Champions League preview part two

Chelsea vs. Juventus

It’s still really difficult to know what to expect from Chelsea match to match and, while they retain the ability to win any game, they’ve looked seriously vulnerable against the top sides in England this season.

Already beaten by Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool in the Premier League, Phil Scolari’s men struggled through Group A in the Champions League and Juventus will be no pushover.

The Italians may not be the side of old that contained the likes of Davids and Zidane, when they lifted this trophy a decade ago, but they’ve still plenty of quality and have done well in Serie A since their return to the top flight. Claudio Ranieri travels back to Stamford Bridge for the first time since he departed and is sure to have his troops set up to frustrate the English side.

Having failed to add significantly to their squad in January, Ricardo Queresma being the only arrival, Chelsea could find things tough and I wouldn’t be surprised to see them stumble. Their match winners turn up increasingly infrequently in the big games these days and I was impressed with Juve from what I saw of them in the group stages.

To Qualify: Juventus

1pt Back Juventus to qualify @ 2.50 (various)

Real Madrid vs. Liverpool

Liverpool were dealt a huge blow during their FA Cup defeat to Everton with the news that Steven Gerrard would be ruled out for the first leg of this tie but I still think they have more than enough to return to Anfield with a positive result and look perfectly set up to pounce on a Real Madrid side so woeful defensively.

Twice finalists in recent seasons, there are few better coaches at this level than Rafa Benitez at setting a side up to take on specific opponents and you can bet he’s had his eye on his team’s visit to the Bernabeu for quite some time now. I expect them to advance, even if not doing so in style, and Benitez is sure to look to retain at least parity in Spain before heading to Merseyside.

Real look really short in the match betting for the opening contest and I’m more than happy to lay them at a little over even money. They’ll know the importance of not conceding an away goal and it looks like being one of the more cagier first legs.

The home side’s chances could well rest upon the fitness of Arjen Robben. The ex-Chelsea winger has enjoyed success against Liverpool in the past and has been the Spanish club’s outstanding performer for quite some time now.

To Qualify: Liverpool

2pts Lay Real Madrid in first leg @ 2.30 (Betdaq)

Sporting vs. Bayern Munich

The German side were probably overlooked at the start of this year’s competition but they crept into things with a string of fine displays in the group stages and should continue their decent current in Europe run at the expense of Sporting.

Although still trailing surprise Bundersliga leaders Hoffenheim domestically, Bayern remain the powerhouse of German football and their squad, although probably not good enough to go all the way, contains any number of goal scorers. Toni and Klose are more than capable of finding the net with great regularity and it seems this season as if Jurgen Klinsmann’s men have saved their best performances for the Champions League.

Sporting contested Barcelona’s section in the group stages but that looked a weak pool and they often lacked a cutting edge. Frequently relying on Brazilian Liedson for inspiration, I think their only chance of progressing is by taking the game to their opponents on home soil and then hoping to hang on in the return.

Bayern will surely find the net on at least a couple of occasions over the tie and, on all known form, that should be enough to see them into the last eight.

To Qualify: Bayern Munich

No Recommended Bets

Villarreal vs. Panathinaikos

Villarreal bored me to death in the group stages, barring a couple of strange results against AaB, and their clash with the Greek side is one of complete contrasts. The Athens club love to get on the front foot and it will be interesting to see how the tie takes shape.

The La Liga club’s success has been built upon a resolute backline in European competition but their defensive form domestically is highly suspect and I’m not sure they are all that watertight. Marcos Senna anchors a talented midfield but they lack a prolific finisher at this level and it is asking a lot of Giuseppe Rossi to lead the line.

I enjoyed watching Panathinaikos ruffle some feathers in Group B, their win at the San Siro being the highlight, and they have surely been dismissed too lightly in the betting. There’s no way Henke Ten Cate’s side should be such underdogs, 3.00 to progress, and it must be noted that their opponents have failed to win more than half their games so far this season.

Home advantage in the second leg is always crucial and with the Greek fans among the most vocal in Europe, they can roar on Pana into the quarter finals.

To Qualify: Panathinaikos

2pts Back Panathinaikos to qualify @ 3.00 (various)