Champions League Predictions – Tuesday 15th September

As the first round of Champions League group stage games kick off, the two English teams face some tricky games. Manchester United travel away to Turkish side Besiktas, Chelsea welcome another of Jose Mourinho’s former clubs, Porto. For both English teams these could potentially be difficult games. Lets have a look at some predictions.

Chelsea vs Porto – Prediction 2-1
Porto are no pushovers as they clearly showed last season in their tie against Manchester United. Porto forced United to concede two away goals in a draw that ended 2-2. I think it can be expected that Porto will go to Stamford Bridge with a similar game plan. If you sit back and let Chelsea play their football then you are in trouble. However, if you take the game to them then they could find a few games in their, so far, polished team. Chelsea will be without a number of key players for this game. Both Drogba and Bosingwa are suspended following their behaviour in last years second leg semi final with Barcelona. They are also without Deco and Ferreira due to injury, along with Joe Cole, Zhirkov and Alex. It seems most likely that Kalou will get the nod to start in place of Drogba, and Ivanovic moves over to the right hand side. This has sometimes been a weakness for Chelsea, especially under the diamond formation which lacks width. Using the diamond requires the wing backs to get foward and supply some width to the team. Ivanovic is most a center back who will play at right back, but he lacks the pace and attacking flair that Bosingwa adds. Even with a few players missing, I think Porto will give Chelsea problems, but overall they will be too strong.

Besiktas vs Manchester United – Prediction 0-2
Turkey is not an easy place to go for your first game of the Champions League group stages and United can no doubt expect a hostile atmosphere. However, Besiktas have struggled to find any early form this season and have only won once in their previous five league games. Man United on the other hand are now reasonably injury free and will recall Rio Ferdinand to play in defence for the second game running. United had a reality check at the weekend when Jermain Defoe put Tottenham ahead inside the first minute of the game, but for the second game running United came from behind to take three points against a London club. (2-1 at home to Arsenal, 3-1 away to Tottenham) United will also look at Wayne Rooney to continue his fine run of form with six goals in six games for the Old Trafford club this season. Overall, I do expect the game to be difficult for United, but I think that they have the quality to take all three points.

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