Slavia Prague +1 v Arsenal
Fabregas, Hleb, Toure and Rosicky are all out for Arsenal. Eduardo may be up front with Walcott. Arsenal need just a draw to ensure progress to the next round. I don't think it will be an Arsenal rout this time around. Should be close and draw is likely.
I've been having a think about the Barca v Rangers game and for me it may well be a tight one again. Walter Smith will have his side set up 4-5-1 as he has done for most games (home and away) this season and they're defensively very resolute, especially against better teams, as demonstrated by clean sheets against Celtic, Lyon and Barca so far this season.
I'm surprised that it looks like he'll be going with Darcheville up front as I would have thought Cousin would have given more defensive cover at set pieces. Maybe he sees Darcheville's pace as being important in the vast Nou Camp. And in any case, with Ronaldinho in the team the best way to defend free kicks is not give them away in the first place. Looking at the group table and again a draw 'could' suit both teams so it really just depends how clinical Barca are in front of goal.
Rangers will be hard to break down - no doubt about that and it might just take a single moment of genius from Ronaldinho, Messi or Henry to decide the game.
Its a no bet for me on this one but I think the 2/9 on Barca is way too short.
Champions League
Soccer - Fenerbahce/PSV Eindhoven - total Over 2½ (+126)
for the regulation time held on Nov 7 at 2:45pm [pending]
I have a number of reasons for playing this one:
1. It represents the highest odds on offer for a O 2.5 in today's games. Everyone expects this to go under.
2. The two teams have many missing players...Fenerbahce missing its top striker, both teams missing crucial defenders. But the replacements should be highly motivated, and I think people overestimate what missing players does to a team.
3. Both teams are under pressure, but especially PSV. They are in third in their group, while Fenerbahce is the surprise team, having won once at home and drawn twice on the road. PSV has an interim coach (usually a good indicator since players fight to secure a place) who has announced his intention to use four forwards in this game and go for the needed 3 points. Now, what I'm reading is that two of these forwards are essentially attacking midfielders, but whatever...they're not going to use a defensive game plan.
4. The previous match between the two ended 0-0. People are overreacting to the previous result.
5. Fenerbahce is the type of team that needs space to operate on offense. The other team attacking plays right into their hands...assuming their various replacements can make PSV pay.
I really believe that with PSV in attack mode, there will be space for Fener to create, and that whichever team finds itself behind in the game will fight hard to draw even, and these things have a way of getting out of control. It's probably a risky bet, but to my eyes a 2-1 final has a good chance.
Slavia Prague v Arsenal
At this stage of the competition the betting starts to turn a wee bit tricky. Take Arsenal for example, apparently Arsene Wenger has decided to leave Cesc Fabregas, Kolo Toure, Tomas Rosicky and Alexander Hleb at home for their trip to Prague. That makes the betting on this one difficult to call and for me its a no bet. There’s just no saying what team Wenger will put out or what kind of performance he’ll get from them in a game that they don’t really need to win. So my advice is to steer well clear.
Manchester United v Dynamo Kiev
Sir Alex also looks set to rest a few at Old Trafford as Ronaldo and a few others might find themselves in the stands. Even if that is the case United should have enough in reserve to defeat the Ukrainians of Dynamo Kiev and secure their qualification into the last 16. I expect them to win by a few goals so rather than take the 1/6 (Bet365, Paddy Power, BlueSq etc) why not opt for them to win -1.5/-2 on the Asian Handicap at 53/100 at Paddy Power.
Barcelona v Rangers
Walter Smith will have his side set up 4-5-1 as he has done for most games (home and away) this season and they’re defensively very resolute, especially against better teams, as demonstrated by clean sheets against Celtic, Lyon and Barca so far this season.
I’m surprised that it looks like he’ll be going with Darcheville up front as I would have thought Cousin would have given more defensive cover at set pieces. Maybe he sees Darcheville’s pace as being important in the vast Nou Camp. And in any case, with Ronaldinho in the team the best way to defend free kicks is not give them away in the first place. Looking at the group table and again a draw ‘could’ suit both teams so it really just depends how clinical Barca are in front of goal.
Rangers will be hard to break down - no doubt about that and it might just take a single moment of genius from Ronaldinho, Messi or Henry to decide the game.
Its a no bet for me on this one but I think the 2/9 (BlueSq, Skybet, William Hill) on Barca is way too short.
Other Matches
Rosenborg stunned Europe with last night’s 2-0 win at the Mestalla in Valencia and I’ve been looking for any similar upsets on the cards tonight. Wins away from home are hard to come by the Champions League so Sporting Lisbon might be worth a look at home against Roma and can be backed at 15/8 (Ladbrokes, Skybet and totesport).
Fenerbahce have a terrific home record in Turkey and that should help them get the better of PSV and help them reach the coveted final 16. Back them at 21/20 with totesport.
Seville looked back to their old selves again at the weekend with a 2-0 win over Real Madrid and return to Bucharest for the second time this year to face Steaua. They won 2-0 there in February and I expect them to repeat that feat tonight and more or less clinch qualification. Back them at 8/11 at Bet365, BlueSq or Paddy Power.
Man Utd are argubably the strongest team in the strongest league in europe.
They have the best attack and joint best defence in the premiership.
They combine dazzling attack play with strong street-wise defence.
Their opponents are third in the ukranian league. The second place team in this league were knocked out of the uefa cup by Aberdeen. Thus the gulf in class is huge. No disrespect to Aberdeen intended.
In this competition Arsenal have scored 7 and Liverpool 8. Im sure Ferguson would like a similar score.
Barring complacency or silly team selection I think Utd should win comfortably.
Its an obvious bet i know but hopefully a winning one.
Champion league 06-07th Nov
coz chelsea 
.......
