Champions League - "Bayern to stumble"
Vasily Utkin is known as the voice of European football in his homeland, Russia. A TV show host and highly-acclaimed commentator, he writes daily blogs and records popular radio podcasts. Here he runs the rule over several big Champions League games this week...
Valencia v Rangers
Valencia were very poor in the first half of the game at Ibrox, and were it not for keeper Cesar Sanchez, they would have been two or three goals down. But I think we will see a different approach from the Scottish team now they are the away side - they won't attack as much and their main target will be not to concede.
Rangers managed to get a goalless draw at Old Trafford earlier in the group stage, but I don't think they can do that again. They have generally found it hard at this stage of the competition.
In addition, they have already achieved one of their main aims for this stage of the season, winning at Celtic, and that may have taken a lot out of them.
Vasily's tips:
Back Valencia to win at [1.4]
Back under 2.5 goals at [2.06]
FC Copenhagen v Barcelona
The Danes managed to organise themselves well enough to offer a decent level of resistance at the Nou Camp, and had their own chances particularly in the second half.
I don't think Pep Guardiola is quite getting the best out of his side, and he also has a tough schedule coming up with some very difficult matches in La Liga. He will need to balance his resources.
However, Barcelona can afford to go to the Danish capital and look for a draw as I believe they will take maximum points from their final two group games. Copenhagen are looking like one of the surprises of the Champions League - they showed in the game in Barcelona that they are capable of playing in a way that will get them into the knockout phase. I don't think they would be disappointed with a draw in this game either.
Vasily's tips:
Lay Barcelona at [1.43]
Back under 2.5 goals at [2.12]
Back the 1-1 draw at [10.0]
CFR Cluj v Bayern Munich
It's one of those 'strange but true' stories - CFR Cluj scored four goals in the Allianz Arena in the away group game with Bayern Munich, but ended up beaten. Two of them were own goals!
Bayern Munich are not the 'machine' they have been, and that has been shown by their results this season in the Bundesliga. But they are still tough opponents for anyone in the Champions League, and have a perfect group record so far.
Cluj cannot be as unlucky as they were in Munich, and I think they will take a point out of this one at least.
Vasily's tips:
Lay Bayern Munich at [1.9]
Back both teams to score at [1.8]
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Published: 3 Nov 2010
Fabrizio (November 4, 2010 2:51 AM) said:
CLUJ 0-4 BAYERN MUNICH