow 7 6 9 9 13-2 13-2 10 7 10 10 8 travelling his Manchester United first two positions. Juande Ramos as manager and strings, should have the firepower squad will face in Group B, but The Bundesliga champions are ten points off the title pace in to pick up enough points to Besiktas 18 12 14 16 16 16 12 10 14 18 12 he can’t have many worries about have made a sluggish start to the , while Besiktas have failed progress alongside clear favourites the quality of opposition in CSKA current campaign, but CSKA to win four of their five domestic United. Fixtures – today Wolfsburg v CSKA, Besiktas v Man Utd. Sep 30 CSKA v Besiktas, Moscow and Besiktas. Moscow and Besiktas don’t matches in a sub-standard Turkish Man Utd v Wolfsburg. Oct 21 CSKA v Man Utd, Wolfsburg v Besiktas. Nov 3 Man Utd v Recommendation CSKA, Besiktas v Wolfsburg. Nov 25 Man Utd v Besiktas, CSKA v Wolfsburg. United should come out on appear to have enough forward championship. Wolfsburg to qualify Dec 8 Besiktas v CSKA, Wolfsburg v Man Utd. top, although a better bet may be quality to take advantage of Wolfsburg, with Grafite and 2pt 5-6 Victor Chandler 10 RACING POST Tuesday, September 15, 2009 racingpost.com

Group C by Mark Langdon

Best prices Best prices Tournament: 40-1 Tournament: 5-1 MILAN Group: 13-5 REAL MADRID Group: 4-7

Squad details Squad details Pos App Gls Yel Red Pos App Gls Yel Red 1 Dida G 0 0 0 0 Dad’s Army return 1 G 2 0 0 0 Pressure on latest batch 12 G 0 0 0 0 13 Jerzy Dudek G 0 0 0 0 30 Marco Storari G 3 0 0 0 25 Antonio Adan G 0 0 0 0 31 Flavio Roma G 0 0 0 0 2 Alvaro Arbeloa D 2 0 0 0 4 D 0 0 0 0 for assault on Europe 3 Pepe D 0 0 0 0 of Galacticos to deliver 5 Oguchi Onyewu D 0 0 0 0 4 D 0 0 0 0 13 D 3 0 0 0 Milan’s Dad’s Army are back Recent club record 12 Marcelo D 2 0 1 0 Welcome to the Galacticos Recent club record 15 D 2 0 0 0 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09 15 D 0 0 0 0 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09 18 D 3 0 0 0 after a year in the wilderness, part two. Europe QF F SF W 16 32 18 Raul Albiol D 2 0 1 0 Europe QF 16 16 16 16 16 33 D 3 0 1 0 but there are not too many 19 D 1 0 0 0 Well over £200m has been Domestic 122 4 52 Domestic 422 2 12 44 D 1 0 0 0 expecting the Rossoneri to 21 Christoph Metzelder D 1 0 0 0 splashed on new players by 8 M 2 0 1 1 Figures in bold signify Uefa Cup 5 M 0 0 0 0 10 M 1(1) 0 0 0 return with a bang. European meetings with group 6 M 0 0 0 0 returning president Florentino European meetings with group 16 Mathieu Flamini M 3 0 1 0 The majority of the squad opponents in last ten seasons 10 Lassana Diarra M 1(1) 1 1 0 Perez, who is determined to opponents in last ten seasons 20 Ignacio Abate M 0(1) 0 0 0 remains the same – Dida (aged Real Madrid Mar 03 A 1-3, Nov 02 H 1-0 14 Guti M 1(1) 1 0 0 bring the glory days back. Milan Mar 03 H 3-1, Nov 02 A 0-1 21 M 2(1) 0 0 0 Marseille None 22 M 2 0 1 0 Marseille Nov 03 A 2-1, Sep 03 H 4-2 23 M 1(2) 0 0 0 35), (37), FC Zurich Oct 08 A 1-0, Sep 08 H 3-1 23 M 0 0 0 0 Barcelona’s treble last season FC Zurich None 49 Davide Di Gennaro M 0 0 0 0 Marek Jankulovski (32), 24 Esteban Granero M 1(1) 1 1 0 hurt Madrid’s pride and they 77 M 0 0 0 0 7 Raul F 1(1) 1 0 0 7 Pato F 3 2 1 0 Alessandro Nesta (33), Pippo Inzaghi (36) have all 8 Kaka F 2 0 0 0 cannot see their great rivals Raul Albiol, Alvaro Arbeloa 9 F 0 0 0 0 Massimo Oddo (33), Gianluca seen better days in a team 9 Cristiano Ronaldo F 1(1) 2 0 0 celebrating again this time and Esteban Granero made for 11 Klaas Jan Huntelaar F 1(2) 0 0 0 11 Karim Benzema F 2 0 0 0 22 F 2 0 0 0 Zambrotta (32), Massimo which is laden with veterans. 17 F 0 0 0 0 with the final at the Bernabeu. an amazing set of signings 80 F 3 0 0 0 Ambrosini (32), Rino Gattuso Kaka so often got them out 20 Gonzalo Higuain F 1(1) 0 0 0 Cristiano Ronaldo’s arrival in one transfer window. (31), Andrea Pirlo (30), of trouble, but he has been was the biggest outlay at a The decision to appoint Last season in Europe Clarence Seedorf (33) and world record £80m, but Kaka, 1st goal Bookings Corners sold to Real Madrid and boss Manuel Pellegrini, who worked Uefa Cup last 32 Carlo Ancelotti has left for Xabi Alonso, Karim Benzema, wonder at Villarreal, as the Milan 2 Werder Bremen 2 26 50 11 Werder Bremen 1 Milan 1 36 60 8 Chelsea to leave novice Leo- manager was sensible, but it Group stage Alexandre nardo in the hotseat. Cristiano still won’t be easy to bring Milan 2 Wolfsburg 2 15 30 9 Pato Portsmouth 2 Milan 2 62 20 12 There is some exciting talent Ronaldo the talented team together. Milan 1 Sporting Braga 09007 at his disposal. Alexandre If the side gels then the Heerenveen 1 Milan 3 19 10 10 Pato may be a superstar in Last season in Europe rest of Europe had better watch First round 1st goal Bookings Corners FC Zurich 0 Milan 1 70 0 - time and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar Champions League last 16 out, and they have been the Milan 3 FC Zurich 1 45 20 - deserves a crack at another big Liverpool 4 Real Madrid 0 16 60 14 plunge team having opened up Real Madrid 0 Liverpool 1 82 50 9 HHKey to European records: club after being bombed out Group stage at 10-1 last May. 1Q = 1st Qualifying, 2Q = 2nd Qualfying, 3Q = by Real Madrid this summer. Real Madrid 3 Zenit 0 25 20 13 3rd Qualifying, GR= eliminated in group stage, BATE Borisov 0 Real Madrid 1 7 50 13 Madrid have not gone past 32= last 32, However, anything further Real Madrid 0 Juventus 2 17 60 16 the last-16 stage since 2004 16=last 16, QF=quarter-finals, SF=semi-finals, than the last 16 would be a Juventus 2 Real Madrid 1 5 10 4 F=final , W=winners. Zenit 1 Real Madrid 2 4 40 21 – that shocking record will Figures in bold signify Uefa Cup. bonus for this squad. Real Madrid 2 BATE Borisov 0 11 35 11 surely change this season.

Best prices Best prices Tournament: 150-1 Tournament: 1000-1 MARSEILLE Group: 10-1 FC ZURICH Group: 100-1

Squad details Squad details Pos App Gls Yel Red Pos App Gls Yel Red 30 G 5 0 0 0 Chaos and upheaval is 1 Johnny Leoni G 5 0 1 0 Difficult to see Swiss 40 Elinton Andrade G 0 0 0 0 18 Rene Borkovic G 0 0 0 0 2 D 0 0 0 0 22 Orlando Lattmann G 0 0 0 3 D 5 0 0 0 32 Andrea Guatelli G 4 0 1 0 4 Julien Rodriguez D 0 0 0 0 par for course at OM 2 Veli Lampi D 6(1) 0 0 0 making a big impact 3 Ricardo Rodriguez D 0 0 0 0 5 Hilton D 1 0 0 0 The owner died; the Recent club record 13 Florian Stahel D 5 1 1 0 FC Zurich have won the Swiss Recent club record 19 D 4 0 1 0 15 Daniel Stucki D 0 0 0 0 21 Souleymane Diawara D 5 0 1 0 president was sacked; the 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09 16 Philippe Koch D 4 0 0 0 Super League in three of the 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09 24 D 3 0 0 0 manager left and the captain Europe F - 16 1 16 QF 19 Alain Rochat D 8 2 1 1 past four years, but this is Europe - - 1 2Q 32 1 27 Daouda Mbow D 0 0 0 0 Domestic 7 55 2 32 21 Heinz Barmettler D 0 0 0 0 Domestic 4 51 1 31 6 Edouard Cisse M 4 0 1 0 was sold – welcome to Figures in bold signify Uefa Cup 30 Hannu Tihinen D 9 1 1 0 the first time they have Figures in bold signify Uefa Cup 7 Benoit Cheyrou M 5 1 1 0 another normal off-season at European meetings with group 5 Xavier Margairaz M 5(2) 3 3 0 managed to qualify for the European meetings with group 8 Lucho M 1 0 0 0 Marseille. opponents in last ten seasons 7 Silvan Aegerter M 7 1 2 0 Champions League proper. opponents in last ten seasons 10 M 2(2) 0 0 0 8 Johan Vonlanthen M 7(1) 4 2 0 Milan None Milan Oct 08 H 0-1, Sep 08 A 1-3 12 Charles Kabore M 2 0 0 0 The club is never very far 11 Adrian Nikci M 3(4) 0 0 0 Qualification victories over Real Madrid Nov 03 H 1-2, Sep 03 A 2-4 Real Madrid None 17 Stephane Mbia M 2 0 1 0 14 Dusan Djuric M 5(2) 2 0 0 from a crisis so there was no FC Zurich None Maribor and Ventspils has Marseille None 18 Fabrice Abriel M 4 0 1 0 great alarm, and they were 17 Yassine Chikhaoui M 0 0 0 0 seen Bernand Challandes’s 28 M 0(4) 0 2 0 20 Milan Gajic M 7(2) 0 2 0 34 Kevin Osei M 0 0 0 0 even able to tempt Didier ing the match-fixing scandal 23 Almen Abdi M 5(1) 0 1 0 team finally reach the big at this level is minimal. 9 Brandao F 5 2 0 0 26 Martin Buchel M 0(2) 0 0 0 Deschamps back as manager which saw them relegated. 6 Tito Tarchini F 0 0 0 0 time, although it is only Johan Vonlanthen is the 11 F 5 3 1 0 after he graced the club as a logical to expect them to crash star name after arriving on 14 Bakari Kone F 2 0 0 0 Overall, the squad looks 9 Andres Vasquez F 0(3) 1 0 0 player in the early nineties. 10 Onyekachi Okonkwo F 6(1) 0 1 0 out at the group stage. loan from Salzburg where he 23 Fernando Morientes F 0(5) 0 0 0 stronger than last year 12 Alexandre Alphonse F 4(1) 2 1 0 Deschamps only knows despite the sales of Djibril 25 Admir Mehmedi F 0(1) 0 0 0 It’s a young team – the never looked like fulfilling Last season in Europe success as a boss. He took Cisse, skipper Lorik Cana and 27 Marco Schonbachler F 0(3) 000 average age of their domestic the potential previously shown 1st goal Bookings Corners 28 Emra Tahirovic F 0 0 0 0 Uefa Cup quarter-finals Monaco to the Champions tricky wide man Karim 29 Eric Hassli F 8(1) 3 3 0 squad is just 22 – and experience for the Swiss national team. Marseille 1 Shakhtar 2 30 50 5 League final West Ham supporters may Shakhtar 2 Marseille 0 39 20 12 Ziani. Last 16 and restored Lucho Gonzalez, one of This season in Europe Hannu remember FC Zurich captain Ajax 2 Marseille 2 33 95 12 Juventus to Europe’s most underrated 1st goal Bookings Corners Tihinen Hannu Tihinen, while hard- Marseille 2 Ajax 1 19 85 7 Champions League play-off Last 32 Serie A follow- performers, has arrived from FC Zurich 2 Ventspils 1 6 10 11 core Portsmouth fans may FC Twente 0 Marseille 1 24 90 10 Porto, and Stephane M’Bia Ventspils 0 FC Zurich 3 12 20 5 recognise the name of goal- Marseille 0 FC Twente 1 22 70 9 Third qualifying round Champions League group stage was one of the hottest NK Maribor 0 FC Zurich 3 21 20 12 keeper Andrea Guatelli, who FC Zurich 2 NK Maribor 3 4 40 11 Marseille 0 Atl. Madrid 0 90 50 13 Manager prospects in France. spent a short period at Fratton Liverpool 1 Marseille 0 23 20 9 Park as well as a couple of Marseille 3 PSV 0 30 20 7 Didier However, it is unlikely to Last season in Europe PSV 2 Marseille 0 71 20 12 Deschamps make them a force. OM should Uefa Cup first round games on loan at Oxford. Atl. Madrid 2 Marseille 1 4 40 11 FC Zurich 0 AC Milan 0 70 0 - That really does prove just Marseille 1 Liverpool 2 23 30 12 not be too disappointed if AC Milan 3 FC Zurich 1 45 20 - Third qualifying round they finish third and qualify Second qualifying round how far FC Zurich are out of Marseille 2 SK Brann 1 65 40 - for the Europa League. Sturm Graz 1 FC Zurich 1 5 40 - their depth. SK Brann 0 Marseille 1 40 30 - FC Zurich 1 Sturm Graz 1 16 10 -

GROUP C VERDICT Big spending Real should show their quality BET365 BETFRED BLUE SQ BOYLE CORAL HILLS LADS POWER S JMS TOTE VC Real Madrid 4-9 8-15 4-9 1-2 4-7 8-15 2-5 4-7 4-9 4-11 4-9 REAL MADRID have spent more who are fading forces at this Milan have suffered from a Marseille failed to score in four Milan 9-4 2 9-4 2 5-2 15-8 5-2 2 12-5 13-5 9-4 money than any other club in level. lack of significant investment in of their six group games last Marseille 8 8 9 8 5 17-2 10 15-2 8 10 10 world football this summer, and It is hard to think of a better recent years and now rely on season and there has been little they can make their quality count midfield than Real Madrid’s. You ageing players as well as having improvement this summer, while Zurich 100 50 50 80 50 50 33 50 80 50 33 by winning Group C. have the passing of Xabi Alonso, to cope with the departures of it would be a miracle if FC Zurich The Galacticos could have the aggression of Lassana Diarra, Kaka and inspirational boss won the section. Fixtures – today Zurich v Real Madrid, Marseille v Milan. Sep 30 Milan v Zurich, Real Madrid problems keeping teams out in the the dribbling of Cristiano Carlo Ancelotti to Champions v Marseille. Oct 21 Real Madrid v Milan, Zurich v Marseille. Nov 3 Milan v Real Madrid, Recommendation Marseille v Zurich. Nov 25 Real Madrid v Zurich, Milan v Marseille. Dec 8 Zurich v Milan, latter stages, but there is little to Ronaldo and the all-round L eague rivals Madrid and Real Madrid Marseille v Real Madrid. fear from Milan and Marseille, quality of Kaka. Chelsea. 3pts 4-7 Coral, Paddy Power Racing Post Tuesday, September 15, 2009 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SPECIAL 11

Group D by Mark Langdon

Best prices Best prices Tournament: 13-2 Tournament: 125-1 CHELSEA Group: 1-2 PORTO Group: 9-2

Squad details Squad details Pos App Gls Yel Red Pos App Gls Yel Red 1 Petr Cech G 5 0 0 0 Ancelotti has skills to 1 Helton G 4 0 0 0 Portuguese Dragons 22 Ross Turnbull G 0 0 0 0 24 Beto G 0 0 0 0 40 Henrique Hilario G 0 0 0 0 33 Nuno G 0 0 0 0 2 Branislav Ivanovic D 2 0 1 0 2 Bruno Alves D 4 0 0 0 3 Ashley Cole D 5 1 1 0 bring Cup to London 13 Fucile D 4 0 0 0 may have lost their fire 14 Rolando D 4 2 0 0 6 Ricardo Carvalho D 3 0 0 0 15 Alvaro Pereira D 4 0 1 0 17 Jose Bosingwa D 5 0 0 0 Chelsea have been a model Recent club record 16 Maicon D 0 0 0 0 Sometimes you can become Recent club record 26 D 5 0 1 0 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09 21 Cristian Sapunaru D 0(1) 0 0 0 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09 33 Alex D 0 0 0 0 of consistency in the Champ- a victim of your own success Europe SF SF 16 SF F SF 22 Miguel Lopes D 0 0 0 0 Europe W 16 GR 16 16 QF 35 Juliano Belletti D 0(2) 0 0 0 ions League and now they and that seems to be the case Domestic 211 2 23 44 David Bruno D 0 0 0 0 Domestic 121 1 11 41 Sam Hutchinson D 0(1) 0 0 0 have appointed a manager 3 Raul Meireles M 4 0 1 0 for perennial Portuguese 5 Michael Essien M 3(1) 0 0 0 6 Fredy Guarin M 0 0 0 0 8 Frank Lampard M 5 1 0 0 who they believe can land European meetings with group 7 Fernando Belluschi M 4 0 0 0 champions Porto. European meetings with group 10 M 0 0 0 0 them a first European Cup. opponents in last ten seasons 8 Diego Valeri M 0(2) 0 0 0 Last season’s run to the opponents in last ten seasons 12 John Mikel Obi M 3(1) 0 0 0 10 Cristian Rodriguez M 0(2) 1 0 0 The Blues have reached at Porto Mar 07 H 2-1, Feb 07 A 1-1, Dec 04 11 Mariano Gonzalez M 3 0 1 0 Champions League quarter- Chelsea Mar 07 A 1-2, Feb 07 H 1-1, Dec 13 Michael Ballack M 4(1) 2 0 0 A 1-2, Sep 04 H 3-1 04 H 2-1, Sep 04 A 1-3 15 M 3(1) 1 0 0 least the semi-finals in five 20 Tomas Costa M 0(2) 0 0 0 finals saw their talented squad Atletico None 25 Fernando M 4 0 2 0 Atletico Mar 09 H 0-0, Feb 09 A 2-2 18 Yuri Zhirkov M 0 0 0 0 of the last six years without Apoel None 41 Alexandre Freitas M 0 0 0 0 come to the attention of Apoel Nicosia None 20 Deco M 2(2) 1 0 0 ever going all the way – 46 Ricardo Dias M 0 0 0 0 11 Didier Drogba F 5 4 2 0 48 Amorim M 0 0 0 0 richer clubs, who cherry- 21 F 2(2) 0 1 0 something which could known) as a player, and more 9 Falcao F 3(1) 4 0 0 picked the best players. was sold to Marseille. 23 Daniel Sturridge F 0(1) 0 0 0 12 Hulk F 2 1 1 1 39 Nicolas Anelka F 3(1) 2 0 0 change with Carlo Ancelotti relevantly, twice as a manager. 17 Silvestre Varela F 3(1) 2 0 0 Top scorer, both at home There is a real South Amer- at the Stamford Bridge helm. The Italian has the know- 19 Ernesto Farias F 1(3) 1 0 0 and in Europe, Lisandro Lopez ican flavour to the new arrivals 47 Andre Jesus F 0 0 0 0 Ancelotti has already lifted ledge and the tools at his went to Lyon along with – of Jesulado Ferreira’s 12 the Champions League (or disposal to repeat what he marauding left-back Aly signings there are four European Cup as it was then did with Milan in London. Cissokho, while key Argentinians and a Uruguyan, Last season in Europe Yuri Zhirkov was the only playmaker Lucho Gonzalez a Colombian and a Brazilian. 1st goal Bookings Corners Champions League semi-final high-profile signing of the looks an Chelsea 1 Barcelona 1 9 95 12 Ashley summer, although the squad Last season in Europe excellent capture from River Barcelona 0 Chelsea 0 90 40 12 Cole 1st goal Bookings Corners Quarter-finals was already strong in every Champions League quarter-final Plate and the incredibly Chelsea 4 Liverpool 4 19 50 8 department with virtually Porto 0 Man Utd 1 6 20 12 powerful Hulk remains at the Liverpool 1 Chelsea 3 6 30 15 Man Utd 2 Porto 2 4 20 12 Last 16 two players for every position. Last 16 club, but this may be a Juventus 2 Chelsea 2 19 85 6 No team from London has Porto 0 Atl Madrid 0 90 40 15 Chelsea 1 Juventus 0 12 40 14 Atl Madrid 2 Porto 2 3 40 8 campaign of transition. Group stage ever got their hands on the Group stage Porto have won both the Chelsea 2 CFR Cluj 1 40 40 7 Champions League, but Porto 2 Arsenal 0 38 20 6 Raul Bordeaux 1 Chelsea 1 60 85 4 Fenerbahce 1 Porto 2 18 60 11 Uefa Cup and the Champ- Roma 3 Chelsea 1 34 35 11 Chelsea have the potential Dynamo Kiev 1 Porto 2 21 65 12 Meireles ions League in the past six Chelsea 1 Roma 0 77 40 7 Porto 0 Dynamo Kiev 1 27 20 11 CFR Cluj 0 Chelsea 0 90 40 6 to hand out some serious cap- Arsenal 4 Porto 0 31 20 19 years, but it is difficult to see Chelsea 4 Bordeaux 0 14 10 8 ital punishment this season. Porto 3 Fenerbahce 1 11 30 7 the Dragons roaring this time.

Best prices Best prices Tournament: 66-1 Tournament: 2,500-1 ATLETICO Group: 7-1 APOEL NICOSIA Group: 66-1

Squad details Squad details Pos App Gls Yel Red Pos App Gls Yel Red 1 Sergio Asenjo G 2 0 0 0 Super strikers could be 1 Michalis Morfis G 1 0 0 0 Parking the bus might 13 Roberto G 0 0 0 0 22 Dionisios Chiotis G 1 0 0 0 2 Juan Valera D 1 0 0 0 3 Paulo Jorge D 2 1 0 0 3 Antonio Lopez D 2 0 0 0 5 Boban Grncarov D 0(1) 0 0 0 4 Mariano Pernia D 0 0 0 0 let down by defence 14 Joost Broerse D1 010 be Apoel’s only option 16 Juanito D 2 0 1 0 19 Marios Elia D 0 0 0 0 17 Tomas Ujfalusi D 2 0 1 0 Atletico Madrid had the Recent club record 24 Christos Kontis D 1 0 1 0 Apoel are seen as the rank Recent club record 18 Alvaro Dominguez D 0 0 0 0 honour of being the only team 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09 26 Nuno Morais D 2 0 0 0 outsiders in the competition, 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09 21 Luis Perea D 0 0 0 0 Europe - -- -32 16 6 Demetris Kyriakou M 0 0 0 0 Europe 1 2Q 1 2Q 1Q 1 22 Pablo Ibanez D 0 0 0 0 not to lose a match in last 7 Savvas Poursaitides M 1 0 0 0 but the Cypriot champions Domestic 7 11 10 7 5 4 Domestic 1 23 1 21 24 Leandro Cabrera D 0 0 0 0 season’s Champions League, 10 K. Charalambides M 1 0 0 0 will want to prove they deserve 6 Ignacio Camacho M 0 0 0 0 Figures in bold signify Uefa Cup 11 Kamil Kosowski M 1 0 0 0 Figures in bold signify Uefa Cup 8 Raul Garcia M 1 0 0 0 but they still failed to go European meetings with group 17 Marinos Satsias M 1 0 0 0 their spot in Europe’s European meetings with group 9 Jose Manuel Jurado M 1(1) 1 0 0 beyond the last 16. opponents in last ten seasons 23 Helio Pinto M 2 0 0 0 premier club competition. opponents in last ten seasons 11 Maxi Rodriguez M 1 0 0 0 They were seen as the dark Chelsea None 29 M 2 0 0 0 Anorthosis did Cyprus proud Chelsea None 12 Paulo Assuncao M 1 0 1 0 Porto Mar 09 A 0-0, Feb 09 H 2-2 32 Altin Haxhi M 2 1 0 0 Porto None 19 Jose Reyes M 0(2) 0 0 0 horses 12 months ago and Apoel Nicosia None 33 Chrysostomos Michail M 0(1) 0 0 0 last season, taking six points Atletico None 20 Simao M 2 0 0 0 once again go into the 4 Andreas Charalambous F 0(1) 0 0 0 from a group which included 23 Cleber Santana M 2 0 0 0 8 Adrian Sikora F 1 0 0 0 7 Diego Forlan F 1(1) 0 0 0 competition with a reputation arguably the best strike 9 Andreas Papathanasiou F 0(1) 0 0 0 Inter and Werder Bremen, overcoming Partizan 10 Sergio Aguero F 2 0 1 0 of being dangerous opponents partnership in club football 20 Jean Paulista F 0 0 0 0 and now it’s up to the team and FC Copenhagen, although 14 Florent Sinama Pongolle F 1(1) 0 0 0 21 Marcin Zewlakow F 1 0 0 0 for any outfit. and the South American duo 30 Nenad Mirosavljevic F 0(1) 1 0 0 from Nicosia to show the the competition obviously And their phenomenal front get excellent service from 37 Mario Breska F 1(1) 0 0 0 standard of football on the gets even tougher from now. four should be feared. Diego clever wide men Maxi This season in Europe island is improving rapidly. Former Polish international Forlan and Kun Aguero are Rodriguez and Simao. 1st goal Bookings Shirts Ivan Jovanovic’s team have Marcin Zewlakow, who scored This season in Europe Kun Aguero (right) However, they are almost Champions League play-off impressed in the qualifiers, in the 2002 World Cup, is 1st goal Bookings Shirts Apoel Nicosia 3 FC Copenhagen 1 2509 Champions League play-off 09/10 and Diego Forlan certainly too inconsistent to FC Copenhagen 1 Apoel Nicosia 0 54 55 7 possibly the most famous Atl Madrid 2 Panathinaikos 0 3 75 n/a Third qualifying round Keeper name in a team where Panathinaikos 2 Atl Madrid 3 36 20 n/a go all the way. Atletico are Partizan Belgrade 1 Apoel Nicosia 0 3 105 7 known for their erratic form Apoel Nicosia 2 Partizan Belgrade 0 49 50 8 Dionisis defensive unity is the key. Second qualifying round Chiotis Last season in Europe and sometimes the defence Apoel Nicosia 3 Streymur 0 42 0 6 Don’t expect much adven- Champions League last 16 Streymur 0 Apoel Nicosia 2 11 30 7 Porto 0 Atl Madrid 0 90 40 15 can make shocking errors. ture from a team who will Atl Madrid 2 Porto 2 3 40 8 Things have not changed rely on a blanket defence, Group stage Last season in Europe Marseille 0 Atl Madrid 0 90 50 13 over the summer judging by Uefa Cup first round and given the quality of the Atl Madrid 2 PSV 1 14 30 12 a 3-0 loss to Malaga on the Schalke 1 Apoel Nicosia 1 6 40 - opposition forwards they will Liverpool 1 Atl Madrid 1 37 40 13 Apoel Nicosia 1 Schalke 4 25 20 - Atl Madrid 1 Liverpool 1 14 30 8 opening day of La Liga despite Second qualifying round have to nullify in Group D, it Atl Madrid 2 Marseille 1 4 40 11 Red Star Belgrade 3 Apoel Nicosia 3 54 - - is probably just as well Apoel PSV 0 Atl Madrid 3 9 50 10 the arrival of excellent young Apoel Nicosia 2 Red Star Belgrade 2 8 - - Third qualifying round goalkeeper Sergio Asenjo and First qualifying round enjoy parking the bus in front Atl Madrid 4 Schalke 0 22 95 - Apoel Nicosia 1 Pelista Bitola 0 83 - - of Dionisis Chiotis’s goal. Schalke 1 Atl Madrid 0 30 115 - Betis centre-back Juanito. Pelista Bitola 0 Apoel Nicosia 0 90 - -

GROUP D VERDICT Atletico could be value to reach the next round BET365 BETFRED BLUE SQ BOYLE CORAL HILLS LADS POWER S JMS TOTE VC Chelsea 4-11 1-2 1-3 2-7 1-2 4-9 1-4 4-9 1-3 2-7 2-7 CHELSEA’S undignified European season following those It’s going to be pretty close Kun Aguero come alive for the Atletico 7-2 3 7-2 4 10-3 10-3 9-2 3 4 9-2 9-2 Champions League exit last disgraceful scenes at Stamford between Porto and Atletico Madrid big matches, while Porto are Porto 6 9-2 13-2 7 4 9-2 7 6 6 6 13-2 season means they cannot be Bridge in May. for a qualifying spot (assuming going to have to prove they can considered certainties to finish Carlo Ancelotti probably has the Blues take a top-two berth), cope with a number of high- Apoel 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 40 66 40 50 top of Group D this term. the squad at his disposal to make but slight preference is for profile departures this summer. Didier Drogba carries a three- sure the Blues are first past the the Spanish side despite their Apoel should finish bottom. match suspension into this post, but at the odds on offer it poor start to the domestic Fixtures – today Atletico v Apoel, Chelsea v Porto. Sep 30 Porto v Atletico, Apoel v Chelsea. Recommendation Oct 21 Porto v Apoel, Chelsea v Atletico. Nov 3 Apoel v Porto, Atletico v Chelsea. Nov 25 campaign and Jose Bosingwa will could be worth looking elsewhere campaign. Atletico Madrid to qualify Porto v Chelsea, Apoel v Atletico. Dec 8 Chelsea v Apoel, Atletico v Porto. miss the first two games of the for value. Atletico’s Diego Forlan and 1pt 7-10 Totesport 12 RACING POST Tuesday, September 15, 2009 racingpost.com

Group E by Steve Davies

Best prices Best prices Tournament: 12-1 Tournament: 50-1 LIVERPOOL Group: 8-11 LYON Group: 5-2

Squad details Squad details Pos App Gls Yel Red Pos App Gls Yel Red 1 Diego Cavalieri G 0 0 0 0 Reds a major force if 1 G 5 0 0 0 Puel has a tough task 25 Pepe Reina G 5 0 1 0 25 Joan Hartock G 0 0 0 0 44 David Martin G 0 0 0 0 30 Remy Vercoutre G 0 0 0 0 2 Glen Johnson D 5 2 0 0 2 Francois Clerc D 1 0 0 0 5 Daniel Agger D 0 0 0 0 key duo can keep fit 3 Cris D 4 0 0 0 after massive overhaul 12 Fabio Aurelio D 0 0 0 0 4 Jean- Alain Boumsong D 1 1 0 0 16 Sotiris Kyrgiakos D 1 0 0 0 Liverpool reached the final Recent club record 13 Anthony Reveillere D 4 0 0 0 Lyon’s progress is incredibly Recent club record 23 Jamie Carragher D 5 0 1 0 20 Aly Cissokho D 4 0 1 0 32 Stephen Darby D 0 0 0 0 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09 in 2006-07, the semis a year 23 Anderson D 0 0 0 0 hard to forecast after a 34 Martin Kelly D 0 0 0 0 Europe 4 W 16 F SF QF Europe QF QF QF 16 16 16 later and quarter-finals last 32 Lamine Gassama D 0 0 0 0 summer of upheaval. 27 Phillip Degen D 1 0 0 0 Domestic 453 3 42 Domestic 111 1 13 5 M 5 1 2 0 37 Martin Skrtel D 3 0 2 0 season and Rafa Benitez will Figures in bold signify Uefa Cup Out went their heartbeat, 6 Kim Kallstrom M 2(2) 0 1 0 38 Andrea Dossena D 0(1) 0 0 0 be hoping the downward Juninho and Karim Benzema, 4 M 0 0 0 0 European meetings with group 7 M 4(1) 2 0 0 European meetings with group 8 Steven Gerrard M 5 2 1 0 trend is reversed this time opponents in last ten seasons 8 Miralem Pjanic M 3(2) 1 1 0 (imagine Liverpool losing opponents in last ten seasons 11 Albert Riera M 2(1) 0 0 0 around. Lyon None 10 Ederson M 1(1) 0 0 0 Gerrard and Torres) and coach Liverpool None 15 M 3(2) 3 0 0 Fiorentina None 12 Timothee Kolodziejczak M 0 0 0 0 Fiorentina Nov 08 A 2-1, Sep 08 H 2-2 20 Javier Mascherano M 4 0 1 0 Qualification shouldn’t be Debreceni None 17 Jean Makoun M 4(1) 1 0 0 was forced to Debreceni None 21 Lucas M 5 0 0 0 an issue for the five-time 19 Cesar Delgado M 2(1) 0 0 0 almost start from scratch. 26 Jay Spearing M 0 0 0 0 24 Romain Beynie M 0 0 0 0 28 Damien Plessis M 0 0 0 0 winners but come the business Fernando Torres are fit and 41 Maxime Gonalons M 1 0 0 0 Puel is already on slightly there is an opportunity for 39 Nathan Esscleston M 0 0 0 0 end of the tournament, the firing. 28 Jeremy Toulalan M 3(2) 0 0 0 thin ice having guided Les fringe players like Kim 9 Fernando Torres F 5 3 1 0 The Reds have far less 9 Lisandro F 3 2 0 0 10 Andriy Voronin F 0(5) 0 0 0 one given for further progress 14 Sidney Govou F 2(1) 0 1 0 Gones to a disappointing third Kallstrom and Miralem Pjanic 18 F 5 2 0 0 is that Steven Gerrard and spending power than many of 18 Bafetimbi Gomis F 4(1) 2 0 0 place in Ligue 1 last season, to stake claims and they were 19 F 1(1) 0 0 0 39 F 0(2) 0 0 0 24 David N’Gog F 0(2) 1 0 0 their big rivals and had to but he has boldly reinvented hugely impressive qualifiers 46 David Amoo F 0 0 0 0 finance the purchases of Glen the club with different sytems against Anderlecht. Johnson and Alberto Aquilani This season in Europe for different occasions, and Puel was well aware that Last season in Europe by offloading Alvaro Arbeloa 1st goal Bookings Corners top-drawer signings were 1st goal Bookings Corners and Xabi Alonso. Should Champions League play-off needed, and Argentinian Champions League quarter-finals Anderlecht 1 Lyon 3 26 20 5 Chelsea 4 Liverpool 4 19 50 8 injuries strike, it’s unlikely Lyon 5 Anderlecht 1 8 40 12 striker Lisandro Lopez has Liverpool 1 Chelsea 3 6 30 15 Last 16 Benitez will have the funds to Jean made an encouraging start Liverpool 4 Real Madrid 0 16 60 14 finance a January patch-up. Last season in Europe Makoun alongside Bafetimbi Gomis, Real Madrid 0 Liverpool 1 82 50 9 1st goal Bookings Corners Group stage But it is still a hugely Champions League last 16 who looks a transformed PSV 1 Liverpool 3 36 50 4 experienced, very strong, very Barcelona 5 Lyon 2 25 60 8 player from the one who had Liverpool 1 Marseille 0 23 20 9 Lyon 1 Barcelona 1 7 60 12 Liverpool 1 Atl Madrid 1 37 40 13 Glen pacy and nicely-balanced Group stage a shocker at Euro 2008. Atl Madrid 1 Liverpool 1 14 30 8 squad who will do all their best Lyon 2 Bayern Munich 3 11 60 13 Another Brazilian, Michel Liverpool 3 PSV 1 4 10 4 Johnson Fiorentina 1 Lyon 2 15 50 15 Marseille 1 Liverpool 2 23 30 12 work through the middle, Lyon 2 Steaua 0 44 50 5 Bastos, moved from Lille to Third qualifying round Steaua 3 Lyon 5 8 20 9 Liverpool 1 Standard Liege 0 90 30 - especially when Gerrard and Bayern Munich 1 Lyon 1 25 60 10 take over the creative duties Standard Liege 0 Liverpool 0 90 30 - Torres play together. Lyon 2 Fiorentina 2 11 50 16 from Juninho.

Best prices Best prices Tournament: 100-1 Tournament: 2,500-1 FIORENTINA Group: 6-1 DEBRECEN Group: 100-1

Squad details Squad details Pos App Gls Yel Red Pos App Gls Yel Red 1 Sebastien Frey G 3 0 0 0 Strikers are the key if 1 Vukasin Poleksic G 2(1) 0 0 0 Unfancied minnows 35 Vlada Avramov G 0 0 0 0 12 Djordje Pantic G 3 0 0 0 90 G 0 0 0 0 87 Istvan Verpecz G 0 0 0 0 2 Per Kroldrup D 1 0 0 0 2 Istvan Szucs D 1 0 0 0 10 Laszlo Bodnar D 1 0 0 0 3 D2 000 Viola are to challenge face a baptism of fire 16 Adam Komlosi D 2 0 0 0 5 D 3 0 0 0 17 Norbert Meszaros D 3 0 0 0 6 Juan Vargas D 3 0 0 0 The Viola squeezed into the Recent club record 21 Marcell Fodor D 3(1) 0 1 0 Hungary’s reigning champ- Recent club record 14 Cesare Natali D 0 0 0 0 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09 22 Csaba Bernath D 2 0 1 0 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09 23 Manuel Pasqual D 3 0 0 0 Champions League courtesy ions have been nailed on for Europe --- -SF 32+G 24 Mirsad Mijandinoski D 0 0 0 0 Europe 3 - 3Q+1 2Q 2Q 3Q 25 Gianluca Comotto D 3 0 1 0 of a fourth-placed finish in 4 Leandro M 4 1 2 0 bottom spot in this section Domestic 6169 6 4 4 Domestic 311 1 21 29 Lorenzo De Silvestri D 0 0 0 0 Serie A and crept into the 6 Luis Ramos M 1(1) 0 0 0 by pretty much anybody with 4 Marco Donadel M 2(1) 0 1 0 Figures in bold signify Uefa Cup 7 Tibor Dombi M 0(4) 0 0 0 Figures in bold signify Uefa Cup 15 Cristiano Zanetti M 2 0 1 0 group stage after beating European meetings with group 15 Laszlo Rezes M 2 0 0 0 an opinion. European meetings with group 18 Riccardo Montolivo M 2(1) 0 1 0 Sporting Lisbon on away opponents in last ten seasons 30 Zoltan Kiss M 3 0 0 0 But that’s slightly too easy opponents in last ten seasons 55 Peter Szakaly M 3 1 0 0 19 Massimo Gobbi M 0(1) 0 0 0 Liverpool None Liverpool None goals. 77 Peter Czvitkovics M 4 1 0 0 given the relative anonymity 20 Martin Jorgensen M 0(3) 0 0 0 Lyon Nov 08 H 1-2, Sep 08 A 2-2 Lyon None 24 M 1(1) 0 0 0 Hardly spellbinding stuff, 81 Attila Katona M 1(1) 0 0 0 of Andras Herczeg’s side, who Debreceni None 14 Gergely Rudolf F 2 2 0 0 Fiorentina None 32 M 2(1) 0 0 0 especially after last season 19 Vinicius F 0(2) 0 0 0 managed to avoid any of the 8 Steven Jovetic F 3 1 0 0 when they failed to win a the club and its supporters 39 Adamo Coulibaly F 3(2) 2 0 0 big guns lurking during it’s a side built around 9 Jose Ignacio Castillo F 0 0 0 0 41 Lorant Olah F 3(1) 1 0 0 10 F 0(1) 1 0 0 home tie in the Champions remain confident. three roller-coaster rounds domestic players, one or two 11 F 3 1 0 0 League and couldn’t get For success to be achieved, This season in Europe of qualifying. of whom are on their national 1st goal Bookings Corners beyond the round of 32 in Alberto Gilardino and Adrian Champions League play-off What we do know is that team’s radar, notably the Uefa Cup. Yet for all that, Mutu need to combine as Debreceni 2 Levski Sofia 0 13 60 13 defenders Laszlo Bodnar, Levski Sofia 1 Debreceni 2 12 20 11 This season in Europe under the guidance of Fioren- well as they did last term – 33 Third qualifying round Zoltan Szelesi and Norbert 1st goal Bookings Corners Champions League play-off tina legend goals between them in the Debreceni 1 Levadia 1 70 85 11 Meszaros, which hints at one Fiorentina 1 Sporting Lisbon 1 35 60 1 Levadia Tallinn 0 Debreceni 1 70 50 7 Sporting Lisbon 2 Fiorentina 2 6 75 12 league. Second qualifying round Jozsef area of relative strength. Kalmar 3 Debreceni 1 13 105 9 The attacking intent is Debreceni 2 Kalmar 0 73 20 9 Varga Another, striker Gergely Last season in Europe Alberto obvious with Marco Rudolf, has started the cam- 1st goal Bookings Corners Last season in Europe Uefa Cup last 32 Gilardino Marchionni recruited to fly 1st goal Bookings Corners paign well alongside Adamo Ajax 1 Fiorentina 1 61 50 15 down the right, while Juan Uefa Cup third qualifying round Coulibaly, who has come out Fiorentina 0 Ajax 1 60 40 5 Debreceni 2 Young Boys 3 - - - Champions League group stage Manuel Vargas will do likewise Young Boys 4 Debreceni 1 - - - of the Belgian Second Division Steaua 0 Fiorentina 1 66 70 7 down the left, but they need Second qualifying round this summer to play up front Fiorentina 1 Lyon 2 15 50 15 Debreceni 1 Shakhtar Karaganda 0 - - - Fiorentina 1 Bayern Munich 1 10 30 9 to adequately replace Felipe Shakhtar Karaganda 1 Debreceni 1 - - - in Europe’s best competition. Bayern Munich 3 Fiorentina 0 4 50 14 Melo and the solid Alessandro HHKey to European records: Skipper Zoltan Kiss anchors Fiorentina 0 Steaua 0 90 20 5 1GR= eliminated in first group phase, Lyon 2 Fiorentina 2 11 50 16 Gamberini will have to 2GR=second group phase, 32= last 32, a midfield embellished by Third qualifying round orchestrate an ocasionally 16=last 16, QF=quarter-finals, SF=semi-finals, the trickery of Honduran Slavia Prague 0 Fiorentina 0 90 10 - RU=runner-up, W=won. Fiorentina 2 Slavia Prague 0 310- fragile back four. Figures in bold signify Uefa Cup. midfielder Luis Ramos.

GROUP E VERDICT Not much value in backing Reds to be No. 1 BET365 BETFRED BLUE SQ BOYLE CORAL HILLS LADS POWER S JMS TOTE VC Liverpool 8-13 8-13 4-6 4-6 8-11 4-7 8-15 8-11 8-13 8-13 8-13 IT’S hard to argue with the layers’ minus the outstanding Karim but one that won’t have the Viola group in three of the past four view that it will be Liverpool, Benzema and Juninho, but they smiling if their Romanian predator campaigns and are as short as Lyon 9-4 2 2 15-8 9-4 9-4 5-2 5-2 12-5 19-10 5-2 followed by Lyon, into the last 16. have made some shrewd signings, gets a suspension. 8-15 with Ladbrokes to finish Fiorentina 5 6 5 5 9-2 5 5 7-2 9-2 11-2 4 Fiorentina were in the same whereas there is nothing jaw- Hungarian first-timers Debrecen ahead this time as well. That Debrecen 50 50 80 100 25 50 50 40 100 100 50 section as Lyon last season and dropping about the line-up at appear to be the whipping boys might make Coral and Paddy finished five points worse off Cesare Prandelli’s disposal. and are handicapped by having Power’s 8-11 appeal but not Fixtures – tomorrow Liverpool v Debrecen, Lyon v Fiorentina. Sep 29 Fiorentina v having lost to the French side at They are also being sidetracked to play their home games in enormously. Liverpool, Debrecen v Lyon. Oct 20 Liverpool v Lyon, Debrecen v Fiorentina. Nov 4 Fiorentina v Debrecen, Lyon v Liverpool. Nov 24 Debrecen v Liverpool, Fiorentina v Lyon. home. by the ongoing Adrian Mutu row , some 150 miles away. Recommendation Dec 9 Liverpool v Fiorentina, Lyon v Debrecen. Clearly Lyon are rebuilding with Chelsea, a laughable situation, Liverpool have topped their No bet Racing Post Tuesday, September 15, 2009 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SPECIAL 13

Group F by Steve Davies

Best prices Best prices Tournament: 9-2 Tournament: 12-1 BARCELONA Group: 8-15 INTER Group: 5-2

Squad details Squad details Pos App Gls Yel Red Pos App Gls Yel Red 1 Victor Valdez G 2 0 0 0 Barca are keen to put 1 G 0 0 0 0 Mourinho desperate to 13 Jose Pinto G 0 0 0 0 12 Julio Cesar G 3 0 0 0 30 Ruben G 0 0 0 0 21 Paolo Orlandoni G 0 0 0 0 2 Daniel Alves D 1(1) 0 0 0 2 Ivan Cordoba D 0(1) 0 0 0 3 Gerard Pique D 2 0 0 0 rivals in their place 4 D 3 0 0 0 get past the quarters 4 Rafael Marquez D 0 0 0 0 6 Lucio D 3 0 0 0 5 Carles Puyol D 2 0 0 0 They won the title in style last Recent club record 13 Maicon D 3 1 0 0 Inter have been Italian Recent club record 18 D 0 0 0 0 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09 23 D 1 0 1 0 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09 19 Maxwell D 1 0 0 0 season, aren’t any weaker this 25 D 2 0 1 0 champions for the last four Europe 4 16 W 16 SF W Europe QF QF QF 16 16 16 22 Eric Abidal D 1(1) 0 0 0 time around, but are only just 26 D 1 0 1 0 seasons but their recent Domestic 211 2 31 Domestic 431 1 11 6 Xavi Hernandez M 2 0 0 0 favourites due to Real Madrid’s 39 D 1 0 0 0 domestic success hasn’t been 8 Andres Iniesta M 0(1) 0 0 0 Figures in bold signify Uefa Cup 5 Dejan Stankovic M 2 1 1 0 Figures in bold signify Uefa Cup 15 Seydou Keita M 2 1 1 0 summer spending spree. European meetings with group 7 Ricardo Quaresma M 0(1) 0 0 0 mirrored in Europe. European meetings with group 16 Sergio Busquets M 1 0 0 0 And this Barca unit, so opponents in last ten seasons 8 Thiago Motta M 3 1 1 0 Since the competition was opponents in last ten seasons 24 Yaya Toure M 1 0 0 0 expertly led by Pep Guardiola, Inter Feb 03 A 0-0, Feb 03 H 3-0 10 M 2 0 0 0 altered six years ago Inter- Barcelona Feb 03 H 0-0, Feb 03 A 0-3 32 Andreu Fontas M 0(1) 0 0 0 Dynamo Kiev None 11 Sulley Ali Muntari M 1(2) 0 0 0 Dynamo Kiev Dec 93 A 1-1, Sep 03 H 2-1 35 Jeffren M 1(1) 0 0 0 will love the opportunity to Rubin None 14 Patrick Vieira M 2(1) 0 2 0 nazionale have not gone past Rubin None 9 Zlatan Ibrahomovic F 2 2 0 0 put Madrid and the rest in 19 M 0 0 0 0 the quarter-final stage, and 10 F 0(1) 1 0 0 20 Joel Chukwuma Obi M 0 0 0 0 11 Bojan Krkic F 1 1 0 0 their place. That means the Catalans’ 30 Mancini M 0 0 0 0 they have been dumped out statement of intent. 14 Thierry Henry F 0 0 0 0 Guardiola has brought in sumptuous midfield, boast- 52 Antonio Esposito M 0 0 0 0 in the last 16 in each of the It was all change in attack 17 Pedro Rodriguez F 2 0 0 0 9 Samuel Eto’o F 3 2 1 0 36 Jonathan Soriano F 0 0 0 0 three new faces – defenders ing the likes of Spain inter- 18 F 0 0 0 0 last three years. with prolific La Liga marks- Dymytro Chygrinskiy and nationals Xavi and Andreas 22 Diego Milito F 3 2 0 0 It’s a record that Jose Mour- men Samuel Eto’o and Diego Last season in Europe Maxwell, plus Swedish Iniesta, is still intact, while 45 Mario Balotelli F 0(3) 0 0 0 inho is under huge pressure Milito recruited (Milito 1st goal Bookings Corners Champions League final striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic in Bojan Krkic is tipped to be Last season in Europe to end and this summer the having also showed he can cut Barcelona 2 Man Utd 0 10 40 11 a swap deal for Samuel Eto’o. ready to challenge Thierry ex-Chelsea boss delivered a it in Serie A by twice top- Semi-final 1st goal Bookings Corners Last 16 Chelsea 1 Barcelona 1 9 95 12 Zlatan Henry up front. And, of course, scoring at Genoa). Thiago Barcelona 0 Chelsea 0 90 40 12 Man Utd 2 Inter 0 4 30 6 they still have the attacking Inter 0 Man Utd 0 90 60 9 Samuel Motta and Wesley Sneijder Quarter-final Ibrahimovic Group stage Eto’o provide some overdue B Munich 1 Barcelona 1 47 60 8 flair of 22-year-old Leo W Bremen 2 Inter 1 63 40 - Barcelona 4 B Munich 0 9 40 13 Inter 0 Panathinaikos 1 69 20 11 Last 16 Messi, the little genius who dynamism in midfield, and Anorthosis Fam. 3 Inter 3 14 0 11 Barcelona 5 Lyon 2 25 60 8 thrives on the big occasion. Inter 1 Anorthosis Fam. 0 44 10 15 Lucio was signed to anchor an Lyon 1 Barcelona 1 7 60 12 Inter 1 W Bremen 1 14 60 7 Group stage Another bonus is that Rafa often wobbly back four. Panathinaikos 0 Inter 2 27 30 - Barcelona 2 Shakhtar 3 31 70 10 Marquez has recovered fully A 4-0 hammering of Sp. Lisbon 2 Barcelona 5 14 55 6 Barcelona 1 Basle 1 62 10 9 from knee surgery just in time Milan last month during Basle 0 Barcelona 5 4 20 11 for the European assault, so HHKey to European records: which, shock of shocks, this Shakhtar 1 Barcelona 2 45 80 9 1GR= eliminated in first group phase, Barcelona 3 Sp. Lisbon 1 21 20 8 Guardiola has a really solid 2GR=second group phase, 32= last 32, often dour unit turned on the Third qualifying round group of defenders to pick 16=last 16, QF=quarter-finals, SF=semi-finals, style, has also boosted morale Wisla Krakow 1 Barcelona 0 52 20 - RU=runner-up, W=won. Barcelona 4 Wisla Krakow 0 17 20 - from. Figures in bold signify Uefa Cup ahead of the campaign.

Best prices Best prices Tournament: 500-1 Tournament: 250-1 DYNAMO KIEV Group: 25-1 RUBIN KAZAN Group: 20-1

Squad details Squad details Pos App Gls Yel Red Pos App Gls Yel Red 1 Oleksandr Shovkovski G 5 0 0 0 Sheva returns to help 1 Sergei Kozko G 0 0 0 0 Debutants should not 31 Stanislav Bogush G 2 0 0 0 29 Nukri Revishvili G 0 0 0 0 3 Betao D 4 2 1 0 77 Sergei Ryzhikov G 21 0 2 0 6 Goran Sablic D 0 0 0 0 3 D 18 0 5 0 15 Pape Diakhate D 1 0 0 0 end awful Euro record 4 Cesar Navas D200 6 0 be instantly dismissed 17 Taras Mykhalyk D 0 0 0 0 9 Lasha Salukvadze D 5(2) 0 0 0 26 Andriy Nesmachnyi D 3 0 2 0 Andrei Shevchenko has Recent club record 19 Vitali Kaleshin D 11(1) 0 2 0 Russian first-timers Rubin are Recent club record 29 Vitaliy Mandzyuk D 0 0 0 0 returned home as Dynamo 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09 24 Aleksei Popov D 4(2) 0 0 0 in the group stage by right 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09 34 Yevgen Khacheridi D 5(1) 0 2 0 Europe G G+32 2Q G G G+SF 76 Roman Sharonov D 18 2 2 0 Europe - 2Q - 1 -- 44 Leandro Almeida D 1(1) 0 0 0 Kiev seek the spark that will 5 Petr Bystrov M 4(2) 0 0 0 having been crowned Domestic 122 1 21 Domestic 3 10 4 5 15 1 30 Badr El Kaddouri D 2 0 0 0 6 Macbeth Sibaya M 18 1 3 0 end their wretched Champ- Figures in bold signify Uefa Cup domestic champions in 2008. Figures in bold signify Uefa Cup 4 Tiberiu Ghioane M 0(4) 1 0 0 7 M 21 6 2 0 5 Ognjen Vukojevic M 6 0 2 0 ions League record. European meetings with group 15 M 8(5) 3 1 0 It’s ten months since they European meetings with group 8 Oleksandr Aliev M 0 0 0 0 Dynamo are consistent opponents in last ten seasons 16 Christian Noboa M 13(2) 1 3 0 won their first Premier League opponents in last ten seasons 11 Roman Eremenko M 6 1 1 0 underachievers at this level, Barcelona None 23 Evgeni Balyaykin M 4(9) 0 2 1 crown but it clearly wasn’t Barcelona None 14 Serhiy Kravchenko M 1(2) 1 0 0 Inter Dec 03 H 1-1, Sep 03 A 1-2 32 Andrei Gorbanets M 4(5) 0 1 0 Inter None 20 Oleh Gusev M 6 4 1 0 but buoyed by taking the Rubin None 42 Rafal Murawski M 0(3) 0 0 0 a fluke as they are top again Dynamo Kiev None 21 Gerson Magrao M 1(1) 0 1 0 league title back from 61 Gokdeniz Karadeniz M 16(2) 4 3 0 as the 2009 campaign 25 M 3 0 0 0 88 Alan Kasaev M 0(2) 0 0 0 36 Milos Ninkovic M 6 3 1 0 Shakhtar, reaching the Uefa international team-mate Artem 10 Alejandro Dominguez F 14(3) 13 5 0 reaches its climax. It’s Berdyev’s ninth year in 7 F 0(1) 1 0 0 Cup semi-finals and starting Milevskiy forms a respectable 11 Aleksandr Bukharov F 14(2) 13 2 0 It means Kurban Berdyev’s charge of a side driven by 10 Artem Milevski F 6 4 1 0 front two, but the limitations 22 Artem Kravets F 0 0 0 0 the season in fine form, side will be battle-ready and 33-year-old former Russia 70 Andriy Yarmolenko F 5 4 1 0 perhaps there is a greater air appear to be further back. Last season in Europe they’ll look forward to captain Sergei Semak. For of confidence this time. Valeriy Gazzayev has a trio Rubin did not qualify for Europe last season welcoming Inter and goals they look to Alejandro Last season in Europe Certainly the return of of Brazilians to call upon but Barcelona, the latter facing Dominguez – they had Savo 1st goal Bookings Corners it says much about the gnarled Uefa Cup semi-final Shevchenko to partner a seven-hour flight and Milosevic and Sergei Rebrov Shakhtar 2 Dynamo Kiev 1 17 60 5 Midfielder 55-year-old’s outlook that sub-zero temperatures in the last year but neither remains Dynamo Kiev 1 Shakhtar 1 22 30 8 two of them, Betao and Le- Quarter-final Milos capital city of Tatarstan. – and the Argentinian is Dynamo Kiev 3 St-Germain 0 4 0 9 Ninkovic andro Almeida, are defenders. prolific. Paris St-Germain 0 Dynamo Kiev 0 90 0 6 Sergey Semak Last 16 The other, Gerson Magrao, A side capable of beating the Metalist 3 Dynamo Kiev 2 29 20 6 might just provide some imag- Moscow teams and Zenit Dynamo Kiev 1 Metalist 0 54 30 11 Last 32 ination in midfield, but this merit respect and given the Valencia 2 Dynamo Kiev 2 34 50 10 still looks like a massively travelling they do domesti- Dynamo Kiev 1 Valencia 18754 Champions League group stage one-dimensional outfit that cally and the fact that their Dynamo Kiev 1 Fenerbahce 0 20 40 4 will endeavour to be as hard HHKey to European records: record away has been better Arsenal 1 Dynamo Kiev 0 87 75 9 1GR= eliminated in first group phase, Dynamo Kiev 1 Porto 2 21 75 12 to beat as last season with 2GR=second group phase, 32= last 32, than at home in the last two Porto 0 Dynamo Kiev 1 27 20 11 realistic hopes only of 16=last 16, QF=quarter-finals, SF=semi-finals, seasons, they should relish Fenerbahce 0 Dynamo Kiev 0 90 60 10 RU=runner-up, W=won. Dynamo Kiev 1 Arsenal 1 64 50 11 pipping Rubin for third. Figures in bold signify Uefa Cup trips to Kiev, Milan and Barca.

GROUP F VERDICT Nerazzurri could be vulnerable on away trips BET365 BETFRED BLUE SQ BOYLE CORAL HILLS LADS POWER S JMS TOTE VC Barcelona 1-2 8-15 2-5 1-2 2-5 8-15 4-11 1-2 1-2 4-9 2-5 IT’S the most clear-cut section of Yet Inter continue to be deified And now, of course, they are given their recent past. the lot with Barca 1-20 to qualify – because they are Italian and Inter 15-8 2 5-2 15-8 5-2 15-8 5-2 2 11-5 2 5-2 minus Zlatan Ibrahimovic. The Nerazzurri are 1-5 to qualify, and Inter 1-5 to do likewise. managed by Jose Mourinho – Inter are obviously going to be which is no kind of price. In fact, Rubin Kazan 16 16 16 18 16 18 20 16 14 18 16 And it is difficult to see the top despite a Champions League record looking to their home form to get the value bet is probably the Dynamo Kiev 25 14 16 16 16 12 16 16 16 20 16 two not prevailing. In the last three in 2008-09 that read played eight, them through but any slips leave 100-30 from Blue Square that seasons Kiev have won just two out won two. They should have romped them at the mercy of excursions they don’t. Fixtures – tomorrow Inter v Barcelona, Dynamo v Rubin. Sep 29 Rubin v Inter, Barcelona of 18 group matches and scored a through an easy group but almost behind the old iron curtain, v Dynamo. Oct 20 Barcelona v Rubin, Inter v Dynamo. Nov 4 Rubin v Barcelona, Dynamo Recommendation v Inter. Nov 24 Barcelona v Inter, Rubin v Dynamo. Dec 9 Inter v Rubin, Dynamo v paltry 13 goals, while this is made a mess of it, and were woeful to Kiev and Kazan, and those not to qualify Barcelona. uncharted territory for Rubin. against Manchester United. cannot be foregone conclusions 1pt 100-30 Blue Square 14 RACING POST Tuesday, September 15, 2009 racingpost.com Racing Post Tuesday, September 15, 2009 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SPECIAL 15

Group G by Steve Davies

Best prices Best prices Tournament: 50-1 Tournament: 250-1 SEVILLE Group: 10-11 RANGERS Group: 7-1

Squad details Squad details Pos App Gls Yel Red Pos App Gls Yel Red 1 Andres Palop G 2 0 1 0 Lethal strikeforce can 1 Allan McGregor G 4 0 0 0 Lack of signings is not 13 Javi Varas G 0 0 0 0 25 Neil Alexander G 0 0 0 0 2 Federico Fazio D 1 0 0 0 3 David Weir D 4 0 1 0 3 Ivaca Dragutinovic D 0 0 0 0 5 Sasa Papac D 3 0 1 0 4 Sebastien Squillaci D 1 0 1 0 fire Spaniards further 16 Steven Whittaker D 4 2 1 0 helping bid to step up 14 Julien Escude D 2 0 1 0 21 Kirk Broadfoot D 0 0 0 0 17 Sergio Sanchez D 0 0 0 0 The best bit of transfer non- Recent club record 24 D 4 0 2 1 Rangers go into Europe Recent club record 18 Fernando Navarro D 1 0 1 0 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09 26 Steven Smith D 1(1) 0 0 0 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09 23 Lolo D 0(1) 0 0 0 business of the summer? 2 Maurice Edu M 0 0 0 0 unbeaten since March but Europe - 16 W W 16 GR Europe G G 16 16 F 2Q 5 Aldo Duscher M 1 0 0 0 Surely Seville managing to 4 Padro Mendes M 2 0 0 0 such relative success doesn’t Domestic 665 3 53 Domestic 213 2 21 6 Adriano M 1 0 0 0 hang on to Brazilian hitman 6 Lee McCulloch M 4 0 0 0 always count for that much. 8 Didier Zakora M 1(1) 0 1 0 Figures in bold signify Uefa Cup 7 Steven Davis M 4 0 0 0 Figures in bold signify Uefa Cup 11 Renato M 1 0 0 0 Luis Fabiano. European meetings with group 8 Kevin Thomson M 1(1) 0 0 1 The strength – or lack of it European meetings with group 20 M 0 0 0 0 A deal with Milan collapsed opponents in last ten seasons 11 Jerome Rothen M 1 0 0 0 – in the Scottish game means opponents in last ten seasons 22 Ndri Romaric M 1 0 0 0 and Juventus came a-sniffing, Rangers None 20 DaMarcus Beasley M 0 0 0 0 the likes of Motherwell, Seville None 24 Abdoulay Konto M 0 0 0 0 Stuttgart None 9 Kris Boyd F 3(1) 3 0 0 Stuttgart Nov 07 A 2-3, Sep 07 H 2-1, 30 Jose Carlos M 0 0 0 0 but the Confederations Cup Unirea None 10 Nacho Novo F 0(2) 0 0 0 Hamilton and Falkirk are the Nov 03 A 0-1, Sep 03 H 2-1 7 Jesus Navas F 2 0 0 0 top goalscorer has stayed in 14 Steven Naismith F 3(1) 1 0 0 lame warm-up acts for bill- Unirea None 9 Arouna Kone F 0(1) 0 0 0 18 Kenny Miller F 4 2 2 0 10 Luis Fabiano F 2 2 0 0 Seville and that’s a colossal with Fredi Kanoute. 27 Kyle Lafferty F 0 0 0 0 topping Champions League reached the 2008 Uefa Cup 12 Frederic Kanoute F 1 0 1 1 plus for Manolo Jimenez. Seville are on the up. The 45 Rory Loy F 0 0 0 0 nights and the gulf in class final was extremely 15 Ernesto Chevanton F 0 0 0 0 Uefa Cup winners of 2006 48 Andrew Little F 0 0 0 0 16 Diego Capel F 0(1) 0 0 0 Not only that, but the club 63 Archie Campbell F 0 0 0 0 means the Gers suffer encouraging and 19 Alvaro Negredo F 1(1) 0 0 0 also won the race to sign Real and 2007, they finished fifth accordingly. 21 F 0(1) 0 0 0 will stand by his 4-5-1 Madrid’s outstanding Alvaro two seasons back and third last They couldn’t even get in-yer-face approach that so Negredo, who scored 19 for time and the irony is that through the qualifiers last riled opposition coaches during Almeria last term, and he Jimenez remains incredibly year, and went out in the that season. adds to their options along unpopular with huge swathes group stage a season Steve Davis, Pedro Mendes of the crowd. earlier, as the 52- and Lee McCulloch should The signing of time Scottish league form the engine room, with certainly didn’t boost his champions continue the firepower permed from opinion poll rating, to struggle with two of Kenny Miller, Kyle though snaffling Spanish the step up. Last season in Europe Lafferty, Nacho Novo under-21 defender Sergio That they and Kris Boyd. 1st goal Bookings Corners Sanchez was a more popu- Uefa Cup group stage Lee 31-year-old left- Sampdoria 1 Seville 0 75 60 11 lar deal. Big seasons from Seville 3 Partizan Belgrade 0 32 20 9 Last season in Europe McCulloch winger Jerome Standard Liege 1 Seville 0 38 50 11 young talents like Jesus Navas 1st goal Bookings Corners Rothen has been their Seville 2 VfB Stuttgart 0 15 20 14 Luis and Diego Capel will also im- Champions League second qualifying round SV Salzburg 0 Seville 2 38 40 - FBK 2 Rangers 1 33 - - one and only signing in Seville 2 SV Salzburg 0 6 60 - Fabiano prove the fortunes of Jimenez. Rangers 0 FBK Kaunas 0 90 - - the past 12 months.

Best prices Best prices Tournament: 100-1 Tournament: 2,500-1 STUTTGART Group: 2-1 UNIREA Group: 33-1

Squad details Squad details Pos App Gls Yel Red Pos App Gls Yel Red 1 Jens Lehmann G 5 0 1 0 Babbel’s overhaul still 1 Giedrius Arlauskis G 4 0 0 0 Surprise package face 12 Alexander Stolz G 0 0 0 0 74 Daniel Tudor G 1 0 0 0 3 Ricardo Osorio D 0 0 0 0 6 George Galamaz D 3 0 0 0 4 D 0 0 0 0 16 Epaminouda Nicu D 3(2) 0 0 0 5 Serdar Tasci D 4 0 1 0 has some crucial flaws 19 Pablo Brandan D 3(2) 0 1 0 mammoth challenge 6 Georg Niedermeier D 2 1 0 0 22 D 4 0 0 0 15 Arthur Boka D 2 0 0 0 Former Liverpool defender Recent club record 23 Valeriu Bordeanu D 3 0 0 0 Unirea are the ultimate Recent club record 17 Matthieu Delpierre D 4 0 0 0 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09 24 Vasile Maftei D 6 1 0 0 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09 21 D 3 0 1 0 surely could 4 Ersin Mehmedovic M 2(1) 0 0 0 surprise package of the 27 Stefano Celozzi D 2 0 0 0 not have expected such a Europe 16 32 32 -GR32 5 Dino Todoran M 0(2) 0 0 0 Champions League. Europe --- - -1 Domestic 459 1 63 Domestic n/a n/a n/a 10 5 1 35 Christian Trasch D 3 0 0 0 dramatic impact in first-team 8 Sorin Paraschiv M 3(2) 0 0 0 Formed in 1954, they 8 Jan Simak M 1(1) 0 0 0 Figures in bold signify Uefa Cup 9 Serban Varga M 0 0 0 0 Figures in bold signify Uefa Cup 11 Thomas Hitzlsperger M 4 0 0 0 coaching. European meetings with group 10 Razvan Paduretu M 4(1) 1 1 0 reached the top flight only European meetings with group 13 Timo Gebhart M 4(1) 0 3 0 Babbel was appointed opponents in last ten seasons 18 Ricardo Vilana M 3(2) 0 2 1 three years ago, yet last season opponents in last ten seasons 19 Roberto Hilbert M 1 0 0 0 Stuttgart coach last November Seville None 21 Tiberiu Balan M 0 0 0 0 won the Romanian Premier Seville None 23 Aleksandr Hleb M 4(1) 0 0 0 Rangers Nov 07 H 3-2, Sep 07 A 1-2, Nov 30 Sorin Frunza M 6 0 1 0 Rangers None 25 Elson M 4 2 1 0 with the team in 11th place 03 H 1-0, Sep 03 A 1-2 32 Iulian Apostol M 5 1 3 0 and now find themselves Stuttgart None 28 Sami Khedira M 5 0 0 0 in the Bundesliga and by the Unirea None 20 Laurentiu Marinescu M 1 1 0 0 jousting with Europe’s elite. 32 Zdravko Kuzmanovic M 0(1) 0 0 0 7 Marius Bilasco F 5 2 1 0 time the campaign was over Coached by ex-Chelsea whom only Vasile Maftei and 9 Ciprian Marica F 0(1) 0 0 0 exit was a huge setback. 11 Marius Onofras F 0(2) 1 0 0 18 F 4(1) 0 0 0 they were in a Champions 14 Raul Rusescu F 6 0 0 0 right-back Dan Petrescu, the Iulian Apostol are close to Russian striker Pavel 29 F 4(1) 2 0 0 League place. 17 Antonio Semedo F 0 0 0 0 Wolves of Baragan are a the international scene. Pogrebnyak is Gomez’s direct 28 Daniel Stan F 0 0 0 0 They duly beat Romanian 15 Cristian Danalache F 0(2) 0 0 0 genuinely homespun outfit They go for a no-nonsense replacement, while Alex Hleb outfit Timisoara in the final without a single superstar, approach at the back but an This season in Europe has also returned to add some 1st goal Bookings Corners round of qualifiers to at least Last season in Europe but big on team spirit and absence of any recognised more attacking input. 1st goal Bookings Corners Champions League play-off prove they can prosper without playing football on the floor. firepower might be a major Stuttgart 0 FCU Poli 0 90 30 - There is lots of international Uefa Cup first round FCU Poli 0 Stuttgart 2 27 50 - striker Mario Gomez, whose Unirea 0 Hamburg 2 27 50 - The squad is made up disadvantage. Marius Bilasco quality in defence – Khalid Hamburg 0 Unirea 0 90 30 - Last season in Europe mainly of Romanians, of and Raul Rusescu are their Boulahrouz, Serdar Tasci and 1st goal Bookings Corners likeliest starters, but none of Uefa Cup last 32 Arthur Boka – while the Stuttgart 1 Zenit 2 42 40 2 their quartet of possible Pavel familiar face of Jens Lehmann Dan Zenit 2 Stuttgart 1 2 50 10 forwards have ever reached Uefa Cup group stage Pogrebnyak stands tall behind the lot of Petrescu Stuttgart 3 Standard Liege 0 5 10 6 double figures in a single top- them. Sampdoria 1 Stuttgart 1 8 60 13 flight campaign in Romania. Stuttgart 2 Partizan Belgrade 0 77 30 8 The midfield looks less HHKey to European records: Other negatives? They will Seville 2 Stuttgart 0 15 20 14 authoritative and Babbel also Uefa Cup first round 1Q = 1st Qualifying, 2Q = 2nd Qualfying, 3Q = play their home matches in Stuttgart 2 Cherno More 2 48 80 - has the problem of finding a 3rd Qualifying, GR= eliminated in group stage, 32= last 32, Bucharest, 55 kilometres away, Cherno More 1 Stuttgart 2 42 20 - team and sticking with it Uefa Cup second qualifying round 16=last 16, QF=quarter-finals, SF=semi-finals, and they lost a pre-season because he has a reputation F=final , W=winners. Gyori Eto 1 Stuttgart 4 - - - friendly to Plymouth. Stuttgart 2 Gyori Eto 1--- as a tinkerer. Figures in bold signify Uefa Cup.

GROUP G VERDICT Classy Seville have enough talent to stand out BET365 BETFRED BLUE SQ BOYLE CORAL HILLS LADS POWER S JMS TOTE VC Seville 4-5 4-6 4-6 5-6 10-11 4-6 8-11 5-6 8-11 5-6 4-5 SEVILLE have to be the class act each other out on both previous domination during their days of which is where they will be Stuttgart 7-4 2 15-8 7-5 7-4 2 15-8 15-8 9-5 6-4 6-4 and Coral’s 10-11 could be worth occasions, with home advantage Uefa Cup glory, but for that to pitching up. snapping up, especially as they proving decisive in all four games. happen it’s crucial the fans get off If they can take advantage of Rangers 13-2 13-2 13-2 7 5 11-2 5 11-2 6 6 7 start at home to the group’s Both clubs look to have far less Manolo Jimenez’s back. Rangers’ negativity and nick a Unirea 16 20 25 25 20 16 33 16 33 25 33 perceived outsiders Unirea and will going for them than the Spanish The battle for second could be home win off Stuttgart they could shorten with a win. outfit, who possess the group’s star close, with Unirea hard to rule conceivably trip over the line. Fixtures – tomorrow Stuttgart v Rangers, Seville v Unirea. Sep 29 Unirea v Stuttgart, Rangers This is the third time Stuttgart striker in Luis Fabiano and a host out even if they aren’t playing at v Seville. Oct 20 Rangers v Unirea, Stuttgart v Seville. Nov 4 Unirea v Rangers, Seville v Recommendations Stuttgart. Nov 24 Rangers v Stuttgart, Unirea v Seville. Dec 9 Stuttgart v Unirea, Seville v and Rangers have been grouped of gifted players in support. home. Mind you, they’ve already Seville 2pts 10-11 Coral Rangers. together and they’ve cancelled They need to recreate the home won this season at Steaua’s ground, Unirea to qualify 1pt 5-1 Bet365 16 RACING POST Tuesday, September 15, 2009 racingpost.com GOLDEN BOOT

PENALTY TAKERS AND CLUB TOP SCORERS RECENT TOP SCORERS Last season’s top league scorer* Probable penalty taker 2008-09 Apoel Nicosia M Zewlakow 11 N Mirosavljevic, C Michail Goals Best odds Arsenal R van Persie 11 R van Persie 9 L Messi Barcelona 20-1 Atletico Madrid D Forlan 32 D Forlan 7 M Klose Bayern Munich 33-1 AZ Alkmaar M El Hamdaoui 23 unknown 7 S Gerrard Liverpool 50-1 Barcelona L Messi 23 L Messi Bayern Munich L Toni 14 M Klose, F Ribery 6 L Lopez Porto N/O RELIANT Besiktas Bobo 11 unknown 2007-08 Bordeaux F Cavenaghi 13 F Cavenaghi 8 C Ronaldo Man Utd 25-1 Arsenal hitman can strike gold Chelsea N Anelka 19 F Lampard 6 D Drogba Chelsea 14-1 by plundering weak opponents CSKA Moscow A Dzagoev 8 A Dzagoev 6 S Gerrard Liverpool 66-1 Debrecen G Rudolf 15 G Rudolf, L Olah By Mark Langdon Olympiakos, and given the lack 6 F Torres Liverpool 20-1 of quality in the opposition it is Dynamo Kiev O Aliev 13 O Aliev 6 L Messi Barcelona 25-1 WHAT do the last five Champions surprising to see Robin van Fiorentina A Gilardino 19 A Mutu League Golden Boot winners – Persie being quoted at a Inter M Balotelli 8 S Eto’o/D Milito 2006-07 Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, mouthwatering 33-1. Juventus A Del Piero 13 A Del Piero, Diego 10 Kaka Milan 80-1 Kaka, Andrei Shevchenko and The Dutchman does not have Ruud van Nistelrooy – have in a particularly fantastic record in Liverpool S Gerrard 16 S Gerrard 6 D Drogba Chelsea 50-1 common, apart from being the competition with goal tallies Lyon J Makoun 6 L Lopez 6 R v Nistelrooy R Madrid 12-1 exceptional footballers? of 1-2-1-2-4, but more often that Maccabi Haifa L Rafelov 8 unknown 6 F Morientes Valencia 66-1 They were never behind in not he has been seen as the their quest for the goalscoring second striker to Thierry Henry Manchester United W Rooney 12 W Rooney 6 P Crouch Liverpool 66-1 Marseille M Niang 14 M Niang gong after the group phase – in or Emmanuel Adebayor. 2005-06 other words this is a market where Van Persie is now the focal Milan A Pato 15 Ronaldinho 9 A Shevchenko Milan 9-1 you must look for runners with point of Arsene Wenger’s 4-3-3 Olympiakos L Galletti 14 L Galletti the potential to do damage against formation and he is a huge price Porto E Farias 10 Falcao, Hulk 7 Ronaldinho Barcelona 40-1 the smaller teams in the group considering he is the lone Rangers K Boyd 27 K Boyd 6 D Trezeguet Juventus 28-1 phase. striker, with the likes of Andrei Coming from off the pace has Arshavin and Cesc Fabregas Real Madrid G Higuain 22 C Ronaldo 6 S Eto’o Barcelona 8-1 been virtually impossible – supplying the ammunition. Rubin Kazan A Bukharov, K Gokdeniz 6 D Dominguez 2004-05 Fernando Morientes was the last The fact RVP takes penalties Seville F Kanoute 18 F Kanoute 8 R v Nistelrooy Man Utd 10-1 to do so for Monaco in 2003-04 and the majority of free kicks just Standard Liege M Bezua 16 M Jovanovic – and even then the Spaniard adds weight to the theory he 7 R Makaay B Munich 10-1 Stuttgart Cacau, Khedira 7 Elson, T Gebhart was only one behind going into could gain cheap goals early on. 7 Adriano Inter 20-1 the knockout stages. Seville, although it is not Unirea D Onofras, M Bilasco 8 M Bilasco 6 S Wiltord Lyon N/O Arsenal have the easiest group reflected in the group odds, also Wolfsburg Grafite 28 Grafite of all the fancied sides with home have a lovely section against Zurich A Abdi 18 J Vonlanthen, A Abdi 6 H Crespo Milan 33-1 and away matches to enjoy against Stuttgart, Rangers and Romanian *Top scorer list only includes players still with club 6 A Shevchenko Milan 12-1 Standard Liege, AZ Alkmaar and new boys Unirea and their front is now the focus of Arsenal’s free-scoring attack Racing Post Tuesday, September 15, 2009 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SPECIAL 17 TOP GOALSCORER LAST 3 YEARS BET365 BETFRED BLUE SQ BOYLE CORAL HILLS LADS POWER S JMS TOTE VC 17/31/18 C Ronaldo Real Madrid 8 13-2 8 7 15-2 887777 14/10/23 L Messi Barcelona 9 7 9 8 15-2 13-2 10 8778 5/20/17 K Benzema Real Madrid 14 12 11 12 12 9 10 12 12 8 12 15/24/14 F Torres Liverpool 10 7 12 8 14 8 12 9 8 7 12 11/16/30 S Eto’o Inter 10 16 14 11 14 14 12 14 12 8 12 15/17/25 Z Ibrahimovic Barcelona 16 12 14 12 16 10 14 12 12 12 12 14/12/12 W Rooney Man Utd 18 14 14 11 14 20 12 14 16 14 12 11/10+1/19 N Anelka Chelsea 20 20 20 16 16 14 16 16 14 16 20 20/8/5 D Drogba Chelsea 10 12 14 12 12 22 10 14 14 12 12 10/12/19 T Henry Barcelona 22 16 25 20 20 20 16 18 16 16 22 7/11/16 S Gerrard Liverpool 20 16 22 16 25 20 20 18 20 20 20 12/15/0+9 D Berbatov Man Utd 28 25 28 25 25 33 28 25 25 22 20 -/9/15 A Pato Milan 25 20 28 25 25 33 25 25 25 22 33 5/11/7 R van Persie Arsenal 28 25 22 33 25 25 22 20 25 25 33 T ROBINtwo of Fredi Kanoute and Luis 8/24/10 L Lopez Lyon 28 33 25 25 25 33 25 25 22 25 25 Fabiano could really take advan- Fredi -/10/6+6 A Arshavin Arsenal 333328 25 25 25 33 28 33 33 33 tage of such weak opponents. Kanoute 19/16/32 D Forlan Atl Madrid 33 25 25 25 33 33 33 33 25 18 33 Fabiano is absolutely fabulous 8/15/16 Kaka Real Madrid 40 25 33 25 25 33 33 28 28 28 33 for Brazil, but Kanoute is the 21/34/6+8 K-J Huntelaar Milan 33 33 40 33 28 33 25 28 28 22 33 king as far as Seville are 21/15/24 D Milito Inter 25 25 22 33 25 40 33 28 33 28 33 concerned and 66-1 is a top price 16/11/10 F Lampard Chelsea 33 33 33 33 33 33 28 33 33 40 33 for a player with so much 5/8+2/8 G Higuain Real Madrid 33 33 40 28 - 25 25 40 33 28 33 ability. 21/25/16 R van Nistelrooy Real Madrid -334040 - - - 22 - 33 40 The former West Ham and 0/11/8 M Owen Man Utd 28 33 40 28 40 40 16 28 33 28 40 Tottenham man is vastly 6/19/17 S Aguero Atl Madrid 40 25 33 20 33 40 40 33 33 33 40 superior to the player we saw in 7/18/18 Raul Real Madrid 40 25 40 25 33 20 40 40 40 25 40 the Premier League. In the last 2/11/13 F Inzaghi Milan 40 33 40 40 50 - - 40 40 40 50 three campaigns he has scored 10/24/8 L Fabiano Seville 50 40 28 33 28 33 50 40 50 40 40 55 La Liga goals, and Kanoute 31/16/24 L Toni Bayern Munich 33 50 50 50 50 50 50 40 40 33 40 is also on spot-kick duty. no appeal, while Thierry Henry 14/19/24 M Gomez Bayern Munich 50 50 50 33 40 66 50 40 50 28 50 The last three Champions is tempting at bigger prices but 25/13/10 M Klose Bayern Munich 50 50 33 40 40 66 50 40 33 33 50 League winners have provided manager Pep Guardiola may not n/a/21/13 A Del Piero Juventus -4066 50 50 - - 40 40 40 50 the tournament’s top scorer, so it always select the ageing forward. 21/16/18 F Kanoute Seville 40 40 25 33 33 33 33 50 50 66 40 is worth looking at the higher Instead, look to last season’s n/a/4/0 Eduardo Arsenal 50 33 33 33 66 33 50 33 - 33 33 echelons of the outright market hero Lionel Messi, who topped 10/16/9 B Gomis Lyon 50 40 66 50 40 50 - 50 - 40 50 to find a player to add to the the charts with nine goals and 14/8/12 V Iaquinta Juventus - 40 50 50 40 66 50 50 50 40 50 portfolio. could get even more opportuni- 5/14/10 I Olic Bayern Munich 40 66 66 40 50 66 40 50 - 40 50 Real Madrid, Chelsea and ties now he does not have to 12/7/19 A Gilardino Fiorentina 66 50 50 66 - 66 - 66 -5066 Barcelona all have the potential share penalties with the n/a/20/1 D Trezeguet Juventus - 66 - 66 50 66 50 50 - 66 66 to share the goals around, but departed Samuel Eto’o. 5/11/9 F Ribery Bayern Munich 50 66 66 66 50 66 66 50 66 66 66 the Catalans score such a huge 13/13/12 Diego Juventus 66 80 50 66 40 66 - 50 - - 33 number that one of their three for- Recommendations R van Persie 12/3/12 D Kuyt Liverpool 40 40 80 66 - - - 50 - 66 33 wards will have every chance of 2.5pts e-w 33-1 Boyle, V Chandler 2/7/3 C Fabregas Arsenal 66 - 66 66 - 40 66 50 - 80 66 landing the Golden Boot. L Messi 7/4/2 A Robben Bayern Munich 40 66 80 40 50 - - 80 - 66 66 New recruit Zlatan Ibrahimovic 1pt win 10-1 Ladbrokes 16/17/13 A Mutu Fiorentina 50 66 80 80 66 - - 80 -5080 has never scored a Champions F Kanoute -/10/2 B Krkic Barcelona 66 - 66 - 33 - 100 66 - - 50 0.5pt e-w 66-1 Totesport of Arsenal’s free-scoring attack League knockout goal and makes Each-way 1/4 1,2,3,4. Form figures show club league goals scored in last three season. Others on request 18 RACING POST Tuesday, September 15, 2009 racingpost.com

Group H by Steve Davies

Best prices Best prices Tournament: 10-1 Tournament: 200-1 ARSENAL Group: 4-11 AZ ALKMAAR Group: 8-1

Squad details Squad details Pos App Gls Yel Red Pos App Gls Yel Red 1 Manuel Almunia G 4 0 1 0 Gunners’ attack could 1 Joey Didulica G 0 0 0 0 Koeman’s kids may 21 Lukasz Fabianski G 0 0 0 0 21 Erik Heijblok G 0 0 0 0 3 Bakari Sagna D 3 0 2 0 22 G 6 0 0 0 5 D 4 1 0 0 2 D 6 0 2 0 be out of their depth 10 William Gallas D 4 2 1 0 ease pressure on boss 4 Hector Moreno D 4 1 0 0 18 Mikael Silveste D 0 0 0 0 5 Sebastien Pocognoli D 3(1) 0 1 0 20 D 0 0 0 0 THE pressure is on Arsene Recent club record 25 D 6 0 0 0 , twice a Recent club record 22 Gael Clichy D 3 0 0 0 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09 6 David Mendes da Silva M 6 0 0 0 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09 Wenger to deliver some 8 M 6 0 0 0 Champions League winner 27 Emmanuel Eboue D 2(2) 0 1 0 Europe QF 16 F 16 QF S-F Europe - S-F 32 Q-F G - silverware after four barren 11 M 6 2 0 0 as a player, has more modest 2 Abou Diaby M 3 2 1 0 Domestic 124 4 34 Domestic 532 3111 seasons. 12 Kees Luijckx M 0 0 0 0 ambitions masterminding AZ 4 Cesc Fabregas M 3 2 0 0 14 Ragnar Klaven M 2(2) 0 0 0 Figures in bold signify Uefa Cup 7 Tomas Rosicky M 0(1) 1 0 0 The 2005-06 Champions European meetings with group 15 Simon Poulsen M 3(1) 0 0 0 Alkmaar’s first campaign. European meetings with group 8 M 0 0 0 0 League runners-up have had opponents in last ten seasons 16 Pontus Wernbloom M 3(1) 0 1 0 Koeman succeeded Louis opponents in last ten seasons 15 Denilson M 4 1 0 0 Alkmaar None 23 Nick van der Velden M 0(1) 0 0 0 Arsenal None 16 Aaron Ramsey M 0(3) 1 0 0 this trophy in their sights on van Gaal in May and has Olympiakos None 27 Brett Holman M 5 1 0 0 Olympiakos None 17 Alex Song M 3 0 2 0 more than one occasion over Standard Liege None 28 M 0(2) 0 0 1 made few changes to a squad Standard Leige None 19 Jack Wilshere M 0 0 0 0 the past decade but keep 30 James Holland M 0 0 0 0 that won the last 32 Fran Merida M 0(1) 0 0 0 31 Morten Nielsen M 0 0 0 0 9 Eduardo F 1(3) 1 0 0 finding one club too good. personnel have been the sales 7 Jeremain Lens F 2(2) 2 0 0 season. Klavan and Niklas Moisander 11 Robin van Persie F 4 1 1 0 They qualified this season of Kolo Toure and Emmanuel 9 Ari F 0(2) 0 0 0 What it means is that a are all 23 or younger, so will 12 Carlos Vela F 0 0 0 0 with a 5-1 thrashing of Celtic 10 Mounir El Hamdaoui F 5 5 1 0 14 Theo Walcott F 0 0 0 0 Adebayor and the recruitment 18 Moussa Dembele F 6 2 0 0 team who were unashamedly need to enlist the help of 23 Andrei Arshavin F 3 1 0 0 but a mixed start to their of Thomas Vermaelen, though 29 Graziano Pelle F 0(1) 1 0 1 attacking in 2008-09 may Oranje Stijn Schars 52 Nicklas Bendter F 2(2) 0 0 0 league campaign has renewed Wenger would argue that well be the same again this and Mendes de Silva, especially This season in Europe concerns over Wenger’s Andrei Arshavin is like a new Last season in Europe term and a youthful defence now that snappy Demy de 1st goal Bookings Corners Alkmaar did not qualify for Europe last season Champions League play-off transfer inactivity. boy having only arrived in faces a real working over. Zeeuw has moved to Ajax. Arsenal 3 Celtic 1 28 50 5 The only key changes in February. Defenders Hector Moreno, The Dutch champions are Celtic 0 Arsenal 2 43 40 5 Last season in Europe And Arshavin is a huge cog Sebastian Pocognoli, Ragnar an attractive proposition going Champions League semi-final Andrei in Arsenal’s famed attacking forward. Moussa Dembele is Arsenal 1 Man Utd 3 8 55 13 Ronald Arshavin wheel that can also feature the tricky, Jeremain Lens Man Utd 1 Arsenal 0 17 10 4 Koeman Quarter-final likes of Eduardo, Robin van blisteringly quick and top Arsenal 3 Villarreal 0 10 75 6 Villarreal 1 Arsenal 1 10 40 19 Persie, Theo Walcott and a scorer Mounir El Hamdaoui Last 16 Roma 1 Arsenal 0 9 30 20 fit-again Tomas Rosicky, all has an eye for goal. And at 25 Arsenal 1 Roma 0 37 50 3 held together by Cesc Fabregas. HHKey to European records: the Moroccan is one of the Group stage 1Q = 1st Qualifying, 2Q = 2nd Qualfying, 3Q = older outfield players. Porto 2 Arsenal 0 39 20 6 At the back William Gallas 3rd Qualifying, GR= eliminated in group stage, Arsenal 1 Dynamo Kiev 0 87 75 9 remains on a short fuse and 32= last 32, They are an adventurous Arsenal 0 Fenerbahce 0 90 50 8 Fenerbahce 2 Arsenal 5 10 50 2 top-notch delivery at set-plays 16=last 16, QF=quarter-finals, SF=semi-finals, outfit but their youthfulness and Arsenal 4 Porto 0 31 20 19 F=final , W=winners. Dynamo Kiev 1 Arsenal 1 64 50 11 can leave them exposed. Figures in bold signify Uefa Cup. inexperience could be a minus.

Best prices Best prices Tournament: 150-1 Tournament: 500-1 OLYMPIAKOS Group: 10-1 STANDARD LIEGE Group: 16-1

Squad details Squad details Pos App Gls Yel Red Pos App Gls Yel Red 1 Leonidas Panagopoulos G 0 0 0 0 Fans will demand an 1 Kristof Van Hout G 0 0 0 0 Belgian champions 71 Antonis Nikopolidis G 2 0 0 0 16 Jesse Soubry G 0 0 0 0 2 D 0(1) 0 1 0 18 Anthony Moris G 0 0 0 0 3 Didier Domi D 1 0 0 0 38 Sinan Bolat G 5 0 1 0 4 Olof Mellberg D 2 0 0 0 impressive campaign 2 Reginal Goreux D0 000 can make impression 5 Giorgos Galitsios D 0(1) 0 1 0 3 Victor Ramos D 0 0 0 0 14 Michal Zewlakow D 2 0 1 0 15 Raul Bravo D 1 0 0 0 SUCH are the demands in Recent club record 4 Ricardo Rocha D 0 0 0 0 THE Belgian champions were Recent club record 21 D 1 0 0 0 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09 5 Felipe D 0 0 0 0 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09 Greek football that ex- 6 Cedric Collet D 3 0 1 0 eyecatching in 2008-09 when 24 Leonardo D 2 1 0 0 Europe GS 16 GS GS 16 32 Europe - GS - 1132 30 Tasos Pantos D 1 0 1 0 Newcastle player Temuri 14 D 2(1) 0 1 0 they retained the title and Domestic 211 1 11 17 Marcos Camozzato D 5 0 0 0 Domestic 342 3 11 35 Vassilis Torosidis D 0(1) 0 0 0 Ketsbaia is under fire. Figures in bold signify Uefa Cup. were also a whisker away from Figures in bold signify Uefa Cup. 6 Ieroklis Stoltidis M 0 0 0 0 19 Mohamed Sarr D 5 0 0 0 7 M 0(1) 0 0 0 He got his team through European meetings with group 22 Eliaquim Mangala D 4 1 0 0 toppling Liverpool over two legs European meetings with group 8 Oscar Gonzalez M 0 0 0 0 two rounds of qualifiers with- opponents in last ten seasons 25 Rami Gershon D 0 0 0 0 in the Champions League. opponents in last ten seasons 11 Jaouad Zairi M 2 0 0 0 out conceding a goal but the Arsenal None 7 Wilfried Dalmat M 3(1) 0 0 0 Laszlo Boloni’s men went Arsenal None 17 Andreas Vasilogiannis M 0 0 0 0 Alkmaar None 8 Steven Defour M 5 0 1 0 Alkmaar None 20 Dudu M 2 0 0 0 football they play isn’t great Standard Liege None 11 Gregory Dufer M 0(2) 0 0 0 on to impress in the Uefa Cup Olympiakos None 25 M 1 1 0 0 and as a former midfielder 26 Benjamin Nicaise M 0(1) 0 0 0 with wins against Everton, 28 Cristian Ledesma M 2 0 0 0 27 Arnor Angeli M 0 0 0 0 31 Aristidis Soiledis M 0 0 0 0 with bitter rivals AEK, You can see why they haven’t 28 Axel Witsel M 5 0 1 1 Seville and Sampdoria the Camargo and Dieumerci 33 Giannis Papadopoulos M0 000 he will never be popular. conceded a goal in six matches. 30 Hiraç Yagan M 0 0 0 0 highlights and they are off Mbokani are a real handful, 9 F 1 0 0 0 32 Tiago M 0 0 0 0 10 Diogo F 1(1) 0 1 0 The man who guided World Cup veterans Olof 33 -Gonzalez M 2(1) 3 0 0 to an unbeaten start after six while Milan Jovanovic’s record 22 F 2 0 0 0 Anorthosis to the group stage Mellberg and Michel 35 Andrea Mbuyi Mutombo M 0 0 0 0 league games. of a goal every other game last season is pleading for Zewlakow, plus highly-rated 9 Dieudonne Mbokani F 5 2 3 0 The Reds are an attractive over three seasons in Liege is 10 F 4(1) 2 2 0 more time but he’ll need a Greek international Avraam 20 Moussa Traore F 1(3) 0 0 0 outfit under Boloni and possess impressive. The Serb has This season in Europe decent start to their campaign. Papadopoulos, are the pillars 23 Milan Jovanovic F 5 5 0 0 bags of firepower – Igor De already notched five times in 1st goal Bookings Corners of a powerful back five. 29 Gohi Bi Cyriac F 0(1) 0 0 0 seven this season. Champions League play-off Olof Further forward they need Milan Two negatives. They haven’t Olympiakos 1 Sheriff Tiraspol 0 82 20 7 Mellberg Last season in Europe Jovanovic Sheriff Tiraspol 0 Olympiakos 2 46 30 11 to get Brazilian playmaker 1st goal Bookings Corners replaced American centre- Third qualifying round Uefa Cup last 32 Olympiakos 2 Slovan Bratislava 0 25 40 13 Dudu on the ball but there is Standard Liege 1 Braga 1 79 80 6 back Oguchi Onyewu and Slovan Bratislava 0 Olympiakos 2 2 40 14 a real dearth of firepower. Braga 3 Standard Liege 0 17 40 8 Steven Defour, the heartbeat Last season in Europe Olympiakos’ passionate Group stage of the side, misses the group 1st goal Bookings Corners Stuttgart 3 Standard Liege 0 5106 Uefa Cup last 32 fans have roared their team Standard Liege 3 Sampdoria 0 23 60 7 campaign with a broken ankle. Partizan Belgrade 0 Standard Liege 1 36 70 6 St Etienne 2 Olympiakos 1 45 70 5 to five successive league titles, Standard Liege 1 Seville 0 38 50 11 However, Axel Witsel, Olympiakos 1 St Etienne 12 70 12 but they can turn on the team First round banned domestically until Group stage Standard Liege 2 Everton 1 22 20 9 Olympiakos 4 Hertha Berlin 0 55 40 12 – and especially the coach – Everton 2 Standard Liege 2 9 50 9 November for shattering the Metalist Kharkiv 1 Olympiakos 0 88 40 8 quickly if a game doesn’t go Champions League third qualifying round leg of Anderlecht’s Marcin Olympiakos 5 Benfica 1 1 20 8 LIverpool 1 Standard Liege 0 90 30 - Galatasaray 1 Olympiakos 0 25 80 8 to plan. Standard Liege 0 Liverpool 0 90 30 6 Wasilewski, is available.

GROUP H VERDICT Liege more than capable of following Arsenal BET365 BETFRED BLUE SQ BOYLE CORAL HILLS LADS POWER S JMS TOTE VC Arsenal 1-3 4-11 1-4 1-5 4-11 1-4 2-9 2-7 3-10 1-4 2-9 YOU can throw a cap over the year since 2000 and can do so a great deal in it and Standard producing some good results. three teams chasing second spot. again under hands and heels. were hugely impressive in their Standard play Arsenal at home AZ Alkmaar 13-2 6 13-2 13-2 6 7 8 6 9-2 6 6 The presumption is that Arsenal If you share the opinion that European forays last term. at the best time – no Andrei Olympiakos 11-2 6910 11-2 13-2 9 15-2 10 8 9 will dot up and they are the class there isn’t a lot to separate the rest, Steven Defour’s injury is a blow Arshavin or Eduardo – and Standard Liege 11 10 11 14 12 14 11 14 14 14 16 act in this section notwithstanding then the value may well be but Alkmaar and Olympiakos anything off the Gunners this the occasional fret over defensive Standard Liege at 3-1 to qualify. have also got major selection week will see their odds cut. Fixtures – tomorrow Olympiakos v AZ, Standard v Arsenal. Sep 29 Arsenal v Olympiakos, lapses. The Jupiler League isn’t quite problems and their managers, AZ v Standard. Oct 20 AZ v Arsenal, Olympiakos v Standard. Nov 4 Arsenal v AZ, Standard Recommendation v Olympiakos. Nov 24 AZ v Olympiakos, Arsenal v Standard. Dec 9 Olympiakos v Arsenal, The Gunners have qualified as strong as the Dutch or Greek unlike Laszlo Boloni, are under Standard Liege to qualify Standard v AZ. from the first group phase each domestic leagues but there is not immense pressure to start 1pt 3-1 Boylesports, S James, V Chandler Racing Post Tuesday, September 15, 2009 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SPECIAL 19 20 RACING POST Tuesday, September 15, 2009 racingpost.com TRADING POST

GROUP A GROUP B BACK AND LAY PRICES BACK LAY BACK LAY BACK LAY BETDAQ BETDAQ BETDAQ BETDAQ Europe’s dark horses look BETDAQ BETDAQ Bayern 2.2 2.64 Man Utd 1.33 1.48 Juventus 2.3 2.66 Wolfsburg 4.5 5 Barcelona 5.4 5.5 Bordeaux 5.8 8.4 CSKA 910 Real Madrid 6.2 6.4 Maccabi Haifa 34 100 Besiktas 12 17 good trade opportunities Chelsea 7.2 7.4 GROUP C GROUP D By Mark Langdon Man Utd 10 11 BACK LAY BACK LAY Arsenal 11.5 12 BETDAQ BETDAQ IT is difficult to see any outsiders BETDAQ BETDAQ Liverpool 13 14 Real Madrid 1.5 1.63 Chelsea 1.4 1.63 winning the Champions League, Inter 12.5 13 Milan 3 4.1 Atletico 45but there are a couple of dark Marseille 813Porto 5.5 7 horses who may feature in the Juventus 24 26 FC Zurich 44 108 Apoel 25 34 latter stages and could be seen as Milan 43 47 potential excellent back-to-lay GROUP E GROUP F opportunities. Bayern 29 33 Lyon 52 60 BACK LAY BACK LAY The beauty of the exchanges is BETDAQ BETDAQ BETDAQ BETDAQ you can trade your position Seville 52 70 Liverpool 1.7 1.9 Barcelona 1.4 1.5 without necessarily putting in Wolfsburg 108 150 Lyon 3.1 3.9 Inter 2.6 4.2 any further investment, and Fiorentina 6.4 8.2 Dynamo 12 24 backing Lyon and Seville at big Atletico 66 86 Debrecen 100 500 Rubin Kazan 14 26 prices could be the best route to Stuttgart 215 345 gaining an edge in this season’s Seville’s Javier Chevanton (centre) and Jesus Navas (right) Porto 200 270 competition. GROUP G GROUP H Marseille 200 255 BACK LAY BACK LAY Lyon have invested well this Liverpool, and it would be a replacement should anything BETDAQ BETDAQ BETDAQ BETDAQ summer and selling Karim surprise if Claude Puel’s team happen to the two strikers. Bordeaux 220 255 Seville 1.72 2 Arsenal 1.3 1.45 Benzema to Real Madrid could be did not trade at a considerably They are a young team with Fiorentina 260 335 Stuttgart 3 3.5 AZ Alkmaar 712 shorter price at some stage over the best thing has happened to the scope for improvement, partic- Olympiakos 250 - Rangers 710Olympiakos 818French club. the next few months. ularly as sporting director Unirea 21 60 Standard 15 25 They now have a much better The same is true of Seville, Ramon Rodriguez is widely Rubin Kazan 590 - team rather than one star indi- who have been handed a peach regarded as the best in the AZ Alkmaar 265 320 TONIGHT’S LIVE GAMES vidual. Lisandro Lopez, who of a draw alongside Rangers, business at spotting talent. CSKA 440 450 scored six goals in last season’s Stuttgart and Unirea. Jesus Navas, Diego Capel, Diego Rangers 560 570 BESIKTAS v MAN UTD CHELSEA v PORTO Champions League, is set to be a Manuel Jimenez’s team were Perotti and Federico Fazio are great signing, while Michel good enough to finish third in Dynamo 690 700 BACK LAY BACK LAY boys with big futures, and a BETDAQ BETDAQ BETDAQ BETDAQ Bastos, Bafetibi Gomis and Aly La Liga last term and that is strong quarter-final spot is a realistic Standard 990 1000 Besiktas 7.4 8 Chelsea 1.41 1.43 Cissokho also strengthen a team form considering they proved target for a slick Seville outfit. Besiktas 910 1000 Man Utd 1.55 1.57 Porto 10.5 11.5 which was in desperate need of better than the likes of Atletico Recommendations FC Zurich 995 1000 Draw 4.3 4.5 Draw 4.7 4.9 a makeover. Madrid, Villarreal and Valencia. Lyon back to lay OL should be able to finish Luis Fabiano and Fredi Kanoute 1pt at 52 Betdaq Unirea 995 1000 above Fiorentina and Debrecen provide terrific forward options, Seville back to lay Apoel 995 1000 TONIGHT’S PREVIEWS PAGES 27-31 and make the last 16 alongside while Alvaro Negredo is a superb 1ptat 52 Betdaq All prices taken at 3pm yesterday Racing Post Tuesday, September 15, 2009 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SPECIAL 21 VIEW FROM THE CONTINENT Milan are a mess and Marseille may reap the benefits

tick a lot of boxes in French I’m tempted to lay Barca for football and you know that his the group for a trade later Marseille team will be well because I don’t see them organised and physically winning in Milan. Better still, impressive. jump all over the 2-1 Bet365 Juventus are better equipped have put up by Inter for than Milan this season and Wednesday’s match. They have ought to get out of Group A to be shorter than that. without too much difficulty. There’s a lot in common Gabriele Marcotti Already Juve fans are between Pep Guardiola and Italy correspondent anointing Diego as the world’s Jose Mourinho – both dashing, greatest player, but it’s going the same taste in suits. They to take the likes of him and even swap players. HIS is a rebuilding Felipe Melo time to settle in. Barca have probably got the season at Milan and Diego doesn’t even play better of the Ibrahimovic/Eto’o that doesn’t augur against Bordeaux this week deal but you can’t argue with well for a long because of a hamstring how Eto’o has started at his T Champions League problem and he’s not their new club. campaign. only absentee. Ibra has certainly The Ancelotti reign is over, I think, at the prices, guaranteed himself a spicy Leonardo is at the helm, and Bayern Munich are the reception with his comments early-season performances are better pick for that section. I about how the club only worrying. like Louis van Gaal and I like started to win things when he A 4-0 humiliation by Inter some of his signings. arrived, and he has left behind and a 0-0 draw at Livorno is Melo’s presence at Juventus a very capable side. hardly great form to take into might not be felt for a while Mourinho has bought well the competition, and it’s quite but his absence at Fiorentina with players like Lucio and possible that they won’t qualify could well be, and the Viola Wesley Sneijder and Inter look from Group C, a section likely are going to struggle to live far more comfortable playing to be dominated by Real with Liverpool and Lyon in with a style that has been Madrid. Milan are second Group E. missing for a couple of favourites but Marseille are They are also suffering seasons. The Special One was better value at 2-1 to go because of this ridiculous left with no choice about how through. dispute over Adrian Mutu and Inter approached the season You shouldn’t really expect the money he’s supposed to and it could be a real thriller too much from a club who owe Chelsea. The situation is a to open up proceedings against have lost their best player – farce but Fiorentina could be a Barca team who are never and one of the world’s best the big losers here and end up dull. players – during the summer. hugely reliant on Alberto Leonardo will hope that Gilardino to keep them in the Recommendations Ronaldinho rediscovers a spark hunt. Marseille to qualify 2-1 Bet365, Victor Chandler that has been missing, but Group F is a fascinating Bayern Munich to win Group A Kaka’s absence is a huge showdown between Inter and 7-5 Hills worry. Barcelona and they meet in Inter to beat Barcelona Milan will be desperate for some inspiration from Ronaldinho (left) in a tough group seems to round one at the San Siro. 2-1 Bet365, Ladbrokes Seville can dominate a weak group the time, and I’m backing him similar enough in style to of the four British teams to go to make them very happy Porto for you to ignore odds- the furthest, yet we know from indeed by leading them to the on about Atletico qualifying. recent seasons that they are top of Group G. I just prefer Real Madrid to ideally equipped for Europe. I’m amazed they are 10-11 go further than Barcelona. Real The loss of Xabi Alonso was because this looks a weak are doing everything right at a big blow but they held on to section with Stuttgart, Rangers the moment – they were Javier Mascherano and the and Unirea the opposition. superb against Espanyol on crucial thing is that Steven They may not be the Sunday – with the small Gerrard and Fernando Torres Guillem Balague finished article in defence but problem of how to integrate continue to operate together. they boast real attacking Cristiano Ronaldo, whose They always seem to peak Spain correspondent options and have one of the selfishness isn’t best towards the spring, usually best strikers in the world in appreciated by the players when they are out of the title HERE is a mentality Luis Fabiano, who warmed up around him. race, and they will be in the in Spain that unless for the first round of matches Rather than being a team of last four, I’m convinced of that. you are foreign you with two goals in Saturday’s Galacticos it’s a team of top I’ll resist an outright tip just can’t be a good 4-1 win against Zaragoza. players who can play together now – I’ll assess the market T coach. Seville boss All four Spanish teams with so many possibilities and better in January when the Manolo Jimenez knows all should qualify, with only they will only get stronger. prices of the big clubs won’t about that theory. Atletico Madrid of the four In contrast, I know for a fact have changed that much but it He has worked wonders at likely to make it through as a that Guardiola wants to may be easier to discount one the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan group runner-up behind manage in England and that or two. Outsiders don’t win the since Juande Ramos left, Chelsea. could become unsettling at Champions League. guiding the club to fifth and The problem is that their Barcelona, where there are Recommendations third place respectively and starting line-up is a very good presidential elections next Seville to win Group G getting them into the one – the front three of Simao, season. Until then, it’s unlikely 1pt 10-11 Coral Champions League. Forlan and Aguero is as good Guardiola will sign a new Liverpool to be furthest Yet still he finds himself as anything in Europe – but contract at . progressing English club having to please the fans all the club is in turmoil and Liverpool are the outsiders 1pt 4-1 Betfred, Ladbrokes Seville coach Manolo Jimenez deserves plenty of credit 22 RACING POST Tuesday, September 15, 2009 racingpost.com BEHIND ENEMY LINES T Layers aren’t scared of

Who will win the Which of the Who are the best Which team are the Champions League fancied runners are outsiders? worst result in your 1and why? 2you happy to lay? 3 4outright book? Arsenal have been knocking on the Barcelona. Punters loved them last Lyon. They were over-reliant on You can understand punters backing door recently in Europe and even year – the bank manager can vouch Karim Benzema and his departure Real Madrid from double-figure Bet365 Arsene Wenger can’t complain about for that! They’ve had plenty of could be a blessing in disguise. It prices into near favouritism and Steve Freeth the group they’re in. They were pulled football over the last couple of looks like they have a few goals in Ancelotti’s appointment had them apart by Man United last season but seasons and Ibrahimovic may unsettle them and they could easily get out of backing Chelsea too are a stronger unit this time around things in the dressing room Group E Chelsea. Mainly down to their start Real Madrid. We have already laid Bayern Munich. We fancy them to Inter, but we are happy to lay them in the Premier League and Carlo them at big prices and are still easily get out of their group and if with their recent Champions League Betfred Ancelotti’s Champions League prepared to lay them now. We believe they can keep a fully-fit team we can record pedigree the Galacticos will have trouble see them going very far in the Paul Johnston gelling in their first season together competition

Chelsea represent the best value out We think Real Madrid just have to Stuttgart have a good draw so look Currently Real Madrid, closely of the more likely winners. They look be a lay, certainly until we have seen to have a decent chance of followed by Arsenal, which we are Blue Square solid in every department more of how the Galacticos can play progressing to the knockout stages. reasonably happy with! Alan Alger together. Well-organised sides like We also quite like Lyon, who look Chelsea and Liverpool will still get the rejuvenated with the signings of better of them Lisandro and Bastos Barcelona. In my opinion they are Real Madrid. First they pillage the To win I’ll go for Arsenal who can Real Madrid. Like most layers we still Europe’s best and they should rest of Europe for their best players at beat anyone on their day. As surprise were filled in during the summer as Boylesports guarantee a good run for your money any cost, then they win the dream semi-finalists I’ll go for CSKA Los Galacticos waved the cheque book final on home soil. It would just be Moscow Gerry Markey wrong wouldn’t it?

Barcelona again. They have kept Manchester United. The best team Bayern Munich always have to be Real Madrid. They’re the only team the backbone of the side who were in England at beating poor sides but respected. They had a decent run last punters have wanted all summer. Coral comfortably the best in the without a top-class ball-winner they season and have improved their Every time they signed a player we competition last year and are the struggle against top sides. Look at squad. They’re sure to give you a run laid them Nick Goff team they all have to beat again their record in big four matches last for your money at a big price term and the Champions League final Barcelona are even stronger than Real Madrid have the potential to It’s very hard to see a surprise in the After their spending spree, Real last season and look well equipped to leak goals and with so many new outright market, but perhaps the Madrid have been by far the most Hills become the first club to win superstars looking to gel, this may not underrated Spanish duo of Seville popular selection and are our worst back-to-back Champions League titles be their season and Atletico Madrid could go well result. We have also seen some Martin Ramshaw interest in Porto and Inter

Barcelona. The holders’ squad was Arsenal. Arsene Wenger’s men Bordeaux. They have enjoyed a Real Madrid impressive even without their summer haven’t got the strength in depth good start to their domestic cam- Ladbrokes acquisitions needed to sustain a challenge paign. They are in a tough group but John Jones could spring a few surprises

Barcelona have strengthened their Liverpool. Xabi Alonso is a huge loss Bayern Munich. They have a new Arsenal have attracted a lot of defence this year with the signing of for them and they have started poorly manager (Louis van Gaal) and have interest Paddy Power Dmytro Chygrynskiy. Ibrahimovic in the Premier League. I think they managed to keep hold of Franck adds a new dimension up front. may find it tough to progress from the Ribery. They have also added the likes Sean McCormick Chelsea are an ageing team and Real group stages of Mario Gomez, Arjen Robben, Madrid will need time to gel Anatoliy Tymoschuk and Ivica Olic Chelsea. They have the strongest Barcelona. Zlatan Ibrahimovic is a Juventus have bought shrewdly over Bizarrely, Liverpool squad in the competition and have poor replacement for Samuel Eto’o the summer and have built a talented Sporting Index been unfortunate in the last couple of and has upset the balance and rhythm squad Colin Campbell years of the team

Chelsea. They are impressive Real Madrid. They’ve not made the Seville should have no problems Real Madrid. As the money came defensively, were unlucky last year quarter-finals for years, have spent getting through their group and have for each Galactico so punters were Stan James and Ancelotti knows how to win this too much money at the wrong end of the quality to get a result against glad to part with their cash. We were the pitch and won’t be contesting the anyone on their day in the knockout only too willing to lay them Paul Rixon final on their home patch in May stages

Chelsea have been unlucky on a Italian football has fallen behind in Atletico Madrid have a great Real Madrid. Every time they number of occasions now, and with recent years and despite the Special chance of progressing past the group splashed the cash on a new Galactico, Totesport the guidance of Ancelotti and a One being in charge at Inter, I think stages and can beat anyone on their our outright book took a hammering, formation that suits the European they are overrated in the market day. They will be very tough to beat at but they will need to gel and tighten Paul Lowery game they could well go all the way the Vicente Calderon, a notoriously up at the back if they are to go all the hostile stadium way It’s hard call but I think Barcelona Milan are not good enough, along Bayern Munich are coming back to We have laid Real Madrid and are worthy favourites to lift the trophy with Liverpool and Arsenal, who their best and if Robben remains Chelsea but not for huge amounts Victor Chandler again. With the likes of Messi and don’t have the spending power to injury-free they could have a great Iniesta they have all the tools to compete with the very best run. Juventus will also go well in that Nick Blezard unlock any defence and would love to group and I prefer them to the other win the trophy at the Bernabeu Italian sides Racing Post Tuesday, September 15, 2009 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SPECIAL 23 THE ODDS-COMPILERS’ VERDICTS Real’s new Galacticos

Who will be the Who is the best Which British team Will all the English What’s your nap for Golden Boot winner group bet? will go furthest and teams qualify from matchday one? 5and why? 6 7why? 8their groups? 9 Diego Milito looks a fair each-way Inter to win Group F Arsenal are a shoo-in to get out of You’d expect so with all being odds-on Inter to beat Barcelona bet. It looks like he’s on penalty duty their group and Andrei Arshavin isn’t to win their respective groups, for Inter as well cup-tied this time around although it may not be plain sailing for Liverpool

Lionel Messi, a player who is now Lyon. The shrewd signings Lopez, Chelsea, for the reasons already Going on previous seasons you would AZ Alkmaar away to Olympiakos. on top of his game. Now he is Barca’s Gomis and Bastros should see them mentioned. We can see them winning have to say yes. Nevertheless, if AZ have started their domestic league penalty-taker we can see him getting overcome Liverpool the Champions League and they now Liverpool can’t keep either Gerrard or a month before Olympiakos so we can the award again. At a bigger price have players that are at the peak of Torres fit and with the start they have see them being a much fitter and Edin Dzenko at Wolfsburg could be their careers had they may find it hard to qualify. stronger team a good each-way shout We think there may be good value in Lyon are not a bad bet, it’s a tough Chelsea. They look well-organised It would be a huge shock if they didn’t At a nice price we’ll go with backing Robin van Persie each- group for Liverpool and the French under Ancelotti and the players will – the team with the tough draw are Bordeaux to turn over Juventus at way as Arsenal have a relatively easy may just pip them to top spot want it more than ever. We think Liverpool but they’ll surely make the Stadio delle Alpi group draw. They’ll need those early Manchester United and Arsenal will second spot at the very least! goals though as they could struggle to struggle to make the semi-finals make the semis Zlatan Ibrahimovic. The CSKA Moscow to qualify from their Chelsea. Probably the least likely of Almost certainly. As the gap continues Marseille to beat Milan. It’s more of spearhead of the best team in Europe group. They’re a steady, experienced the four teams to be surprised in the to grow between the powers of a negative towards Milan than about at a juicy price? Yes please side with a good home record and are early stages with Champions League European football it will be a shock of being confident about Marseille’s in with Champions League virgins glory possibly being Ancelotti’s top gigantic proportions if one of the ability Wolfsburg priority English teams slips up

Samuel Eto’o is decent each-way Just take on the English sides, they’re It depends who avoids Barca for the Yes they will, but at least a couple of Wolfsburg have not looked the same value. He’s a goalscoring machine and all too short. Only two of the four longest. I think Liverpool will peak them may have to settle for second side early this season as the one that Inter can have a very good run this won their groups last season and with after Christmas when Aquilani has spot won the title last term and CSKA year thanks to Jose Mourinho’s astute such a tight title race likely any of the settled in. If they’re off the pace in the Moscow are a spot of value to get a summer signings managers would take second place title race they may focus on Europe win in Germany now, even if it means a harder draw while the others contest the league Lionel Messi. With 15 goals in the Seville should have no problems in Chelsea. Carlo Ancelotti knows what Yes. The four English teams will have Manchester United to have no previous two Champions League what looks a very straightforward it takes to go well in this tournament. no problems reaching the latter problem disposing of Besiktas. This campaigns, the odds available look Group E Only the transfer embargo may stages. Excluding Barca and Real game isn’t a cliched ‘tough trip to decent value. At a bigger price, prevent the Blues going all the way Madrid, they are well ahead of the Turkey’ Lisandro Lopez should bag a few for rest of the field Lyon Wayne Rooney. He will always get Chelsea to win their group Manchester United. Losing Yes. They should have no problems Barcelona to win at Inter chances and should relish the Ronaldo is a blow but they’ve got opportunity to emerge from Ronaldo’s experience of winning the shadow competition and should be the nation’s flag-bearers

Robin van Persie. Arsenal look to Lyon to win group E Chelsea. They have kept the same Chelsea, Man Utd and Arsenal should Manchester United to draw away have the easiest group and he could squad as last year and have become all qualify with ease. Liverpool will to Besiktas knock in quite a few so consistent in the Champions find it much more difficult but they League should also qualify

Luis Fabiano of Seville could make Juventus to win Group A Chelsea, as they should probably It’s hard to see anything other than all Rubin Kazan to beat Dynamo Kiev hay in a horrendously poor-looking win the whole thing four progressing with relative ease group at a very generous price

Fernando Torres should score Seville to win what is arguably the Chelsea. They have been regular Yes and readily. It will be a massive If Arsenal can’t win in Belgium they plenty in the group stages at the very worst group in the history of the semi-finalists over the last few years, shock if one of the Premier League’s should stay there least Champions League have an experienced, though ageing, big four fail to reach the last 16 and side and they can go all the way to perhaps the format needs a revamp Madrid

If Chelsea are to go all the way they After spending a lot of money in the After tipping Chelsea to win the Yes. If I had to stick my neck on the I’d have to say that Barcelona to will be relying heavily on their star summer and vastly improving, I think tournament I’d have to go with them! line and pick one team to fall at the win at Inter would represent a good strikeforce. However, as Drogba may Lyon have a chance of edging I wouldn’t rule out an all-British final first hurdle, I would say Liverpool bet begin to tire after the African Nations Liverpool out in Group E. It’s a again though have the toughest group Cup, I’ll go for Nicolas Anelka competitive group, but the firepower of Lisandro Lopez makes them value Somebody who manages to smash Manchester United at 2-5 seem a Chelsea and Manchester United The only potential problems could be AZ Alkmaar are a good price against load of goals in against one of the class above the rest of their group and are still way ahead of Arsenal and for Liverpool going to Florence, which a poor Olympiakos side minnows. So you couldn’t discount will probably be odds-on favourites in Liverpool could be hard game for them, while Wayne Rooney if he starts all five out of their six games Lyon have spent plenty over the Manchester United’s games summer and should give Liverpool problems in both games 24 RACING POST Tuesday, September 15, 2009 racingpost.com CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SPREAD MARKETS Champions League Player goal minutes SPREADWISE index Sporting Index Rooney 25-28 Sporting Index Berbatov 21-24 Barcelona 42-45 Owen 21-24 Real Madrid 38-41 Kahveci 9-12 Chelsea 38-41 Bobo 8-11 Man Utd 34-37 Holosko 8-11 Arsenal 30-33 Nobre 8-11 Liverpool 29-32 Nani 6-9 Berlusconi’s problems could Inter 25-28 Giggs 6-9 Juventus 21-24 Park 6-9 Bayern Munich 21-24 Valencia 6-9 Seville 21-24 Scholes 5-8 Milan 18-21 Carrick 5-8 Atletico 17-20 Fletcher 5-8 help line punters’ pockets Lyon 15-18 Simsek 5-8 Wolfsburg 12-15 Anderson 5-8 By Mark Langdon sold to Real Madrid and there that fan pressure seemed to pay Ronaldinho only showing glimpses Stuttgart 12-15 Vidic 4-7 has not been significant investment off when Klaas-Jan Huntelaar of the ability which once made him AZ Alkmaar 8-11 Fink 3-6 MILAN were once the biggest for quality replacements. was snapped up from Real Madrid. the best player on the planet. Porto 7-10 Tello 3-6 Fiorentina 7-10 Dag 2-4 attraction in Europe, but they Controversial owner Silvio But Huntelaar is not even first Ronaldinho helped Pato to Bordeaux 6-9 Ferdinand 2-4 are no longer the best team in Berlusconi has got his hands full choice for the Dutch national score twice in an opening-day Marseille 5-8 Ozkan 2-4 their own city, never mind the running the country in his day job team, where he plays second victory at Siena in Serie A, but it Olympiakos 5-8 O’Shea 1-3 CSKA Moscow 4-7 Champions League, and this could as Italy’s prime minister, and it is fiddle to Dirk Kuyt, and Madrid has been downhill ever since. Evans 1-3 Rangers 4-7 Inceman 1-3 be a tough campaign for the difficult for him to be spending were suitably unimpressed by his The Rossoneri were thumped Besiktas 4-7 Brown 1-3 Rossoneri. vast amounts of money on his ability in a short stint to get rid 4-0 by Inter and followed that Rubin Kazan 3-6 Kas 1-3 Dynamo Kiev 2-4 You can sell Milan at 18 with football club when the world is as soon as they possibly could. with a disappointing 0-0 draw Evra 0.5-2 Standard Liege 2-4 Neville 0.5-2 Sporting Index and we won’t lose in a financial crisis. The Hunter may yet come good, at Livorno. Unirea 1-3 Sivok 0.5-2 unless the Italians make the However, that does not help but the jury is most definitely If Milan don’t wake up soon Maccabi Haifa 0.5-2 Ernst 0.5-2 FC Zurich 0.5-2 Guven 0-1 quarter-finals, which looks a Milan, who are in desperate need out and it may be that he scored we could make the maximum Apoel 0.5-2 decent trade given the summer of fresh blood as their ageing so many goals for Ajax because profit from a sell because Real Debrecen 0.5-2 Chelsea v Porto of turmoil at the club. squad shows little sign of ever the Dutch championship is so Madrid look certain for a top- 100:75:50:25:10:0 Xtra, Leonardo takes over the being broken up. soft. two finish in Group C and Group A index 7.45pm managerial reins from Carlo There were nearly riots when is the only gen- Marseille are no mugs. Sporting Index Pullein ratings Sporting Index Ancelotti and what a tough job he it looked as if Milan’s only outfield uine top-class talent at the club Recommendation Bayern Munich 14.5-16 Chelsea/Porto 1.4 1.45-1.65 has on his hands. Kaka, so often signing was going to be average with Alessando Nesta coming Juventus 14.5-16 Total goals 2.7 2.7-2.9 Sell Milan on outright index Bordeaux 7-8.5 the saviour for Milan, has been centre-back Oguchi Onyewu and towards the end of his career and 2pts at 18 Sporting Shirt numbers 48-51 Maccabi Haifa 1-2.5 Bookings index 37 37-41 25:10:0 Total corners 10.3 10.25-10.75 Time of first goal 36 35-38 REF WATCH Group B index Time of first Chels goal 40 40-43 Sporting Index Time of first Porto goal 69 68-71 Zurich v Real Madrid Apr 09 Liverpool 1 Chelsea 3...... 30 Chelsea v Porto Maccabi Haifa v Bayern Munich Man Utd 19.5-21 Total goal minutes 136 136-146 M Atkinson (England) Feb 09 Arsenal 1 Roma 0...... 50 Konrad Plautz (Austria) (Slovenia) Wolfsburg 8.5-10 Multi-corners 27 27-30 Nov 08 Zenit 0 Juventus 0 ...... 50 CSKA Moscow 5.5-7 Shirt sup (C/P) 34-37 Champions League 2008-09 Champions League 2008-09 Champions League 2008-09 Besiktas 4-5.5 Oct 08 Atl Madrid 1 Liverpool 1 ...... 30 Booking sup (P/C) 10 7-11 Date Match Bks Date Match Bks Date Match Bks 25:10:0 Corners sup (C/P) 3.1 3-4 Sep 08 Steaua 0 B Munich 1 ...... 30 Sep 08 BATE Borisov 2 Juventus 2 ...... 60 Apr 09 Man Utd 2 Porto 2 ...... 20 Oct 08 PSV 2 Marseille 0 ...... 20 Group C index Chelsea 25:10 index 19.8 19-20.5 Wolfsburg v CSKA Moscow Juventus v Bordeaux Feb 09 Villarreal 1 Panathinaikos 1 ...... 40 Porto 25:10 index 4.1 3.5-5 Atletico Madrid v Apoel Nicosia Sporting Index Chelsea performance 74-78 Stephan Lannoy (France) Tom Henning Ovrebo (Norway) Nov 08 Aalborg 2 Celtic 1 ...... 10 (Scotland) Real Madrid 18.5-20 Porto performance 13-17 Champions League 2008-09 Champions League 2008-09 Nov 08 Dynamo Kiev 1 Porto 2 ...... 75 Milan 11.5-13 Hotshots 38-41 Champions League 2008-09 Marseille 6.5-8 Date Match Bks Date Match Bks Sep 08 Marseille 1 Liverpool 2...... 30 Hotshots (25 per goal/8 per non-runner): Anelka, Lampard, Date Match Bks FC Zurich 1-2.5 Nov 08 BATE Borisov 0 Zenit 2 ...... 35 May 09 Chelsea 1 Barcelona 1 ...... 95 Besiktas v Manchester Utd Hulk, Falcao Sep 08 W Bremen 0 Anorthosis Fam. 0 ..60 25:10:0 Marseille v Milan Apr 09 Villarreal 1 Arsenal 1 ...... 40 (Italy) Group D index Player goal minutes Claus Larsen (Denmark) Mar 09 Barcelona 5 Lyon 2...... 95 Champions League 2008-09 Sporting Index Sporting Index Nov 08 Inter 0 Panathinaikos 1 ...... 20 Anelka 28-31 Champions League 2008-09 Date Match Bks KEVIN PULLEIN’S Chelsea 19-20.5 Lampard 23-26 Date Match Bks Nov 08 Celtic 1 Man Utd 1...... 10 Nov 08 Marseille 3 PSV Eindhoven 0 ...... 20 Atletico 11-12.5 Sturridge 19-22 Apr 09 Man Utd 1 Arsenal 0 ...... 10 Oct 08 Atl Madrid 2 Marseille 1 ...... 40 Oct 08 Sporting Lisbon 2 Basle 0...... 40 VIEW PAGE 30 Porto 7-8.5 Kalou 14-17 Apoel 0.5-2 Malouda 10-13 LAST SEASON’S KNOCKOUT RESULTS 25:10:0 Ballack 10-13 Group E index Deco 8-11 B Munich ...... (0) 1-1 (0) ...... Barcelona Man Utd...... (1) 2-0 (0) ...... Inter Panathinaikos (0) 1-2 (0) ...... Villarreal Zhirkov 8-11 Final Sporting Index Ribery 47 Keita 73 Vidic 4 Mantzios 55 Ibagaza 49 Essien 7-10 Barcelona...... (1) 2-0 (0) ...... Man Utd Liverpool 17-18.5 Barcelona win 5-1 on agg Ronaldo 49 Falcao 6-9 Eto’o 10 Llorente 70 Lyon 11-12.5 Messi 70 Shirts 22 (7/15), Corners 8 (4/4), Bookings 60(40/20) Man Utd win 2-0 on agg Villarreal win 3-2 on agg Hulk 6-9 Chelsea ...... (0) 4-4 (2) ...... Liverpool Fiorentina 8.5-10 Belletti 6-9 Shirts 19, Corners 11(4/7), Bookings 40(10/30) Shirts 22, Corners 6 (3/3), Bookings 30(10/20) Shirts 53 (26/27), Corners 9 (6/3), Bookings 10(0/10) Drogba 52 Aurelio 19 Debrecen 1-2.5 Semi-finals Porto ...... (0) 0-0 (0) ...... Atl Madrid Chelsea ...... (1) 1-0 (0)...... Juventus Terry 5-8 Alex 57 Alonso pen 28 25:10:0 Farias 5-8 Chelsea ...... (1) 1-1 (0) ...... Barcelona Agg 2-2, Porto win on away goals Drogba 13 Lampard 76, 89 Lucas 81 Corners 14, Bookings 40(20/20) Varela 3-6 Essien 9 Iniesta 90 Shirts 11, Corners 14 (5/9), Bookings 40(10/30) Group F index Kuyt 82 Roma ...... (1) 1-0 (0) ...... Arsenal Ivanovic 3-6 Agg 1-1, Barcelona win on away goals Real Madrid .... (0) 0-1 (0) ...... Liverpool Chelsea win 7-5 on agg Juan 9 Sporting Index Alex 3-6 Shirts 13 (5/8), Corners 12(6/6), Bookings 95(40/55) Benayoun 82 Shirts 130 (60/70), Corners 8 (4/4), Bookings 50(30/20) AET 1-0, Agg 1-1, Arsenal win 7-6 on pens Barcelona 18.5-0 Rodriguez 2-4 Arsenal...... (0) 1-3 (2) ...... Man Utd Shirts 15, Corners 9 (7/2), Bookings 50(20/30) Barcelona...... (4) 4-0 (0) ...... B Munich Shirts 4, Corners 20, Bookings 30(20/10) Inter 11.5-13 Belluschi 2-4 van Persie pen 76 Park 8 Sporting Lisbon (0) 0-5 (1) ...... B Munich Messi 9, 38 B Munich ...... (4) 7-1 (1) ...... Sp. Lisbon Rubin Kazan 4-5.5 Mariano 2-4 Ronaldo 11, 61 Ribery 41, pen 63 Eto’o 12, Henry 43 Podolski 8, 34 Joao Moutinho 42 Dynamo Kiev 3.5-5 Carvalho 2-4 Shirts 43, Corners 13(12/1), Bookings 40(20/20) Klose 57 Man Utd win 4-1 on agg Anderson Polga og 39 25:10:0 A Cole 2-4 Shirts 38(11/27), Corners 13(7/6), Bookings 55(30/25) Liverpool ...... (1) 1-3 (1) ...... Chelsea Toni 84, 90 Schweinsteiger 43 Meireles 1-3 Man Utd...... (1) (0) ...... Arsenal Torres 6 Ivanovic 39, 62 Shirts 50, Corners 11 (5/6), Bookings 30(20/10) 1-0 Van Bommel 74 Group G index Mikel 1-3 Drogba 67 Villarreal ...... (0) 1-1 (0) Panathinaikos O’Shea 18 Klose pen 82 Sporting Index Alves 0.5-2 Shirts 22, Corners 4(4/0), Bookings 10(10/0) Shirts 24(9/15), Corners 15(6/9), Bookings 30(10/20) Rossi pen 67 Karagounis 59 Seville 17-18.5 Man Utd...... (1) 2-2 (1)...... Porto Muller 90 Barcelona...... (0) 0-0 (0) ...... Chelsea B Munich win 12-1 on agg Shirts 43 (22/21), Corners 12 (10/2), Bookings 40(20/20) Stuttgart 11.5-13 Other matches Corners 12, Bookings 40(20/20) Rooney 15 Rodriguez 4 Arsenal...... (1) 1-0 (0)...... Roma Rangers 4-5.5 Tevez 85 M Gonzalez 89 Shirts 145 (117/28), Corners 8 (5/3), Bookings 20(0/20) Quarter-finals Juventus ...... (1) 2-2 (1) ...... Chelsea van Persie pen 37 Unirea 3.5-5 Sky Sports interactive, Arsenal...... (1) 3-0 (0) ...... Villarreal Shirts 63 (42/21), Corners 12 (4/8), Bookings 20(0/20) Shirts 11, Corners 3 (1/2), Bookings 50(20/30) Villarreal ...... (1) 1-1 (0) ...... Arsenal Iaquinta 19 Essien 45 25:10:0 7.45pm Walcott 10 Atl Madrid ...... (2) 2-2 (1)...... Porto Senna 10 Adebayor 66 Del Piero pen 74 Drogba 83 Pullein ratings Sporting Index Maxi 4 Lisandro 22, 72 Group H index Adebayor 60 Shirts 44 (19/25), Corners 19 (8/11), Bookings 40(0/40) Chelsea win 3-2 on agg Atletico/Apoel 2.0 1.8-2 van Persie pen 69 Last 16 Shirts 35 (19/16), Corners 6 (5/1), Bookings 95(55/40) Forlan 45 Sporting Index Total goals 3.2 3.2-3.4 Arsenal win 4-1 on agg Barcelona...... (4) 5-2 (1) ...... Lyon Liverpool ...... (2) 4-0 (0) ....Real Madrid Shirts 36 (18/18), Corners 8 (2/6), Bookings 40(20/20) Arsenal 19.5-21 Bookings index 34-38 Shirts 50, Corners 6 (3/3), Bookings 75(20/55) Henry 25, 27 Makoun 44 Torres 16 Inter...... (0) 0-0 (0) ...... Man Utd AZ Alkmaar 8-9.5 Atletico mini 39-42 Porto ...... (0) 0-1 (1) ...... Man Utd Messi 40 Juninho 48 Gerrard pen 28, 47 Corners 9 (3/6), Bookings 60(40/20) Olympiakos 6.5-8 Apoel mini 6-9 Ronaldo 6 Lyon...... (1) 1-1 (0) ...... Barcelona Eto’o 43, Keita 90 Dossena 88 Standard Liege 3-4.5 Mini-performance scoring system: 15pts win, 10 per goal, Man Utd win 3-2 on agg Barcelona win 6-3 on agg Liverpool win 5-0 on agg Juninho 7 Henry 67 25:10:0 5 draw, 5 clean sheet & -15 per red card. Shirts 10, Corners 12, Bookings 20(0/20) Shirts 87(62/25), Corners 8 (7/1), Bookings 95(10/85) Shirts 37, Corners 14 (10/4), Bookings 60(30/30) Shirts 22 (8/14), Corners 12 (4/8), Bookings 60(30/30) Besiktas v Real Madrid/Zurich (h) 1.6 1.5-1.7 Total goals 3.3 3.2-3.4 LAST SEASON’S GROUP STANDINGS & RESULTS Manchester United Bookings index 34-38 Sky Sports 2, 7.45pm Zurich mini 21-25 GROUP A GROUP E GROUP G GROUP C Pullein ratings Sporting Index Real Madrid mini 72-76 P W D L F A Pts P W D L F A Pts P W D L F A Pts P W D L F A Pts Man Utd/Besiktas (h) 1.0 0.9-1.1 Juventus/Bordeaux 1.0 1-1.2 Roma ...... 6 4 0 2 12 6 12 Barcelona ...... 6 4 1 1 18 8 13 Man Utd ...... 62409310 Porto...... 6 4 0 2 9 8 12 Total goals 2.6 2.4-2.6 Total goals 2.6 2.4-2.6 Chelsea...... 6 3 2 1 9 5 11 Sporting Lisbon ...... 64028812 Arsenal ...... 6 3 2 1 11 5 11 Villarreal...... 6231979 Shirt numbers 32-35 Bookings index 40-44 Bordeaux ...... 62 1 3 5117 Shakhtar ...... 6 3031179 Dynamo Kiev ...... 6 2 2 2 448 Aalborg ...... 61 3 2 9146 Bookings index 40 40-44 Juventus mini 28-31 CFR Cluj ...... 6 1 14594 Basle...... 6 0 1 5 2161 Fenerbahce...... 60 2 4 4112 Celtic ...... 6 1 2 3 4 7 5 Total corners 10.8 10.75-11.25 Bordeaux mini 8-11 Results: Roma 1 CFR Cluj 2, Chelsea 4 Bordeaux Results: Basle 1 Shakhtar 2, Barcelona 3 Sporting Results: Celtic 0 Aalborg 0, Man Utd 0 Villarreal 0, Results: Porto 3 Fenerbahce 1, Dynamo Kiev 1 Time of first goal 38 37-40 0, Bordeaux 1 Roma 3, CFR Cluj 0 Chelsea 0, Chelsea Lisbon 1, Shakhtar 1 Barcelona 2, Sporting Lisbon B Munich/M Haifa (h) 1.2 1-1.2 Aalborg 0 Man Utd 3, Villarreal 1 Celtic 0, Man Utd Arsenal 1, Arsenal 4 Porto 0, Fenerbahce 0 Dynamo Time of first Besik goal 65 64-67 1 Roma 0, Bordeaux 1 CFR Cluj 0, Roma 3 Chelsea 2 Basle 0, Basle 0 Barcelona 5, Shakhtar 0 Sport- Kiev 0, Porto 0 Dynamo Kiev 1, Fenerbahce 2 Arsenal Total goals 3.0 2.8-3 3 Celtic 0, Villarreal 6 Aalborg 3, Celtic 1 Man Utd Time of first Man U goal 45 46-49 1, CFR Cluj 1 Bordeaux 2, CFR Cluj 1 Roma 3, Bor- ing Lisbon 1, Barcelona 1 Basle 1, Sporting Lisbon 5, Dynamo Kiev 1 Porto 2, Arsenal 0 Fenerbahce 0, Bookings index 38-42 1, Aalborg 2 Villarreal 2, Aalborg 2 Celtic 1, Villar- Total goal minutes 130 121-131 deaux 1 Chelsea 1, Roma 2 Bordeaux 0, Chelsea 2 1 Shakhtar 0, Shakhtar 5 Basle 0, Sporting Lisbon real 0 Man Utd 0, Man Utd 2 Aalborg 2, Celtic 2 Fenerbahce 1 Porto 2, Arsenal 1 Dynamo Kiev 0, Maccabi Haifa mini 10-13 CFR Cluj 1. 2 Barcelona 5, Barcelona 2 Shakhtar 3, Basle 0 Sport- Multi-corners 27 28.5-31.5 Villarreal 0. Porto 2 Arsenal 0, Dynamo Kiev 1 Fenerbahce 0. Bayern Munich mini 29-32 ing Lisbon 1. Shirt sup (M/B) 10-13 GROUP B GROUP F GROUP H Booking sup (B/M) 4 4-8 Marseille/Milan 0.1 0.1-0.3 P W D L F A Pts GROUP D P W D L F A Pts Corners sup (M/B) 2.0 2-3 Total goals 2.4 2.2-2.4 P W D L F A Pts P W D L F A Pts Panathinaikos...... 6 3 1 2 8 7 10 Juventus ...... 6 3307312 Besiktas 25:10 index 5.8 5.5-7 Bookings index 36-40 Liverpool ...... 6 4 2 0 11 5 14 B Munich ...... 6 4 2 0 12 4 14 Inter ...... 6222878 Real Madrid ...... 6 4029512 Man Utd 25:10 index 17.9 16.5-18 Marseille mini 44-48 Atl Madrid ...... 6 3309412 Lyon ...... 6 3 2 1 14 10 11 W Bremen...... 6141797 Zenit ...... 6 123475 Besiktas performance 19-23 Milan mini 30-34 Anorthosis Fam...... 6132886 Marseille...... 6 114574 Fiorentina ...... 6 132586 BATE Borisov ...... 6 033383 Man Utd performance 61-65 Wolfsburg/CSKA 0.7 0.6-0.8 PSV Eindhoven ...... 6 1055143 Steaua ...... 60 1 5 3121 Results: Panathinaikos 0 Inter 2, W Bremen 0 Results: Juventus 1 Zenit 0, Real Madrid 2 BATE Hotshots 30-33 Total goals 2.7 2.7-2.9 Results: Marseille 1 Liverpool 2, PSV 0 Atl Madrid Results: Lyon 2 Fiorentina 2, Steaua 0 B Munich 1, Anorthosis Fam. 0, Inter 1 W Bremen 1, Anorthosis Borisov 0, Zenit 1 Real Madrid 2, BATE Borisov 2 Bookings index 38-42 3, Atl Madrid 2 Marseille 1, Liverpool 3 PSV 1, Atl B Munich 1 Lyon 1, Fiorentina 0 Steaua 0, Steaua Performance scoring system: 25 win, 10 draw, 15 per goal, Fam. 3 Panathinaikos 1, Inter 1 Anorthosis Fam. 0, Juventus 2, Zenit 1 BATE Borisov 1, Juventus 2 Real Wolfsburg mini 25-28 Panathinaikos 2 W Bremen 2, Anorthosis Fam. 3 In- Madrid 1 Liverpool 1, PSV 2 Marseille 0, Liverpool 3 Lyon 5, B Munich 3 Fiorentina 0, Lyon 2 Steaua Madrid 1, BATE Borisov 0 Zenit 2, Real Madrid 0 10 clean sheet, 10 per woodwork strike (rebounds into play), CSKA mini 13-16 ter 3, W Bremen 0 Panathinaikos 3, Inter 0 Panathi- 1 Atl Madrid 1, Marseille 3 PSV 0, Liverpool 1 0, Fiorentina 1 B Munich 1, B Munich 3 Steaua 0, Juventus 2, Zenit 0 Juventus 0, BATE Borisov 0 Real 3 per corner, -5 per yellow card, -15 per red card. naikos 1, Anorthosis Fam. 2 W Bremen 2, W Bremen Marseille 0, Atl Madrid 2 PSV Eindhoven 1, Mar- Fiorentina 1 Lyon 2, Lyon 2 B Munich 3, Steaua 0 Madrid 1, Real Madrid 3 Zenit 0, Juventus 0 BATE Hotshots (25 per goal/8 per non-runner): Nihat, Fink, Homes/aways 1.4-2.2 2 Inter 1, Panathinaikos 1 Anorthosis F. 0. seille 0 Atl Madrid 0, PSV Eindhoven 1 Liverpool 3. Fiorentina 1. Borisov 0. Rooney, Berbatov Total goals 22.2-23 Racing Post Tuesday, September 15, 2009 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SPECIAL 25 TODAY’S ASIAN HANDICAPS Start given (-) or received (+) by away team B365 Bfred Bl Sq Boyle Coral Hills Lads Power S Jms Tote VC ODDS, FORM & STANDINGS Atlet v Apoel +2 - - - - - +1.75 - +1.75 - +1.75 Atletico 2.03 - - - - - 1.82 - 1.8 - 1.81 Apoel Nicosia 1.73 - - - - - 2.06 - 2 - 2.04 Besiktas v MU -0.75 ------1 - -1 - -1 Besiktas 2.17 - - - - - 1.92 - 1.8 - 1.92 HOW THEY BET ON THIS WEEK’S CHAMPIONS LEAGUE MATCHES Man Utd 1.66 - - - - - 1.96 - 2 - 1.93 Today Chel v Porto +1.5 - - - - - +1.25 - +1.25 - +1.25 Chelsea 2.24 - - - - - 2.04 - 1.95 - 1.99 Blue Paddy Stan CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Blue Paddy Stan Best Porto 1.61 - - - - - 1.84 - 1.83 - 1.86 Bet365 Betfred Square Boyle Coral Hills Lads Power James Tote VC Best draw Bet365 Betfred Square Boyle Coral Hills Lads Power James Tote VC % 3 Zurich v Real -1.75 ------1.5 - -1.25 - -1.5 2-11 1-5 1-5 2-11 1-5 1-6 1-5 1-6 1-6 1-6 2-13 ...... Atl Madrid 6-1 Apoel Nicosia .... 14-1 12-1 12-1 16-1 14-1 14-1 12-1 16-1 10-1 16-1 14-1 103 Zurich 1.69 - - - - - 1.96 - 2.1 - 1.98 13-2 11-2 5-1 5-1 5-1 11-2 5-1 11-2 9-2 6-1 5-1 ...... 1Besiktas 3-1 Man Utd ...... 8-15 4-7 4-7 4-7 4-7 4-7 4-7 4-7 4-7 1-2 4-7 102 Real Madrid 2.13 - - - - - 1.92 - 1.72 - 1.87 4-11 4-11 4-11 4-11 4-11 4-11 4-11 1-3 1-3 1-3 2-5 ...... 2Chelsea 15-4 Porto ...... 8-1 9-1 7-1 8-1 9-1 9-1 8-1 17-2 8-1 9-1 17-2 102 Juve v Bord +0.75 - - - - - +1 - +1 - +1 9-1 10-1 15-2 15-2 10-1 9-1 8-1 7-1 7-1 9-1 9-1 ...... 3FC Zurich 9-2 Real Madrid ...... 3-10 1-3 1-3 1-3 1-3 1-3 1-3 1-3 2-7 3-10 3-10 102 Juventus 1.71 - - - - - 2.06 - 2 - 2.12 Bordeaux 2.1 - - - - - 1.82 - 1.8 - 1.73 4-7 4-7 4-7 4-7 4-7 6-10 8-13 8-15 1-2 8-15 8-15 ...... 3Juventus 11-4 Bordeaux ...... 11-2 5-1 9-2 5-1 5-1 11-2 5-1 11-2 11-2 6-1 11-2 103 Macc v Bayern -1.25 ------1 - -1 - -1 3 6-1 6-1 5-1 11-2 11-2 11-2 6-1 11-2 11-2 5-1 5-1 ...... M. Haifa 3-1 B Munich ...... 1-2 8-15 1-2 8-15 1-2 8-15 1-2 1-2 1-2 8-15 1-2 104 Maccabi Haifa 1.74 - - - - - 2.06 - 2 - 2.06 7-5 11-8 11-8 7-5 7-5 6-4 6-4 7-5 11-8 11-8 13-10 ...... 3Marseille 23-10 Milan ...... 21-10 2-1 15-8 15-8 15-8 19-10 15-8 9-5 7-4 2-1 9-5 103 B Munich 2.01 - - - - - 1.82 - 1.8 - 1.79 4-5 4-5 3-4 5-6 4-5 4-5 4-5 8-11 8-11 4-5 7-10 ...... 3Wolfsburg 13-5 CSKA Moscow .... 7-2 7-2 7-2 16-5 10-3 10-3 7-2 7-2 10-3 7-2 7-2 104 Mars v Milan 0 - - - - - +0.25 - +0.25 - +0.25 Marseille 1.67 - - - - - 2.04 - 2 - 2 Tomorrow Milan 2.16 - - - - - 1.84 - 1.8 - 1.85 Blue Paddy Stan CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Blue Paddy Stan Best Wolfs v CSKA +0.5 - - - - - +0.5 - +0.75 - +0.75 Bet365 Betfred Square Boyle Coral Hills Lads Power James Tote VC Best draw Bet365 Betfred Square Boyle Coral Hills Lads Power James Tote VC % Wolfsburg 1.8 - - - - - 1.78 - 2.1 - 2.08 CSKA Moscow 2.1 - - - - - 2.1 - 1.72 - 1.77 3 3-1 3-1 11-4 11-4 3-1 16-5 3-1 3-1 3-1 14-5 12-5 103 Evs 10-11 10-11 Evs 10-11 10-11 10-11 10-11 Evs 20-21 Evs .... Dynamo Kiev 12-5 Rubin ...... HH Asian handicaps explained, see RPSPORT page 88 2-1 7-4 17-10 7-4 15-8 9-5 2-1 9-5 15-8 15-8 7-4 ...... 3Inter 23-10 Barcelona ...... 7-5 6-4 6-4 6-4 7-5 6-4 7-5 6-4 7-5 7-5 7-5 104 1-10 1-8 1-8 1-8 1-8 1-10 1-8 1-8 1-10 1-9 1-8 ...... 4Liverpool 8-1 Debrecen ...... 25-1 20-1 18-1 20-1 22-1 25-1 20-1 20-1 22-1 25-1 14-1 104 THIS WEEK’S FORMGUIDE 4-5 4-5 4-5 8-11 8-11 4-5 8-11 3-4 4-5 3-4 4-6 ...... 3Lyon 13-5 Fiorentina ...... 15-4 7-2 16-5 4-1 4-1 4-1 4-1 15-4 7-2 18-5 4-1 103 Today Tomorrow 21-20 11-10 20-21 21-20 Evs 19-20 10-11 21-20 Evs 20-21 Evs ...... 3Olympiakos 5-2 AZ Alkmaar ...... 11-4 12-5 13-5 13-5 11-4 11-4 3-1 5-2 11-4 11-4 12-5 101 2-9 1-5 2-9 2-9 2-9 1-5 1-5 1-5 1-5 1-6 2-9 ...... 3Seville 11-2 Unirea ...... 12-1 14-1 10-1 12-1 12-1 14-1 14-1 11-1 12-1 16-1 10-1 103 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE 6-1 11-2 9-2 5-1 5-1 11-2 11-2 11-2 6-1 5-1 6-1 1Standard Liege 3-1 Arsenal ...... 1-2 4-7 4-7 4-7 4-7 8-15 8-15 8-15 1-2 8-15 4-7 103 GROUP A GROUP E 8-13 4-7 8-13 8-13 8-13 8-13 8-13 8-13 8-13 4-7 4-7 ...... 2Stuttgart 11-4 Rangers ...... 5-1 5-1 17-4 9-2 5-1 5-1 5-1 5-1 5-1 5-1 5-1 105 JUVENTUS +3.05 v BORDEAUX +1.41 LIVERPOOL -0.93 v DEBRECEN (a) 2-0 Lazio (h) 1-0 Grenoble (h) 4-0 Burnley (a) 1-0 Paksi SE HHUnderlined prices indicate firms that are best-priced about the draw. (a) 3-1 Roma (a) 0-0 Marseille (a) 3-2 Bolton (h) 3-1 Nyiregyhaza (h) 1-0 Chievo (h) 4-0 Nice (h) 1-3 Aston Villa (h) 2-0* Levski Sofia Key to live matches – 1 Sky Sports 2; 2 Sky Sports Xtra; 3 Sky Sports Interactive; 4 ITV 1. Kick-offs 7.45pm unless stated. (h) 2-0 Lazio (a) 3-2 Sochaux (h) 4-0 Stoke (a) 2-1* Levski Sofia Prices shown are those available to online/telephone customers. Some firms’ shop prices may differ. (a) 3-0 Siena (h) 4-1 Lens (a) 1-2 Tottenham (h) 2-1 Szombathelyi (h) 2-2 Atalanta (a) 1-0 Caen (h) 3-1 Tottenham (h) 1-0* Levadia Tallinn M. HAIFA v B MUNICH -1.20 LYON +1.23 v FIORENTINA +0.50 THIS SEASON’S EUROPEAN STANDINGS LAST SEASON’S FINAL EUROPEAN STANDINGS (h) 3-1 H. Ramat Gan (a) 5-1 B. Dortmund (h) 1-0 Lorient (h) 1-0 Cagliari (a) 3-1 Hap. Ra’anana (h) 3-0 Wolfsburg (h) 3-1 Nancy (h) 1-0 Palermo HOME BELGIUM AWAY HOME ISRAEL AWAY HOME CYPRUS (top) AWAY HOME ITALY AWAY (h) 3-0* SV Salzburg (a) 1-2 Mainz (a) 3-1* Anderlecht (h) 1-1* Sp Lisbon Pl WD L F A WD L F APts Pl W D L F A W D L F A Pts Pl WD L F A WD L F APts Pl WD L F A WD L F APts (h) 2-1 Hapoel Acre (h) 1-1 W Bremen (a) 3-0 Auxerre (a) 1-1 Bologna 6 210 4 2St. Truiden ...... 2106 314 3 200 5 2M. HAIFA ...... 1003 1 9 26 13 0 0 37 7 Apoel Nicosia..93116769 38 14 5 0 37 16 Inter ...... 11 4 4 33 16 84 (a) 2-1* SV Salzburg (a) 1-1 Hoffenheim (h) 5-1* Anderlecht (a) 2-2* Sp Lisbon 6 300 113Gent ...... 1114 313 3 110 2 1MS Ashdod ....1001 0 7 26 11 1 1 31 4 O. Nicosia ...... 10 0 3 30 14 64 38 14 3 2 39 12 Milan ...... 8 5 6 31 23 74 (h) 4-3* Aktobe Lento (h) 2-1 Stuttgart (h) 1-0 Valenciennes (h) 0-2 Milan 6 210 7 3Anderlecht ...... 2015 213 2 100 3 1M. Tel Aviv...... 1002 0 6 26 10 1 2 22 8 Anorthosis ....10 1 2 27 11 62 38 11 6 2 38 19 Juventus ...... 10 5 4 31 18 74 6 120 5 3FC Bruges...... 2016 511 3 001 0 1H. Haifa ...... 2005 2 6 26643 1412AEL Limassol ..7 0 6 20 18 43 38 12 5 2 39 19 Genoa ...... 7 6 6 17 20 68 6 120 6 3STAN. LIEGE ....1207 310 GROUP B GROUP F 3 010 1 1H. Tel Aviv ...... 1103 1 5 HOME ENGLAND AWAY 38 14 2 3 29 14 Fiorentina...... 7 3 9 24 24 68 6 111 3 4K V Kortrikj...... 1205 3 9 3 010 0 0Beitar J’salem..1103 1 5 38 13 4 2 35 23 Roma ...... 5 5 9 29 38 63 BESIKTAS v MAN UTD +2.41 DYNAMO KIEV v RUBIN 6 201 6 4Mechelen ...... 1024 6 9 Pl W D L F A W D L F A Pts 38 11 5 3 36 18 Udinese ...... 5 5 9 25 32 58 (a) 0-3 Galatasaray (a) 3-1 Tottenham (h) 3-1 Metalurg D. (h) 5-1 Saturn 2 100 2 0Bnei Yehuda....0101 1 4 38 16 2 1 43 13 Man Utd ...... 12 4 3 25 11 90 HOME CYPRUS AWAY 38 14 1 4 42 25 Palermo ...... 3 5 11 15 25 57 (h) 0-0 Gaziantepspor (h) 2-1 Arsenal (a) 1-1 Vorskla Poltava(a) 3-0 Spartak M. HOME ITALY AWAY 38 12 7 0 41 13 Liverpool...... 13 4 2 36 14 86 38 11 4 4 24 12 Cagliari ...... 4 4 11 25 38 53 (a) 0-0 G’birligi Ankara (a) 5-0 Wigan (h) 3-1 Illichivets (a) 3-0 Din. Moscow Pl WD L F A WD L F APts Pl W D L F A W D L F A Pts 38 11 6 2 33 12 Chelsea ...... 14 2 3 35 12 83 38 8 4 7 23 24 Lazio ...... 7 1 11 23 31 50 2 100 1 0AEL Limassol ..1004 1 6 (h) 2-0 (a) 0-1 Burnley (a) 3-1 Kryvbas (h) 4-0 Terek Grozny 3 200 7 3Genoa ...... 1001 0 9 38 11 5 3 31 16 Arsenal...... 9 7 3 37 21 72 38 10 3 6 28 17 Atalanta ...... 3 5 11 17 31 47 2 1 0 0 2 1 Apoll.Limassol 1 0 0 3 0 6 (a) 1-1 Ist. Buyuksehir (h) 1-0 Birmingham (h) 6-0 Tavriya Simf. (a) 3-1 FC Moscow 3 1 0 0 1 0 JUVENTUS ...... 2 0 0 5 1 9 38 8 6 5 31 20 Everton ...... 9 6 4 24 17 63 38 10 5 4 27 16 Napoli ...... 2 5 12 16 29 46 2 1 00 3 2O. Nicosia...... 1 0 04 2 6 (h) 3-0 G’birligi Ankara(a) 2-2* Chelsea (h) 5-0 Ch. Odessa (h) 2-0 Spartak Nalchik 3 100 3 1Sampdoria ...... 2003 1 9 38 7 9 3 27 21 Aston Villa ....10 2 7 27 27 62 38 8 8 3 33 21 Sampdoria ...... 3 5 11 16 31 46 1 100 2 0Aris Limassol ..0000 0 3 WOLFSBURG -1.05 v CSKA MOSC. INTER +0.92 v BARCELONA +0.66 38 11 3 5 28 16 Fulham ...... 3 8 8 11 18 53 38955 1818Siena ...... 3 3 13 15 26 44 2 101 5 5APOP Pathos ..0000 0 3 3 110 3 1INTER ...... 1004 0 7 38 10 5 4 21 10 Tottenham ...... 4 4 11 24 35 51 38 11 1 7 24 22 Catania...... 1 6 12 17 29 43 (h) 2-3 B Leverkusen (h) 3-0 Kryliya Sovetov (h) 2-0 Parma (a) 2-0 Getafe 2 100 2 1APEP...... 0010 2 3 3 200 2 0FIORENTINA ....0101 1 7 38 9 2 8 23 22 West Ham ...... 5 7 7 19 23 51 38 3 8 8 15 23 Chievo ...... 5 6 8 20 26 38 (a) 0-3 B Munich (a) 0-1 R. Rostov (a) 4-0 Milan (h) 2-0 Sporting Gijon 2 001 0 3Enosis...... 1002 1 3 3 101 1 2Lazio ...... 1002 1 6 38 13 0 6 40 18 Man City ...... 2 5 12 18 32 50 (h) 2-4 Hamburg (h) 2-1 Khimki (h) 1-1 Bari (n) 0-0* Shakhtar 1 000 0 0Anorthosis ...... 010§0 0 1 3 1 1 0 6 4 Udinese ...... 0 0 1 1 3 4 38 6 3 10 27 31 Bologna ...... 3 7 9 16 31 37 38 8 5 6 17 18 Wigan ...... 4 4 11 17 27 45 38 7 4 8 21 25 Torino...... 1 6 12 16 36 34 (a) 3-1 FC Cologne (a) 1-2 Lok. Moscow (n) 1-2* Lazio (h) 3-0* Ath. Bilbao 2 010 0 0APOEL ...... 0013 4 1 3 110 3 2Palermo ...... 0010 1 4 38 10 5 4 22 15 Stoke ...... 2 4 13 16 40 45 3 100 2 1Parma...... 0112 4 4 38 3 9 7 23 27 Reggina ...... 3 4 12 7 35 31 (h) 2-0 Stuttgart (h) 1-0 Amkar Perm (h) 4-3 Atalanta (a) 2-1* Ath. Bilbao HOME ENGLAND AWAY 38 7 5 7 21 21 Bolton ...... 4 3 12 20 32 41 38 3 10 6 20 28 Lecce ...... 2 5 12 17 39 30 (h) 5-1 W Bremen (a) 3-2 Tom Tomsk (a) 1-2 Cagliari (a) 1-1 Deportivo 3 001 0 4MILAN ...... 1102 1 4 38 8 3 8 26 29 Portsmouth ....2 8 9 12 28 41 Pl W D L F A W D L F A Pts 3 002 2 4Siena ...... 1003 1 3 HOME PORTUGAL (top) AWAY 5 200 5 1CHELSEA...... 3007 215 38 6 7 6 22 23 Blackburn...... 4 4 11 18 37 41 3 0 0 1 12Chievo ...... 1 0 1 2 13 38 6 3 10 21 25 Sunderland ....3 6 10 13 29 36 Pl W D L F A W D L F A Pts GROUP C GROUP G 5 200 3 1MAN UTD...... 2018 212 3 010 0 0Bari ...... 0202 2 3 4 2 00 5 2Man City ...... 2 0 03 012 38 3 5 11 18 36 Hull ...... 5 6 8 21 28 35 30 9 5 1 23 7 Porto ...... 12 2 1 38 11 70 FC ZURICH v REAL MADRID +0.86 SEVILLE -0.39 v UNIREA 5 201 5 5Tottenham ...... 2007 212 HOME PORTUGAL AWAY 38577 2429Newcastle ...... 2 6 11 16 30 34 30 11 1 3 29 13 Sporting Lisbon9 5 1 16 7 66 (h) 4-3 Grasshoppers (a) 3-0 Espanyol (h) 4-1 Zaragoza (h) 1-0 Alba Iulia Apulum 5 201 9 3LIVERPOOL ...... 1014 4 9 Pl W D L F A W D L F A Pts 38595 1720Middlesbro...... 2 2 15 11 37 32 30 9 4 2 23 14 Benfica ...... 8 4 3 31 18 59 (a) 1-1 FC Aarau (h) 3-2 Deportivo (a) 0-2 Valencia (a) 4-1 Otelul Galati 30852 2414Nacional (Por) 7 2 6 23 18 52 4 101 2 2Aston Villa ...... 2004 1 9 4 200 4 1Braga ...... 2004 212 38 7 3 9 26 33 West Brom ...... 1 5 13 10 34 32 (h) 2-1* Ventspils (a) 1-2 Osasuna (a) 2-0 Numancia (h) 0-0 FCU Poli 30 834 1810Braga ...... 5 8 2 20 11 50 5 2 01 7 5Sunderland ....1 0 11 1 9 4 110 9 2Benfica ...... 2005 010 HOME FRANCE AWAY (h) 4-0 Lucerne (h) 1-3 Mallorca (h) 1-0 Deportivo (a) 1-0 Steaua 30564 1717Leixoes...... 7 3 5 13 14 45 5 201 4 2Stoke ...... 0 110 4 7 4 200 7 1PORTO ...... 1 104 210 Pl WD L F A WD L F APts (a) 3-0* Ventspils (a) 2-3 Villarreal (a) 0-0 Osasuna (h) 1-0 Rapid Buch. 4 100 4 1ARSENAL ...... 1029 7 6 4 200 3 0Rio Ave ...... 0201 1 8 38 14 5 0 36 12 Bordeaux...... 10 3 6 28 22 80 HOME ROMANIA (top) AWAY (a) 3-3 FC Sion (a) 0-3 Valencia (h) 3-1 Mallorca (a) 0-2 CFR Cluj 4 101 2 3Fulham ...... 1011 2 6 4 101 2 2Sporting Lisbon 1103 1 7 38 10 5 4 35 22 Marseille ...... 12 6 1 32 13 77 Pl W D L F A W D L F A Pts MARSEILLE +0.72 v MILAN -0.95 STUTTGART -3.50 v RANGERS +0.08 5 102 1 6Wigan ...... 1 013 2 6 4 020 1 1Uniao Leiria ....1 104 0 6 38 10 8 1 32 15 Lyon ...... 10 3 6 20 14 71 34 10 5 2 26 11 Unirea ...... 11 2 4 25 9 70 (a) 2-1 Le Mans (a) 0-0 Livorno (a) 1-3 Hamburg (a) 0-0 Motherwell 5 200 2 0Burnley...... 0030 9 6 4 110 2 1Olhanense ...... 0 201 1 6 38 10 8 1 26 8 Toulouse...... 6 8 5 19 19 64 34 14 1 2 33 12 FCU Poli ...... 6 6 5 25 26 67 4 0 01 1 2West Ham ...... 1 1 12 1 4 (h) 0-0 Bordeaux (h) 0-4 Inter (h) 0-0 Nuremberg (h) 4-1 Hamilton 38 12 5 2 34 20 Lille ...... 5 8 6 17 19 64 34 13 2 2 32 7 Din. Bucharest 7 3 7 24 23 65 (a) 1-1 Rennes (a) 2-1 Siena (h) 0-0* FCU Poli (a) 2-1 Hearts 4 111 3 3Blackburn...... 0011 2 4 HOME ROMANIA AWAY 38 12 2 5 29 17 Paris St-G...... 7 5 7 20 21 64 34 10 7 0257CFR Cluj ...... 6 4 7 19 19 59 5 111 1 1Birmingham ....0021 3 4 Pl WD L F A WD L F APts 38 11 7 1 28 14 Rennes ...... 4 9 6 14 20 61 34 11 2 4 26 15 FC Vaslui ...... 6 4 7 18 22 57 (h) 1-0 Lille (a) 2-0 Fiorentina (a) 1-1 B. Dortmund (h) 4-1 Falkirk 5 011 1 3Wolves ...... 1 022 4 4 6 210 3 0FC Brasov...... 2106 214 (a) 2-0 Grenoble (h) 2-3 Roma (a) 2-0* FCU Poli (n) 1-0* Falkirk 38 8 6 5 18 12 Auxerre ...... 8 1 10 17 23 55 HOME RUSSIA (top) AWAY 5 101 2 5Hull ...... 0 123 7 4 6 210 2 0UNIREA ...... 2015 313 38 7 7 5 22 19 Nice ...... 6 4 9 18 22 50 (h) 4-0 Rennes (a) 1-2 Udinese (h) 4-2 Freiburg (a) 3-0 Dundee Utd Pl WD L F A WD L F APts 4 002 2 4Bolton ...... 1013 3 3 6 201 4 3Pandurii ...... 2013 312 38 577 2120Lorient ...... 5 8 6 26 27 45 30 8 3 4 20 12 Rubin...... 10 3 2 24 14 60 4 101 3 7Everton ...... 0021 3 3 6 102 1 2Din. Bucharest 2 105 010 38748 2623Monaco ...... 4 8 7 15 22 45 30744 2213CSKA Mosc. ....9 4 2 31 11 56 GROUP D GROUP H 5 003 2 5Portsmouth ....0021 5 0 6 012 2 4Steaua ...... 3007 210 38 10 4 5 27 18 Valenciennes ..0 10 9 8 24 44 30 11 2 2 27 15 Din. Moscow ..4 7 4 14 14 54 6 300 5 0CFR Cluj ...... 0122 410 38676 913Grenoble ...... 4 7 8 15 24 44 ATL MADRID -2.00 v APOEL NICOSIA OLYMPIAKOS v AZ ALKMAAR HOME FRANCE AWAY 30672 1810Amkar Perm ....8 2 5 13 12 51 38874 2417Sochaux ...... 2 5 12 16 31 42 (h) 1-1 Racing (h) 0-0 AE Paphos (h) 0-0 Kavala (a) 1-2 Den Haag Pl WD L F A WD L F APts HOME RUSSIA AWAY 30 6 5 4 32 22 Zenit...... 6 7 2 27 15 48 38586 1919Nancy...... 5 4 10 19 28 42 (a) 0-3 Malaga (a) 3-4 APOP Pathos (a) 2-0 Larissa (h) 2-1 Willem II 5 300 9 1BORDEAUX...... 1 103 213 30 942 3316Kryliya Sovetov3 8 4 13 12 48 Pl W D L F A W D L F A Pts 38 6 4 9 18 21 Le Mans ...... 4 6 9 25 33 40 (h) 2-0* Panathinaikos (h) 3-1* Copenhagen (h) 1-0* FC Sheriff (a) 2-0 Heerenveen 5 300 5 1LYON ...... 1105 213 30 5 4 6 16 16 Lok. Moscow ..8 4 3 21 16 47 21 713 247RUBIN...... 7 3 0 23 7 46 38 946 2523St Etienne ...... 2 3 14 15 33 40 (a) 3-2* Panathinaikos (a) 0-1* Copenhagen (a) 2-0* FC Sheriff (a) 6-0 RKC Waalwijk 5 210 4 1Montpellier ....1105 211 21 722 229Spartak M...... 5 2 3 16 13 40 30 6 4 5 20 19 Spartak M...... 5 7 3 23 20 44 5 110 1 0MARSEILLE...... 2105 211 38667 2217Caen...... 2 7 10 20 32 37 (h) 3-0 Almeria (a) 0-1* Partizan Belg. (h) 2-0* Slov. Bratislava (h) 2-0 Sp. 21513 148CSKA MOSC.....6 2 4 18 12 36 38 5 8 6 21 25 Nantes ...... 4 2 13 12 29 37 HOME SCOTLAND AWAY (a) 4-1 Ath. Bilbao (h) 2-0* Partizan Belg. (a) 2-0* Slov. Bratislava (a) 2-3 Heracles 5 200 6 1Paris St-G...... 1 114 510 21 7 4 0 20 7 Lok. Moscow ..24481335 38 4 0 15 17 34 Le Havre...... 3 5 11 13 33 26 Pl W D L F A W D L F A Pts +1.94 v v -0.40 5 210 5 1Rennes ...... 0 203 3 9 21 6 3 1 14 6 Zenit...... 3 4 4 21 16 34 CHELSEA PORTO STANDARD LIEGE ARSENAL 5 3 00 5 0Monaco ...... 0 0 20 5 9 HOME GERMANY AWAY 38 15 2 2 44 15 Rangers...... 11 6 2 33 13 86 (a) 2-1 Stoke (h) 4-1 Leixoes (h) 3-0 Mechelen (a) 2-4 Man City 21 622 179FC Moscow ....3 537 734 38 14 4 1 48 13 Celtic...... 10 6 3 32 20 82 5 110 2 1Boulogne ...... 1112 4 8 Pl WD L F A WD L F APts (h) 3-0 Burnley (a) 3-1 Naval (a) 1-1 Anderlecht (a) 1-2 Man Utd 38 11 5 3 28 18 Hearts ...... 5 6 8 12 19 59 5 110 4 0Nancy...... 1 025 6 7 HOME SCOTLAND AWAY 34 16 1 0 51 13 Wolfsburg ...... 5 5 7 29 28 69 (a) 2-0 Fulham (h) 3-0 Nacional (h) 1-1 Charleroi (h) 3-1* Celtic 38 9 5 5 22 17 Aberdeen ...... 5 6 8 19 23 53 Pl W D L F A W D L F A Pts 34 12 2 3 45 23 B Munich ...... 8 5 4 26 19 67 (a) 3-1 Sunderland (a) 1-1 Pacos Ferreira (a) 5-1 Roeselare (h) 4-1 Portsmouth HOME GERMANY AWAY 38 7 8 4 25 24 Dundee Utd ....6 6 7 22 26 53 4 2 00 8 2RANGERS ...... 1 1 02 110 34 12 3 2 34 14 Stuttgart ...... 7 4 6 29 29 64 (h) 2-1 Hull (h) 1-1 Braga (a) 1-1 Germinal (a) 2-0* Celtic Pl W D L F A W D L F A Pts 38 7 6 6 24 27 Motherwell ....6 3 10 22 24 48 4 110 6 3Celtic ...... 2004 110 34 12 3 2 29 14 Hertha Berlin ..7 3 7 19 27 63 5 300 103Hamburg ...... 1 105 313 38 6 7 6 23 23 Hibernian ...... 5 7 7 19 23 47 (h) 2-2* Man Utd (a) 4-1 Trofense (h) 2-2 St. Truiden (a) 6-1 Everton 4 200 4 1Dundee Utd ....0201 1 8 34 13 2 2 27 13 Hamburg ...... 6 2 9 22 34 61 5 2 00 3 1B Leverkusen ..2 1 0 10 4 13 38 7 3 9 18 22 Kilmarnock...... 5 5 9 20 26 44 34 890 3411B. Dortmund ..7 5 5 26 26 59 5 101 3 1Schalke...... 2104 210 HOME SPAIN AWAY 38 7 2 10 18 20 Hamilton ...... 5 3 11 12 33 41 34 9 5 3 30 18 Hoffenheim ....6 5 6 33 31 55 5 020 2 2E. Frankfurt ....2 105 2 9 Pl WD L F A WD L F APts 38 649 1920Falkirk ...... 3 7 9 18 32 38 34 9 3 5 26 15 Schalke...... 5 5 7 21 20 50 5 110 4 1B MUNICH ...... 1 117 4 8 38 3 8 8 14 21 St Mirren ...... 6 2 11 19 31 37 2 100 3 0BARCELONA ....1002 0 6 34 656 3122B Leverkusen ..8 2 7 28 24 49 5 111 5 3W Bremen ...... 1104 3 8 38 4 5 10 18 27 Inverness CT ..6 2 11 19 31 37 2 100 3 2REAL MADRID 1 003 0 6 34 10 4 3 43 22 W Bremen ...... 2 5 10 21 28 45 5 120 4 1Hoffenheim ....1011 1 8 2 100 2 0Valencia ...... 1004 2 6 5 210 6 4Mainz ...... 0111 3 8 34 8 7 2 31 25 Hannover ...... 2 3 12 18 44 40 HOME SPAIN AWAY 2 100 1 0Ath. Bilbao...... 1001 0 6 5 200 4 1M’gladbach ....0123 7 7 34 4 5 8 14 25 FC Cologne...... 7 1 9 21 25 39 Pl WD L F A WD L F APts 2 100 2 0Mallorca...... 0101 1 4 5 102 6 7WOLFSBURG....1 013 4 6 34 548 2629E. Frankfurt ....3 5 9 13 31 33 38 14 3 2 61 14 Barcelona ...... 13 3 3 44 21 87 5 011 1 2Hannover ...... 1112 1 5 2 100 3 0Malaga...... 0 010 1 3 34 5 4 8 23 28 Bochum ...... 2 7 8 16 27 32 38 14 2 3 49 29 Real Madrid ..11 1 7 34 23 78 5 1 1 042STUTTGART ....0 1 2 265 2 001 0 2Getafe ...... 1004 1 3 34 5 4 8 23 27 M’gladbach ....3 3 11 16 35 31 38 11 2 6 28 20 Seville ...... 10 5 4 26 19 70 5 102 2 4Nuremberg...... 0201 1 5 2 100 4 1SEVILLE ...... 0010 2 3 34 6 1 10 19 27 Cottbus ...... 2 5 10 11 30 30 38 13 1 5 47 23 Atl Madrid ...... 7 6 6 33 34 67 5 111 3 6B. Dortmund ..0112 5 5 2 100 1 0Deportivo...... 0012 3 3 34 5 4 8 18 22 Karlsruhe ...... 3 1 13 12 32 29 38 12 3 4 33 25 Villarreal ...... 6 8 5 28 29 65 5 110 4 3Bochum ...... 0031 8 4 2 100 2 1Tenerife ...... 0 010 1 3 34 2 8 7 16 26 Arminia ...... 2 8 7 13 30 28 38 12 4 3 47 26 Valencia ...... 6 4 9 21 28 62 2 1 0 010Zaragoza ...... 0 0 1 143 5 0 1 2 18Freiburg ...... 1 0 1 3 44 HOME (top) AWAY 38 10 6 3 30 18 Deportivo...... 6 4 9 18 29 58 2 100 1 0Sporting Gijon 0010 3 3 38 8 7 4 28 23 Malaga...... 7 3 9 27 36 55 5 101 3 3Hertha Berlin ..0 032 5 3 Pl W D L F A W D L F A Pts 38 964 3324Mallorca...... 5 3 11 20 36 51 KEVIN PULLEIN - the man the 5 012 2 5FC Cologne...... 0021 4 1 HOME SWITZERLAND AWAY 30 13 1 1 33 8 Olympiakos ....94217671 38 8 5 6 28 22 Espanyol ...... 4 6 9 18 27 47 30 11 4 0 23 5 PAOK Salonika 7 5 3 16 11 63 bookmakers most respect and the HOME GREECE AWAY Pl W D L F A W D L F A Pts 38 5 8 6 28 22 Racing ...... 7 2 10 21 26 46 30 10 4 1 33 8 Panathinaikos 7 6 2 18 10 61 Pl W D L F A W D L F A Pts 9 310 104Young Boys ....40110722 38 11 4 4 27 20 Almeria ...... 2 3 14 18 41 46 Racing Post's leading football expert. 30 11 2 2 21 9 AEK Athens ....3 11 1 19 15 55 3 100 1 0Panathinaikos 2004 0 9 9 301 8 5Lucerne ...... 2 1281116 38 9 2 8 28 29 Ath. Bilbao...... 3 6 10 19 33 44 30 6 7 2 22 15 Larissa ...... 6 6 3 14 11 49 The Definitive Guide to Betting on 3 2 0 0 2 0 Aris Salonika ..0 1 0 2 2 7 9 2 1 1 9 5 Neuc. Xamax ..2 2 1 10 5 15 38 8 5 6 27 22 Osasuna ...... 2 8 9 14 25 43 2 1 00 1 0AEK Athens ....1 0 01 0 6 9 401 157FC ZURICH ...... 0315 815 HOME HOLLAND AWAY 38 856 2217Valladolid...... 4 2 13 24 41 43 Football is a distillation of his 3 020 1 1Asteras T...... 1001 0 5 9 230 6 3St Gallen ...... 1125 613 Pl W D L F A W D L F A Pts 38 8 1 10 24 37 Sporting Gijon 6 0 13 23 42 43 2 100 3 0PAOK Salonika 0101 1 4 9 221 118FC Sion...... 1126 812 34 14 1 2 38 7 AZ Alkmaar ....11 4 2 28 15 80 38 7 4 8 27 23 Getafe ...... 3 8 8 23 33 42 extensive knowledge on how to make a 2 010 0 0OLYMPIAKOS ..1002 0 4 HOME TURKEY AWAY 34 12 4 1 40 13 FC Twente ...... 8 5 4 22 18 69 38 487 2425Real Betis...... 6 4 9 27 33 42 profit when risking your money on the 3 1 0 0 2 0 Ioannina...... 0 1 1 1 2 4 34 13 3 1 41 9 Ajax ...... 8 2 7 33 32 68 38 9 3 7 23 22 Numancia...... 1 2 16 15 47 35 3 0 1 022Iraklis Salonika1 0 1 224 Pl WD L F A WD L F APts 'beautiful game'. Filled with his unique 5 3 0 0 11 2 Galatasaray ....2 0 0 5 215 34 11 4 2 41 15 PSV Eindhoven8 4 5 30 18 65 38 4 4 11 17 29 Recreativo ...... 4 5 10 17 28 33 HOME HOLLAND AWAY 5 200 5 1Fenerbahce ....3 006 115 34 11 5 1 41 22 Heerenveen ....6 4 7 25 35 60 HOME SWITZERLAND (top) AWAY stats, tables and graphs, the book is 34 11 1 5 32 14 FC Groningen..6 4 7 21 22 56 Pl W D L F A W D L F A Pts 5 200 5 3Eskisehirspor ..0302 2 9 Pl W D L F A W D L F A Pts 34 8 5 4 34 21 Feyenoord ...... 4 4 9 20 25 45 6 310 137PSV Eindhoven1103 114 5 210 4 1Manisaspor ....0112 3 8 36 13 3 2 37 14 FC Zurich...... 11 4 3 43 22 79 34 7 3 7 21 22 NAC Breda ...... 6 3 8 23 32 45 OUT NOW! 6 210 7 1Feyenoord ...... 2104 214 5 011 3 5Diyarbakirspor 2104 1 8 36 12 4 2 53 20 Young Boys ....10 3 5 32 26 73 34 8 4 5 27 19 FC Utrecht ...... 3 7 7 14 25 44 6 2 1 0 6 4 FC Twente ...... 2 1 0 4 1 14 5 0 1 1 23Trabzonspor ....2 0 1 8 37 36 12 4 2 39 15 Basle ...... 10 2 6 33 29 72 6 2 1 0 10 1 Ajax ...... 2 0 1 8 413 34 773 2719Vitesse Arn. ....4 3 10 14 29 43 5 030 2 2G’birligi Ankara1105 1 7 36 873 3221Grasshoppers..4 7 7 25 27 50 6 200 4 1AZ ALKMAAR ..20211512 34 5 8 4 25 19 NEC Nijmegen 4 7 6 16 21 42 5 201 3 2Bursaspor...... 0113 4 7 6 102 3 4Den Haag...... 2107 310 34 6 2 9 22 32 Willem II ...... 4 5 8 13 26 37 HOME TURKEY (top) AWAY 5 210 5 2FC Utrecht ...... 1 013 310 5 111 4 4Gaziantepspor 0201 1 6 34 7 4 6 26 19 Sp. Rotterdam 2 4 11 20 47 35 Pl W D L F A W D L F A Pts 6 110 2 0NAC Breda ...... 2 0251110 5 201 3 1Antalyaspor ....0 021 4 6 34 5 5 7 21 18 Den Haag...... 3 3 11 20 40 32 34 12 3 2 29 12 Besiktas ...... 9 5 3 31 18 71 6 1 20 5 4VV Venlo ...... 0 3 06 6 8 5 110 2 0BESIKTAS ...... 0211 4 6 34 6 7 4 22 17 Heracles ...... 1 4 12 13 36 32 34 13 3 1 32 10 ...... 6 6 5 22 18 66 6 102 3 6Heracles ...... 1 111 1 7 HOME UKRAINE AWAY 34 5 5 7 22 25 Roda JC ...... 2 4 11 16 33 30 34 953 2314Trabzonspor ..10 3 4 31 20 65 34 557 1728De Graafschap 2 4 11 7 30 30 34 12 3 2 42 17 Fenerbahce ....6 4 7 18 19 61 HOME HUNGARY AWAY Pl W D L F A W D L F A Pts 34 638 2727FC Volendam ..1 5 11 11 40 29 34 11 4 2 35 18 Galatasaray ....7 3 7 22 21 61 Pl W D L F A W D L F A Pts 6 400 172DYNAMO KIEV 1 104 216 7 201 6 4Videoton F...... 3 0 1 13 9 15 5 300 102Shakhtar...... 1103 113 HOME HUNGARY (top) AWAY HOME UKRAINE (top) AWAY 7 201 6 5Ujpest Dozsa ..2207 314 6 400 8 2Tavriya Simf. ..0112 813 Pl W D L F A W D L F A Pts Pl W D L F A W D L F A Pts 7 210 4 2MTK ...... 2117 514 5 100 1 0Metalist ...... 3016 212 30 10 4 1 43 17 Debrecen...... 11 1 3 27 12 68 30 14 0 1 36 7 Dynamo Kiev 12 1 2 35 12 79 7 210 5 1Gyori ETO...... 2024 413 6 210 112Karpaty Lvov ..1112 211 30 12 2 1 35 14 Ujpest Dozsa ..5 6 4 26 24 59 30 12 3 0 30 8 Shakhtar...... 74417864 5 300 7 2DEBRECEN ...... 1011 112 6 110 3 1Dnipro ...... 2112 111 30 9 2 4 22 11 Szombathelyi ..7 3 5 22 18 53 30 8 5 2 23 14 Metalist ...... 9 3 3 21 11 59 7 302 5 3Lombard-Papa 1013 212 6 211 5 5Illichivets ...... 1013 310 30 10 4 1 31 21 Zalaegerszeg ..5 3 7 21 23 52 30 9 3 3 22 11 Metalurg D. ....5 4 6 14 16 49 26 RACING POST Tuesday, September 15, 2009 racingpost.com Racing Post Tuesday, September 15, 2009 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SPECIAL 27

Verdicts by TODAY’S MATCHES Mark Langdon

Juventus Maccabi Haifa Wolfsburg v Bordeaux v Bayern Munich v CSKA Moscow 7.45pm, live on Sky Sports Interactive 7.45pm, live on Sky Sports Interactive 7.45pm, live on Sky Sports Interactive

Best prices 8-13 Juventus, 6-1 Bordeaux, 11-4 Draw Best prices 6-1 M Haifa, 8-15 B Munich, 3-1 Draw Best prices 5-6 Wolfsburg, 7-2 CSKA Moscow, 13-5 Draw Laurent TEAM NEWS Arjen TEAM NEWS Juande TEAM NEWS Blanc Robben Ramos HHGiorgio Chiellini is suspended and HHTiago is ruled out HHThomas Kahlenberg has not been Diego is ruled out with a muscle because of injury and John included in Wolfsburg’s Champions problem. Mo Sissoko is also Jairo Culma is suspended. League squad because of injury. sidelined, while Zdenek Grygera, HHMiroslav Klose, Luca Toni, Mark HHMark Gonzalez is ruled out with a Claudio Guadino and Alex Del Piero van Bommel, Martin Demichelis and thigh injury for CSKA Moscow. are doubtful. Andreas Gorlitz have not travelled to HHMathieu Chalme returns from Israel because of injury. suspension and is part of a 21-man squad which is free of injury.

TOP SCORERS (League-Champ Lge) LAST SIX MATCHES TOP SCORERS (League-Champ Lge) LAST SIX MATCHES TOP SCORERS (League-Champ Lge) LAST SIX MATCHES

Juventus Diego 2-0, Caceres 1-0, Juventus Bordeaux M. Haifa Arbeitman 4-3, Dvalishvile M. Haifa B Munich Wolfsburg Misimovic 3-0, Grafite Wolfsburg CSKA Moscow Melo 1-0, Iaquinta 1-0, Trezeguet 1-0 (a) 2-0 Lazio (h) 1-0 Grenoble 2-5, Katan 1-2, Golasa 1-2, Ghadir (h) 3-1 H Ramat Gan (a) 5-1 B. Dortmund 2-0, Martins 2-0, Dzeko 1-0 (h) 2-3 B Leverkusen (h) 3-0 Kryliya Sovetov 0-3, Bello 0-2, Refaelov 0-1 Bordeaux Gourcuff 4-0, Chamakh (a) 3-1 Roma (a) 0-0 Marseille (a) 3-1 Hap Ra’anana(h) 3-0 Wolfsburg CSKA Moscow Dzagoev 5-0, Krasic (a) 0-3 B Munich (a) 0-1 R. Rostov (h) 1-0 Chievo (h) 4-0 Nice B Munich Gomez 3-0, Muller 2-0, (h) 3-0* SV Salzburg (a) 1-2 Mainz (h) 2-4 Hamburg (h) 2-1 Khimki 3-0, Diarra 1-0, Gouffan 1-0, Jussie Robben 2-0, Olic 1-0, Ribery 1-0, 5-0, Necid 5-0, Ignashevich 3-0, 1-0, Wendel 1-0 (h) 2-0 Lazio (a) 3-2 Sochaux Schweinsteiger 1-0 (h) 2-1 Hapoel Acre (h) 1-1 W Bremen Maazou 3-0, Love 3-0 (a) 3-1 FC Cologne (a) 1-2 Lok Moscow (a) 3-0 Siena (h) 4-1 Lens (a) 2-1* SV Salzburg (a) 1-1 Hoffenheim (h) 2-0 Stuttgart (h) 1-0 Amkar Perm Current league positions Current league positions Current league positions Juventus 2nd, Bordeaux 1st (h) 2-2 Atalanta (a) 1-0 Caen Maccabi Haifa 1st, Bayern Munich 5th (h) 4-3* Aktobe Lento (h) 2-1 Stuttgart Wolfsburg 10th, CSKA Moscow 3rd (h) 5-1 W Bremen (a) 3-2 Tom Tomsk *Cup match *Cup match *Cup match Tight encounter appears likely Bayern’s class should be telling Goals could be on the agenda TWO in-form teams meet in 17 Ligue 1 matches and 16 of BAYERN MUNICH have dazzled but players with the ability BACKING over 2.5 goals blind incredible 23 goals scored in Turin and it could be a tight those have ended in victory for either side of the international of Arjen Robben and Franck in Wolfsburg matches has just 360 minutes. affair when Juventus host Laurent Blanc’s team. break and they should be able Ribery should have far too been a passport to profit for There was no sign of a more Bordeaux in one of the more Key playmaker Yoann to make a winning start away much quality for a very limited well over a season and there defensive nature in the Uefa interesting games this evening. Gourcuff was the catalyst to Maccabi Haifa tonight. Maccabi Haifa outfit. is no reason to abandon the Cup either. Juve have a 100 per cent behind their championship The pressure was growing Maccabi Haifa have lost only winning system against CSKA Five of the six games in the winning record under boss success last term and he has on boss Louis van Gaal once in 28 domestic matches, Moscow tonight. tournament proper ended in Ciro Ferrara, triumphing in carried on where he left off following a start of four points but this is an obvious step up Wolfsburg played 34 games over 2.5 goals and following five outings. The Old Lady are with the former Milan man from as many Bundesliga in class. en route to claiming the the trend at 9-10 tonight looks also prolific scorers having scoring ten goals in his last 12 games, but successive wins One area of concern for van Bundesliga crown last term a decent punt. found the net in their last 28 games. (3-0 v Wolfsburg and 5-1 Borus- Gaal will be defensively where and 27 of those (79 per cent) Wolfsburg have played seven matches, but the injury to new However, Juve rock Felipe sia Dortmund) have suddenly Bayern have managed just finished with at least three games this term and six of Brazilian signing Diego is a Melo is capable of keeping got people talking about FC one clean sheet this term and goals. those produced over 2.5 goals, massive blow tonight. tabs on Gourcuff and it would Hollywood as potential it is worth chancing that It was even more exciting in while CSKA Moscow also have Bordeaux are also flying – be no surprise if it was a tight Champions League winners. Maccabi could get on the score- the German Cup with all four an adventurous coach in they are unbeaten in their last 90 minutes. It’s far too early for that, sheet. games going over 2.5 with an Juande Ramos. Recommendation Recommendation Recommendation Under 2.5 goals 1pt 3-4 Bet365 Bayern Munich to win 2-1 1pt 15-2 Blue Square Over 2.5 goals 2pts 9-10 Bet365 FC Zurich Marseille Atletico Madrid v Real Madrid v Milan v Apoel Nicosia 7.45pm, live on Sky Sports Interactive 7.45pm, live on Sky Sports Interactive 7.45pm, live on Sky Sports Interactive

Best prices 10-1 FC Zurich, 1-3 Real Madrid, 9-2 Draw Best prices 6-4 Marseille, 21-10 Milan, 23-10 Draw Best prices 1-5 Atl Madrid, 16-1 Apoel Nicosia, 6-1 Draw Raul Rino TEAM NEWS Maxi TEAM NEWS Albiol TEAM NEWS Gattuso Rodriguez HHFC Zurich are likely to be without HHBakari Kone and Garry Bocaly are HHDiego Forlan is doubtful, although Heinz Barmettler, Yassine Chikhaoui unlikely to be fit. Maxi Rodriguez is making good and Marco Schonbachler. HHRino Gattuso has travelled, but is progress on his muscle strain. Raul HHSergio Ramos is still injured and still doubtful. Marco Borriello, Garcia, Ignacio Camacho and Ezequiel Garay, Mahamadou Diarra Davide Di Gennaro, Christian Abbiati Mariano Pernia are injured. and Rafael van der Vaart are not in and Daniele Bonera are unavailable. HHNektarios Alexandrou serves a the squad. Raul Albiol should shake one-match ban, but Altin Haxhi is off a minor ankle sprain. available again after suspension. Nenad Mirosavljevic and Joost Broerse are injury doubts.

TOP SCORERS (League-Champ Lge) LAST SIX MATCHES TOP SCORERS (League-Champ Lge) LAST SIX MATCHES TOP SCORERS (League-Champ Lge) LAST SIX MATCHES

FC Zurich Vonlanthen 4-3, Hassli FC Zurich Real Madrid Marseille Niang 3-0, Brandao 2-0, Marseille Milan Atl Madrid Aguero 0-2, Jurado 1-0, Atl Madrid Apoel Nicosia 3-1, Margairaz 3-1, Djuric 2-2, (h) 4-3 Grasshoppers (a) 3-0 Espanyol Cheyrou 1-0 (a) 2-1 Le Mans (a) 0-0 Livorno Forlan 0-1, Maxi Rodriguez 0-1 (h) 1-1 Racing (h) 0-0 AE Paphos Alphonse 2-0 (a) 1-1 FC Aarau (h) 3-2 Deportivo Milan Pato 2-0 (h) 0-0 Bordeaux (h) 0-4 Inter Apoel Nicosia Mirosavljevic 1-3, (a) 0-3 Malaga (a) 3-4 APOP Pathos Real Madrid Ronaldo 2-0, Diarra (h) 2-1* Ventspils (a) 1-2 Osasuna Current league positions (a) 1-1 Rennes (a) 2-1 Siena Zewlakow 0-3, Michael 0-2, Jorge (h) 2-0* Panathinaikos (h) 3-1* Copenhagen 1-0, Guti 1-0, Granero 1-0, Raul 1-0 (h) 4-0 Lucerne (h) 1-3 Mallorca Marseille 4th, Milan 10th (h) 1-0 Lille (a) 2-0 Fiorentina 1-0 (a) 3-2* Panathinaikos (a) 0-1* Copenhagen Current league positions (a) 3-0* Ventspils (a) 2-3 Villarreal (a) 2-0 Grenoble (h) 2-3 Roma Current league positions (h) 3-0 Almeria (a) 0-1* Partizan Belg FC Zurich 4th, Real Madrid 2nd (a) 3-3 FC Sion (a) 0-3 Valencia (h) 4-0 Rennes (a) 1-2 Udinese Atl Madrid 18th, Apoel Nicosia 9th (a) 4-1 Ath. Bilbao (h) 2-0* Partizan Belg *Cup match *Cup match *Cup match Zurich face a daunting task Poor Rossoneri look vulnerable Jurado can rise to the occasion THERE was a confident selection to cover the 1.5-goal MILAN usually start the on his hands to restore them ATLETICO MADRID have made paper Atletico should still be swagger to Real Madrid’s Asian handicap start. Champions League in fantastic to their former glories. a shaky start to their La Liga good enough for maximum performance on Saturday and Pellegrini’s team were cosy style, but their excellent match- Ronaldinho was abysmal campaign and those who get points. the fact Manuel Pellegrini was 3-0 winners at Espanyol on day one record could come in Saturday’s drab 0-0 draw involved at short prices are Apoel have also had a slug- able to successfully rotate a Saturday, when Ronaldo came to an end in Marseille this at Livorno and his team-mates unlikely to be in for a gish start to life in their do- number of his squad must off the bench to score, so why evening. were not much better in the comfortable evening when mestic league and one point bode well for the future. should Zurich fare any better? The Rossoneri have been recent 4-0 reverse against city they take on Cypriot visitors from two matches does not The likes of Cristiano The Swiss side have kept victorious in their opening rivals and arch-enemies Inter. Apoel. bode well for their hopes of Ronaldo will be fully rested and just two clean sheets in their fixture the last seven times The big question is: Are The Spanish side have causing a massive shock. ready to prove to the world that last nine and are already seven they have qualified for the Marseille good enough to take already lost 3-0 at Malaga and All things considered, this the Galacticos mean business, points off the title pace after Champions League, a run advantage? Saturday’s 1-1 home draw does not look a great betting which is bad news for tonight’s nine games of their campaign. which dates back to 1996. It’s a tough one to answer with Racing does not inspire heat, but those gagging for a opponents, FC Zurich. Grasshoppers knocked three However, this is quite confidently, but Didier confidence. punt could do worse than take Real Madrid should be goals past Zurich on Saturday possibly the worst Milan team Deschamps is building a The fact that Diego Forlan Atletico’s exciting youngster bankers for maximum points and they don’t have any in that period and new boss solid side and the hosts can is an injury doubt just adds to Jurado to score first at 14-1 and they are also a confident Galacticos. Leonardo has got a huge job take a point. the concerns, although on after he notched on Saturday. Recommendation Recommendation Recommendation Real Madrid -1.5 Asian handicap 3pts 1.92 Ladbrokes Draw 1pt 23-10 Coral Jurado to score first 0.5pt each-way 14-1 Coral 28 RACING POST Tuesday, September 15, 2009 racingpost.com Racing Post Tuesday, September 15, 2009 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SPECIAL 29 CHELSEA v PORTO GROUP D 7.45pm

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

Portuguese 1 Petr Cech 27 5 0 0 0

6 Ricardo Carvalho 26 John Terry 31 3 0 0 0 28 5 0 1 0 2 Branislav Ivanovic 3 Ashley Cole looking to 25 2 0 1 0 CHELSEA 28 5 1 1 0 12 John Obi Mikel 22 3(1) 0 0 0 5 Michael Essien 15 Florent Malouda 26 3(1) 0 0 0 29 3(1) 1 0 0 8 Frank Lampard* end Premier 31 5 1 0 0

21 Salomon Kalou 39 Nicolas Anelka 24 2(2) 0 1 0 30 3(1) 2 0 0

League hell 12 Hulk 9 Falcao 10 C Rodriguez 23 2 1 1 1 23 3(1) 4 0 0 23 0(2) 1 0 0 By Mark Langdon the title and rarely disappoint. They have taken ten points from PORTO must have been watching their four games this season and 3 Raul Meireles 25 Fernando 7 F Belluschi the Champions League draw are unbeaten in Super Liga 26 4 0 1 0 22 4 0 2 0 26 4 0 0 0 hoping they avoided the English matches since November 2008 clubs, but there was no such luck (a run of 27 outings, 21 of which for the Dragons with a trip to ended in victory for Porto). PORTO Chelsea first up in Group D. New signing Falcao has made 15 Alvaro Pereira 14 Rolando 2 Bruno Alves 13 Fucile The Portuguese Super Liga an immediate impression, scoring 23 4 0 1 0 24 4 2 0 0 27 4 0 0 0 24 4 0 0 0 champions have been to England in all four games and becoming on 13 occasions and they have the first Porto player ever to open 1 Helton Frank Lampard can lead Chelsea’s strikeforce tonight never won, losing 11 and drawing the campaign by scoring in four 31 4 0 0 0 twice against Manchester United. successive matches. MATCH MARKETS One of those stalemates came Hulk and Cristian Rodriguez Figures relate to age, league appearances (as sub), goals, yellow and red cards. *Possible pen taker last season when Porto played return from injury to support Total goals exceptionally well at Old Traf- Falcao, while the midfield is B365 Bfred Bl Sq Boyle Coral Hills Lads Power S Jms Tote VC ford in the quarter-final first leg decent with Fernando and Raul OTHER PLAYERS Over 2.5 9-10 5-6 10-11 10-11 - - 47-50 5-6 10-11 5-6 9-10 Under 2.5 9-10 5-6 4-5 4-5 - - 47-50 5-6 4-5 5-6 4-5 and were unfortunate to only go Meireles worthy of their place at Chelsea Porto Double result away with a 2-2 draw. Europe’s top table. Player Age App G Y R Player Age App G Y R Porto eventually lost 3-2 on However, is their defence – 13 32 4(1) 2 0 0 B365 Bfred Bl Sq Boyle Coral Hills Lads Power S Jms Tote VC Michael Ballack 19 Ernesto Farias 29 1(3) 1 0 0 Chel-Chel 17-20 8-11 10-11 5-6 5-6 10-11 4-5 Evs 5-6 4-5 9-10 aggregate to United, but that run Bruno Alves apart – ready to stop 23 Daniel Sturridge 20 0(1) 0 0 0 8 Diego Valeri 23 0(2) 0 0 0 Chel-Draw 20 18 20 18 18 16 20 18 14 18 17 to the last eight highlighted the Chelsea? Porto have kept only 35 Juliano Belletti 33 0(2) 0 0 0 11 M Gonzalez 28 3 0 1 0 Chel-Porto 66 40 50 50 40 50 50 100 40 40 66 22 Ross Turnbull 24 0 0 0 0 20 Tomas Costa 24 0(2) 0 0 0 Draw-Chel 10-3 10-3 10-3 10-3 7-2 11-4 7-2 11-4 10-3 3 7-2 talent in Jusualdo Ferreira’s squad one clean sheet in four domestic 41 Sam Hutchinson 20 0(1) 0 0 0 21 C Sapunaru 25 0(1) 0 0 0 Draw-Draw 6 6 11-2 6 6 9-2 5 5 13-2 13-2 11-2 and a number of wealthier clubs fixtures this season and it was N/A N/A 0(0) 0 0 0 33 Nuno 35 0 0 0 0 Draw-Porto 20 18 16 20 16 14 18 16 20 16 19 have taken their best talent. only 12 months ago that Ferreira’s N/A Jeffery Bruma N/A 0(0) 0 0 0 16 Maicon 21 0 0 0 0 Porto-Chel 25 28 28 28 28 22 28 22 25 28 28 Porto-Draw 20 12 20 18 14 16 16 19 14 16 14 Lucho Gonzalez, Lisandro Lopez team came to London and were Porto-Porto 16 16 14 18 12 14 16 17 18 14 17 and Aly Cissokho were all battered 4-0 by Arsenal. PREVIOUS MEETINGS significant departures and it is Chelsea may not be as slick as Correct score March 6 2007, Champions League December 7 2004, Champions League B365 Bfred Bl Sq Boyle Coral Hills Lads Power S Jms Tote VC going to take time for Porto to the Gunners at full tilt, but they Chelsea ...... (0) 2-1 (1) ...... Porto Porto ...... (0) 2-1 (1)...... Chelsea Chelsea 1-0 11-2 5 5 5 9-4 5 11-2 9-2 5 5 6 become a European force again. have scored at least two Premier Robben 48 Quaresma 15 Diego 60, McCarthy 85 Duff 33 Ballack 79 Bookings 30 (10/20) Chelsea 2-0 5 5511-2 5 5 5 5 9-2 5 5 It’s a different story domestically League goals in their last nine Corners 5 (5/0), Bookings 50 (20/30) September 29 2004, Champions League Chelsea 2-1 778 15-2 15-2 15-2 13-2 7 8 7 15-2 February 21 2007, Champions League Chelsea ...... (1) 3-1 (0) ...... Porto Chelsea 3-0 8 15-2 15-2 8 15-2 15-2 15-2 15-2 15-2 7 15-2 where Porto are expected to win games in England’s top flight. Porto ...... (1) 1-1 (1)...... Chelsea Smertin 7 McCarthy 68 Chelsea 3-1 10 8 10 10 9 9 8 10 12 9 9 Raul Meireles 12 Shevchenko 16 Drogba 50 Chelsea 3-2 28 25 25 28 29 28 24 30 40 28 28 Corners 7 (3/4), Bookings 50 (10/40) Terry 70 Bookings 60 (30/30) Chelsea 4-0 16 14 14 16 19 14 16 14 14 14 14 MATCH BETTING Chelsea 4-1 20 14 16 16 21 16 21 20 25 18 16 BET365 BETFRED BLUE SQ BOYLE CORAL HILLS LADS POWER S JMS TOTE VC Chelsea 4-2 40 40 33 50 41 40 39 60 66 50 40 Chelsea 5-0 33 25 25 40 26 33 27 35 33 33 33 Chelsea 4-11 1-3 4-11 4-11 4-11 1-3 4-11 1-3 1-3 1-3 2-5 LAST FOUR MATCHES Chelsea 5-1 40 25 28 50 - 33 29 50 50 33 33 Porto 8 15-2 7 8 6 7 8 17-2 8 9 17-2 Porto 1-0 12 12 14 14 14 12 19 18 18 14 12 Chelsea Porto Porto 2-0 50 40 50 40 40 40 49 70 50 40 40 Draw 15-4 3 10-3 7-2 3 3 7-2 15-4 10-3 18-5 14-5 Premier League Portugal Stoke ...... (1) 1-2 (1)...... Chelsea ...... (4) 4-1 (0) ...... Porto 2-1 25 28 22 25 25 28 24 25 28 28 28 Best-price percentage: 102 Porto Leixoes No goalscorer 12 15-2 10 8 9 7 11 9 11 15-2 7 Abdoulaye Faye 32 Drogba 45 Varela 20, Hulk 24 Pouga 76 Malouda 90 Rolando 34 Draw 1-1 8 6 8 15-2 15-2 13-2 7 7 8 7 13-2 Shirts 51 (25/26), Corners 18 (4/14), Bookings 60 (30/30) Falcao 41 Draw 2-2 20 16 25 22 21 18 21 20 25 20 18 Premier League Shirts 67 (52/15), Bookings 40 (10/30) Draw 3-3 50 66 66 66 71 100 79 125 150 50 100 Chelsea ...... (1) 3-0 (0) ...... Burnley Portugal MARK LANGDON’S VERDICT Anelka 45, Ballack 47 Naval...... (0) 1-3 (1) ...... Porto First goalscorer Ashley Cole 52 Rolando og 75 Falcao 8, Varela 61 Shirts 55, Corners 11 (10/1), Bookings 10 (0/10) Farias 77 B365 Bfred Bl Sq Boyle Coral Hills Lads Power S Jms Tote VC Premier League Shirts 59 (14/45), Bookings 20 (10/10) Anelka C 9-2 7-2 7-2 7-2 9-2 10-3 7-2 4 3 7-2 4 Lampard value to notch first Fulham...... (0) 0-2 (1)...... Chelsea Portugal Lampard C 5 11-2 5 5 6 5 5 5 5 11-2 5 Drogba 39, Anelka 76 Porto ...... (0) 3-0 (0) ...... Nacional Kalou C 11-2 4 5 5 6 11-2 5 6 4 55 CHELSEA have a perfect record in a two-year period and Shirts 50, Corners 11 (4/7), Bookings 0 Falcao pen 66, Rolando 72 Premier League Rodriguez 86 Sturridge C 11-2 9-2 6 9-2 5 - 11-2 11-2 6 9-2 11-2 conceded ten goals in just three J Cole C -876-8789 67 in their last ten Premier League Sunderland...... (1) 1-3 (0)...... Chelsea Shirts 33. Bookings 70 (10/60) Bent 18 Ballack 52 Portugal Malouda C 108978811 9 7 7 15-2 matches and there will be many visits to these shores. Lampard pen 61 Pacos Ferreira .... (1) 1-1 (0) ...... Porto Ballack C 10 8 11 8 8 11 9 10 7 8 9 punters prepared to lump on Drogba would have destroyed Deco 70 Rolando og 12 Falcao 78 Falcao P 11 10 11 - 9 9 12 11 - 9 10 the Blues at short prices when Porto, but now the goalscoring Shirts 52 (11/41), Corners 15 (1/14), Bookings 40 (20/20) Shirts 23 (14/9), Bookings 55 (10/45) Hulk P 17-2 9 12 10 10 11 12 12 - 12 9 Farías P 12 10 14 10 10 10 12 12 9 10 10 Porto come to Stamford Bridge. burden will have to fall on the Deco C 17-2 7 12 9 14 12 9 14 9910 However, the suspension of shoulders of Nicolas Anelka and Essien C 12 12 16 14 16 14 14 14 10 14 14 Didier Drogba must be a concern Salomon Kalou. However, neither 2009-10 STATS Zhirkov C 10 16 14 -1416 14 14 16 - - for favourite backers and there inspires total confidence on a Varela P 12 12 16 14 20 14 - 16 14 14 14 Chelsea Porto Rodriguez P 12 14 18 14 20 16 14 18 16 14 14 may be other ways better served consistent basis at this level Belluschi P 20 14 20 16 14 14 16 18 18 16 16 to supporting Carlo Ancelotti’s and Frank Lampard could be 15 Points from last five league games 11 Terry C 14 16 18 16 20 20 25 20 18 16 20 team without having to get the man to get the Blues going. 30 Points from last ten league games 26 Belletti C 18 20 25 20 25 25 25 20 28 20 20 Lampard has notched just WdWWWdWWWW Last ten homes/aways (latest on right) WWWWWWWWDW Mariano P 28 16 22 14 20 20 - 22 10 14 - involved at prohibitive odds. once for Chelsea in competitive 2.5 Average goals scored in home/away league games 2.0 Alex C 18 25 25 18 25 25 25 20 33 18 20 Porto’s defence is easily the 0.5 Average goals conceded in home/away league games 1.0 Guarín P 18 28 28 25 - 25 20 33 18 25 25 weakest part of their team – action this term as he gets used 11.4 Average corners gained n/a Meireles P 18 25 25 22 20 25 20 33 20 22 22 to a new formation, but he will 2.8 Average corners conceded n/a Mikel C 25 16 25 22 40 25 33 28 16 22 22 they have kept only one clean Ivanovic C 20 25 25 25 28 25 40 28 33 25 28 sheet this season – and they come good soon. 11.0 Average corners gained home/away n/a 2.5 Average corners conceded home/away n/a Valeri P 33 16 28 - 20 20 20 22 20 22 14 usually leak goals in England. Recommendation 12.0 Average bookings points (10 per yellow, 25 per red) 13.75 Carvalho C 25 28 33 28 25 33 33 33 40 28 33 The Dragons have been to Old A Cole C 25 33 33 33 33 40 20 33 28 33 33 F Lampard first goalscorer Pereira P - 25 33 33 25 25 33 40 33 33 33 Trafford, Anfield and the Emirates 0.5pt each way 6-1 Coral Alves P 40 28 25 25 33 25 25 40 33 25 22 BOOKINGS Hutchinson C 40 40 - 33 - - 33 40 - 33 40 KEY STAT Costa P 50 25 40 25 - 33 20 40 20 25 33 Referee/Team Games Yellows Reds Average HHPorto are unbeaten in Fernando P 50 20 33 28 25 40 33 40 - 28 33 TEAM NEWS Make-up their last four Champions Miguel Lopes P -50-- -40-66 - 40 40 Konrad Plautz (Aus) 5 14 1 33.0 Sapunaru P 50 66 50 50 33 - 50 66 40 50 66 League away matches. Chelsea Porto Chelsea 12 28 2 27.5 Fucile P 66 50 66 50 40 50 33 80 - 50 50 Didier Drogba and Jose Bosingwa are both Miguel Lopes, Beto, Sebastian Prediguer, They have scored two Maicon P 80 50 66 66 - 40 50 66 40 66 66 banned, while Alex, Deco, Yuri Zhirkov, Ricardo Dias, Silvestre Varela and Orlando Porto 10 15 1 17.5 goals in each of those four No goalscorer 12 15-2 8 10 15-2 17-2 8 10 15-2 15-2 7 Joe Cole and are injured. Sa have not travelled to west London. Stats refer to last two Champions League competitions games Each-way 1/3 1,2,3,4,5 (Boyle, Stan James & VC win only; Blue Sq 1/3 1,2,3,4; Tote 1/3 1,2,3,4,5,6,7; Bet365 & Coral 1/3 on unlimited scorers). Others on request 30 RACING POST Tuesday, September 15, 2009 racingpost.com

The Soccer Boffin reckons the French KEVIN PULLEIN league’s reputation is undeserved French sides better equipped than they are given credit for FRENCH club football is not as Lille won at Milan and Nantes weeks ago in victory away to weak as it is sometimes portrayed, won at Lazio, while PSG drew Roma, and effective on Saturday and it might be possible to exploit at Milan and Bordeaux them- during a win on the same ground misapprehensions in today’s selves drew at Fiorentina. against Lazio. New coach Ciro Champions League Group A fixture The reasoning behind this bet Ferraro, for a long time a Juve between Juventus and Bordeaux. is not that Bordeaux are much defender, was a member of Back Bordeaux on an Asian better than people think, or that ’s backroom staff handicap of +1 at 1.85 – 17-20 Juventus are much worse, just when Italy won the World Cup in in fractional odds – with Bet365. that the imbalance in ability 2006 and then worked behind If Bordeaux win or draw, your between them might not be quite the scenes in Turin. bet will be successful. If they lose as large as is imagined. But Bordeaux have also started Juventus could find Bordeaux trickier opposition than expected when the sides meet tonight by one goal, your stake will be The overall results of French well in Le Championnat. Laurent returned. And if they lose by two clubs and Italian clubs in the Blanc’s sides were new to the disappointing yesterday that book- betting terms, it is debatable Barcelona, Manchester United, or more goals, your bet will be Champions League in recent Champions League last season makers were not offering match whether expectations should be Chelsea, Real Madrid, Liverpool, unsuccessful. seasons suggests that fair odds but improved as the games went odds for markets other than those any higher than 38. Inter, Arsenal, Juventus, Milan So far this century there have about Bordeaux on an Asian hand- on, eventually drawing at home relating to goals. Think back over recent winners and Bayern Munich. been 11 Champions League icap of +1 away to Juventus to Chelsea and then enjoying It is quite possible that if prices of the Champions League and In spread betting terms, there fixtures between Italian clubs at should be at least a little bit most possession in a must-win are released today somebody will then answer these questions. is probably less than half a goal home to French clubs. Four times shorter than 1.85 – perhaps around final fixture before conceding underestimate the number of Were the winners always the best separating all of them. Even the French lost by two or more 1.80. Juventus, at the moment, against the run of play away to cards likely to be shown in the team in Europe that season? No. tonight, the action might be a goals, once they lost by one goal are the second-best team in Italy. Roma. Though much less attractive evening’s glamour tie between Were they always one of the very bit more competitive than some and six times they drew or won. Bordeaux, at the moment, are to watch than Lyon in their prime, Marseille and Milan. best? Nearly always, yes. people anticipate when Juventus If you think those encouraging the best team in France. In other Bordeaux might still be able to Neither team is badly-behaved Not much separates the top entertain more lowly Bordeaux. figures were entirely attributable words, they are not untypical avoid an emphatic defeat tonight normally, big games do not often few clubs on the continent. Ar- Recommendation to Lyon, think again. True, Lyon representatives of their countries. in Turin. produce exceptionally large make- guably, a list of the leading con- Bordeaux +1 on Asian handicap won at Inter and Fiorentina and Juventus, it must be acknowl- The Champions League is the ups in the Champions League, tenders for this season’s 1pt 1.85 Bet365 drew at Roma, but there were edged, have started well in Serie best and most prominent club and the referee is the usually competition in order of merit HHAsian handicaps explained, RPSPORT other commendable results, too: A. They were impressive two competition in the world, so it was calm Claus Bo Larsen. In spread would go something like this: page 88 Racing Post Tuesday, September 15, 2009 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SPECIAL 31 BESIKTAS v MANCHESTER UNITED GROUP B 7.45pm

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

1 Rustu Recber In-form United strong 36 1 0 0 0

27 Matteo Ferrari 6 Tomas Sivok 4 Ibrahim Kas 29 5 0 1 0 26 5 0 3 0 3 Ismail Koybasi favourites in Istanbul 22 2 0 0 0 BESIKTAS 20 3(1) 0 0 0 By Dan Childs and Marseille (both 2-1). 28 Fabain Ernst 30 5 0 0 0 MATCH BETTING And, having finished ten points MANCHESTER UNITED have BET365 BETFRED BLUE SQ BOYLE CORAL HILLS LADS POWER S JMS TOTE VC ahead of traditional Turkish heavy- 17 Ekrem Dag 14 Rodrigo Tello 29 Simsek Yusuf 15 Rodrigo Tabato won on only one of their last Besiktas 13-2 9-2 11-2 5 4 5 5 11-2 9-2 6 5 weights Fenerbahce and 28 1(1) 0 0 0 29 4 1 1 0 34 2 0 0 0 28 1 0 0 0 four visits to Istanbul but layers Man Utd 8-15 4-7 4-7 4-7 4-7 1-2 4-7 4-7 4-7 1-2 4-7 Galatasaray in last season’s 8 Nihat Kahveci fully expect them to account for Draw 11-4 12-5 13-5 14-5 5-2 12-5 11-4 13-5 13-5 3 5-2 domestic title race, they are clearly 29 4(1) 0 0 0 Turkish champions Besiktas in Best-price percentage: 102 heading in the right direction. tonight’s Group B clash at the If Besiktas were to take anything Inonu Stadium. answering the club’s critics. Besiktas fulfilled the role of away from this evening’s match, 9 Dimitar Berbatov 10 Wayne Rooney* The Red Devils were trimmed But, with the start of the Champ- whipping boys when they suf- United would have slight concerns 28 3(2) 1 0 0 23 5 5 2 0 from a best-priced 8-13 to 4-7 ions League and a Manchester fered an 8-0 defeat to Liverpool over their qualification propects. for an away victory after produ- derby following hot on the heels in November 2007 – their last It is less than four years since cing an excellent performance of their north London victory, Champions League match against United failed to qualify from an 17 Nani 16 Michael Carrick 8 Anderson 24 Darren Fletcher in Saturday’s 3-1 triumph over there is no time for complacency. English opposition. innocuous looking section feat- 22 3(1) 1 0 0 28 2(1) 0 0 0 21 2 1 0 0 25 4 0 1 0 Tottenham at White Hart Lane. Sir Alex Ferguson will almost But the team are a completely uring Villarreal, Lille, and Benfica. The manner of United’s success certainly tinker with his team different proposition in front And, with free-scoring Germans MAN UTD over Spurs – they controlled selection as he aims to keep key of their passionate home Wolfsburg and dangerous Russians possession for long periods, and players fresh for forthcoming supporters. CSKA Moscow also housed in 3 Patrice Evra 5 Rio Ferdinand 15 Nemanja Vidic 2 Gary Neville looked comfortable after being battles but he will be wary of Their 2007 Champions League Group B, there is plenty of work 28 5 0 2 0 30 1 0 0 0 27 3 0 1 0 34 1(1) 0 0 0 reduced to ten men – will have giving too much respect to tonight’s campaign featured impressive to be done in the current quali- gone a long way towards opponents. home victories over Liverpool fication process. 12 Ben Foster 26 5 0 0 0

MATCH MARKETS Figures relate to age, league appearances (as sub), goals, yellow and red cards. *Possible pen taker Total goals B365 Bfred Bl Sq Boyle Coral Hills Lads Power S Jms Tote VC OTHER PLAYERS Over 2.5 21-20 Evs Evs Evs - - 28-25 Evs Evs Evs Evs Under 2.5 3-4 8-11 8-11 8-11 - - 19-25 8-11 8-11 8-11 8-11 Besiktas Man Utd Double result Player Age App G Y R Player Age App G Y R 13 24 1(2) 0 0 0 B365 Bfred Bl Sq Boyle Coral Hills Lads Power S Jms Tote VC Bobo 25 Antonio Valencia 24 3(1) 0 0 0 Bes-Bes 14 10 10 11 17-2 10 9 11 10 11 10 23 Filip Holosko 25 3(2) 1 0 0 7 Michael Owen 29 1(2) 1 0 0 Bes-Draw 16 16 14 14 12 14 14 16 14 16 13 5 Michael Fink 27 4(1) 1 1 0 23 Jonny Evans 21 3 0 0 0 Bes-Man U 25 25 25 25 25 22 25 22 25 25 28 25 Ugor Inceman 28 1(3) 0 1 0 20 Fabio Da Silva 19 1 0 0 0 Draw-Bes 16 11 12 12 11 11 11 11 11 12 11 21 Serdar Ozkan 22 2(1) 0 1 0 11 Ryan Giggs 35 3(1) 1 0 0 Draw-Draw 9-2 9-2 9-2 11-2 5 4 9-2 4 9-2 9-2 5 44 Erhan Guven 27 3 0 1 0 18 Paul Scholes 34 3 0 2 0 Draw-Man U 10-3 3 10-3 3 10-3 3 7-2 3 10-3 3 4 Man U-Bes 66 33 40 40 33 40 28 75 33 33 40 Man U-Draw 16 12 14 14 16 14 14 14 14 14 15 LAST FOUR MATCHES Man U-Man U 5-4 5-4 11-8 7-5 11-8 6-5 11-8 11-8 11-8 Evs 7-5 Besiktas Man Utd Correct score Turkey Premier League B365 Bfred Bl Sq Boyle Coral Hills Lads Power S Jms Tote VC Galatasaray ...... (1) 3-0 (0) ...... Besiktas Tottenham ...... (1) 1-3 (2) ...... Man Utd Defoe 1 Giggs 25, Anderson 41 Besiktas 1-0 10 9 11 11 8 11 9 13 9109 Sarp pen 4 Baros 65, 82 Rooney 78 Besiktas 2-0 33 20 25 33 20 33 25 40 25 28 25 Shirts 46, Bookings 70 (30/40) Shirts 47 (18/29), Corners 12 (3/9), Bookings 40 (30/10) Besiktas 2-1 22 18 18 20 16 18 16 18 18 20 18 Turkey Premier League Besiktas 3-0 100 80 100 100 80 100 100 175 100 66 80 Besiktas ...... (0) 0-0 (0) ..Gaziantepspor Man Utd...... (0) 2-1 (1) ...... Arsenal Besiktas 3-1 80 80 50 50 80 66 66 80 80 50 66 Rooney pen 59 Arshavin 40 Bookings 50 (10/40) Diaby og 64 Besiktas 3-2 66 66 66 50 66 66 66 75 66 66 50 Turkey Shirts 35 (10/25), Bookings 90 (30/60) Man Utd 1-0 55511-2 5 9-2 5 9-2 5 11-2 5 G’birligi Ankara.. (0) 0-0 (0) ...... Besiktas Premier League Man Utd 2-0 11-2 6 11-2 11-2 5 5 11-2 11-2 11-2 5 11-2 Bookings 20 (0/20) Wigan ...... (0) 0-5 (0) ...... Man Utd Man Utd 2-1 13-2 7 15-2 7 7777777 Turkey Rooney 56, 65 Man Utd 3-0 10 10 11 10 9 9 10 9 10 9 10 Besiktas ...... (0) 2-0 (0)...... Antalyaspor Berbatov 58 Holosko 73 Owen 85, Nani 90 Man Utd 3-1 11 10 12 12 11 10 10 11 10 9 11 Tello 78 Shirts 53, Corners 8 (3/5), Bookings 40 (20/20) Man Utd 3-2 28 25 28 28 33 28 28 25 25 25 28 Shirts 37, Bookings 10 (0/10) Premier League Man Utd 4-0 25 25 25 25 28 22 33 20 28 22 28 Burnley ...... (1) 1-0 (0) ...... Man Utd Man Utd 4-1 25 22 25 25 25 25 28 25 25 18 25 Blake 19 Man Utd 4-2 50 40 50 50 50 50 40 66 40 50 50 Shirts 20, Corners 13 (1/12), Bookings 30 (20/10) No goalscorer 7 6 7 17-2 7 15-2 7 17-2 8 9 13-2 Draw 1-1 13-2 11-2 11-2 13-2 6 6 11-2 6 11-2 11-2 11-2 Draw 2-2 18 14 16 16 18 16 14 16 16 14 16 2009-10 STATS Draw 3-3 66 66 50 80 100 80 66 100 66 66 80 Wayne Rooney has been in top form in the Premier League First goalscorer Besiktas Manchester Utd B365 Bfred Bl Sq Boyle Coral Hills Lads Power S Jms Tote VC 6 Points from last five league games 12 Rooney M 4 7-2 4 4 4 9-2 7-2 4 7-2 4 4 DAN CHILDS’S VERDICT 19 Points from last ten league games 25 Owen M 9-2 4 5 9-2 5 11-2 9-2 5 9-2 9-2 5 WLWWWDWWWd Last ten homes/aways (latest on right) WWLWWWWLWW Berbatov M 5 9-2 5 5 5 11-2 9-2 5 5 11-2 5 1.0 Average goals scored in home/away league games 2.6 Macheda M 15-2 11-2 13-2 11-2 7 7 6 7 13-2 11-2 7 0.0 Average goals conceded in home/away league games 0.6 Kahveci B 10 7 9 8 7 10 9 9 7 88 Red Devils to have the edge n/a Average corners gained 7.8 Bobo B 10 7 10 9-1010 9 8 10 9 n/a Average corners conceded 1.8 Nobre B - 15-2 10 10 8 9 10 10 9 10 10 MANCHESTER UNITED have have won only one of their five n/a Average corners gained home/away 8.6 Nani M 10 8 10 8 8 9 11 10 989 been chalked up as red-hot 2-5 league games this season and n/a Average corners conceded home/away 2.3 Holosko B 10 8 11 8 15-2 9 10 10 8 8 8 Giggs M 10998911 10 10 11 8 11 favourites to win Group B but they were trounced 3-0 in 16.0 Average bookings points (10 per yellow, 25 per red) 16.0 Valencia M 9 12 12 10 14 12 14 12 11 10 12 they could be made to work Saturday’s away fixture against Park M 10 10 10 11 11 14 14 14 12 11 12 hard for a victory over section Galatasaray. Scholes M 16 12 14 14 16 14 16 14 12 14 14 makeweights Besiktas in the Denizli will be looking for a Carrick M 12 16 14 14 14 16 16 18 16 14 16 BOOKINGS KEY STAT Fletcher M 16 14 16 16 12 16 16 18 16 16 18 Turkish capital. much more disciplined perform- Referee/Team Games Yellows Reds Average HHManchester United have Tello B - 18 18 16 16 12 18 18 16 16 18 Trips to Istanbul no longer ance from his players tonight. Make-up Gibson M 20 20 - 18 20 - 16 20 20 18 - strike fear into the hearts of the kept clean sheets in 13 of But it will be extremely diffi- Nicola Rizzoli (Ita) 2 6 0 30.0 Zengin B -1222 - - 20 - 18 16 - 16 leading English clubs but it is their last 19 Champions Anderson M 22 16 18 20 14 20 16 20 20 20 18 cult for his defence to contain Besiktas 0 n/a n/a n/a worth remembering that League matches Vidic M 16 20 16 18 20 20 16 20 25 18 20 a supremely confident Wayne Man Utd 13 14 1 12.7 Dag B 33 20 20 25 20 20 20 20 22 25 25 Liverpool and Chelsea have Rooney. Statistics refer to last two Champions League competitions Ozkan B 33 16 25 - 20 20 18 25 18 - 20 suffered Champions League The England striker’s power, O’Shea M 25 25 25 33 25 33 25 33 33 33 - defeats in the city in the last pace and skill were key aspects Ferdinand M 33 33 33 28 33 -25333328 33 two years. Rafael M 33 28 33 33 33 33 33 33 - 33 28 in United’s 3-1 victory at Tot- Besiktas will be playing at a Sivok B 25 25 40 28 28 25 18 33 33 28 28 tenham. And, if the 23-year-old TEAM NEWS Fabio M 25-28-3340 28 33 - 33 - ground at which they are used continues his scoring streak Fink B 40 22 28 22 20 20 33 28 22 22 25 to winning – 13 of their last 18 tonight – he has notched four Besiktas Manchester United Inceman B 40 20 - 33 33 25 18 28 22 33 28 league matches at the Inono Evans M 25 25 33 33 33 40 33 33 28 33 28 Besiktas are bolstered by the recoveries of Rio Ferdinand returned to the starting goals in three games – United will forwards Nihat (hamstring) and Bobo line-up at Tottenham and he should Ernst B 40 20 -3340 33 25 33 22 33 25 Stadium have been won by the be well on their way to clinch- (knee), midfielder Yusuf (calf) and continue his partnership with Nemanja Evra M 40 33 33 40 25 40 33 40 28 40 33 hosts. goalkeeper Rustu (stomach), who all took Vidic at the heart of the defence. Edwin Brown M 40 33 40 40 40 50 33 40 15-2 40 40 ing the three points. But they will be a shade con- part in Saturday’s 3-0 loss at Galatasaray. van der Sar (broken finger), Owen Kas B 50 66 50 25 40 40 40 50 50 25 40 cerned by their sloppy start to Central defender Ibrahim Toroman (heel) Hargreaves (knee), Rafael (shoulder) and No goalscorer 7 6 7 8 13-2 15-2 7 7 8 9 13-2 Recommendation is a definite absentee. Gabriel Obertan (calf) are all ruled out but Each-way 1/3 1,2,3,4,5 (Boyle, Stan James & VC win only; Blue Sq 1/3 1,2,3,4; Tote 1/3 1,2,3,4,5,6,7; Bet365 & Coral 1/3 on the defence of their title. Manchester Utd to win 1-0 Gary Neville (groin) may return. unlimited scorers.) Others on request Mustafa Denizli’s charges 0.5pt 11-2 Boylesports, Totesport 32 RACING POST Tuesday, September 15, 2009 racingpost.com