UEFA Champions League Knockout Round

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<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="2" width="100%"><tbody><tr class="wht-title" bgcolor="#16177c"><td colspan="3">Game</td> <td nowrap="nowrap">Handicap</td> <td nowrap="nowrap">Money Line</td> <td nowrap="nowrap">Total Goals</td> <td>More </td> </tr> <tr class="wht-title" bgcolor="#999999"> <td colspan="3"> Maximum Wager: </td> <td class="wht-title" nowrap="nowrap"> 10260.80 GBP</td> <td class="wht-title" nowrap="nowrap"> 5130.40 GBP</td> <td class="wht-title" nowrap="nowrap"> 2565.20 GBP</td> <td>
</td></tr> <tr bgcolor="#eeeeee"> <td class="main_body_blk" nowrap="nowrap"> Tue 2/20</td> <td class="main_body_blk" nowrap="nowrap"> 101</td> <td class="main_body_blk" nowrap="nowrap"> PSV</td> <td class="main_body_blk" nowrap="nowrap"> <input class="main_body_blk" name="S1_0" size="6" maxlength="7" type="text">
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<select class="main_body_blk" name="SS1_0"> <option value="0">pk and -0.5 +166 </option><option value="1">pk +119 </option><option value="2" selected="selected">pk and +0.5 -123 </option><option value="3">+0.5 -165 </option><option value="4">+0.5 and +1 -240 </option></select> </td> <td class="main_body_blk" nowrap="nowrap"> <input class="main_body_blk" name="M1_0" size="6" maxlength="7" type="text">
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+209 </td> <td class="main_body_blk" nowrap="nowrap"> <input class="main_body_blk" name="L1_0" size="6" maxlength="7" type="text">
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<select class="main_body_blk" name="LS1_0"> <option value="0">OVER 1.5 -194 </option><option value="1">OVER 1.5 and 2 -156 </option><option value="2" selected="selected">OVER 2 -118 </option><option value="3">OVER 2 and 2.5 +115 </option><option value="4">OVER 2.5 +146 </option></select> </td><td rowspan="2" valign="middle">
</td> </tr> <tr bgcolor="#eeeeee"> <td class="main_body_blk" nowrap="nowrap"> 11:44 AM</td> <td class="main_body_blk" nowrap="nowrap"> 102</td> <td class="main_body_blk" nowrap="nowrap"> Arsenal</td> <td class="main_body_blk" nowrap="nowrap"> <input class="main_body_blk" name="S2_0" size="6" maxlength="7" type="text">
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<select class="main_body_blk" name="SS2_0"> <option value="0">-0.5 and -1 +214 </option><option value="1">-0.5 +150 </option><option value="2" selected="selected">pk and -0.5 +113 </option><option value="3">pk -135 </option><option value="4">pk and +0.5 -187 </option></select> </td> <td class="main_body_blk" nowrap="nowrap"> <input class="main_body_blk" name="M2_0" size="6" maxlength="7" type="text">
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+145 </td> <td class="main_body_blk" nowrap="nowrap"> <input class="main_body_blk" name="L2_0" size="6" maxlength="7" type="text">
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<select class="main_body_blk" name="LS2_0"> <option value="0">UNDER 1.5 +176 </option><option value="1">UNDER 1.5 and 2 +142 </option><option value="2" selected="selected">UNDER 2 +108 </option><option value="3">UNDER 2 and 2.5 -126 </option><option value="4">UNDER 2.5 -161 </option></select> </td></tr> <tr bgcolor="#eeeeee"> <td class="main_body_blk" nowrap="nowrap"> </td> <td class="main_body_blk" nowrap="nowrap"> 103</td> <td class="main_body_blk" nowrap="nowrap"> - Draw</td> <td class="main_body_blk" nowrap="nowrap"> </td> <td class="main_body_blk" nowrap="nowrap"> <input class="main_body_blk" name="M3_0" size="6" maxlength="7" type="text">
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+205 </td> <td class="main_body_blk" nowrap="nowrap"> </td> <td>
</td> </tr> <tr bgcolor="#d0d0d0"> <td class="main_body_blk" nowrap="nowrap"> Tue 2/20</td> <td class="main_body_blk" nowrap="nowrap"> 104</td> <td class="main_body_blk" nowrap="nowrap"> Real Madrid</td> <td class="main_body_blk" nowrap="nowrap"> <input class="main_body_blk" name="S1_1" size="6" maxlength="7" type="text">
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<select class="main_body_blk" name="SS1_1"> <option value="0">-1 +216 </option><option value="1">-0.5 and -1 +141 </option><option value="2" selected="selected">-0.5 +105 </option><option value="3">pk and -0.5 -137 </option><option value="4">pk -227 </option></select> </td> <td class="main_body_blk" nowrap="nowrap"> <input class="main_body_blk" name="M1_1" size="6" maxlength="7" type="text">
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+103 </td> <td class="main_body_blk" nowrap="nowrap"> <input class="main_body_blk" name="L1_1" size="6" maxlength="7" type="text">
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<select class="main_body_blk" name="LS1_1"> <option value="0">OVER 1.5 and 2 -157 </option><option value="1">OVER 2 -119 </option><option value="2" selected="selected">OVER 2 and 2.5 +115 </option><option value="3">OVER 2.5 +145 </option><option value="4">OVER 2.5 and 3 +194 </option></select> </td><td rowspan="2" valign="middle">
</td> </tr> <tr bgcolor="#d0d0d0"> <td class="main_body_blk" nowrap="nowrap"> 11:44 AM</td> <td class="main_body_blk" nowrap="nowrap"> 105</td> <td class="main_body_blk" nowrap="nowrap"> Bayern München</td> <td class="main_body_blk" nowrap="nowrap"> <input class="main_body_blk" name="S2_1" size="6" maxlength="7" type="text">
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<select class="main_body_blk" name="SS2_1"> <option value="0">pk +195 </option><option value="1">pk and +0.5 +121 </option><option value="2" selected="selected">+0.5 -114 </option><option value="3">+0.5 and +1 -159 </option><option value="4">+1 -251 </option></select> </td> <td class="main_body_blk" nowrap="nowrap"> <input class="main_body_blk" name="M2_1" size="6" maxlength="7" type="text">
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+309 </td> <td class="main_body_blk" nowrap="nowrap"> <input class="main_body_blk" name="L2_1" size="6" maxlength="7" type="text">
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<select class="main_body_blk" name="LS2_1"> <option value="0">UNDER 1.5 and 2 +140 </option><option value="1">UNDER 2 +106 </option><option value="2" selected="selected">UNDER 2 and 2.5 -125 </option><option value="3">UNDER 2.5 -158 </option><option value="4">UNDER 2.5 and 3 -217 </option></select> </td></tr> <tr bgcolor="#d0d0d0"> <td class="main_body_blk" nowrap="nowrap"> </td> <td class="main_body_blk" nowrap="nowrap"> 106</td> <td class="main_body_blk" nowrap="nowrap"> - Draw</td> <td class="main_body_blk" nowrap="nowrap"> </td> <td class="main_body_blk" nowrap="nowrap"> <input class="main_body_blk" name="M3_1" size="6" maxlength="7" type="text">
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+210 </td> <td class="main_body_blk" nowrap="nowrap"> </td> <td>
</td> </tr> <tr bgcolor="#eeeeee"> <td class="main_body_blk" nowrap="nowrap"> Tue 2/20</td> <td class="main_body_blk" nowrap="nowrap"> 107</td> <td class="main_body_blk" nowrap="nowrap"> OSC Lille</td> <td class="main_body_blk" nowrap="nowrap"> <input class="main_body_blk" name="S1_2" size="6" maxlength="7" type="text">
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<select class="main_body_blk" name="SS1_2"> <option value="0">pk +201 </option><option value="1">pk and +0.5 +124 </option><option value="2" selected="selected">+0.5 -112 </option><option value="3">+0.5 and +1 -155 </option><option value="4">+1 -245 </option></select> </td> <td class="main_body_blk" nowrap="nowrap"> <input class="main_body_blk" name="M1_2" size="6" maxlength="7" type="text">
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+320 </td> <td class="main_body_blk" nowrap="nowrap"> <input class="main_body_blk" name="L1_2" size="6" maxlength="7" type="text">
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<select class="main_body_blk" name="LS1_2"> <option value="0">OVER 1.5 -183 </option><option value="1">OVER 1.5 and 2 -146 </option><option value="2" selected="selected">OVER 2 -110 </option><option value="3">OVER 2 and 2.5 +122 </option><option value="4">OVER 2.5 +153 </option></select> </td><td rowspan="2" valign="middle">
</td> </tr> <tr bgcolor="#eeeeee"> <td class="main_body_blk" nowrap="nowrap"> 11:44 AM</td> <td class="main_body_blk" nowrap="nowrap"> 108</td> <td class="main_body_blk" nowrap="nowrap"> Manchester Utd.</td> <td class="main_body_blk" nowrap="nowrap"> <input class="main_body_blk" name="S2_2" size="6" maxlength="7" type="text">
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<select class="main_body_blk" name="SS2_2"> <option value="0">-1 +213 </option><option value="1">-0.5 and -1 +139 </option><option value="2" selected="selected">-0.5 +104 </option><option value="3">pk and -0.5 -138 </option><option value="4">pk -231 </option></select> </td> <td class="main_body_blk" nowrap="nowrap"> <input class="main_body_blk" name="M2_2" size="6" maxlength="7" type="text">
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+100 </td> <td class="main_body_blk" nowrap="nowrap"> <input class="main_body_blk" name="L2_2" size="6" maxlength="7" type="text">
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<select class="main_body_blk" name="LS2_2"> <option value="0">UNDER 1.5 +166 </option><option value="1">UNDER 1.5 and 2 +133 </option><option value="2" selected="selected">UNDER 2 +100 </option><option value="3">UNDER 2 and 2.5 -135 </option><option value="4">UNDER 2.5 -170 </option></select> </td></tr> <tr bgcolor="#eeeeee"> <td class="main_body_blk" nowrap="nowrap"> </td> <td class="main_body_blk" nowrap="nowrap"> 109</td> <td class="main_body_blk" nowrap="nowrap"> - Draw</td> <td class="main_body_blk" nowrap="nowrap"> </td> <td class="main_body_blk" nowrap="nowrap"> <input class="main_body_blk" name="M3_2" size="6" maxlength="7" type="text">
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+211 </td> <td class="main_body_blk" nowrap="nowrap"> </td> <td>
</td> </tr> <tr bgcolor="#d0d0d0"> <td class="main_body_blk" nowrap="nowrap"> Tue 2/20</td> <td class="main_body_blk" nowrap="nowrap"> 110</td> <td class="main_body_blk" nowrap="nowrap"> Celtic</td> <td class="main_body_blk" nowrap="nowrap"> <input class="main_body_blk" name="S1_3" size="6" maxlength="7" type="text">
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<select class="main_body_blk" name="SS1_3"> <option value="0">pk and -0.5 +163 </option><option value="1">pk +117 </option><option value="2" selected="selected">pk and +0.5 -125 </option><option value="3">+0.5 -166 </option><option value="4">+0.5 and +1 -244 </option></select> </td> <td class="main_body_blk" nowrap="nowrap"> <input class="main_body_blk" name="M1_3" size="6" maxlength="7" type="text">
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+206 </td> <td class="main_body_blk" nowrap="nowrap"> <input class="main_body_blk" name="L1_3" size="6" maxlength="7" type="text">
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<select class="main_body_blk" name="LS1_3"> <option value="0">OVER 1.5 -188 </option><option value="1">OVER 1.5 and 2 -151 </option><option value="2" selected="selected">OVER 2 -114 </option><option value="3">OVER 2 and 2.5 +119 </option><option value="4">OVER 2.5 +151 </option></select> </td><td rowspan="2" valign="middle">
</td> </tr> <tr bgcolor="#d0d0d0"> <td class="main_body_blk" nowrap="nowrap"> 11:44 AM</td> <td class="main_body_blk" nowrap="nowrap"> 111</td> <td class="main_body_blk" nowrap="nowrap"> AC Milan</td> <td class="main_body_blk" nowrap="nowrap"> <input class="main_body_blk" name="S2_3" size="6" maxlength="7" type="text">
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<select class="main_body_blk" name="SS2_3"> <option value="0">-0.5 and -1 +217 </option><option value="1">-0.5 +152 </option><option value="2" selected="selected">pk and -0.5 +115 </option><option value="3">pk -132 </option><option value="4">pk and +0.5 -183 </option></select> </td> <td class="main_body_blk" nowrap="nowrap"> <input class="main_body_blk" name="M2_3" size="6" maxlength="7" type="text">
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+147 </td> <td class="main_body_blk" nowrap="nowrap"> <input class="main_body_blk" name="L2_3" size="6" maxlength="7" type="text">
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<select class="main_body_blk" name="LS2_3"> <option value="0">UNDER 1.5 +171 </option><option value="1">UNDER 1.5 and 2 +137 </option><option value="2" selected="selected">UNDER 2 +104 </option><option value="3">UNDER 2 and 2.5 -131 </option><option value="4">UNDER 2.5 -167 </option></select> </td></tr> <tr bgcolor="#d0d0d0"> <td class="main_body_blk" nowrap="nowrap"> </td> <td class="main_body_blk" nowrap="nowrap"> 112</td> <td class="main_body_blk" nowrap="nowrap"> - Draw</td> <td class="main_body_blk" nowrap="nowrap"> </td> <td class="main_body_blk" nowrap="nowrap"> <input class="main_body_blk" name="M3_3" size="6" maxlength="7" type="text">
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+205 </td> <td class="main_body_blk" nowrap="nowrap"> </td></tr></tbody></table>
 

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Whats everyone looking at for the Champions League tomorrow night?

My initial lean was on Man Utd -0.5. This will depend on whether Lille will have their influential midfielder Bodmer back, and on Man Utd's formation. United have had a terrible away record in Europe. Their performances are made worse when Ferguson starts to play Rooney on the left wing.

Milan/Celtic over looks good. Milan have injury problems particularly in defence. Celtic usually play very well at home but there are injury doubts on all their strikers. Milan have also hit a good run of goalscoring form.

I was thinking of taking Bayern +0.5. But, both them and Madrid are terrible. So will probably skip it.
 

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I am going with......

ARSENAL (pk) -125 over PSV (Olympic)
PSV are on a bad run of form lately with only 1 win in their last 4 games and that win came against lowly Heracles. PSV were also unimpressive in the Group Stage with a 3-1-2 record, scoring 6 goals and allowing 6.
Arsenal are heading in the opposite direction having no losses in 2007 with a sparkling record of 8-4-0 in all competitions since the end of 2006. At the very least Arsenal should come out of this match with a Draw but I think they can win it.

CELTIC (pk) +120 over AC Milan (Olympic)
AC Milan have had their problems on the road in Serie A and Champions League this year. It doesn't look like it will get any better as Milan will travel to Scotland with only 1 striker in their line-up. Inzaghi and Gilardino are injured and Ronaldo is ineligible.
Celtic have been absolutely dominant at home this year with a 13-1-0 (30 GF, 7 GA) record in the league this season and are the run-away leaders in the Scottish Premiership. They also won all 3 of their home fixtures in the Champions League Group Stage beating Manchester United, Benfica and Copenhagen scoring a total of 5 goals and allowing none.

MM
 

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Going to throw some coin on the MONEYLINE also.....

ARSENAL +145 (ML) over PSV Eindhoven (Olympic)

CELTIC +200 (ML) over AC Milan (Olympic)

Good Luck
MM
 

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PSV/Aresnal under 2 ...I see a 1-0 game either side. Possibly 0-0.

IS
 

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I feel tonights card is really tough. I've only taken Man Utd -0.5 so far. Don't feel completely confident in it. Good luck to you guys!
 

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Celtic vs. AC Milan - UEFA.com Preview

No fear as new boys meet old heads

<!--googleon: snippet--><!--googleon: all-->Tuesday, 20 February 2007
by Alex O'Henley from Glasgow

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Both coaches have major concerns over the fitness of their strikers as Celtic FC prepare for their debut in the knockout rounds of the UEFA Champions League against a team who know all about longevity in the competition, AC Milan.

Fine pedigree

The Rossoneri have reached the last 16 in each of the last five seasons, and have only once failed to progress to at least the last four - losing a quarter-final thriller to RC Deportivo La Coruña in 2003/04. That statistic might make grim reading at Celtic, were the Glasgow club not going into the home first leg boasting a record of played eight, won eight in 2007, even if Gordon Strachan faces an anxious wait to see if three of his forwards will be available.

Miller fit
Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink, Craig Beattie (both hamstring) and Maciej Żurawski (calf) missed training on Monday although the manager hopes that at least one of them will follow Kenny Miller in being passed fit after the Scotland striker recovered from dental surgery. As Steven Pressley is ineligible, Strachan will have to make an enforced change in central defence with Darren O'Dea likely to be handed his first start in the competition, alongside Stephen McManus.

Strachan confident
"He has proved himself to be capable," said Strachan of the 20-year-old, who appeared as a substitute in Celtic's concluding Group F match at FC København. "You never know how you will perform against world-class players but he's got the temperament for it." McManus, four years the Irishman's senior, is confident the defensive adjustment will have no detrimental effect on a side continuing to mature at this level.

'Upset'
"At the start of this campaign, Lenny [Neil Lennon] and Bobo [Balde] were our only players who had real experience of the Champions League," said McManus. "Now it's a new squad and we've done alright to get this far, but you always want to see how far you can go. I'm not saying we're going to win the Champions League but in games like this, anything can happen and we think we can cause a wee upset."

Set-piece danger
Shunsuke Nakamura's sumptuous free-kick against Manchester United FC on Matchday 5 finally clinched Celtic a cherished berth in the last 16 and Strachan would not be surprised if Tuesday's game was settled by another set-piece from the Japanese midfielder, or his Brazilian counterpart Kaká. "It might be decided on that, so we have to try and get the ball in and around the box as much as possible," he said. "We have to do that ourselves and stop them from doing that."

In-form Milan
Like Strachan, Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti is short of striking options, with Ricardo Oliveira the only fully fit forward at his disposal, and he will take a decision on both Clarence Seedorf and Alberto Gilardino on the day of the game. "It's very difficult to play Celtic at home as they are a very strong side, especially with the crowd behind them, but we'll play to win," said Ancelotti, who celebrated his 300th match at the helm with a 4-3 triumph at AC Siena on Saturday - Milan's fourth victory in five Serie A outings since the winter break.

Probable teams
Celtic: Artur Boruc; Mark Wilson, Darren O'Dea, Stephen McManus, Lee Naylor; Shunsuke Nakamura, Neil Lennon, Thomas Gravesen/Jiří Jarošík; Aiden McGeady; Kenny Miller, Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink.

Milan: Zeljko Kalac; Massimo Oddo, Kakha Kaladze, Paolo Maldini, Marek Jankulovski; Gennaro Gattuso, Andrea Pirlo, Clarence Seedorf/Yoann Gourcuff; Kaká; Alberto Gilardino/Massimo Ambrosini, Ricardo Oliveira.
 

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Koeman plans Arsenal ambush

<!--googleon: snippet--><!--googleoff: all-->Tuesday, 20 February 2007
<!--googleon: all-->by Derek Brookman from Eindhoven
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With the local region enjoying its annual carnival celebrations, PSV Eindhoven hope to maintain the festive mood by inflicting a first defeat of 2007 on first knockout round visitors Arsenal FC.

Striking doubt
The main worry for the Dutch title-holders and league leaders is an injury sustained by Jefferson Farfán during Saturday's 2-0 Eredivisie victory at Heracles Almelo. The Peru striker, who scored the opener to take his season's tally to 15 from 21 games, would be sorely missed. "He is a major doubt," confirmed coach Ronald Koeman. "He took a heavy knock to the foot and it is still swollen. He didn't train today [Monday]."

Brazilian promise
If Farfán misses out, his place is likely to be taken by Diego Tardelli, the Brazilian forward who came on as a substitute at the weekend and capped a strong performance by scoring with an emphatic left-foot finish. "He is a talented player who is developing a better understanding of what we expect from him all the time," said the PSV boss.

Chinese premiere
Ibrahim Afellay has ankle ligament damage and will not feature, however Manuel Da Costa is fit again and could return to the back four. Intriguingly, another candidate is the 25-year-old left-sided defender Sun Xiang, who made his PSV debut against Heracles. "He did well and is one of the possibilities," said Koeman. His participation would be the first UEFA Champions League appearance by a Chinese player.

Liberating
PSV's trainer acknowledges that his defence is less impregnable than earlier in the campaign - when they dominated Group C alongside Liverpool FC - but he knows his players can rise to the occasion. "Matches like this can actually be easy to play in, because they act as a kind of liberation. Arsenal are a great footballing side, maybe more difficult than other English teams to play against. But they are not unbeatable, as their league position shows. We know we can raise our game."

Intelligent opposition
Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger is only too aware of what awaits his team. "You always come up against intelligent opposition in the Netherlands, and PSV have been dominating their domestic scene for years. They will give us a tough time." However, he believes the visitors start as slight favourites. "Since December, things have taken off for us. We are playing well and developing a good understanding. The team spirit is very high." Arsenal have won four of their last five Premiership games, yet were held at home by Blackburn Rovers FC in the FA Cup on Saturday.

Make or break
With Justin Hoyte and Emmanuel Eboué injured, the right-back berth could be filled by either William Gallas or Johan Djourou. Netherlands forward Robin van Persie’s broken metatarsal will preclude his involvement on home soil. Wenger realises that his charges are at a make-or-break stage of the season, yet relishes the challenge. "We were in the same situation this time last year when we went to Spain to play Real Madrid [CF], and that made our season. So it's just down to how we perform."

Probable teams
PSV: Heurelho Gomes; Jan Kromkamp, Alex, Manuel Da Costa, Carlos Salcido; Edison Méndez, Timmy Simons, Phillip Cocu, Jason Culina; Diego Tardelli, Arouna Koné.

Arsenal: Jens Lehmann; William Gallas, Philippe Senderos, Kolo Touré, Gaël Clichy; Tomáš Rosický, Cesc Fabregas, Gilberto, Fredrik Ljungberg, Aleksandr Hleb; Thierry Henry.
 

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Lille hope lightning strikes twice

<!--googleon: snippet--><!--googleoff: all-->Tuesday, 20 February 2007
<!--googleon: all-->by Chris Burke from Lens
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They may fit the bill as the competition's rank outsiders, but LOSC Lille Métropole believe they can spring another upset on visitors Manchester United FC when the UEFA Champions League resumes on Tuesday.

No inferiority complex
The unfashionable French outfit stunned the two-time winners with a 1-0 victory at the Stade de France last term, and coach Claude Puel sees no reason why they should approach this week's first knockout round first leg in Lens with an inferiority complex. "When you compare the two teams, of course there's a big difference," he said. "But in a two-legged tie, you're always going to have a chance and we know we'll get opportunities. It would be great to go into the second match with a lead, yet even if we don't we hope to be in a position to finish the job over there."

Home form
Lille have certainly looked a stronger force on the European front this season, having scored eight goals so far compared to just one in 2005/06. They also remain unbeaten at home in nine UEFA Champions League encounters, but a domestic run of four games without success could be a cause for concern. Third in Ligue 1, they find themselves 18 points behind Olympique Lyonnais after the leaders conjured two late goals to beat Puel's men 2-1 on Friday.

'Different competition'
"I'm not worried because this is a different competition," said the 45-year-old. "Champions League matches are more about technique and we just have to repeat what we did in the group stage." One area where the Group H runners-up will have to innovate, though, is on the right flank, where the suspended Kader Keita created so much danger before Christmas. "The thing about this team is that nobody is irreplaceable," insisted Puel. "We've already shown with our turnover this season that we can win no matter who is missing. We'll cope without him."

Rude health
Otherwise, Puel can count on a full squad, which should mean Mathieu Debuchy replacing Keita, new signing Ludovic Obraniak beginning on the left, and Peter Odemwingie taking over as the lone striker. The visitors are in even ruder health, with goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar back after breaking his nose, and Rio Ferdinand, Gary Neville, Ryan Giggs and Wayne Rooney all fresh after sitting out Saturday's 1-1 FA Cup draw at home to Reading FC. "It's possibly the first time we've had everyone fit in Europe and that's a real blessing," said manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

Larsson impact
Given that the Premiership pacesetters have won just once in their last eleven trips abroad, the veteran Scot will doubtless be hoping a revitalised Rooney can notch his first goal at this level since September 2004. The England forward ought to be partnered by Henrik Larsson, with the 35-year-old Swede making his first appearance in the tournament since last May's final with FC Barcelona, although four-goal Louis Saha may get the nod. "The team has grown together this year and we have shown consistency," said Sir Alex. "Lille look a better team as well, but we have that desire to win this competition again."

Probable teams
Lille: Tony Sylva; Matthieu Chalmé, Efstathios Tavlaridis, Nicolas Plestan, Grégory Tafforeau; Yohan Cabaye, Jean II Makoun; Mathieu Debuchy, Mathieu Bodmer, Ludovic Obraniak; Peter Odemwingie.

Manchester United: Edwin van der Sar; Gary Neville, Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidić, Patrice Evra; Cristiano Ronaldo, Michael Carrick, Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs; Henrik Larsson, Wayne Rooney.
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'Legends' aim for lift off in Madrid

<!--googleon: snippet--><!--googleoff: all-->Tuesday, 20 February 2007<!--googleon: all-->
by Paul Bryan from Madrid
<!--googleoff: all-->http://www.uefa.com/news/newsid=508146,printer.htmx
<!--googleon: all-->Two giants of European football, Real Madrid CF and FC Bayern München, will lock horns for the sixth time in eight seasons when they meet at the Santiago Bernabéu for the first leg of their UEFA Champions League first knockout round tie – with both in dire need of a boost.

Strength in Europe
Neither side has convinced domestically this term, yet in European competition things have been different. Struggling to find the net in the Spanish first division – witness Saturday's 0-0 draw with Real Betis Balompié - Madrid are top scorers in the UEFA Champions League having registered 14 goals en route to a second-placed finish in Group E. Bayern, meanwhile, emerged from a difficult Group B having conceded just three times, a statistic that contrasts somewhat with their record in the Bundesliga.

'Biggest game'
Nevertheless, Madrid coach Fabio Capello is confident his team will quickly rediscover their European form as the UEFA Champions League returns to the agenda. "I think we're going to play well," he said. "The fans are behind the team and in the Champions League this season they have been fantastic in their support." On the significance of the last-16 tie, the Italian admitted: "This is the biggest game of our season so far. When we play a game like this, it's important for us to do well."

Guarded tactics
The temptation, therefore, could be to go all out in the hope of building a sizeable advantage ahead of the second leg in Munich on 7 March, but Capello is keeping his cards close to his chest. Asked whether he would be gunning for goals by partnering Gonzalo Higuaín, one of three newcomers to Madrid during the winter, with Ruud van Nistelrooy, the coach countered: "I have my starting eleven clear in my mind." Sergio Ramos and Mahamadou Diarra will not feature, after picking up foot and ankle injuries respectively though Roberto Carlos is expected to start having overcome a thigh problem.

Hitzfeld return
'Problem' sums up Bayern's campaign since the turn of the year – they have lost five out of ten Bundesliga fixtures since completing the UEFA Champions League group stage, prompting the departure of coach Felix Magath. Ottmar Hitzfeld has returned in his place and the two-time UEFA Champions League winner sees obvious parallels between his team and Madrid: "Both sides have similar problems but Madrid and Bayern are legends of European football. Each team has an obvious problem in attack at the moment but Madrid have been much improved in defence." Ominously, Bayern were undone by a solitary strike at TSV Alemannia Aachen at the weekend.

Pressure
That does not make the Spanish club favourites in his eyes, however. For Hitzfeld, the victors at the Santiago Bernabéu will be the team that best deals with the situation. "It's a pressure game, and those with the best ability to cope with it will ultimately win. Then again, I think Bayern suffer more pressure at home in domestic competition as expectations are so much higher." A win would be a massive result for either side.

Probable teams
Real Madrid CF: Iker Casillas; Míchel Salgado, Iván Helguera, Fabio Cannavaro, Roberto Carlos; Emerson, Fernando Gago, Guti, David Beckham; Raúl González, Ruud van Nistelrooy.

FC Bayern München: Oliver Kahn; Philipp Lahm, Lucio, Daniel Van Buyten, Willy Sagnol; Hasan Salihamidžić, Owen Hargreaves, Mark van Bommel, Bastian Schweinsteiger; Roy Makaay, Lukas Podolski.
 

New member
Joined
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5,966
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iam going today with

München +0.5
Real/München over 2
Celtic over 2
Manu -0.5

i like manu and münchen over the most
 

RX Member
Joined
Oct 5, 2005
Messages
236
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Hehe 2 - 1 now..

But it's still early, you're right I shouldn't jinx the plays:smoking:
 

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