Manchester City vs Roma
Manchester City have not yet reached the sort of form that won them the English Premier League last season. On Saturday, they were given a real fight by Hull. Manuel Pellegrini’s men lost a 2-0 lead, before coming back to win 4-2. But that doesn’t take away from the fact that Manchester City don’t quite look as formidable as they did last year. Their defense looks leaky, but goalkeeper Joe Hurt, who has looked very vulnerable, might be back.
Roma on the other hand, have had their best start to a Serie A season, winning all their 5 matches so far. They have scored 9 goals and conceded just one, reflecting their dominance in Italy. Whether this dominance will continue against Manchester City remains to be seen. But Roma had a handy win against CSKA Moscow, and in a tough group that also has Bayern Munich, look better equipped than Manchester City to go through on current form. A loss here would be disastrous for manager Pellegrini.
Our Prediction: Manchester City 1 Roma 1
Sporting Lisbon vs Chelsea
Jose Mourinho would be regretting not winning a match that his side should have against Schalke at home in Stanford Bridge. This is particularly so because both Cesc Fabregas and Didier Drogba each had fabulous opportunities to finish the game but failed to take it. But Mourinho would be handicapped by superstar striker Diego Costa’s absence, who is being rested because of a persistent injury that simply refuses to go away.
However, Chelsea don’t have the best possible replacement as Loic Remy is new and inexperienced and Didier Drogba is 36 – an old man in football terms. Sporting Lisbon are no great shakes either with as many as four draws out of their last five matches, and look woefully out of form. This is an easy group, unlike Manchester City’s group, and Chelsea should get through without breaking into a sweat.
Our Prediction: Sporting Lisbon 1 Chelsea 2
Arsenal vs Galatasaray
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has as many as seven first team players missing due to injury and has been forced to trust his squad strength. Jack Wilshere too looks to have only a 50% chance of starting. With a couple of defenders injured, Wenger may be forced to call upon young, inexperienced players such as Hector Bellerin or Francis Coquelin.
Arsenal were thoroughly outplayed at the Westfalenstadion but shouldn’t face too many problems against Turkish side Galatasaray, despite their injuries.
Both clubs are good enough to qualify from Group D, but Arsenal would want to qualify at the top of the group.
Our Prediction: Arsenal 3 Galatasaray 1
Basel vs Liverpool
What has gone unnoticed this season is that while all the attention has been focussed on Manchester United’s shocking start to the season, the Manchester club is actually higher in the league table than the high flying Liverpool. Liverpool has been very poor, but manager Brendan Rodgers seems to have mysteriously escaped any attention.
The new Liverpool players Mario Balotelli and Adam Lallana, were good without being great against Everton and have to do a lot better. Defensively, Liverpool have serious issues and captain Steven Gerrard has been largely ineffective as the midfield enforcer.
Real Madrid are the favourites to top this group, and Liverpool would want to go through as second best, at least. But it won’t be easy for them as the other teams, Basel included, would be gunning for them as they seem to have spotted a weakness in the English team. The visit to Switzerland may witness a minor upset.
Our Prediction: Basel 2 Liverpool 1
