Champions League predictions... and that fuppin puppet

Afternoon folks,

Roll out the theme tune, tis Champions League time again…

Roma v Chelsea, (Gp A): What with Roma losing their last five games and Chelsea generally resembling a slightly more functional version of the Harlem Globetrotters against many sides of late, this should be a foregone conclusion. That’s even taking into account that Roma need a result tonight as a flaky Bordeaux side will be hard pressed to beat Cluj. I’d say the Romans might scrap a draw but no more. 1-1.

CFR Cluj-Napoca v Bordeaux, (Gp A): Two absolute fruitcake sides; Bordeaux barely won out in the reverse fixture, getting a one nil victory and even that came from an own goal. However, Cluj may have – like Rangers last year – peaked early on. At a push, I’ll back the Romanians to get a narrow 1-0 win.

Anorthosis Famagusta v Inter Milan, (Gp B): Does anybody find that Setanta puppet of Jose Mourinho funny? Anyone? It’s fuckin woeful frankly. Glad I got that out of the way. Anyway, Inter have been a bit patchy in the league of late but should win here. 0-2.

Werder Bremen v Panathinaikos, (Gp B): Diego got a peach at the weekend and while Werder Bremen have been one of the most unpredictable sides in the Champions League in the last few years they not diving gits like the sodding Greeks they’re facing. I hope it’s 8-0, in all likelihood, more like 3-1.

Barcelona v Basle, (Gp C): Four? Five? Six? Hmmm… I’ll be conservative and say four nil for the home side.

Sporting v Shakhtar Donetsk, (Gp C): Eh… no idea. In the long run I’d say Shakhtar will provide stronger opposition to the top sides in the latter stages, especially when they’re at home so I hope they go through. With that in mind… 2-1.

Liverpool v Atletico Madrid, (Gp D): Well, the recovery starts here hopefully. After… well I can’t even describe what went wrong on Saturday against Spurs (though after a good few late wins going the Pool’s way this season it’s hard to complain overall), I think this is a decent game to head into. Torres back, Keane scoring in Europe at the very least, and a good footballing side coming at them instead of sitting back. Should be a decent match – I’ll go 2-1 home win.

Marseille v PSV, (Gp D): Both very, very poor sides – I’d say Marseilles might nick this one simply because they’re at home and they need a result for any chance of a Uefa place. 2-0.

Later, JJ