UEFA Champions League - Gameweek # 4 - Tuesday - Preview and Predictions

The UEFA Champions League’s fourth week always gives a clear picture of how the last 16 would look. Teams who are well placed, like Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, can ensure qualification while others like Manchester United can put one foot into the last 16. The two Manchester clubs and a marquee clash of Juventus vs Real Madrid will take centre stage on Tuesday. Here is the preview

JUVENTUS VS REAL MADRID

It is all going wrong for Juventus in the Champions League at the moment. After three games, they find themselves with just two points. The Italian giants’ draw against the group’s whipping boys FC Coppenhagen might prove really costly. Real Madrid are virtually in the round of 16 while Galatasaraay are likely to get a win against Coppenhagen leaving them with seven points. And thus it is absolutely essential that Juventus get atleast a point tonight. Their title defence is slowly gathering momentum and they are within three points of leaders AS Roma. Now, they need to step up in Europe. Their case however will not be helped by Georgio Chiellini’s suspension for the red card at the Bernabeu.

Real Madrid , meanwhile, are getting their mojo back after the humbling El Classico. ‘Los Blancos’ have netted ten in their last two games featuring star performances from their £166 Million duo of Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale. The Welshman, like Real Madrid themselves, is slowly getting to his groove. He set up four out of the ten goals and scored a couple himself against Sevilla. Ronaldo netted five in total. The stats indeed make for an incredible reading. However, Madrid have conceded an incredible four penalties in their last two games.They now need to calm down a bit and finish off their group by getting a result in Turin.

Man To Look Out For - Carlos Tevez. The little Argentine is winning the Turin faithful over with his characteristic energetic performances. Can he step up , like he has done countless times for Manchester City and Manchester United, and score a vital vital goal?

Prediction - A very tight match . Possibly high scoring. 1-2 to Real Madrid.

MANCHESTER CITY VS CSKA MOSCOW

The first match was preceded by a long and boring talk about the state of the pitch in Moscow which ultimately proved inconsequential. However , the Etihad stadium has one of the best pitches. But the talk this time is still about an off-field issue, albeit a much more serious one - racism. Monkey chants were directed at Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure in Russia. When UEFA warned CSKA for their fans’ behaviour, the Russians responded by living in denial and claiming City were doing it out of spite because England missed out on the 2018 World Cup to Russia. Except that Man City is owned by an Abu Dhabi prince , has a Chilean manager and the player in question is from Ivory Coast.

Back to the football , today’s match is absolutely crucial for both sides. Assuming a defeat against Munich and a victory against Viktoria Plzen in their remaining matches, today’s winner is likely to go through along with the Germans into the round of 16. A draw would suit Manchester City more. Both sides are building up a head of steam. Manchester City put Norwich to the sword in brutal fashion while CSKA have put seven past their opponents in their last two games.  Exciting game of football on the cards and hopefully no more of the barbaric monkey chants.

Man To Look Out For - David Silva. The Spaniard is well and truly back to the kind of form that earned him the nickname ‘silky’ Silva. Now he must do it in the biggest stage of them all.

Prediction - Manuel Pellegrini specialises in getting European results. 3-0 and a dominant Manchester City display

REAL SOCIEDAD VS MANCHESTER UNITED

Real Sociedad’s first experience of the Champions League has been a bit humbling. They have lost all three of their opening group games and are now virtually with no chance to go through to the next round. What they can do , however, is make life difficult for the other three clubs. Manchester United are up first in the San Sebastian , a hostile crowd is expected . Sociedad put five past Osasuna last week and are in good form leading up to this match. They were brilliant at Old Trafford too after the initial Red flurry. A win or even a draw will get Manchester United fans looking over their shoulders.

It has been smoother sailing for David Moyes in Europe than in the league. That late equaliser in Donetsk aside, he has pretty much got the job done. However it is just so far so good. A loss or draw here coinciding with a Shaktar win against Leverkusen would open up the group with United placed on 7, Shaktar 7 and Leverkusen 6. That would require Moyes to get results on both his last group games. His best case scenario after tonight would be a win here in Spain coinciding with a draw in the other game leaving United with 10, Leverkusen with 7 and Shaktar with 5 (and a match at Old Trafford). It has been seven unbeaten for Moyes with five wins . He needs to build this kind of form up. Jonny Evans and Rafael are ruled out through injury and Adnan Januzaj is likely to make his European bow.

Man To Look Out For - Antonio Valencia. The Ecuadorian , after getting torn apart against Manchester City, is now finding his feet. He netted against Fulham and was brilliant in the reverse fixture.

Prediction - 0-1 . Nervy , hard fought win for Manchester United taking them to the magical ten point mark