Schalke 04-V-Arsenal
Arsenal go into their return fixture against Schalke in Germany with a massive dent in their confidence. Arsenal were defeated by the German outfit two weeks ago at the Emirates stadium. They followed that up with a fortuitous if not controversial victory over QPR and last Saturday turned in an abject display which saw Man United cruise two a two one victory, a scoreline which certainly didn't reflect United's dominance.
Schalke currently sit on top of Group B, one point ahead of the Gunners. If third place Olympiacos manage to beat bottom placed Montpellier tonight and Arsenal lose again to Schalke, then the Gunners could find themselves languishing in third spot of the group. Arsenal look set to be again forced into playing Andre Santos at left back and with on loan Barcelona player Ibrahim Afellay coming up against the weak Brazilian, it is not inconceivable to think that Santos is in for his second roasting in a matter of days.
Schalke themselves had their own domestic issues at the weekend when they went down two one to Hoffenheim on Saturday. Central defender Kyrgiakos Papadopoulos is a doubt for the game. The Greek international suffered a cut above his eyebrow and is struggling to recover in time. Both Schalke's big guns were on the score sheet in their meeting with Arsenal in London. It is one job keeping both Klaas Jan-Huntelaar and Ibrahim Afellay at bay but they are also a typically difficult German side to break down.
Arsenal will have their work cut out tonight at the Veltins Arena tonight. Given their poor run of form and the last result against Schalke, a draw would be a good result for the English club. If they manage to get a point, their qualification hopes for the knockout phase will remain firmly in their own hands regardless of what happens in the other group game.
Man City-V-Ajax
Like Arsenal, Man City are looking to reverse the defeat they suffered two weeks ago at the hands of Ajax in Amsterdam. City have the advantage of taking on the Dutch side at home in what is a must win game for Roberto Mancini's men. Ajax comprehensibly beat the English champions three one, two weeks ago and will go into the game without any fears at all. Ajax themselves will look at this game as a must win for themselves in what is unquestionably the cliched 'group of death'.
Man City come into the come on the back of a disappointing nil all draw with West Ham at the weekend. City struggled to break down a rigid Hammers side and will be coming up against a much tougher opposition in Ajax later this evening. Mancini showed signs of cracking under the pressure in yesterday's press conference when he fumed at journalists who again questioned his future. Mancini again drew on the experience of other European clubs in the competition but when you look at the talent at his disposal, it is difficult to empathise with the Italian.
Ajax lost their unbeaten league record at the weekend when they were defeated by third placed Vitesse. The Dutch champions were comfortably beaten two nil and will have their work cut out tonight against a City side that will be hurting. Frank De Boer's men will not be fazed by playing in England having gone to Old Trafford last season and beaten Manchester United in the Europa League. Both teams need to win tonight which could make it a very open contest. If City turn up on the night, they should have enough to get their first win of Group D. Will it be start of an unlikely qualification to the knockout phase is another matter entirely.
