Wigan 2-0 QPR: Wigan win their first game of the season against the third promoted team. It would seem that QPR cannot play away from home as they have lost 6-0 on aggregate. QPR were unlucky as they hit the woodwork on numerous occasions. Franco Di Santo had only scored twice for Wigan in thirty-two games but scored both goals on 41 and 66 minutes. Wigan remain unbeaten but have only played the promoted sides.
Blackburn 0-1 Everton: Everton win their first game of the season in a tale of three penalties. Blackburn were awarded the first penalty when Formica was tripped by Barkley just a minute into the second half. Hoilett stepped up but Howard saved the spot kick. Blackburn were then awarded a second penalty seven minutes from time when Formica went down easily over a Jagielka leg. Formica stepped up but hit the post to keep it at 0-0. Everton were then awarded their own penalty when Samba put his arms on Fellaini's shoulders to lever himself up to clear the ball. Mikel Arteta stepped up and converted in injury time to give Everton the win.
Liverpool 3-1 Bolton: Liverpool remain unbeaten with two wins and a draw. Jordan Henderson gave Liverpool the lead after fifteen minutes with his first goal at the club. There were two goals in a minute as both Skrtel and Adam found the net on 52 and 53 minutes to make it 3-0. Ivan Klasnic scored his third goal of the season to give Bolton a consolation in injury time.
Chelsea 3-1 Norwich: Chelsea were initially pushed hard by Norwich but the home side remain unbeaten on seven points. Jose Bosingwa gave Chelsea the lead after just six minutes. Norwich then equalised three minutes past the hour when Holt was put through on goal after an error from Ivanovic. Drogba was then knocked unconscious by Norwich keeper Ruddy as he punched a ball away. Drogba was out for six minutes and was stretchered off with a bloodied face. It got worse for Ruddy as he was then sent off ten minutes from time when he brought Ramires down in the box. Lampard stepped up and placed the penalty past substitute keeper Declan Rudd. Chelsea finished the game in injury time with Juan Mata getting a goal on his debut.
Swansea 0-0 Sunderland: Stalemate in Wales as Swansea still haven't scored a goal in the Premiership. Sunderland made a lot of decent chances but failed to convert them.
Newcastle 2-1 Fulham: Newcastle show no signs of missing Barton with the win over Fulham. Leon Best put Newcastle ahead three minutes into the second half before the doubling the score on 66 minutes. Fulham pulled a goal back two minutes before the end through Dempsey but Newcastle held onto the win.
West Brom 0-1 Stoke: West Brom are still without any points with defeat at home to Stoke. Ryan Shotton scored the only goal of the game with a minute left, getting to the ball just before foster could put his hands fully on it.
Tottenham 1-5 Man City: City were looking likely to be top of the table on nine points with a goal difference of plus nine, before rivals United hammered Spurs' rivals Arsenal. Edin Dzeko couldn't hit a barn door last season, but he scored four of the five goals, taking his tally to six already this season. He opened the scoring after 34 minutes before making it 2-0 four minutes before half time. Dzeko then scored his hat-trick ten minutes after the restart before Aguero scored his second of the season on the hour mark to make it 4-0. Kaboul pulled one back for Tottenham after 68 minutes before Dzeko finished off the rout in injury time. Sunday turned out to be a great day for Manchester, an abysmal one for North London.
Monday, 29 August 2011
Simply Astonishing
Manchester United line-up: De Gea, Smalling, Jones, Evans Y, Evra (c), Nani (Giggs, 68'), Anderson (Park, 68'), Cleverley, Young Y, Rooney, Welbeck (Hernandez, 36')
Arsenal line-up: Szczesny, Djourou Y, Koscielny, Jenkinson R, Traore, Ramsey, Coquelin (Oxlade-Chamberlain, 62'), Rosicky, Walcott, Arshavin Y, Van Perise (c)
It's not often a game involving two top teams finishes with ten goals and a complete humiliation. Arsenal have been in free fall so far this season and got battered 8-2 by a rampant Manchester United. Arsenal haven't conceded eight since the 1800s and it's their worst defeat since United beat them 6-1 in 2001.
The game started with United on top but not doing enough to alert Szczesny. Arsenal managed to get a foothold on the game after quarter of an hour but Arshavin got booked for studs in challenge on Jones, the first of many poor Arshavin touches. It took twenty-two minutes before the deadlock was broken, Anderson played a chipped ball over the top of the defence, the defenders failed to deal with it and Welbeck headed home from three yards to make it two goals in two.
Arsenal then had a great chance to level the score three minutes later when Evans brought Walcott down needlessly when the ball was going out for a goal kick. The penalty was rightly given and Evans was shown a yellow as it wasn't a goal scoring opportunity. Van Perise stepped up but De Gea came of age as he managed to save the spot kick. Just a minute later, Ashley Young curled a fantastic shot over Szczesny from twenty yards to double United's lead with twenty-eight minutes played. De Gea then kept United a 2-0 with a great double save from Arshavin and Van Perise. Unfortunately, Welbeck had to be substituted with a hamstring injury but Hernandez isn't exactly the worst sub to bring on.
Arshavin continued to have a torrid time and blazed a shot well over the United goal. Jenkinson received his first of two yellow cards five minutes before half-time with a late challenge on Young. The resulting free-kick was curled over the wall and into the net by Rooney to make it 3-0. Arsenal were given a glimmer of hope in injury time however when Walcott's shot went through the legs of De Gea, another blunder by the young Spaniard.
Arsenal started the second half a lot brighter and the next goal was crucial for the outcome of the match. United started playing ambitiously, leading to wasted chances by Nani, Hernandez and Rooney. But De Gea managed to pull off saves from Van Persie to keep the game at 3-1. United then 4-1 up after 64 minutes with Rooney curling in another brilliant free-kick past Szczesny. It was then 5-1 just three minutes later with Rooney feeding Nani in and Nani chipped the ball over the diving Szczesny to heap more humiliation onto Arsenal.
United then made the double substitution as Park and Giggs were introduced to the game. The Korean has enjoyed scoring against Arsenal in recent encounters and it took him just two minutes to make it 6-1 after Rooney had just hit the post following a chip. Park had all the freedom in the box, allowing him to slot the ball into the bottom corner.
But United were guilty of some poor defending and Van Persie managed to earn a second for Arsenal from short range, 74 minutes had been played. If anyone thought it couldn't have got any worse for Arsenal, it did; Jenkinson brought Hernandez down who was clearly through on goal and had to be shown a second yellow card, making it three reds in three games for Arsenal. It was then 7-2 with eight minutes remaining after Walcott tripped Evra in the box for a United penalty, Rooney stepped up and scored his hat-trick. It was then finished off in injury time with Young curling in another fantastic shot to make it 8-2 in this utterly astounding game.
Insparing One-Two For Red Bull
Red Bull earned their first one-two finish since the Turkish Grand Prix. Vettel started first and finished first, but didn't have it quite that easy in a fantastic GP. Webber made the tyres stick to complete the one-two but Button came from thirteenth to grab a podium place. Hamilton crashed out but the ride of the day went to Michael Schumacher who started twenty-fourth and finished fifth.
The news before the race was that Maldonado had been given a five place grid penalty for his part in the coming together with Hamilton in qualifying. After the second corner of the race it was actually Nico Rosberg who led the Grand Prix. Webber had yet another dreadful start which saw him drop to eighth, leaving Massa to take third place. There was a lot of contact through the mid-field on the first turn and Alguersuari had his front wing and left axle broken, leaving him with no option but to retire. Alonso managed to overtake Hamilton on the second lap to move into fourth and Vettel regained the lead a lap later.
By lap five, Massa had fallen to fifth after initially battling Rosberg for second. The big story before the race was yet again the tyres, there had been huge amounts of blistering in the soft compound and Vettel had to pit as early as the sixth lap to change them. During this, Senna and Glock had received drive through penalties for causing a collision during that first corner. Buemi also had to retire to a broken rear wing.
By lap seven, Alonso had the lead with Hamilton in second. But just two laps later Webber had initially overtaken the Ferrari for seventh place but the Spaniard soon repaid the compliment. Vettel had the lead over Alonso and Hamilton by lap twelve but that was all soon to change. Hamilton had pitted and came out behind Kobayashi, Hamilton tried overtaking the Sauber but hadn't quite done enough before turning into the corner, the McLaren was shunted sideways before crashing through two polystyrene sponsor boards and ended up in the tyre wall. This resulted in the Safety Car, during which time Ricciardo also retired.
The Safety Car came in after lap seventeen and Vettel quickly overtook Webber for second place, setting his sights on Alonso who hadn't pitted during the Safety Car. A lap later and Vettel had regained the lead, meanwhile Perez had been given a drive through for causing a collision. Button managed to overtake Massa on lap twenty-five into fifth place and then overtook Rosberg a lap later.
By lap twenty-nine, Perez had retired due to a suspension failure to end his pretty sorry race. Vettel had again regained the lead by lap thirty-two. Webber managed to overtake Alonso due to his fresher tyres on lap thirty-seven to guarantee him second place, Button did the same on lap forty-two to steal the final podium place. Race result in full:
1.Vettel (Red Bull), 2.Webber (Red Bull), 3.Button (McLaren), 4.Alonso (Ferrari), 5.Schumacher (Mercedes), 6.Rosberg (Mercedes), 7.Sutil (Force India), 8.Massa (Ferrari), 9.Petrov (Renault), 10.Maldonado (Williams), 11.Di Resta (Force India), 12.Kobayashi (Sauber), 13.Senna (Renault), 14.Trulli (Lotus), 15.Kovalainen (Lotus), 16.Barrichello (Williams), 17.D'Ambrosio (Virgin), 18.Glock (Virgin), 19.Liuzzi (Hispania), DNF: Alguersuari (Toro Rosso), Buemi (Toro Rosso), Hamilton (McLaren), Ricciardo (Hispania), Perez (Sauber)
The news before the race was that Maldonado had been given a five place grid penalty for his part in the coming together with Hamilton in qualifying. After the second corner of the race it was actually Nico Rosberg who led the Grand Prix. Webber had yet another dreadful start which saw him drop to eighth, leaving Massa to take third place. There was a lot of contact through the mid-field on the first turn and Alguersuari had his front wing and left axle broken, leaving him with no option but to retire. Alonso managed to overtake Hamilton on the second lap to move into fourth and Vettel regained the lead a lap later.
By lap five, Massa had fallen to fifth after initially battling Rosberg for second. The big story before the race was yet again the tyres, there had been huge amounts of blistering in the soft compound and Vettel had to pit as early as the sixth lap to change them. During this, Senna and Glock had received drive through penalties for causing a collision during that first corner. Buemi also had to retire to a broken rear wing.
By lap seven, Alonso had the lead with Hamilton in second. But just two laps later Webber had initially overtaken the Ferrari for seventh place but the Spaniard soon repaid the compliment. Vettel had the lead over Alonso and Hamilton by lap twelve but that was all soon to change. Hamilton had pitted and came out behind Kobayashi, Hamilton tried overtaking the Sauber but hadn't quite done enough before turning into the corner, the McLaren was shunted sideways before crashing through two polystyrene sponsor boards and ended up in the tyre wall. This resulted in the Safety Car, during which time Ricciardo also retired.
The Safety Car came in after lap seventeen and Vettel quickly overtook Webber for second place, setting his sights on Alonso who hadn't pitted during the Safety Car. A lap later and Vettel had regained the lead, meanwhile Perez had been given a drive through for causing a collision. Button managed to overtake Massa on lap twenty-five into fifth place and then overtook Rosberg a lap later.
By lap twenty-nine, Perez had retired due to a suspension failure to end his pretty sorry race. Vettel had again regained the lead by lap thirty-two. Webber managed to overtake Alonso due to his fresher tyres on lap thirty-seven to guarantee him second place, Button did the same on lap forty-two to steal the final podium place. Race result in full:
1.Vettel (Red Bull), 2.Webber (Red Bull), 3.Button (McLaren), 4.Alonso (Ferrari), 5.Schumacher (Mercedes), 6.Rosberg (Mercedes), 7.Sutil (Force India), 8.Massa (Ferrari), 9.Petrov (Renault), 10.Maldonado (Williams), 11.Di Resta (Force India), 12.Kobayashi (Sauber), 13.Senna (Renault), 14.Trulli (Lotus), 15.Kovalainen (Lotus), 16.Barrichello (Williams), 17.D'Ambrosio (Virgin), 18.Glock (Virgin), 19.Liuzzi (Hispania), DNF: Alguersuari (Toro Rosso), Buemi (Toro Rosso), Hamilton (McLaren), Ricciardo (Hispania), Perez (Sauber)
Polish SGP
If Andreas Jonsson had started the Speedway GP series in the same manner since the World Cup break, he'd be challenging Hancock and Hampel for the Championship. The eighth round of the SGP took place in Torun, Poland and the Swede took the chequered flag from Hampel. The final had to be restarted because wildcard and GP debutante, Darcy Ward, false started but all four riders were able to continue. He finished third ahead of Antonio Lindback.
Ward actually beat Jonsson in the semi-finals with both Gollob and Holta missing out on the chance to make it to the final. Hampel and Lindback prevented series leader Hancock from the final but he finished third ahead of Magnus Zetterstrom, who was deputising for the ill Kolodziej.
Heat 1: Hancock got off to the best possible start with a win over Holder, Sayfutdinov and Laguta.
Heat 2: Zetterstrom came back with a bang, beating Bjerre, Ward and Pedersen
Heat 3: Holta went down on the first corner, all four riders restarted and Gollob took the heat. Holta finished second ahead of Crump and Lindback.
Heat 4: Hampel finished ahead of Jonsson in first place. Lindgren beat Harris but the Brit would fail to score any points throughout the meeting.
Heat 5: Zetterstrom made it two from two with Crump second. Laguta actually managed to finish ahead of Harris, earning his only point of the night.
Heat 6: Hampel also made it two wins from two with rival Gollob second. Pedersen finished third with Holder fourth.
Heat 7: Lindback took the heat ahead of Sayfutdinov. Ward finished third with Lindgren fourth.
Heat 8: Jonsson beat Hancock with Holta third and Bjerre fourth.
Heat 9: Jonsson made it two consecutive wins ahead of fellow Swede Lindback. Pedersen finished ahead of Laguta.
Heat 10: Zetterstrom finished last, contrast to his first two heats. Holder took the heat ahead of Holta and Lindgren.
Heat 11: Hampel made it three wins from three. Bjerre came second with Sayfutdinov third and Crump fourth.
Heat 12: Darcy Ward won his first ever GP heat against series leader Hancock, reigning World Champion Gollob and Harris.
Heat 13: The nineteen year old Ward made it two consecutive heats ahead of Hampel. Holta easily beat Laguta.
Heat 14: Lindback won his second heat of the night with Holder second, Bjerre third and Harris fourth.
Heat 15: Gollob also won his second heat of the night. Sayfutdinov beat Jonsson to second whereas Zetterstrom had back to back fourth places.
Heat 16: Crump won his only heat of the night as he failed to qualify for the semi-finals. Hancock finished second with Pedersen third and Lindgren fourth.
Heat 17: Lindgren won the heat. Laguta lost control on the final corner and completely took Gollob off his bike. Fortunately, Gollob didn't suffer any serious damage and the referee awarded him the second place he would have had. Bjerre came third.
Heat 18: Jonsson took his third heat of the day ahead of Ward. Crump beat his fellow Aussie Holder to third place.
Heat 19: Pedersen won his only heat of the night. Holta finished second, Sayfutdinov third and Harris fourth.
Heat 20: Hancock won the final heat with his main Championship rival Hampel finishing fourth. Lindback took second with Zetterstrom third.
Jonsson won the meeting and earned the most points, twenty. Hampel finished on eighteen, five more than Hancock. Ward earned fifteen points in his debut GP. Gollob finished one point behind Hancock with twelve as did Lindback. Holta had eight points with Zetterstrom earning another seven points.
After eight heats, Hancock is still in a strong position at the top with 117 points. Hampel is now only seventeen points behind on the century mark. Gollob has slipped down to fourth on 88 with Jonsson now third on 92. Crump and Sayfutdinov both share 79 points with Holder a further two points behind. Kenneth Bjerre completes the top eight with 71 points. Artem Laguta has earned less points during the whole of this series than Darcy Ward, who has rode this one GP, Thomas H Jonasson, who has rode two GPs and Magnus Zetterstrom.
Ward actually beat Jonsson in the semi-finals with both Gollob and Holta missing out on the chance to make it to the final. Hampel and Lindback prevented series leader Hancock from the final but he finished third ahead of Magnus Zetterstrom, who was deputising for the ill Kolodziej.
Heat 1: Hancock got off to the best possible start with a win over Holder, Sayfutdinov and Laguta.
Heat 2: Zetterstrom came back with a bang, beating Bjerre, Ward and Pedersen
Heat 3: Holta went down on the first corner, all four riders restarted and Gollob took the heat. Holta finished second ahead of Crump and Lindback.
Heat 4: Hampel finished ahead of Jonsson in first place. Lindgren beat Harris but the Brit would fail to score any points throughout the meeting.
Heat 5: Zetterstrom made it two from two with Crump second. Laguta actually managed to finish ahead of Harris, earning his only point of the night.
Heat 6: Hampel also made it two wins from two with rival Gollob second. Pedersen finished third with Holder fourth.
Heat 7: Lindback took the heat ahead of Sayfutdinov. Ward finished third with Lindgren fourth.
Heat 8: Jonsson beat Hancock with Holta third and Bjerre fourth.
Heat 9: Jonsson made it two consecutive wins ahead of fellow Swede Lindback. Pedersen finished ahead of Laguta.
Heat 10: Zetterstrom finished last, contrast to his first two heats. Holder took the heat ahead of Holta and Lindgren.
Heat 11: Hampel made it three wins from three. Bjerre came second with Sayfutdinov third and Crump fourth.
Heat 12: Darcy Ward won his first ever GP heat against series leader Hancock, reigning World Champion Gollob and Harris.
Heat 13: The nineteen year old Ward made it two consecutive heats ahead of Hampel. Holta easily beat Laguta.
Heat 14: Lindback won his second heat of the night with Holder second, Bjerre third and Harris fourth.
Heat 15: Gollob also won his second heat of the night. Sayfutdinov beat Jonsson to second whereas Zetterstrom had back to back fourth places.
Heat 16: Crump won his only heat of the night as he failed to qualify for the semi-finals. Hancock finished second with Pedersen third and Lindgren fourth.
Heat 17: Lindgren won the heat. Laguta lost control on the final corner and completely took Gollob off his bike. Fortunately, Gollob didn't suffer any serious damage and the referee awarded him the second place he would have had. Bjerre came third.
Heat 18: Jonsson took his third heat of the day ahead of Ward. Crump beat his fellow Aussie Holder to third place.
Heat 19: Pedersen won his only heat of the night. Holta finished second, Sayfutdinov third and Harris fourth.
Heat 20: Hancock won the final heat with his main Championship rival Hampel finishing fourth. Lindback took second with Zetterstrom third.
Jonsson won the meeting and earned the most points, twenty. Hampel finished on eighteen, five more than Hancock. Ward earned fifteen points in his debut GP. Gollob finished one point behind Hancock with twelve as did Lindback. Holta had eight points with Zetterstrom earning another seven points.
After eight heats, Hancock is still in a strong position at the top with 117 points. Hampel is now only seventeen points behind on the century mark. Gollob has slipped down to fourth on 88 with Jonsson now third on 92. Crump and Sayfutdinov both share 79 points with Holder a further two points behind. Kenneth Bjerre completes the top eight with 71 points. Artem Laguta has earned less points during the whole of this series than Darcy Ward, who has rode this one GP, Thomas H Jonasson, who has rode two GPs and Magnus Zetterstrom.
Saturday, 27 August 2011
Midlands Derby Draw
Aston Villa line-up: Given, Herd, Dunne, Collins, Warnock, Delph Y(Albrighton, 85'), Petrov (c), N'Zogbia (Bannan, 74'), Agbonlahor, Heskey, Bent
Wolves line-up: Hennessey, Johnson (c), Ward, Stearman Y, Berra, Hunt (Elokobi, 67'), Jarvis (Foley, 67'), Henry Y, O'Hara Y, Doyle, Fletcher (Vokes, 90')
Three games played and both Villa and Wolves remain unbeaten. 0-0 was probably just about the right result at Villa Park today as neither team could find that killer instinct. Wolves now have seven points from three while Villa have five.
The first half was a very tight affair. Villa had more possession but Wolves were creating more chances, although Given was never really brought into work. The best chance of the half actually fell to Villa but Heskey's sliding shot just went past Hennessey's right hand post. The man of the match was Chris Herd, playing only his second senior game. He was good throughout but nearly suffered a nasty injury when he collided with the post during a corner.
The second half saw Villa mount pressure onto Wolves. The away side didn't come to life for the first fifteen minutes of the second half but they managed to hold off the Villa attacks. N'Zogbia wasted two or three good opportunities but Hennessey managed to parry a number of crosses where no-one was there to follow it up. When Wolves did fight back, they still didn't call Given into action. They had a penalty claim when Herd jumped into a Wolves striker but referee Martin Atkinson waved play on. After a headed clearance from Johnson after a Dunne header and a great Hennessey save from a Herd header, the two Midlands side had to settle for a hard earned point.
Spa Qualifying
Sebastian Vettel has managed to do it again in a qualifying session that was extremely close. The weather was iffy throughout the session in Spa but Vettel was able to conquer the race track yet again. The resurgance of McLaren took a positive and negative as Hamilton kept up the pace and will start second, but a mix-up between Button and and his garage sees Button start in thirteenth place.
Mark Webber has been given a new contract by Red Bull, just in time for his birthday, and will start third. Massa out-qualified Alonso for only the third time this season as Alonso failed to get to grips with the Spa track, Massa will start fourth with Alonso eighth. Rosberg will start fifth as the positive for Mercedes but they, like McLaren, also face a negative. After poor qualifying in the last few races, Alguersuari put a Toro Rosso into sixth. The big news before the weekend was that Nick Heidfeld has been replaced by Bruno Senna, Heidfeld is seeking legal action but Senna managed to qualify in seventh. Perez and Senna's new team-mate Petrov complete the top ten.
Q2 saw Sutil suffer a crash which saw the session red flagged with just under seven minutes left. He was still managed to qualify in fifteenth as Kovalainen and Maldonado failed to beat his earlier time. Buemi and Kobayashi will start ahead of Button in eleventh and twelfth. Barrichello completes the line up in Q2 and starts fourteenth.
Q1 saw Schumacher crash early on, but the session didn't need to be red flagged as the car was far enough off track. This made it a little easier for everyone as they expected the usual six to fall. That wasn't to be the case and Di Resta was the second surprise faller at Q1 and will start eighteenth. Trulli starts nineteenth ahead of the two Virgin cars, Glock beating D'Ambrosio. Liuzzi again out-qualified Ricciardo into twenty-second.
Mark Webber has been given a new contract by Red Bull, just in time for his birthday, and will start third. Massa out-qualified Alonso for only the third time this season as Alonso failed to get to grips with the Spa track, Massa will start fourth with Alonso eighth. Rosberg will start fifth as the positive for Mercedes but they, like McLaren, also face a negative. After poor qualifying in the last few races, Alguersuari put a Toro Rosso into sixth. The big news before the weekend was that Nick Heidfeld has been replaced by Bruno Senna, Heidfeld is seeking legal action but Senna managed to qualify in seventh. Perez and Senna's new team-mate Petrov complete the top ten.
Q2 saw Sutil suffer a crash which saw the session red flagged with just under seven minutes left. He was still managed to qualify in fifteenth as Kovalainen and Maldonado failed to beat his earlier time. Buemi and Kobayashi will start ahead of Button in eleventh and twelfth. Barrichello completes the line up in Q2 and starts fourteenth.
Q1 saw Schumacher crash early on, but the session didn't need to be red flagged as the car was far enough off track. This made it a little easier for everyone as they expected the usual six to fall. That wasn't to be the case and Di Resta was the second surprise faller at Q1 and will start eighteenth. Trulli starts nineteenth ahead of the two Virgin cars, Glock beating D'Ambrosio. Liuzzi again out-qualified Ricciardo into twenty-second.
Friday, 26 August 2011
2011/2012 UEFA Champions League Draw
Group A: This group is one of two possible groups of death. German giants and hosts of this season's final, Bayern Munich, are joined by Villarreal with their star striker Giuseppe Rossi. This group features two debutantes but both can earn results, we all know about Manchester City but Napoli complete this group. Napoli finished third in Serie A last season, players to watch out for are Uruguayan internationals Edinson Cavani and Walter Gargano, vice-captain and Slovak international Marek Hamsik and Turkish international Gokhan Inler. For me, Bayern and City will progress into the knock-out phase but it's going to be a real battle for the Europa League place, I'm going to say Villarreal.
Group B: Inter Milan have a decent group which they should win. They will face CSKA Moscow and Lille. Turkish champions Fenerbache were kicked out of this competition by their FA for match fixing and are replaced by Champions League debutantes Trabzonspor. Trabzonspor have mainly a Turkish side, but their biggest import is former Spurs player, Didier Zokora. Inter shouldn't have much problem winning this group. Moscow should beat Lille to second but unfortunately, I think Trabzonspor will have an unhappy debut campaign.
Group C: Manchester United have been dealt a nice draw. They face their 1968 runners-up Benfica who lost 4-2 to United that year. Swiss side FC Basel and debutantes Otelul Galati from Romania complete the line-up. Galati won the Romanian league last season, two players to look out for are Romanian international Sorin Frunza and Peruvian international Daniel Chavez. United shouldn't really lose a game in this group stage and Benfica should also progress into the knock-out phase. Basel should get Europa league with Galati bringing up the rear.
Group D: Could also be a potential group of death. Real Madrid face Lyon and Ajax. Croatian side Dinamo Zagreb make their second appearance in the competition. Zagreb's player to watch in Croat Jerko Leko. I think Real will win this group, it'll be a tough fight between Lyon and Ajax for second but i think Lyon will just about come on top. Zagreb won't stand much of a chance against these three giants.
Group E: Chelsea have a potentially difficult group this year. Valencia and Bayer Leverkusen have both caused upsets in the past but Chelsea should be able to handle them. Belgian champions Genk complete the group. Portsmouth fans may remember Anthony Vanden Borre who had a loan spell on the South coast. Genk's other notable player is Belgian star Thomas Buffel. Chelsea should win the group but it's an extremely tight contest for second and third, I think Leverkusen will pinch it, leaving Genk in fourth.
Group F: Arsenal have a similar group to Chelsea in that it should be okay but there could be potential upset. Olympique Marseille and Greek giants Olympiakos are joined by German Champions Borussia Dortmund. Arsenal and Marseille should get through but Dortmund will put up a big challenge. Olympiakos will finish last.
Group G: This is a very open group. Europa League winners Porto will face last year's Champions League quarter-finalists Shakhtar Donetsk. Russia's Zenit St.Petersburg make their second appearance as do Cypriot side Apoel Nicosia. For me Nicosia will finish fourth, any one of the other three could win this group. I think Donetsk will just about come out on top with Porto stealing second.
Group H: As the draw progressed, this group started to look like another group of death. Champions Barcelona and AC Milan were paired together but will face BATE Borisov and Czech debutantes Viktoria Plzen. BATE or Plzen could make it into Europa, I think it'll be BATE, but both will be thrashed by Barca and Milan. For me, Barca should win the group.
Group B: Inter Milan have a decent group which they should win. They will face CSKA Moscow and Lille. Turkish champions Fenerbache were kicked out of this competition by their FA for match fixing and are replaced by Champions League debutantes Trabzonspor. Trabzonspor have mainly a Turkish side, but their biggest import is former Spurs player, Didier Zokora. Inter shouldn't have much problem winning this group. Moscow should beat Lille to second but unfortunately, I think Trabzonspor will have an unhappy debut campaign.
Group C: Manchester United have been dealt a nice draw. They face their 1968 runners-up Benfica who lost 4-2 to United that year. Swiss side FC Basel and debutantes Otelul Galati from Romania complete the line-up. Galati won the Romanian league last season, two players to look out for are Romanian international Sorin Frunza and Peruvian international Daniel Chavez. United shouldn't really lose a game in this group stage and Benfica should also progress into the knock-out phase. Basel should get Europa league with Galati bringing up the rear.
Group D: Could also be a potential group of death. Real Madrid face Lyon and Ajax. Croatian side Dinamo Zagreb make their second appearance in the competition. Zagreb's player to watch in Croat Jerko Leko. I think Real will win this group, it'll be a tough fight between Lyon and Ajax for second but i think Lyon will just about come on top. Zagreb won't stand much of a chance against these three giants.
Group E: Chelsea have a potentially difficult group this year. Valencia and Bayer Leverkusen have both caused upsets in the past but Chelsea should be able to handle them. Belgian champions Genk complete the group. Portsmouth fans may remember Anthony Vanden Borre who had a loan spell on the South coast. Genk's other notable player is Belgian star Thomas Buffel. Chelsea should win the group but it's an extremely tight contest for second and third, I think Leverkusen will pinch it, leaving Genk in fourth.
Group F: Arsenal have a similar group to Chelsea in that it should be okay but there could be potential upset. Olympique Marseille and Greek giants Olympiakos are joined by German Champions Borussia Dortmund. Arsenal and Marseille should get through but Dortmund will put up a big challenge. Olympiakos will finish last.
Group G: This is a very open group. Europa League winners Porto will face last year's Champions League quarter-finalists Shakhtar Donetsk. Russia's Zenit St.Petersburg make their second appearance as do Cypriot side Apoel Nicosia. For me Nicosia will finish fourth, any one of the other three could win this group. I think Donetsk will just about come out on top with Porto stealing second.
Group H: As the draw progressed, this group started to look like another group of death. Champions Barcelona and AC Milan were paired together but will face BATE Borisov and Czech debutantes Viktoria Plzen. BATE or Plzen could make it into Europa, I think it'll be BATE, but both will be thrashed by Barca and Milan. For me, Barca should win the group.
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