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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Liverpool were the more impressive side going into last weeks first leg. But they were dull and lacked any real creativity, which is unusually for them at Anfield. However, their performance at the weekend against Blackburn was very strong, the 4-0 scoreline could have been a lot more. And all that came with Steven Gerrard on the bench all game.

Chelsea have had an mixed season. They lost at home to Liverpool earlier this season and then again at Anfield in the league. Last week they took control of the game and gave themselves a huge advantage over Liverpool going into the second leg on Tuesday. At the weekend against Bolton, they were dominating the game. 4-0 up with 20 minutes remaining. Hiddink decided to rest Lampard and Drogba for Tuesday and within the space of eight minutes, Bolton had pulled the scoreline back to 4-3. Chelsea ended up clinging on to what should have been a comfortable victory.

Liverpool have a strong away form this season and Chelsea have not been their usually selves at home. The Stamford Bridge fortress has shown signs of crumbling and their away form has in some ways been their saving grace. Chelsea will also have to cope without John Terry in defence. Ricardo Carvalho is likely to partner Alex in defence, but Carvalho has only played 16 games all season and very few of those have been recently. He is very good player, but if he is lacking fitness and has to compete with Fernando Torres for the ball, there could be chances for Liverpool.

Liverpool know that they are going into this game seeking goals, so what might have been a defensive performance originally will now become an offensive game plan. When Liverpool are attacking and creating chances they are one of the best teams in the world. Chelsea have a solid squad, but there could be holes in their lineup.

Liverpool won at Chelsea once this season, with a 1-0 scoreline. They might not be favourites to win this match, but I definately think that they are in with a chance. Maybe a higher chance than some of the bookmakers are thinking.

Prediction: Chelsea 0-2 Liverpool

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