Barcelona

Champions League 2009/2010: Semi-Final, First Leg

Inter Milan V Barcelona

Tuesday, 20^th April – 19:45 (GMT)

San Siro, Giuseppe Meazza

LIVE on Sky Sports

Inter Milan

Outright Odds: 5.50 VCBet

If Internazionale, or Inter Milan as we prefer to call them simply because it’s shorter, want to end their twelve year wait for a major European trophy they’ll have to beat the very best just to get a chance at a final as Spain’s Barcelona await them in the semi’s. Their last enjoyment in Europe came when they won the UEFA Cup back in 1997-1998, but you have to stretch your minds way back to when time stood still for their last Champions League/European Cup trophy, as Inter haven’t won this very competition, the best club competition on the planet, for nearly half-a-decade. 1965 – 45 years ago – is how long ago Inter last reigned supreme in Europe, but after a fruitful campaign fending off the challenges from the likes of Chelsea & CSKA Moscow, the Nerazzuri have put themselves within three games of ending their 45 year drought.

The final itself will be in Spain at Real Madrid’s world-famous Bernabeu. A country Inter will have to visit twice before the end of the season, three times in total, if they wish to end their Champions League campaign with winners medals. The irony, though, is that their semi-final tie will be predominately harder than the challenge that possibly awaits them in Spain’s grand finale where either Bayern Munich or Lyon await them. However, that should provide the hungry Italians will a big incentive, a tasty little carrot if you like, as should they see off the competition favourites Barcelona, their chances of winning the competition outright would greatly enhance because of it. However, Inter Milan don’t have the best of records against the colossal Barcelona, and even recently haven’t faired too well as these two sides were drawn in the same group earlier in the campaign, a group which Barcelona won taking four points off the Italian side. While Inter haven’t even found the back of Barcelona’s net in their last four European ties with the Spanish giant.

Mourinho’s Inter certainly have it all to do but the maestro or the ‘Special One’ as he likes to call himself, has been in a very similar position before in that of FC Porto when he guided the Portuguese club to Champions League glory back in 2004 somewhat unnoticed. No-one fancied his sides chances back then and it will be the same with his Inter charges, although some would argue he has a far greater amass of talent and quality at his disposal this time around so should, in theory at least, have the necessary inventory to go close once more. However, the irony with this Inter team is down the years they’ve generally been a force to be reckoned with back home in Italy but have consistently faltered in Europe. It’s been the opposite this season, with Milan’s league form dipping slightly, while some of their displays in Europe this season, in knock-out stage especially, have been incredible. They beat Chelsea in the round of sixteen stage, winning 2-1 at the San Siro and then winning the away leg 1-0, while we shouldn’t forget that while their league campaign hasn’t flowed as they would have liked, the Nerazzuri are still leading the way thanks to a 2-0 win at home to Juventus on Friday night.

That’s another point we should make in that Inter have had the Italian FA on their side this season, with their league fixtures scheduled right before a big European tie often brought forward a few days in order to enable the Inter Milan squad to rest up earlier than usual, and more importantly earlier than their European opponents. We’ve not seen this done before by any of the major sides in recent seasons, but it’s paid dividends for Inter this season and could prove decisive once again as they set out to secure a vital first leg lead against the competition favourites. The team should be in high spirits however after earning a 2-0 victory at home to Juventus on Friday night, while Inter have won their last three home games in Europe, two of which were without conceding.

Barcelona

Outright Odds: 1.80 SkyBet

Whereas Inter are attempting to make their first final appearance in this competition since 1972, Barcelona will seek out their second successive final berth where a chance to secure their second successive Champions League will be a further reward. Should Barcelona dare to dream of going all the way for the second year running, the Catalan side would become the first club since AC Milan 20 years ago to win the prestigious tournament consecutively. First, though, they must work their way around an Inter Milan side, whom have been surpassing expectations this season even if big things have been expected of them in recent seasons.

Two of Barcelona’s starlets will make their second return to the San Siro in the same season as Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Maxwell return to their old stomping ground, both of which look almost certain starters given recent injury news. The recent blow was that Iniesta would miss both legs and that Eric Abidal would no longer play another game this season. The latter situation means Maxwell looks likely to deputise at left-back once again while Ibrahimovic, despite not featuring a whole lot for the Catalan giants of late, will spearhead the Barcelona attack. The Swede has netted six times in the competition already, while he scored two pivotal goals in Barcelona’s last away European encounter at The Emirates Stadium against Arsenal, England.

While Zlatan Ibrahimovic may want the the spotlight to shine on him as he aims to score his first goal at the San Siro as a Barcelona player, the likelihood is that Lionel Messi, the competition’s leading scorer with 8 goals, will steal both the limelight and the plaudits if his goalscoring exploits in the previous round is anything to go by. The young Argentina, whom is still just 22 years-of-age, is already a shoe-in to be win every major accolade under the sun for his sublime achievements with Barcelona this season, scoring 36 goals in all competitions. However, it was his stunning four goal haul against Arsenal in the last round, the quarter-finals, which had the entire footballing nation standing on their feet to applaud the little magician. He’s proved in that game alone that he has the potential, the talent and the sheer brilliance to win any game single handily, so of course, Messi will undoubtedly be the star man and the player to watch in both legs.

For all Barcelona’s silky play and ability to often slaughter a team with their quick one-two’s, sleek interchanging and clinical attacking play, there is something they haven’t yet mastered – Playing away from home in Europe. Many of you who watched Barcelon’a 45 minute storm at The Emirates in the previous round will have been blown away by Barcelona’s dominance and would have been forgiven for thinking they’ve done that all the way through the competition. That hasn’t been the case however, far from it in fact, with Pepe Guardiola only landing one away victory in Europe all season. In fact, their away form in the competition has actually been worrying considering they’ve been frustrated in all but one of their away outings having drawn four of five away in Europe this season. Some would consider a draw away from home in European competition a commendable result. Not Barca, as they look to win every encounter they play regardless of the setting, and will travel to Italy in the same positive mindset despite a lacklustre away campaign thus far – by their own very high standards that is.

A little something to bare in mind: We took the time out on Saturday evening to watch the class of Barcelona in a bid to receive a footballing lesson from the reigning European champions. However, it was instead their neighbours, Espanyol, who played the better football and enjoyed the clearer openings. That wasn’t the main concern though, it was the sight of the Barcelona team tiring very early on. From about the hour mark Barcelona were out on their last legs. So much so that Pep Guardiola had to introduce some fresh legs in Ibrahimovic and Henry midway through the second period. It did little to boost the performances levels of the team however, and perhaps signs of a long, draining season is beginning to become apparent.

Champions League Statistics

Inter Milan

Overall Record: 6-3-1

Home Record: 3-2-0

Offensive Record at Home: 7

Defensive Record at Home: 3

CL form: WWWWW

Barcelona

Overall Record: 5-4-1

Away Record: 1-4-0

Away Offensive Record: 5

Away Defensive Record: 4

CL Form: WDWDW

Stand out Statistics:

These two have played each other twice in this competition this season with Barcelona currently leading by virtue of their 2-0 victory at the Nou Camp. The Catalan side were held to a 0-0 draw at the San Siro. Both of these games were of course during the group stages.

Inter Milan have scored EXACTLY 2 goals in three of their five home matches in the Champions League.

Barcelona, for all their glistening play and star-studded players, have won just once away from home in Europe this season and have been held to a draw on no less than four separate occasions; Inter Milan 0-0, Rubin Kazan 0-0, VFB Stuttgart 1-1, Arsenal 2-2.

Barcelona have also yet to register an away win in the knock-out stage of the competition having draw both of their away legs with VFB Stuttgart in the last sixteen stage and in the quarter-finals with Arsenal.

Match Verdict: Draw – 3.30 PaddyPower

We’ve played a little safe with the draw prediction, although the confidence levels should be running high in the Inter Milan camp and so the Italian’s, whom haven’t even managed a single goal at home to Barcelona in their last two meetings, stand their best chance of finally beating the Spanish giants after four failed recent attempts. However, the Italians just seem to disappoint when the spotlight and expectation is on them to do the business and it wouldn’t be at all surprising to see them throw this glorious opportunity away.

The Barcelona team looked exhausted come the final whistle in their Barcelona Derby clash with Espanyol on Saturday. They were so drained of energy that the last quarter of the game Espanyol were comfortable and never looked liked conceding but had chances earlier on to steal all three points. It was definitely a sign that Barcelona weren’t as invincible as everyone likes to make out, but it was also an indication that even when Barcelona aren’t at their best they’re still so damn difficult to beat. Their next encounter, though, is stepping up a few grades in terms of the quality of opposition they’ll be facing so they could very well get punished this time around. Then again, you’d fancy Guardiola to have his entire squad fired up for this clash so the team might get through this first leg unscathed purely running on adrenaline, while you would have to fancy their chances back in Spain.

It’s a draw for us, although we would love a home win for Jose Mourinho’s men as it would set the second leg up nicely. A draw or an away win and the tie could be all but over there and then, dare we say it.

Match Odds

Inter Milan – 3.20 Bet365

Draw – 3.30 PaddyPower

Barcelona – 2.38 SkyBet

UEFA Champions League: Quarter-Finals, Second Legs

Tuesday, 6^th April

17:30 GMT – CSKA Moscow V Inter Milan (Sky Sports 2)

19:45 GMT – Barcelona V Arsenal (Sky Sports 2)

Wednesday, 7^th April

19:45 GMT – Bordeaux V Lyon (Sky Sports 2)

19:45 GMT – Manchester United V Bayern Munich (ITV1)

CSKA Moscow V Inter Milan: Inter Milan to Score 2 or More Goals – 2.50 PaddyPower

We are fully aware that most Russian teams perfect their playing style from a solid defensive basis, and that CSKA Moscow are no exception to this rule, but with Inter Milan winning the first leg, CSKA now know they need to be the ones pressing on Tuesday night, asking questions of the Inter Milan defence which will make for a role reversal in comparison to the first leg where CSKA’s defence repelled a barrage of attacks from the Italian side. However, the shoe will be on the other foot and it does mean CSKA might have to commit a few more forward in their attacks in order to pile some meaningful pressure onto an Italian side who’ve been well renowned for their splendid defending of their own.

In the first leg, CSKA sat back and decided that their only method of attaining a goal would be from swift counter’s. It proved effective in the end as they conceded just the one goal, although they managed next to nothing in an attacking sense. Inter will now look to take up a similar role but will have far more going for them when they break away as their striking duo of Diego Milito and Eto are more than accomplished in front, while give Wesley Sneijder, Esteban Cabiasso and Dejan Stankovic half a chance and they’ll have a pop as well. Inter have any numbers of quality players in the final third and against a Moscow side which could be caught napping on the break, Inter could find chances easier to come by than in the first leg, which does sound bizarre but would surprise me if this statement wasn’t true.

PaddyPower go 2.50 (6/4) on Inter Milan scoring 2 Goals or More within 90 minutes this evening, and well, that looks a tidy bit of value considering Inter’s one goal advantage keeps CSKA in the tie, needing goals and having to come out of their shells.

Barcelona V Arsenal: Over 3.5 Goals – 2.38 Boylesports

Barcelona are expected to complete some sort of rout tonight against Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal, and while that could turn out to be the case against what is a depleted and vastly understrength Arsenal team, it should be an entertaining and competitive affair nonetheless.

Barcelona have been free scoring at home this season, at an atmospheric Nou Camp, with only a one Rubin Kazan succeeding in their bid to halt the wrath of Barcelona, sort of, while the Russian champions remain the only team in the competition to have both beaten the champions in Spain and scored twice at the Nou Camp. Perhaps it’s a piece of information which Arsenal fans can seek inspiration from but be wary as Russian teams are known for their solid defensive basis and counter-attacking preferences, while Arsenal are more of a Barcelona mould in that they prefer to keep their fans on their toes with some attractive, high-octane football. Even without some of their key stars tonight, Arsenal will play in the same manner but this time with more vigour and hopefully with more intent as they trail Barcelona by the away goals rule. The Arsenal defence has been carved open by a number of top teams this season, especially back in England, so we expect Barcelona to enjoy themselves in front of goal, and while Arsenal could prosper themselves against a Barcelona defence which didn’t exactly excel nor impress over the weekend.

With Arsenal needing to score at the Nou Camp, this will play right into Barcelona’s hands and it’s difficult to envisage Barcelona not scoring a good few goals this evening. They were dominant for large parts of the first leg and could of scored five or six. Back at home they’ll feel more comfortable in possession and the intimidating atmosphere could very well get to Manuel Almunia in the Arsenal goal, whom was outstanding in the first leg but has been known to falter in big encounters.

The first leg produced four goals and that’s what we’re banking on happening against in Spain. Just about every bookmaker is anticipating a goal glut and we’re on the same wavelike, although we actually want goals whereas bookmakers will prefer a dull 0-0 or 1-0 as it would pay dividends for them. 4 or More Goals, or Over 3.5 Goals, is 2.38 with Boylesportswhich looks a fair price to us.

Bordeaux V Lyon: Lyon DNB (DrawNoBet) – 2.63 Bet365

Lyon, whom lost their stranglehold of the French Ligue 1 last season because of Bordeaux’s exploits, have the chance to avenge last seasons disappointment but putting the reigning French champions out of the competition. Claude Puel’s Lyon won the first leg encounter, what proved to be a surprisingly open affair, 3-1 and they will know head over to Bordeaux with a defensive attitude. They will sit back, pile plenty of numbers behind the ball and remain in their disciplined defensive formation for the majority of the game, and Bordeaux will find this hard to overcome even though they’ve come against Lyon’s ploy on plenty of occasions. The difference being Lyon have far more Champions League experience and it could tell tomorrow night.

Bordeaux are one of the more adventurous teams in France right now and will look to take this second leg to the former French champions right from the off. This won’t phase a team which dispatched of Real Madrid in the last round after boasting an even smaller first leg lead than the one they currently hold over Bordeaux right now. Lyon did have the scary moments in defence in Madrid but on the whole they were resolute and actually cause Iker Casillas in the Real Madrid goal all sorts of problems, and come the end Lyon should have left Spain with a memorable victory. The draw was enough then and it could very will be the case tomorrow, but Lyon’s resilience at the back and ruthlessness in attack could lead them into a victory in Bordeaux, one which would give them all the bragging rights until the pair meet again in just a few weeks in Ligue 1.

With home advantage on their side and it being common knowledge that Bordeaux must win on Wednesday, bookies have of course priced Bordeaux up as the favourites, and rightly so. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean we have to agree and we haven’t. Lyon are a master at defending first leg leads, frustrating the opposition and then striking a killer blow of their own. They look a snip tonight at 2.63 DNB with Bet365, which basically means should this game fizzle out into a drab draw, you get your stake back, while a Lyon victory would leave you with a huge grin.

Manchester United V Bayern Munich: Both Teams to Score – 1.73 Coral

Everyone was expecting the first leg to produce fireworks but yet it didn’t really live up to expectations. We were on Under 2.5 Goals in that game and were unfortunate not to claim our prize, but this second leg should provide onlooks, those neutrals looking for a good game with exactly that, a good game of football. The Red Devils, Man Utd, trail the German side by one goal after the first leg but can rest assured somewhat in their away goal. It was a goal scorer by Wayne Rooney whom, despite rumours circulating that he could play a part tomorrow, doesn’t look at all likely to feature due to a sprained ankle. The omen of scoring the goals now falls onto Berbatov’s shoulders, which is a scary assumption, but even so, United have players in their team which can conjure a goal from nothing and we reckon that will occur tomorrow night.

Bayern do have a first leg lead to defend but it’s just one goal and they will feel uneasy in the knowledge that just one goal from United is all it takes to send them packing. Surely Louis Van Gaal, in the knowledge that United are without their danger man in Wayne Rooney and were bitterly beaten by title rivals Chelsea at the weekend, will go in search of a vital away goal of their own right from the off at Old Trafford. With Arjen Robben expected to return and a host of forward predators at his disposal, Bayern certainly have a good goal ,or even two, in them, while it would be shocking should the home side not breach a Bayern defence which conceded three in the last round in Fiorentina and one which only away clean sheet thus far came in Israel against Maccabi Haifa.

This game has the makings of an enthralling encounter between two teams who will go hell to leather on Wednesday in a bid to reach the Semi-Finals were a fairly generous draw with either Bordeaux or Lyon awaits the winners. We wouldn’t like to call a winner in fairness, with the draw actually of more appeal to us at 3.80 with bWin, but Both Teams to Score also represents a bit of value and a scenario we could quite easily see materializing at odds of 1.73 with Coral.

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Good Luck with your European bets this week, and don’t forget that Thursday sees Liverpool take on Benfica needing to avenge their 2-1 defeat from the first leg, and Fulham, attempting to cling onto their narrow 2-1 lead from the first leg, in Germany. Both games will be shown live on Terrestrial TV, with Liverpool – Benfica being shown live on Channel 5 and Wolfsburg – Fulham live via ITV4. Enjoy!

UEFA Champions League: Quarter-Finals, Second Leg

Barcelona V Arsenal

Tuesday, 6^th April – 19:45 GMT

TV Coverage: Sky Sports

First Leg: Arsenal 2-2 Barcelona

In what was an enthralling first half tie between arguably the two best footballing nations in Europe, it was Barcelona who seized the initiative with their two away goals, although it should have been so much more. The pair went in at half-time level at 0-0 but how the first 45 minutes remained goalless was beyond belief. The current European champions stormed out of the blocks and could have gone in front within a minute after Sergio Busquets’ low driven shot was clawed away by Almunia in the Arsenal goal. That was an early warning for the Gunners yet they didn’t read the signals as Barca pummelled Arsenal’s goal with effort after effort, with the Spanish Manuel Almunia at his very best to deny Ibrahimovic, Messi and Xavi. 

The second half was when the first half tie really came to life – just as we predicted – although not even we expected a goal within 20 seconds of the restart. It was a long ball over the top but Zlatan Ibrahimovic was quick to pounce and coolly lobbed an onrushing Almunia to make it 1-0. He didn’t have to wait long though as just minutes later Barcelona were 2-0 up through Ibrahimovic’s second of the night after smashing home from inside the Arsenal penalty area to leave The Emirates stadium stunned. However, if Barcelona though they had this first leg wrapped up they were wrong, although it took some admirable changes from Arsene Wenger to finally kick-start Arsenal into life as Theo Walcott sprinted off the bench and quickly reduced the deficit by one. It was a breathtaking affair full of goals but it was missing a bit of controversy and that came just 10 minutes before the end when Cesc Fabregas, whom earlier was booked meaning he would serve out a one game suspension at the Nou Camp, was upended in the Barcelona box. Some felt it was a contentious decision but Fabregas drilled home the penalty to leave the score 2-2 on aggregate and at least give Arsenal a fighting chance heading over to Spain.

Barcelona

Outright Odds: 7/5 (2.40) bWin

To Qualify: 1.17 SkyBet
 

At the same time Arsene Wenger is trying to plot Barcelona’s downfall with only a number of decent players at his disposal, Pepe Guardiola will ponder just how to use his wide spread resources to most effect in a second leg tie everyone expects them to cruise through. We’re sure Guardiola will sympathise with his opposite number but, that doesn’t mean Guardiola will go easy on an understrength Arsenal side, far from it. Instead, the Spaniard will go for the throat of the Gunners in a bid to guarantee a semi-final berth with no scares along the way. He will expect his squad of gifted individuals to not only win on the night but win well, sending out yet another message of intent in the process.

Arsene Wenger struggled to put a competitive team out against Wolves on Saturday and will have to deal with similar problems on Tuesday. Pepe Guardiola, however, was utilising his squad to full effect over the weekend as he handed well needed rests to Xavi, Pedro and Thierry Henry. All three should play a part on Tuesday, although one player who won’t and will be sadly missed is Zlatan Ibrahimovic. A player who scored both of Barcelona’s two goals at The Emirates in the first leg encounter with Arsenal. Some might say the Swede’s absence for this second leg will even the balance of the tie up somewhat. We, on the other and, would strongly disagree and say not even Ibrahimovic’s calf injury evens this tie up as not only are Arsenal’s injury problems deeper than that of Barca’s, but Guardiola has far more talent available to him than that of his opposite number, and while Zlatan will sorely be missed, Barcelona have plenty of worthy suitors ready and willing to fill the Swede’s void.

Barcelona stepped it up a gear at the weekend as they trounced Athletic Bilbao 4-1 at the Nou Camp in front of a packed out partisan crowd. This was without Xavi in midfield and a lively Pedro up front, while Henry wasn’t even called upon. Barcelona tore through the Bilbao defence and were ruthless in front of goal with a young Bojan the star of the show with a classy brace. It wouldn’t of been a thumping good show without a goal from Lionel Messi and the little Argentine, whom was grappling with Wayne Rooney for world plaudits before Rooney’s latest setback, took his season tally to 31 with his second half strike. Messi is a player in form, on top of his game right now, but the Barcelona team as a whole are on top of their game and will feel safe in the knowledge that only two teams have beaten them all season; Rubin Kazan (Champions League) and Athletico Madrid (La Liga). Those two teams demonstrated that some resilient defending and clinical finishing at the other end is the only method of gaining victory over the mighty Barcelona.

The one thing we will say Barcelona do extremely well, and there is a long list, is using the gigantic Nou Camp pitch to it’s full extent. It’s a big pitch, long and wide, and Barcelona know exactly how to use it to their advantage, and against an Arsenal side which have shown signs of fatigue of late, some slick switching of the play, some quick interchanging and sleek one-two’s could all be too much for the Gunners on Barcelona territory. The likes of Lionel Messi, Pedro, Dani Alves, Thierry Henry, players which love to take on a defender, will get the space and time needed to weigh up their marker and do them with some magical skills of a quick turn of pace. Barcelona appear to have the beaten of Arsenal all over the pitch on Tuesday, they just need to make it show now.

Absentees: Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Carles Puyol, Gerard Pique

Arsenal

Outright Odds: 18/1 ExtraBet

To Qualify: 5.80 bWin 
 

You never wish to rule a side out of any contest unless it’s extreme circumstances, and well, we guess Arsenal’s situation could best be described at dire so we reckon they qualify. With Arsenal’s squad being ravaged with season ending injuries, Arsene Wenger now has the unenviable task of taking his Gunners team to a formidable Nou Camp, or Camp Nou, whichever floats your boat. Arsenal currently trail the Catalan giants by the away goals rules but the tie is still level in theory, so the Gunners will still remain hopeful despite having to defy adversity in their trip to sunny Spain.

In the first leg Arsene Wenger was sweating on the fitness of some key individuals. The likes of Cesc Fabregas, William Gallas and Andrei Arshavin were all doubts ahead of the opening encounter in England and yet all three somehow passed a late fitness test. However, none of the above lasted the full 90 minutes with both William Gallas and Cesc Fabregas now ruled out for the rest of the season because of their first leg exertions. The game at The Emirates finished 2-2 so some would say it was a gamble which didn’t pay off, but Arsenal were 2-0 down at one stage and were it not for Cesc Fabregas’s contribution from the spot, arsenal would of spent their time travelling to Spain dwelling on a first leg defeat. They instead can at least remain hopeful after a draw in the home leg.

The task at hand does now look ominous though, made even more so after their performance against Wolves at the weekend. Not only were Arsenal up against a Wolves team who’ve barely managed to stay afloat down near the bottom of the Premier League, but Arsenal were also playing at home, at The Emirates, so to only win that fixture 1-0 paints its own little story. It was far from your average fairytale mind as Arsene Wenger required a 94^th minute header from Nicklas Bendnter, whom will start up front on his lonesome in Barcelona, to scrape a victory. It was a huge goal though as it kept Arsenal in the hunt for what seems an unlikely league title at this point, whilst it ensured spirits around the Arsenal camp remained high after a gut wrenching last week or so.

It really is hard to imagine Arsenal springing the surprise needed to take them through to the semi-finals without a host of influential figures in Spain, and none more so than their club captain Cesc Fabregas. He’s a former Barcelona recruit which leads by example at Arsenal, while he’s also their main goal creator and taker as his 19 goals in all competitions makes him the clubs top goalscorer this season by quite some distance. Add the absence of William Gallas in defence, their rock at the back, and their creative spark down the left flank in Arshavin and Arsenal not only look short on numbers but considerably weak and ordinary. Quite how and who will carve out the openings for Arsenal now is anyone’s guess. They won’t have the sufficient fire-power up front tot rouble Valdes and the Barcelona defence while their own defence lacks any sort of leadership with Gallas and that is of huge concern against a Barcelona offence which will run them ragged.

We’re sorry to say that Arsenal look doomed and will do well to escape the Nou Camp with a respectable scoreline.

Absentees: Cesc Fabregas, Andrei Arshavin, William Gallas & Alex Song.

Match Verdict: Barcelona to WIN – 1.40 Bet365

From an English perspective, we’re struggling to find a legitimate case for the Gunners. Not only were they outclassed in the first leg but they looked an exhausted bunch right after the final whistle on Wednesday night and on Saturday after their fortunate 1-0 win over Wolves. Arsene Wenger has been left scraping the barrel after a whole host of injuries to key players and it’s hard to comprehend Arsenal’s weakened team causing Barcelona many problems. Barcelona did look vulnerable from set-pieces on Saturday, especially in the air. To take advantage of this though, arsenal would need to get into Barcelona’s half and that could be a challenge in itself judging by the first leg. Barcelona let several golden opportunities pass them by in the first half of the first leg at The Emirates. They’re back at the Nou Camp and we’re so sure they won’t be as wasteful that we’re sticking our hard earned case and that being the case.

Match Odds:

Barcelona – 1.40 bet365

Draw – 5.00 SportingBet

Arsenal – 8.50 PaddyPower

UEFA Champions League: Quarter-Finals, First legs

Tuesday, 30^th March

19:45 GMT – Lyon V Bordeaux

19:45 GMT – Bayern Munich V Manchester United

Wednesday, 31^st March

19:45 GMT – Inter Milan V CSKA Moscow

19:45 GMT – Arsenal V Barcelona

Lyon V Bordeaux: Lyon to WIN @ 2.20 Bet365

Bordeaux won this very same fixture earlier in the season during a Ligue 1 campaign which has seen Bordeaux once again lead from the front. However, while their title aspirations are still glowing, they were recently defeated in the French League Cup on Saturday by Marseille and that loss will surely of had a lasting impact on some of the minds of the Bordeaux players. Lyon, however, were enjoying a stroll in the park at Stade De Gerland, the venue for Tuesday nights encounter, beating Grenoble 2-0 without the need for some of their key players. Claude Puel rested a number of key individuals with this tie in mind and we reckon his fresher bunch will avenge the 1-0 defeat inflicted upon them by Bordeaux earlier in the season.

Bayern Munich V Manchester United: Under 2.5 Goals @ 1.70 Bet365

This could prove a precarious bet considering there is a wealth of attacking flair on show, but we don’t see either side storming out of the blocks in a no-holds barred attitude, and so, it could take a while before this game really kicks into life. I’m hoping for goals, preferably all of them for the home side, but I just don’t see it. United will likely look to sit back and absorb the Bayern pressure, which won’t exactly be pressure after watching Munich’s slow build up plays of late. The Germans like to retain possession and prefer to play the waiting game, testing the opponents back line before unleashing either a through ball or a shot on goal. United will look to sit tight and then break away whenever possible, using the pace and presence of Wayne Rooney up front to cause the Bayern back four some problems. We doubt Berbatov will be used though, so Rooney could be used as a lone striker up front, which would be yet more evidence of a low scoring affair as he won’t get an awful lot of support. We honestly feel this could be a bit of an anti-climax. Confident enough to stick a few pounds on that being the case.

Inter Milan V CSKA Moscow: Inter Milan/Inter Milan (HT/FT Betting) @ 2.10 PaddyPower

Inter need a quick start on Wednesday so they can apply some real pressure on the Russians. CSKA have proven on plenty of occasions this season that in the big encounters, the ones they aren’t supposed to get anything from, they not only thrive off the underdog status but grow in confidence with every passing minute they’re still in the game. They also like to play swift, counter-attacking football but could be put in their place and made to feel very uncomfortable should Inter score an early goal. With this being a home tie for the Italians, at a famous San Siro stadium, we expect Mourinho’s charges to sprint out of the blocks, using their creative talent of Cambiasso, Stankovic and Wesley Sneijder to carve out openings for Samuel Eto and Diego Milito up front. Both of whom will jump and any half-chance that may come their way.

Arsenal V Barcelona: Highest Scoring Half – Second @ 2.10 Bet365

Most neutrals are expecting an exciting game of football on Wednesday night, with a lightening fast start to proceedings. We, unfortunately, aren’t overly confident the paying public will get what they’ve dreamt of as Barcelona won’t be over extravagant in their play and for this first leg to come to life, it would need an early strike from Arsenal. We fancy a slow start, perhaps a 0-0 score at half-time before the real fireworks in the second period when Arsenal get nervy about needing a crucial first leg win and Barca go in search of that away goal. Of course, it goes without saying that an early strike from either side should hopefully make for that entertaining affair we’ve all been anticipating.

UEFA Champions League: Quarter-Finals, First Leg.

Arsenal V Barcelona

Wednesday, 31^st March – 19:45 GMT (ITV1)

Venue: The Emirates

Arsenal

Champions League Outright Odds: 10/1 SportingBet

To Qualify: 3.20 Ladbrokes

While most Arsenal fans will be focusing on the return of a former cult hero in Thierry Henry, the clubs most prolific goalscorer in it’s history, the Arsenal players will only have eyes for one thing, and that’s a first leg victory over the competition favourites, Barcelona. The Gunners didn’t exactly have the best of preparations though as they dropped two huge points in the race for the Premiership title on Saturday, drawing 1-1 at Birmingham City. With that in mind, and with them facing the best team in the competition still standing, Arsenal will need to defy adversity if they wish to progress into the Semi-Finals.

There is also the small matter of gaining some revenge, as some of you might remember, Arsenal were sadly beaten by their Quarter-Final opponents in the 2006 Champions League final in Paris. Arsene Wenger admits that bitter final defeat still hurts to this very day yet for those Arsenal players there that night,, it will hopefully be the catalyst for revenge as they aim to give Barcelona a dose of their own medicine. However, in our honest opinion, victory is paramount for the Gunners if they wish to harbour any realistic semi-final aspirations as we don’t see Arsenal overhauling the reigning European champions back at the Nou Camp in Spain, if they go there without a first leg advantage.

Arsenal need to win at The Emirates. Should they fail to complete that objective, we will stick our neck out on the line and say Arsenal won’t make the semi’s – You heard it here first! This Barcelona side, arguably the best group of players on the planet, are more than capable of retaining an aggregate lead. They’ve proven in the past they can retain possession for large periods of time, frustrating their tourists in the process. Arsenal just have to take it to the Catalan giants in this opening leg, the crucial home one for them, and smash a few home on the night, which they’re certainly capable of. They’ve won three of their previous four league fixtures at The Emirates, of which three were to NIL, with a clean sheet on the night just as important as victory, while their form at home in the Champions League this season is yet more evidence to back up Arsenal’s claims for a first leg win, with Arsenal on a five match winning streak at home in the Champions League, with their 5-0 romp of FC Porto in the previous round taking their goal tally at home to 16. 

Arsene Wenger will have every confidence in his players getting a positive result at home, with the only pleasing result in our eyes being a first leg victory, preferably without conceding. However, we don’t share his optimism and instead have a few niggles of concern surrounding the Gunners. They were tired and sluggish at Birmingham at the weekend, with signs of wear and tear already creeping into their play, while Denilson and Fabregas both picked up knocks but should be fine to play on Wednesday. The second is their mental strength, which we don’t rate too highly. This Arsenal team is still young and improving with every season, with every big encounter, but in those crunch encounters this season, the ones against the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United, Arsenal have faltered. Should they go behind on the night, we don’t see Arsenal coming back.

Key Player:- Cesc Fabregas

Arsene Wenger has a Spaniard of his own to call upon and what a Spaniard he is. Cesc Fabregas has led the way for Arsenal this season, with his inspirational displays allowing others to follow suit. He’s a player which can carve out an opportunity out of nothing and most of Arsenal’s forward play will go through Fabregas at some stage. While Cesc will be Arsenal’s main creator in the centre of the midfield, his untraceable runs enable him to creep into the oppositions box unnoticed and slam home a finish. He’ll be Arsenal’s biggest threat when going forward, whether that’s supplying an Arsenal team mate or having a pop at goal himself. He can score mind, as I’m sure all you Arsenal fans know, with Fabregas head and shoulders above anyone else in the Arsenal goalscoring list with 20 goals this season.

Barcelona

Champions League Outright Odds: 21/10 totesport

To Qualify: 1.40 Boylesports

Pepe Guardiola will care little about the sentiments surrounding this tie, the 2-1 defeat his club inflicted on Arsenal back in the 2006 final, and will instead have his sights firmly set on getting the semi-final ball well and truly rolling with a satisfactory result at The Emirates in England. Quite what the Barcelona manager will perceive as ‘satisfactory’ is anyone’s guess, but we don’t expect the Catalan giants to travel to the English capital and defend for 90 minutes. For one, they don’t have the inventory to perform such an act, while second, it’s just not in their nature, and neither is settling for a draw so expect a typically energetic, free-flowing display from the Spanish champions, although they may decide to wait a little before displaying it.

Unlike their last-eight opponents, Barcelona kept up winning ways at the weekend by downing a Real Mallorca side with a formidable record at home. A usually classy and forward thinking Barcelona had to show some grit and ride their fair share of luck, not something they’re used to doing, in order to earn all three points in a contest where their Spanish opponents gave as good as they got. Victor Valdes in the Barcelona goal seen his woodwork rattle twice before Barcelona eventually got their opener, and eventual winner, through Zlatan Ibrahomovic in the second half, however, the Catalans weren’t at their thrilling best and Mallorca did manage to highlight some defensive flaws for Arsene Wenger, while Barca did struggle for creativity in the final third.

The lack of creativity at Mallorca on Saturday leads me nicely onto my next point in that the best player in the world, Lionel Messi, was given half the day off on Saturday, while so was Xavi. The two, both of whom are integral in how Barcelona’s free-flowing football pins together, were only used as second half substitutes after a lacklustre first half, yet it was the introduction of the two, Xavi especially, which changed Barcelona’s fortunes in the second period and the pair demonstrated in 40 minutes alone just how much damage they can cause when going forward. An eye opener for their quarter-final opponents, as if they needed one.

This Barcelona side, one full of confidence and winning momentum, will be supremely confident over their chances heading over to England, although their away form in the competition thus far won’t exactly intimidate The Gunners, with Barcelona only managing one win from their three group encounters, drawing at both Rubin Kazan and Inter Milan. However, they have only lost once away from home in all competitions this season, while they should thrive on the space and time Arsenal will give them when Barcelona are in possession. Arsenal will have no alternative but to seek goals in this first leg and that could play into Guardiola’s and Barcelona’s hands should Arsenal become too eager and overcommit.

Key Player:- Xavi Hernandez 

Enough with Lionel Messi, who maybe the best player in the world on present form but that doesn’t quite cut it for me, and while it’s the Argentine who takes all the plaudits with his goals, and rightly so sometimes, people sometimes forget who works the engine room: Xavi. Both Xavi and Iniesta are so good in that centre pocket of the midfield, particularly together, that Cesc Fabregas, Arsenal’s best player by a distance, often doesn’t even get a look in with Spain, which should say all you need to know about the quality Barca have in an area of the field where games are so often won and lost.

Xavi can singly handily dictate both the play and the tempo of any game and against an Arsenal side which can and will be nippy on their toes, Xavi will need another big performance, amply assisted by Iniesta. He will just sit in the centre of the park, provide whoever is on the ball with a safe option and distribute with sniper like accuracy. The man is more than capable of pulling the strings in midfield on Wednesday night and he’s a player Arsenal need to disturb first of all, way before Messi even gets into his stride.

Update: Iniesta will miss the trip to Arsenal after the instrumental midfielder torn his hamstring whilst in La Liga action over the weekend. A big blow for Pepe Guardiola.

Match Verdict: Barcelona to WIN – 2.38 totesport

We honestly believe this tie could be won before the second leg in Spain even begins. Arsenal have to win this vital first leg, that’s a given in our eyes, and don’t get us wrong, they’re capable of achieving victory. However, for all Arsenal’s silky interplay and quick one-two’s, they aren’t the most organised of teams and this was the case in both their clashes with Man Utd and Chelsea in the league, losing to the pair at The Emirates by a 3-0 scoreline. Arsenal have this bad habit of getting too settled in games, especially when they’re enjoying a decent little spell, and when they get on top in games they overcommit. We can quite easily see that happening on Wednesday and should that happen, it could lead to catastrophe as not only have Arsenal proven to be a vulnerable side when backtracking, Barcelona can counter at an alarming pace and have the players to maze through any defence.

We feel this first leg is made for Barcelona, who will try to slow the game down whenever possible yet will break at every given opportunity. They can rest assured in the knowledge that they can overhaul almost any deficit back at the Nou Camp, but will try to take at least a draw back with them, preferably a scoring one. We reckon it will be a slow start from Barcelona in terms of their general build up play, but should they still be in the game come the hour mark, they will seek out a potential killer away goal.

Most neutrals are expecting an exciting game of football with a lightening fast start to proceedings. We, unfortunately, aren’t overly confident the paying public will get what they’ve dreamt of as Barcelona won’t be over extravagant in their play, and for this first leg to come to life, it would need an early strike from Arsenal. We fancy a slow start, perhaps a 0-0 score at half-time before the real fireworks in the second period when Arsenal get nervy about needing a crucial first leg win and Barca go in search of that away goal.

Match Odds:

Arsenal – 3.20 Bet365

Draw – 3.30 PaddyPower

Barcelona – 2.38 totesport

Football-Betting.co.uk Tip: Highest Scoring Half: Second – 2.10 Bet365

Barcelona V VFB Stuttgart

Wednesday, 17^th March – 19:45 GMT

TV Coverage: ITV1

First Leg: VFB Stuttgart 1-1 Barcelona

Barcelona, the defending champions of course, went into the first leg as overwhelming favourites to win this two legged affair with VFB Stuttgart – Champions League minnows in many respects. However, if Barca were dominant in the betting market beforehand they certainly weren’t on the pitch as Stuttgart raced out of the starting gates at the Mercedes-Benz Arena and immediately put their more glamorous Spanish opponents under the cosh right from the off, with the Germans roaming forward at ease for the entire length of the first period. Barca were actually being overrun at the back, and rocking, something other European managers will have noted and Stuttgart’s attacking persistence was rewarded when Cacau headed home at the back post to send the Germans into a surprising, yet fully deserving, first leg lead midway through the first half. Stuttgart continued to ask questions of the Barcelona defence, with Carlos Puyol especially woeful and easy to pass down the right, while their defence on the whole was a shambles until the half-time whistle saved their bacon.

The Catalan side were fortunate to go into the break just one goal down and, in a predictable fashion, Barcelona made their German opponents pay for several first half misses when Zlatan Ibrahimovic stuck home his first ever goal in the knock-out stage of the Champions League to level the tie. The Swede’s strike, just seven minutes after the break, revitalised the Barcelona ranks as the Spanish side were the dominant force thereafter, storming past the Stuttgart rearguard just as easy as the Germans were in the first period. Barcelona could have sneaked in front when Ibrahimovic had a shot blocked on the line by what appeared to be the arm of a Stuttgart defender, but that was the last meaningful action of the game as Barcelona passed their way to the final whistle, with the suggestion being the Spanish side are supremely confident of finishing the job back in Spain.

Who will qualify?

It won’t surprise anyone to see Barcelona as strong favourites to qualify for the next round, with every single bookmaker safely assuming that this tie is effectively over before this deciding second leg has even began. The best price you will get on Barcelona going through is currently 1.10 with SkyBet, effectively 1/10 in fractions, while the unlikelihood of Stuttgart shocking the football world with qualification is shown in their odds of 8.00 with WilliamHill, although we would probably rate them a lesser chance than that in fairness.

It’s hard to look past Barcelona for the quarter-finals as they have everything going in their favour. They have the quality to dismantle Stuttgart, with Messi a wizard when playing in front of an entertained Nou Camp crowd, while the combination of having home advantage and an away goal makes the Catalan side alarmingly strong favourites to progress into the next round. We wouldn’t dare oppose the Spanish giants as it would take a miracle of some proportion to see Stuttgart though this tie with some pride still in tact, let alone qualify for the quarter-finals, but still wouldn’t touch them at the current available odds.

Barcelona

Outright Odds: 11/4 totesport

Barcelona are overwhelmingly strong favourites to progress as Stuttgart’s expense but will they justify their ridiculously short price tag of around 1.10 with a comfortable victory at the Nou Camp, or Camp Nou as the locals call it, on Wednesday night in front of the ITV1 cameras?

Zlatan Ibrahimovic, whom scored Barcelona’s equaliser in Germany, could be the man to watch on the night as he should be fresher than most after being handed the weekend off, or should we say being forced to miss the weekend with a one-match suspension. However, that misdemeanour should work in the Swede’s favour as he should be that touch sharper than everyone else on the pitch and could prove the difference for Barcelona in attack, although that sounds a silly remark when the likes of Lionel Messi, Xavi and Iniesta will assist Ibrahimovic in dismantling the Stuttgart defence whilst derailing their quarter-final push in the process. 

This should be a run-of-the-mill victory for Barcelona as their squad is miles above that of their German adversary’s. However, even so, a professional and respectful performance is needed on a night where Barcelona could stamp their mark on the competition with an emphatic win against a side who must come out of the shell in a bid to score goals. Lionel Messi in particular could be another of Stuttgart’s potential tormentor’s and it was he who single handily took Barcelona back to the top of La Liga with a second half hat-trick against Valencia at the weekend, albeit with the Catalan side ending the weekend in second place. However, that win was huge, as not only was it against an old foe in Valencia but it took their winning run at the Nou Camp to five games, whilst the team led by Pepe Guardiola have yet to taste defeat on their patch this season.

Barcelona will try to avoid being the second Spanish side knocked out at this stage after Real Madrid were sent packing last week. That doesn’t look likely though as Barcelona are so formidable at home it’s unreal. Back in La Liga, the likes of Messi Ibrahimovic, Henry, Xavi, Iniesta and Pedro have run riot in front of goal, scoring 37 goals in just 13 home fixtures. However, despite scoring a decent tally of five at home in this competition thus far, they did suffer the shock of the tournament when losing 2-1 to Rubin Kazan, so that result will provide Stuttgart with proof that Barcelona aren’t quite unbeatable in Spain.

VFB Stuttgart

Outright Odds: 200/1 SportingBet

Stuttgart are left trailing in the tie after the 1-1 draw back home, although they had their chances in the first leg to take a crucial first leg lead over to Spain with them but fluffed their lines. The German side now trail by the away goal scored by Zlatan Ibrahimovic but will feel safe in the knowledge that they haven’t lost on the road in the Champions League this season, while a high scoring draw at the Nou Camp would send them through so perhaps Stuttgart are still alive in this tie.

They do, though, face an uphill struggle to make the quarter’s as by the same token only a one Rubin Kazan from Russia have beaten Barcelona at the Nou Camp all season, with even some of Spain’s greatest; Real Madrid and Valencia, both succumbing to defeats at the den of the Catalan’s. That just about puts it into perspective for Stuttgart; an almost impossible challenge but one that is achievable, with Rubin Kazan being the proof of such a theory.

Preparations ahead of their trip to Barcelona didn’t exactly go to plan though, losing at FC Schalke over the weekend 2-1. It was, however, just their first away defeat in six back in the German Bundesliga, while they’ve not tasted defeat outside of Germany in the competition thus far, even avoiding defeat in Sevilla nearly five months ago. 1-1 draws with Sevilla and Unirea Urziceni accompanied by a 2-0 success at Rangers give Stuttgart a confidence boosting away record to cling onto, at least for the time being.

Stuttgart are enduring a difficult season in the Bundesliga, with the club situated in ninth position in the table. Their form of late has been impressive mind with Christian Gross, the former manager of an FC Base team which went to Camp Nou and earned a draw last season, guiding Stuttgart to two defeats in twelve Bundesliga games. However, most of those fixtures, especially the away encounters, were against some of the leagues poorest teams, so while their form looks more than reasonable on paper, it’s actually misleading in comparison to the task just over the horizon in Spain.

VFB Stuttgart have, however, managed at least one goal in their three away outings so far, so at least there’s a glimmer of light the Germans can cling onto as they make the daunting trip across Europa and down to Spain were the current tournament holders await them.

Match Verdict: Barcelona to WIN -1.29 Boylesports

Like most, we would love to predict a shock but that just doesn’t look likely of happening. After a sluggish start on Sunday against a slightly understrength Valencia side, Barcelona really did get into their stride with Lionel Messi warming up for this second leg encounter with a three goal haul. However, if that were just where Barcelona’s talents end then Stuttgart would have half-a-chance, but that’s the case and we feel Barca’s sheer dominance in quality will get them through this German tester in comprehensive fashion, while the reigning champions often produce a big win along the way to an impressive run in the competition, and so Stuttgart could the unfortunate side to take the brunt of their attacking wrath.

Match Odds:

Barcelona – 1.29 Boylesports

Draw – 6.00 VCbet

VFB Stuttgart – 13.00 Bet365

VFB Stuttgart V Barcelona

Tuesday, 23^rd February – 19:45 GMT

Introduction

Many were saying that the favourites for the competition outright, and the reigning European champions, Barcelona, were given a gift of a tie when drawing German side, VFB Stuttgart, in the last sixteen stage of the prestigious tournament. One brief look at the respective league tables would suggest that’s probably the case but the German side have established a decent run of form since the Champions League went on a two month break and Stuttgart fans will be more optimistic of their teams chances than you think due to their recent positive surge in results, so perhaps this isn’t as straightforward as it looks on paper.

If the result in this first leg was to be based around recent results, we should be in for one corker of a game. Stuttgart gave their hopes of pulling a big shock on Tuesday night, what would be the surprise of the round, a big boost when smashing five past FC Koln on Saturday, winning 5-1 away from home; while Barcelona were even more convincing than their German adversary’s when comfortably seeing to Racing Santander, winning 4-0 at the Nou Camp. Both won by a clear four goal margin, but will one of these two sides put a healthy gap between the other on Tuesday, heading into the penultimate second leg at the Nou Camp, in Spain, a fortnight later?

To Qualify

VFB Stuttgart – 8.00 bWin Barcelona – 1.11 totesport

VFB Stuttgart

Champions League Odds: 3/1 PaddyPower

There is no getting away from the fact that Stuttgart will enter the first of two legs in this last-sixteen encounter as the underdogs but their superb run of form back home may just have the Barcelona tacticians standing on edge. Swiss coach, Christian Gross, has now seen his Stuttgart side notch up an endless amount of wins in recent weeks, with his ever improving squad winning six of it’s last seven competitive games and have lost just once since the end of November. It’s close to perfect form heading into the clubs biggest game for years but is it enough to bridge the huge gulf in class between the two? 

Stuttgart were actually competing in the Group stages of the Champions League whilst staring relegation straight in the face back home in the German Bundesliga after a terrible start to the campaign; winning just two of their first sixteen league fixtures. However, a vital win just before the lengthy Christmas break enabled the club to rethink their strategy and their plans for the new year have worked out perfectly. They are up their with title chasing Bayern Munich in terms of recent form and they’ve finally gotten the hang of scoring goals. If they can maintain this type of form then Stuttgart will continue to rise up the Bundesliga table, but it’s a whole different ball game competing against mediocre sides in the German league than the Spanish giants of Barcelona.

While their form is tremendous right now, and this should bring about some renewed optimism at the club, Stuttgart still face an uphill challenge getting something out of the first leg, despite boasting home advantage. Their team on paper just doesn’t match up to that of Barcelona’s, which is filled to the brim with talent and superstars. Instead, Gross will be heavily relying on certain individuals for inspirational displays, none more so than veteran goalkeeper Jens Lehmann, who was in inspired form at the weekend. The former Arsenal & German No.1 will come under siege in the Stuttgart goal on Tuesday night and will be hoping a defence which hasn’t kept a clean sheet in it’s last four league games does him a huge favour by restricting the flow of Barcelona attacks as much as possible.

Christian Gross has got what was a poor Stuttgart side playing in a more vigorous, confident manner, with plenty of attacking swagger and intent about them now. They were lethal on Saturday, breaking from defence to attack at an alarming rate and punishing a shoddy FC Koln severely with five goals. With their more glamorous opponents looking to dictate this game from the very start, Stuttgart may well have to deploy similar tactics on Tuesday night in a bid to snatch a few goals in Germany. The likes of Pogrebnyak, Alexandar Hlber, whom is on loan from Barcelona until the end of the season and will have a point to prove, and Cacau, a Brazilian striker with plenty of confidence after his four goal haul at the weekend, while need to be in tip-top shape and on top of their game if they are to cause Barcelona problems at the back.

Barcelona

Champions League Odds: 250/1 SportingBet

The reigning European Champions will go about their first assignment in the knock-out stage of the tournament in a professional, tidy manner when they aim to solidify their claims for a quarter-final place by beating Stuttgart in Germany on Tuesday night. It’s a game they are expected to win but it’s also a two-legged tie they are heavily fancied to sail through, so will this expectant pressure get to their heads or will they remain cool under the spotlight of millions of neutral onlookers? The bookies seem think so, but their German opponents will think otherwise and it’s down to the Catalan giants to put VFB Stuttgart firmly in their place with an authoritative performance on Tuesday night at the Mercedes-Benz Arena.

Barcelona, whom lost their first game of the season in La Liga a fortnight ago, bounced straight back with a resounding victory at home to Racing Santander on Saturday with a 4-0 victory. Many of their the big names were out on that Nou Camp pitch on Saturday; Lionel Messi, Iniesta, Thierry Henry, the latter two both bagging a goal-a-piece, but they were missing two key players in Xavi Herandez & Zlatan Ibrahimovic, whilst Seydou Keita also didn’t feature for Pepe Guardiola’s side. Both Xavi & Keita have already been ruled out for this first leg encounter in Stuttgart, while we’re unsure as to why Ibrahimovic didn’t feature at all in Saturday’s emphatic win over Racing Club. The absence of Keita won’t be as pivotal as the void Xavi will leave as the latter is the key chance creator in the heart of a Barcelona midfield jam-packed with creative quality. However, the task of carving open a normally vulnerable Stuttgart defence appears to be solely down to Iniesta now, whom has the ability to open up any defence on his day with his sharp vision and pinpoint through balls. 

To add to Guardiola’s injury woes; both Eric Abidal & Dani Alves are ruled out of the first leg leaving Barcelona with a make-shift back four, one which did come unstuck against in their last away encounter at Athletico Madrid – A team which playing in a similar attacking vein as Stuttgart, with high-tempo breaks their main method of attack. We think it’s a fair assessment to say that Barcelona could concede at least a goal in Stuttgart because their defence isn’t at its strongest right now. However, baring all this in mind; the importance of controlling the game via the midfield is huge for Barca, and providing they can dictate the majority of the play, an exposed Barcelona defence might not come under as much scrutiny as predicted.

From Barcelona’s perspective; they will go out and try to get as many goals as possible in order to demoralise their opponents as they head back to Spain for the deciding second leg at the Nou Camp in a fortnights time. With their defence not at its sharpest right now, it’s doubly important that Barca’s glittering strike force of Messi, Henry and possibly Ibrahimovic, land the first blow in order to knock the stuffing out of their German opponents. If Barcelona do go behind, which is a realistic scenario considering their defensive predicament, then this first leg tie could quickly turn into a Gun-ho encounter, although this could actually play into their hands as the more goals they score in Germany, the higher their success rate of progressing due to away goals.

Barcelona still too strong…

A little off-topic from all the injury talk but we mustn’t disregard the fact that Barcelona do come into this Stuttgart meeting with an emphatic 4-0 win behind them and full of confidence knowing that only two teams have beaten them in all competitions this season, with those being two former Champions League sides in Rubin Kazan & Athletico Madrid. They’ve won the vast majority of their games back home in Spain, with a staggering eighteen wins from twenty-three league games, whilst they remain unbeaten away from home in the Champions League in nine games and will feel safe in the knowledge that they haven’t suffered defeat on German soil in their last six visits.

Match Verdict: Barcelona to WIN – 1.73 Boylesports

We fancy the Catalan giants to come through their first leg in Germany with a win, but it won’t be a clean ride. We think this tie definitely has goals in it, what with both sides looking to score pivotal first legs goals in order to enhance their chances of progression. Barcelona have the quality up top to give any defence the run around so we expect them to score a good few in Stuttgart, while the Germans desperately need a couple of goals in order to stand them in good stead for an almost impossible return leg in Spain. 

As far as winning this first leg goes; both sides actually have solid claims for a vital first leg win. Barcelona are the team we’ve opted for simply because they have the quality all over the park to control this game for large periods and they should ask most of the questions. However, Barcelona’s defence is so exposed and Stuttgart could be the ideal team to exploit this Barcelona flaw with their quick-fire breakaways. The Germans attack at pace and in large numbers and they could over run their Spanish opponents if they get their tactics spot on and keep their nerve in the vital moments.

You would have to fancy Barcelona’s chances of picking up the win in Germany, but Stuttgart are no forlorn hope and could spring a surprise on Tuesday night, although it goes without saying that they would need a huge performance from every single player.

Football-Betting.co.uk Tip: Over 2.5 Goals – 1.83 Coral

Both teams enter this pivotal first leg in a rich vein of goalscoring form, with Stuttgart scoring five at the weekend and Barcelona registering four. The pair have been scoring goals-a-plenty of late but it’s actually the way these two will set up which makes us think a glut of goals could be on the cards. Stuttgart will be a lively match up for Barcelona, especially when the German side break out from defence and they will cause an injury ravaged Barca defence plenty of problems and provide them with a lot of intriguing questions. While we all know the damage Barcelona can cause when going forward. This game does have the makings to be a thrilling affair and we would genuinely be surprised if this turned out to be a dull 0-0 encounter.

Match Odds:

VFB Stuttgart – 5.50 PaddyPower

Draw – 3.90 bWin

Barcelona – 1.73 Boylesports

Dynamo Kiev V Barcelona

Wednesday 9^th December – 17:30 GMT

Group F

Barcelona, the current reigning champions, require just a point in their final Group F outing. However, they must obtain their point on somewhat hostile ground as they travel to Ukraine to take on a Dynamo Kiev side who have come close to beating Inter Milan on two occasions. Kiev themselves aren’t without hope of qualifying, although they need to beat Barcelona in Kiev and hope the other Group F encounter between Inter Milan and Rubin Kazan finishes in a draw. Were either of the former two mentioned to win then Dynamo would not only have to beat the current champions but also beat them pretty emphatically, either 2-0 or by three clear goals. It’s a big ask and one we feel they won’t have a response to.

Dynamo Kiev

Group F Position: 4^th

Group F Form: WLDLD

Kiev, lead by former AC Milan & Chelsea forward, Andriy Shevchenko, have been a pain the backside for some of their group opponents, mainly Inter Milan. Dynamo came close to back-to-back victories over one of Europe’s greatest sides in Inter Milan, but in the end only came away with a single point, which is why they aren’t in the best of positions right now. A lack of concentration in both encounters with Milan, especially in the latter, a 2-1 defeat in Kiev, was why they dropped crucial points and with those missed chances it could be a case of hoorah-hoorah and better luck next year for the Ukrainian champions, whom, will probably return to the group for the very next Champions League campaign judging by their superiority back home.

Dynamo manager, Valeri Gazzaev, will take heart from Kiev only win in the competition thus far, a 3-1 victory over the Russian champions, Rubin Kazan. That was a game where Kiev went down 1-0 to a first half strike but came back with aplomb in the second half, scoring three goals in the second period to record, what was in the end, an emphatic win. Were it not for that opening day success then Kiev would be on the train home already, metaphorically, as let’s not forget there is a game to be played here, although whether Kiev can raise theirs to challenge Barcelona is another question.

Back home in domestic action, Dynamo Kiev are easing away to what looks to be yet another league title. They are one of just three sides in the Ukrainian top flight to boast an undefeated record at home and yet the only team in the country yet to taste defeat whilst in league action. They are a class apart from the rest in what is a very average league to say the least. However, the mood within the camp should be good whilst their form, albeit back in an average league, is immense, so perhaps we shouldn’t completely discount the Ukrainians just yet.

Barcelona

Group F Position: 1st

Group F Form: DWLDW

Pepe Guardiola will be quietly confident of his sides chances heading into Ukraine, a tough country to visit. The Spanish giants and current leaders of La Liga will look upon not only their most recent champions league success, a superb 2-0 win at home to Inter Milan, but also their 2-0 victory over Dynamo Kiev in the reverse meeting back at the Nou Camp. However, the Catalan giants have yet to hit top gear as of yet in this years competition and have displayed signs of vulnerability already, mainly against Rubin Kazan, a team not so dissimilar to Dynamo Kiev.

Barcelona tend to play their best football against teams who don’t opt for defensive tactics. With Barcelona liking large periods of ball time, an opponent with a defensive mindset often leads to a long, drawn out encounter with chances few and far between. This was a case in a few of Barcelona’s games last season and it’s certainly been evident in this seasons campaign. Their two games with Kazan, of which they failed to beat the Russians on both occasions, seen Barcelona struggle to break down Kazan’s rock solid defensive approach and Barca’s frustration led to them piling more men forward and getting spanked on the counter. The counter-attack has proven a beneficial tactic against Barcelona this season and Rubin Kazan, who have been a counter-attacking specialist this season, had chances in the home fixture, a 909 draw, which they should of converted. The Russian’s have exposed Barcelona;s biggest flaw it would seem and the Ukrainians do have the raw materials to do something very similar on Tuesday.

However, although the tactics of the game could actually favour the home side, the amount of talent at Guardiola’s disposal is hard to get away from and we’ve been drawn in by their illustrious world-class players. Lionel Messi, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Iniesta, Xavi, all are match winners in their own right and all can turn any game completely on it’s head. If Barcelona were to suffer a setback in this game then you would fancy their chances of overturning it. They are one of the strongest teams in the world, perhaps thee strongest, and, although they do look vulnerable to the counter, they should be far too strong for the Kiev defence.

Match Verdict:- Barcelona to WIN – 1.67 Boylesports

We hope this will be a nail-biting affair, one that goes all the way until the final whistle, but we just can’t see it. We feel Barcelona will be far too strong for Kiev on the night and, what with the Ukrainians needing to win and needing at least one goal, we expect Barcelona to catch them out on more then one occasion on the night. A big away victory could be on their cards in what could prove to be an anti-climax.

Match Odds:

Dynamo Kiev – 6.00 Bet365

Draw – 3.75 Bet365

Barcelona – 1.67 Boylesports

Football-Betting.co.uk Value Tip: Barcelona to WIN to NIL – 2.75 BlueSquare

Inter Milan V Barcelona

Kick-Off: Tuesday 15^th September – 19:45 GMT

Venue: San Siro (Italy)

There are many intriguing ties in the Champions League this week but none will match the hype surrounding the game of two returning strikers as Samuel Eto’o & Zlatan Ibrahimovic make an instant return home back to a familiar hunting ground but something tells me the latter won’t get such a rousing reception at the San Siro this evening. Zlatan left the San Siro on somewhat unpleasant terms with the striker clearly hinting at a move to a ‘Big Club’ for some time before the transfer eventually went through, and the fact that Jose Mourinho was quick to dash any speculation that Ibrahimovic was far better than Eto just speaks words on how Ibrahimovic and Mourinho actually got on.

The Battle of Eto & Ibrahimovic

Zlatan Ibrahimovic, however, is the inform striker of the two after scoring in both of Barcelona’s opening two fixtures in La Liga, putting one past a poor Sporting Gijon at the Nou Camp on his league début and then exploiting Getafe’s back line when he prodded home his second of the campaign on Saturday. He has, though, not been his glistening best but he’s put that down to his niggling injuries that he has had to endure over the summer and he ‘still’ recovering from them. However, the Swede does insist that the best is yet to come from him claiming “you’ve not see the real, Zlatan”.

Samuel Eto’o had also found the net twice this season but both his goals came in quick succession, at the very start of the season. He has since gone two games without finding the opposing net but this does look a glorious opportunity for the Cameroon international to end his mini baron run and put one over on some old friends.

Two inform Teams

Inter have hardly been in sublime form but their early setback, drawing 1-1 with Bari at the San Siro, on the opening day of the season, was put right with two successive victories over AC Milan (0-4) & Parma (2-0), with the very first result being a resounding 4-0 win over their bitter Milan rivals. Inter have now scored six goals in their last two games, conceding just one goal in their opening three games. However, Barcelona represent Inter’s first real test of the new campaign and their defence will certainly be under constant pressure from the silky attacks of Xavi & Iniesta, if the latter plays.

Barcelona have made light work of their opening fixtures back in the Spanish Primera, registering two unsurprising wins over Sporting Gijon (3-0) & Getafe (0-2). However, Barcelona took a while to get going away at Getafe, who are a side with a lean defence, so lumping on Barca making the early breakthrough might not be wise if they were to walk out of the blocks like they did on Saturday.

Game Plans

Barcelona will play their usual patient passing style at the San Siro, with the likes of Xavi & possibly Iniesta plotting to exploit the Inter back line with some silky but crisp through balls through to their new start studded striker – Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Jose Mourinho tends to back the midfield up whenever Inter face some of the toughest sides in Europe and tonight should be no exception, despite this being a home fixture. Patrick Veira doesn’t seem to be at the forefront of Mourinho’s plans this season but he may get a run out from the start in a bid to protect Milan’s back four. Sulley Muntari will have a big part to play in terms of breaking up the Barcelona attacks, while Inter’s main source of creativity will come from both Dejan Stankovic and new Real Madrid signing, Wesley Sneider, who was outstanding in his league début.

Betting Market

Inter Milan look an outstanding price to make the early breakthrough in Group F with victory over Barcelona, with Jose Mourinho’s side currently available at 23/10 with Bet365, totesport & Coral. That looks a crazy price with Barca’a reputation obliviously the catalyst for such a ridiculous market. However, that doesn’t mean we don’t think Barcelona will win as they do have the qualities required to brush aside any team on their day. However, considering Barcelona are a best priced 8/5 with PaddyPower, we can clearly see where the value is.

Betting Odds:

Inter Milan – 23/10 Bet365

Barcelona – 8/5 PaddyPower

Draw – 2/1 Ladbrokes

Football-Betting.co.uk Tip: Inter Milan to WIN – 23/10 Bet365