UEFA Champions League Picks November 2009
Group H
Arsenal (7 points) vs AZ Alkmaar (2 points)
Arsenal and AZ Alkmaar played to a draw last time these two teams met. Fabregas scored in the first half to put Arsenal ahead but David Mendes de Silva scored in extra time to force a draw.
Arsenal struggled with passes before Fabregas scored the first goal. Van Persie was a constant threat with precise passes and constant movement. AZ wasn’t a dangerous threat to score until extra time. Arsenal’s defense got lazy in the final minutes and allowed de Silva to score.
Arsenal is coming off a destruction of Tottenham Hotspur 3-0 and AZ picked up a 1-0 win over FC Groningen during the weekend.
Arsenal will not let AZ push them to a draw again and will convincingly win this game.
Group F
FC Rubin Kazan (4 points) against FC Barcelona (4 points)
Rubin and Barcelona are locked in a three-way tie with Dynamo in Group F.
Last time these two met, Rubin pulled out the 2-1 win against the defending champs. Ryazantsev scored surprisingly early against Barcelona but the defending champs scored the equalizer in the second half. Karadeniz sealed the game by scoring late in the game.
It seems that Barcelona was not ready for Rubin’s ability to score from long range. It was foolish for Barcelona to try and strike from long range like Rubin did. Instead of following their gameplan, Barcelona opted to take a page out of Rubin’s playbook.
Rubin has been on a roll lately winning 4-1 against PFC Krylya Sovetov Samara over the weekend while Barcelona struggled to a draw against CA Osasuna.
With Rubin on a momentum high don’t be surprised if they beat Barcelona for a second time. Barcelona will make the necessary adjustments and come out ready; they’re not the champs for nothing.
Group E
Olympique Lyonnais (9 points) against Liverpool (3 points)
It’s just not Liverpool’s year huh. They find themselves in third place trailing Lyon and Fiorentina.
Lyon has a psychology edge over Liverpool after coming from behind to score two goals against them in their last meeting. Liverpool does have a valid excuse for that loss because striker Fernando Torres sat out that game with an injury, as did Glenn Johnson. Delgado sealed the victory for Lyon in extra time that provided the surprising victory for Lyon.
Liverpool will play without Gerrard and Johnson. Torres is still doubtful to play but expect him on the pitch against Lyon.
Lyon beat AS Saint-Etienne over the weekend 1-0 while Liverpool lost their match against Fulham 3-1.
With injuries hampering Liverpool, Lyon will pull out another victory. Liverpool needs Torres to be only 80 percent healthy for them to beat Lyon.
Group H
R. Standard de Liège (1 point) against Olympiacos FC (6 points)
Olympiacos barely made it out last game against Standard, winning late 2-1. Stoltidis scored on a header in extra time to seal the deal for Olympiacos. If you had only one game to watch, you better watch the second meeting of these two teams because their first game was entertaining with both teams going attempt for attempt.
Olympiacos should down Standard in the second game but it wouldn’t be shocking if Standard beats Olympiacos on a late goal.
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