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

Wednesday night of the UEFA Champions League gameweek number four sees two clashes of England vs Germany as Chelsea entertain Schalke and Arsenal travel to Dortmund. The other British team in action Celtic face Dutch Champions Ajax and will be looking to awaken last year’s spirits. Here is a preview of all the clashes

AFC AJAX VS CELTIC

The Dutch Champions were the pioneers of total football. Here they are several years later with their days of European dominance well behind them. But they still admirably uphold their attacking traditions. In Frank De Boer they have a fiery coach who will stick by his principles no matter what. But progress or even a Europa League spot looks a long shot at the moment.

Celtic meanwhile are stark contrast to Ajax. They pride themselves in their ability to dig in and are "not afraid to put their heads where it hurts". They were solid in their crucial win in Parkhead . As usual, the league is proving a cakewalk for them. A win here co inciding with a Milan defeat to Barcelona would see the Scots placed second in the group. Yet another repeat of last year’s fairytale? Hold on to your seat belts.

Man To Look Out For - Fraser Forster. The Englishman will be watched by many of his countrymen along with England manager Roy Hodgson. With Joe Hart being dropped at Manchester City and a dearth of other options, Forster has the chance to convince the England manager on a night which will surely have a lot of goalmouth action.

Prediction - 1-1 draw. A decent point for Celtic who’ll need to beat Milan if they want to qualify.

BORUSSIA DORTMUND VS ARSENAL

What an amazing clash to look forward to. The second best team in Germany going head to head against the English League Leaders. Both teams are in form, both teams have managers who follow attacking philosophies and both teams are very likeable. Jurgen Klopp’s Dortmund are now slowly becoming a feared team around Europe. Last time around, they stole a victory in North London to blow the group wide open. A win here again would almost ensure qualification , provided they beat Marseille .

Arsenal meanwhile are in the week that will shape their fortunes for the entire season. Old Trafford is looming large but Wenger’s men must summon the spirit of Munich (where they beat Bayern last year) and grab a victory that would all but ensure qualification. They had this group under control. Their lack of concentration in the last ten minutes cost them in the reverse fixture. A repeat here could mean Europa League football and that is not a pretty thought.

Man To Look Out For - Robert Lewandowski. The Polish striker will not have to look forward to the World Cup in the summer and hence the Champions League is his sole hope of winning an elite competition. Can he step up to the plate again?

Prediction - 2-1 to Dortmund. The German side look pretty menacing especially at home

CHELSEA VS FC SCHALKE

It was pretty brutal last time out in Gelsenkirchen. Chelsea turned up already to slowly kill the game off. They got an early goal and did just that. Fernando Torres struck again in the second half and Chelsea constricted Schalke into submission before sealing victory with another goal. This time around though, they need to be more cautious to avoid a repeat of last year’s group stage jitters. FC Basel beat the Europa League winners at Stamford Bridge on the opening day of this year’s Champions League and the performance in the weekend at St. James’ Park was not very inspiring. Chelsea need to focus and cement their position in the group.

Schalke’s domestic worries aside , they had a bright start in Europe. Two wins out of two till they ran into Chelsea. And now the Germans travel to Stamford Bridge hoping to atleast earn a point. FC Basel’s draw against the modest likes of Steaua Bucharest really did them a favour and they will be breathing a lot easier. A defeat here can still be put right if they beat Basel when the two sides meet on Matchday 6.

Man To Look Out For - Fernando Torres. The Spaniard really seems to love the European stage. He was on the mark twice last time around and troubled the Germans all night long.

Prediction - 3-0 to Chelsea. Nice and easy for Mourinho’s men.