dmmd98
02-18-2007, 02:59 PM
I just finished writting it for the main site so it should be up within 24 hours. Instead of linking to it i'll copy what I wrote here. I'll be back Monday with who im betting for tuesday's games. Below is the article.
Champions League Preview from The Online Wire
The Champions League is back in action this Tuesday with eight games over two days. Below is The Online Wire’s preview of these matches with a prediction as too who will move on to the quarter finals.
PSV vs. Arsenal
Last year’s finalist Arsenal face a team in top form when they match up against PSV this coming Tuesday. PSV has been the class of there domestic league this season being 5 points up on rivals Ajax with a goal different of +46. Arsenal has been up and down all season long as Arsene Wenger hasn’t been able to find that top unit yet with all the impressive talent he has to work with. Arsenal did win there group but not in convincing fashion since they had some sub par games against the likes of CSKA Moscow. Arsenal top to bottom field a world class team led by striker Thierry Henry however.
PSV is well coached with Ronald Koeman who this time last year lead Portuguese outfit Benfica to an upset victory over Arsenal’s rivals Liverpool in this very round.
TOW pick to move forward
Arsenal - Too many offensive weapons even without Van Persie Arsenal should have the firepower to get it done
Real Madrid vs. Bayern Munchen
Real Madrid is a mess, with there president saying the wrong things, the mishandling of the David Beckham affair, Shipping Ronaldo off to A.C Milan and now one of there best young players in Robinho is making noises about leaving the club due to not being featured enough on the first team. Ever since Real Madrid started to buy the best players in the world instead of building the best team it has cost them as they sit behind Barcelona and Seville in La Liga.
This year has been a tale of two different Bayern teams. The one in the Champions league who played world class football thru most of the opening round, holding off Italian powerhouse Inter to win the group and the team who is sitting in 4th place in the Bundesliga 11 points back of the leaders. To add insult to injury Bayern is coming off a loss to TSV Alemannia Aachen who sits in 13th spot in the Bundesliga.
TOW pick to move forward
Bayern Munchen - Going with the upset here. This past weekend’s loss will serve as a wakeup call for Bayern against a Real side that are built to be a collection of stars not a football team.
Lille vs. Manchester United
French club Lille managed to sneak thru to the second round overcoming AEK to get to the round of 16. There reward for that facing the team that arguably has show the best form in European football all season long in Manchester United.
United makes it’s returned to the knockout stage of the Champions League after shockingly finishing in last place a year ago. A lot has changed since then most notable Cristiano Ronaldo becoming the world’s best player during the course of the season.
Lille is currently in 3rd place in France while Manchester United is six points up on Chelsea in the English premier league.
TOW pick to move forward
Manchester United - This shouldn’t be real close. Manchester had a minor slipup on the weekend drawing Reading in the FA Cup. Lightning won’t strike twice as Manchester will be on form against Lille.
Celtic vs. AC Milan
For all the storied history that Celtic has had this is the first time they have made it to the knock out stages of the Champions League. Over coming Benfica on the back of Celtic’s home win against Manchester United in the first round.
Speaking of storied clubs few are as world renowned as AC Milan who have taken it on the chin abit this year. Mostly of there own doing in the wake of the Italian football scandal of this past summer. Add to that the latest black eye in Italian football in which a police officer was killed during a riot between two local rivals have left AC Milan to play in a reduced capacity when Celtic comes to town.
TOW pick to move forward
Celtic - Another upset here. Kaka hasn’t been right for Milan all year long, plus there strikers just aren’t scoring at all this year. Where Celtic not only has been running away with it in Scotland they have showed to be able to hold there own in Europe. There are few toughest places to play in then Celtic Park and with Milan only being able to seat a limited amount of fans this edge could see Celtic thru to the next round.
Barcelona vs. Liverpool
The last two defending Champions League winners go head to head in what most are calling the marquee match up of the second round.
One can say something has been alittle off with Barcelona all year long. Mind you with such high expectations this club has anything less then a La Liga win and a Champions League title to go along with it is considered a disappointment. That isn’t to say Barcelona has been struggling since they are in first in La Liga three points up on Sevilla which is impressive considered they best striker Samuel Eto has been hurt for most of the year to go along with Lionel Messi injury problems. But Barcelona still has the best midfield in the game anchored by Ronaldinho and Deco.
Liverpool has played no differently then they have the last few years which is they can’t seem to get over the hump in the EPL but yet on any given day against any given team Rafa Benitez side can beat you.
TOW pick to move forward
Barcelona - Even with the infighting between Ronaldoinho and Eto coupled with the rumours of Frank Rikkaard leaving his post as Barcelona coach there just too strong for this Liverpool team to handle.
Inter Milan vs. Valencia
There isn’t a hotter team in football right now then Inter Milan who has racked up 17 straight league wins to run away with Serie A this year. They face off against a Valenica team who are just hanging on to a top four spot in La Liga so far this season. Inter is getting hot at the right time and could even get better with superstar Brazilian striker Adriano coming out of his post World Cup slump. Valencia have a dangerous player in David Villa but Inter top to bottom have players who have played in the highest levels of football, from Zanetti to Figo, to Vieira, to Crespo well you get the point.
TOW pick to move forward
Inter Milan - Just playing too good at the moment to ignore. While a Valenica win wouldn’t shock me Inter has been the class of football all season long and I think these players are posed for a long Champions League run.
Porto vs. Chelsea
While most are saying the marquee match up is between Barcelona and Liverpool for my money the most interesting contest is between Porto and Chelsea.
So many subplots the obvious being Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho return to the team he took to back to back UEFA cup and Champions League titles only to bolt for Chelsea the following summer. While Mourinho did return once to Porto in the first round of the 2004 Champions League this return will have far greater meaning since everyone from the club President down to the fans would love nothing better then to knock Mourinho’s Chelsea team out of the Champions league.
To back track here back in the summer of 2004 when Mourinho joined Chelsea two of Porto starting defensive players went with him in Paulo Ferreira and Ricardo Carvalho which saw Porto collection roughly 66 million US for the two players. In turn Porto went to South America to sign wonder kids Anderson, Lucho Gonzalez, and Lisandro Lopez. This retooling brings Porto where it is today facing off against one of the world’s biggest clubs.
TOW pick to move forward
Porto - Going with the upset again here. Chelsea isn’t the same team that ran away with England the last two years. Even with John Terry coming back there back line is still open to attack where as this Porto team has been playing with confidence all year long.
Roma vs. Lyon
Both these teams are struck in a no where land of sorts. Roma is in 2nd place in Serie A 14 points behind Inter and 6 points ahead of 3rd place Palermo so it isn’t all bad since Roma has there Champions League ticket already punched for next year since there pretty much a lock for 2nd place.
Lyon on the other hand has ran away with it in France 14 points up on second place Lens as typical Lyon rivals PSG and Monaco have fell off the fact of the earth this year and sit in the bottom half of the league.
Lyon however was far and away the most impressive team in the opening round of the Champions League leading all teams with 14 points on the back of fine performances from striker Fred to go along with Tiago, and Juninho.
TOW pick to move forward
Lyon - While Roma’s Totti is a dangerous player who can change a game in a second Lyon has been playing too well all season long to not pick them to continue there impressive run.
To share your opinion on this article or read more on football handicapping visit the soccer forum at http://www.towforum.com/soccer-forum/ (http://www.towforum.com/soccer-forum/)
Champions League Preview from The Online Wire
The Champions League is back in action this Tuesday with eight games over two days. Below is The Online Wire’s preview of these matches with a prediction as too who will move on to the quarter finals.
PSV vs. Arsenal
Last year’s finalist Arsenal face a team in top form when they match up against PSV this coming Tuesday. PSV has been the class of there domestic league this season being 5 points up on rivals Ajax with a goal different of +46. Arsenal has been up and down all season long as Arsene Wenger hasn’t been able to find that top unit yet with all the impressive talent he has to work with. Arsenal did win there group but not in convincing fashion since they had some sub par games against the likes of CSKA Moscow. Arsenal top to bottom field a world class team led by striker Thierry Henry however.
PSV is well coached with Ronald Koeman who this time last year lead Portuguese outfit Benfica to an upset victory over Arsenal’s rivals Liverpool in this very round.
TOW pick to move forward
Arsenal - Too many offensive weapons even without Van Persie Arsenal should have the firepower to get it done
Real Madrid vs. Bayern Munchen
Real Madrid is a mess, with there president saying the wrong things, the mishandling of the David Beckham affair, Shipping Ronaldo off to A.C Milan and now one of there best young players in Robinho is making noises about leaving the club due to not being featured enough on the first team. Ever since Real Madrid started to buy the best players in the world instead of building the best team it has cost them as they sit behind Barcelona and Seville in La Liga.
This year has been a tale of two different Bayern teams. The one in the Champions league who played world class football thru most of the opening round, holding off Italian powerhouse Inter to win the group and the team who is sitting in 4th place in the Bundesliga 11 points back of the leaders. To add insult to injury Bayern is coming off a loss to TSV Alemannia Aachen who sits in 13th spot in the Bundesliga.
TOW pick to move forward
Bayern Munchen - Going with the upset here. This past weekend’s loss will serve as a wakeup call for Bayern against a Real side that are built to be a collection of stars not a football team.
Lille vs. Manchester United
French club Lille managed to sneak thru to the second round overcoming AEK to get to the round of 16. There reward for that facing the team that arguably has show the best form in European football all season long in Manchester United.
United makes it’s returned to the knockout stage of the Champions League after shockingly finishing in last place a year ago. A lot has changed since then most notable Cristiano Ronaldo becoming the world’s best player during the course of the season.
Lille is currently in 3rd place in France while Manchester United is six points up on Chelsea in the English premier league.
TOW pick to move forward
Manchester United - This shouldn’t be real close. Manchester had a minor slipup on the weekend drawing Reading in the FA Cup. Lightning won’t strike twice as Manchester will be on form against Lille.
Celtic vs. AC Milan
For all the storied history that Celtic has had this is the first time they have made it to the knock out stages of the Champions League. Over coming Benfica on the back of Celtic’s home win against Manchester United in the first round.
Speaking of storied clubs few are as world renowned as AC Milan who have taken it on the chin abit this year. Mostly of there own doing in the wake of the Italian football scandal of this past summer. Add to that the latest black eye in Italian football in which a police officer was killed during a riot between two local rivals have left AC Milan to play in a reduced capacity when Celtic comes to town.
TOW pick to move forward
Celtic - Another upset here. Kaka hasn’t been right for Milan all year long, plus there strikers just aren’t scoring at all this year. Where Celtic not only has been running away with it in Scotland they have showed to be able to hold there own in Europe. There are few toughest places to play in then Celtic Park and with Milan only being able to seat a limited amount of fans this edge could see Celtic thru to the next round.
Barcelona vs. Liverpool
The last two defending Champions League winners go head to head in what most are calling the marquee match up of the second round.
One can say something has been alittle off with Barcelona all year long. Mind you with such high expectations this club has anything less then a La Liga win and a Champions League title to go along with it is considered a disappointment. That isn’t to say Barcelona has been struggling since they are in first in La Liga three points up on Sevilla which is impressive considered they best striker Samuel Eto has been hurt for most of the year to go along with Lionel Messi injury problems. But Barcelona still has the best midfield in the game anchored by Ronaldinho and Deco.
Liverpool has played no differently then they have the last few years which is they can’t seem to get over the hump in the EPL but yet on any given day against any given team Rafa Benitez side can beat you.
TOW pick to move forward
Barcelona - Even with the infighting between Ronaldoinho and Eto coupled with the rumours of Frank Rikkaard leaving his post as Barcelona coach there just too strong for this Liverpool team to handle.
Inter Milan vs. Valencia
There isn’t a hotter team in football right now then Inter Milan who has racked up 17 straight league wins to run away with Serie A this year. They face off against a Valenica team who are just hanging on to a top four spot in La Liga so far this season. Inter is getting hot at the right time and could even get better with superstar Brazilian striker Adriano coming out of his post World Cup slump. Valencia have a dangerous player in David Villa but Inter top to bottom have players who have played in the highest levels of football, from Zanetti to Figo, to Vieira, to Crespo well you get the point.
TOW pick to move forward
Inter Milan - Just playing too good at the moment to ignore. While a Valenica win wouldn’t shock me Inter has been the class of football all season long and I think these players are posed for a long Champions League run.
Porto vs. Chelsea
While most are saying the marquee match up is between Barcelona and Liverpool for my money the most interesting contest is between Porto and Chelsea.
So many subplots the obvious being Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho return to the team he took to back to back UEFA cup and Champions League titles only to bolt for Chelsea the following summer. While Mourinho did return once to Porto in the first round of the 2004 Champions League this return will have far greater meaning since everyone from the club President down to the fans would love nothing better then to knock Mourinho’s Chelsea team out of the Champions league.
To back track here back in the summer of 2004 when Mourinho joined Chelsea two of Porto starting defensive players went with him in Paulo Ferreira and Ricardo Carvalho which saw Porto collection roughly 66 million US for the two players. In turn Porto went to South America to sign wonder kids Anderson, Lucho Gonzalez, and Lisandro Lopez. This retooling brings Porto where it is today facing off against one of the world’s biggest clubs.
TOW pick to move forward
Porto - Going with the upset again here. Chelsea isn’t the same team that ran away with England the last two years. Even with John Terry coming back there back line is still open to attack where as this Porto team has been playing with confidence all year long.
Roma vs. Lyon
Both these teams are struck in a no where land of sorts. Roma is in 2nd place in Serie A 14 points behind Inter and 6 points ahead of 3rd place Palermo so it isn’t all bad since Roma has there Champions League ticket already punched for next year since there pretty much a lock for 2nd place.
Lyon on the other hand has ran away with it in France 14 points up on second place Lens as typical Lyon rivals PSG and Monaco have fell off the fact of the earth this year and sit in the bottom half of the league.
Lyon however was far and away the most impressive team in the opening round of the Champions League leading all teams with 14 points on the back of fine performances from striker Fred to go along with Tiago, and Juninho.
TOW pick to move forward
Lyon - While Roma’s Totti is a dangerous player who can change a game in a second Lyon has been playing too well all season long to not pick them to continue there impressive run.
To share your opinion on this article or read more on football handicapping visit the soccer forum at http://www.towforum.com/soccer-forum/ (http://www.towforum.com/soccer-forum/)