UEFA Champions League Gameweek # 5 - Wednesday - Preview and Predictions

It’s a crucial time for many of the clubs in this year’s UEFA Champions League. The two Manchester clubs are in action while Real Madrid take on Galatasaray in the other glamour tie of the round. So much to look forward to . Here is a preview of all the clashes

BAYER LEVERKUSEN VS MANCHESTER UNITED

When the Germans visited Old Trafford in Gameweek one, the season was on its first few weeks. Everyone was prepared to give David Moyes some time to build his team. But week number five sees almost a similar Manchester United (shaky and nervous) but Leverkusen have come leaps and bounds. They have lost just once in the last ten games while winning both their home ties in the UEFA Champions League (especially a commanding 4-0 victory over Shaktar Donetsk) . It is with high confidence that Sammy Hyppia’s men go into this clash with Moyes’ stuttering Red Devils. With the imposing stadium and the fans behind them , Leverkusen might even be considered slight favourites for this one.

Moyes really needs to get his act together. What Manchester United lack now is an identity. Three times they have conceded late in this season - against Cardiff , Southampton and in the Champions League against Shaktar and all three goals were preceded by negative substitutions. Moyes needs to take his hands off the handbrake a bit but it is hard to see him do so away in Europe. Moyes might just about play for a draw and that is always a dangerous attitude.

Man To Look Out For - Son Heung-Min - Leverkusen’s South Korean striker scored a hat trick in the weekend. United , look out.

Prediction - 1-1. United to concede but equalise late on.

MANCHESTER CITY VS VIKTORIA PLZEN

Manchester City are cruising like a Ferrari at the moment….only when they play at home. The Citizens ruthlessly dispatched Spurs , putting six past them in a display of clinical football at its very best. Now the talk is rife about them "going on a run" but we’ve been here before. They have failed to kick on from huge victories over Manchester United and Norwich. This fixture however will probably be one of the easiest ones they play this season. They have secured qualification and sit pretty in the group. They face a side that has failed to pick up a single point in this season’s Champions League.

However, it might prove quite the opposite if Plzen decide to give it a real go to snatch that Europa League spot. CSKA are likely to lost to Bayern Munich which would mean if Plzen earn a point against City, the situation will result in it being a direct play off for the Europa League spot in the final gameweek. With Manchester City likely to rest a host of players, don’t rule an upset out so quickly

Man To Look Out For - Edin Dzeko. The Bosnian’s place has been snatched by Negredo. Smart money would be on Dzeko scoring in midweek.

Prediction - 4-0 to Man City. A mauling on the cards here.

REAL MADRID VS GALATASARAY

Real Madrid have all but qualified into the knock out stages of this year’s Champions League. All they need is a point at home in this match or against Coppenhagen in the next gameweek. The consideration of the hectic period preceding the winter break might just see Carlo Ancelotti rest a few key players. Ballon D Or favourite and hat trick hero (in the first gameweek against Gala) Cristiano Ronaldo is surely out of the tie providing a boost for Galatasaray.

Their loss to Coppenhagen has opened up all sorts of possibilities in the group and a point at the Bernabeau and a loss wouldn’t be much different because they would be required to beat Juventus on gameweek #6 either way. And thus , Roberto Mancini, who has been so naive in Europe whether with Inter Milan or Manchester City , must now go all guns blazing for a win in Madrid . After a narrow win in the weekend, Gala really need to kick on. The stars Drogba, Yilmaz and Sneijder need to make a mark on the tie

Man To Look Out For - Wesley Sneijder. It was in this stadium that the Dutchman has faced his best moments (winning the Champions League in 2010) and his worst (being told he wasn’t good enough for Real Madrid). Which end will it be now?

Prediction - 2-1. Galatasaray are good but Madrid’s class will prevail.