Juventus - V - Chelsea
In what is anticipated to be one of the clashes of match day 5 in the Champions League, Chelsea travel to Turin well aware that Group E is still all to play for. Chelsea are currently joint top of the table with Shakhtar Donetsk while Juve are just one point behind in third. It what promises to be a Titanic battle between the two sides, it could well be the game that decides the qualification fate of one of these major clubs.
Chelsea go into the game on the back of a bitterly disappointing 2-1 defeat at the hands of West Brom. Fernando Torres was hauled off after an hour in that game and if you are to believe what you read today, he will be axed from the team for tonight's encounter with Eden Hazard expected to play a more forward role with Daniel Sturridge coming into the side. Chelsea still have the unenviable tag of becoming the first ever Champions League winners not to advance to the knockout stages, hanging over them. A win tonight would put one foot in the later stages but they will come up against a very impressive Juventus side.
The Italian champions played out a goalless draw with Lazio over the weekend but were largely the better side throughout. But they remain four points clear at the top of Serie A. The main injury concern they have is over striker Mirko Vucinic who is struggling with a bout of flu. However the Montenegrin is expected to recover in time. Chelsea hope to welcome Ashley Cole back but neither Terry or Lampard have travelled to Italy.
The teams have already played out an exciting 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge with Juventus coming from two goals down to claim a point. If Chelsea manage to beat Juve and Shakhtar over come FC Nordsjaelland as expected, then both teams will progress to the last 16. Chelsea will have their work cut out and Juventus will know that they have what it takes to beat last seasons Champions League winners.
Prediction: Juventus Win
Benfica - V - Celtic:
After Celtic's heroics against Barcelona in match day four, Neil Lennon's side face a tough trip to Portugal to take on Benfica. Celtic will know that a win in Lisbon will guarantee their passage to the knockout stages whilst a score draw will also ensure a top two finish in Group G. Benfica however also have hopes of qualifying for the latter stages themselves. A win would see them over take Celtic in the group and swing the momentum back in the Portuguese sides favour.
Neil Lennon has spoken of Celtic's historic night in Lisbon in 1967 when they defeated Inter Milan to claim the European Cup. Tonight's game doesn't hold quite as much importance but in a group where no one gave Celtic a hope of qualifying for the last 16, they know have their fate in their own hands. Lennon said; "1967 is a pivotal day in our history and we all aspire to reach those heights again."
The sides played out a scoreless draw in match day one at Celtic Park. Celtic come into the game on the back of a 2-0 away win at Aberdeen, which saw them return to the top of the SPL. Lennon has stated that he has just one injury concern over a senior player but refuse to state who. Scott Brown seems to be the mystery man as he comes into the game carrying a hip injury.
Benfica themselves enjoyed a 2-0 away win last weekend which means they remain on level points with old rivals Porto at the summit of Portuguese Primeira Liga. Veteran playmaker Pablo Aimar looks like a doubt for the game and will be sorely missed by Benfica. It's all set up for a cracking night in Lisbon.
Prediction: Score draw
Galatasaray - V - Man United
United travelled to Turkey yesterday where they were given a warm welcome by the locals. United however won't be phased by the daunting prospect of playing in Istanbul in such a hostile environment. United can take comfort in the knowledge that they have already qualified for the last 16 of the competition and can afford to rest some of their bigger names.
Sir Alex Ferguson has been rewarded for claiming maximum points from their opening four games and has left many of his bigger names at him. The likes of David De Gea, Patrice Evra, Rio Ferdinand, Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs, Robin van Persie and Wayne Rooney have all remained in Manchester. It means that there will be plenty of the younger generation involved tonight with many of them about to get their first taste of Champions League football. United so expect to welcome Phil Jones back into the side in what would be his first appearance of the season.
Galatasaray have plenty to play for as second spot is still well and truly up for grabs with three teams all vying for the one spot. It is a big opportunity for the Turkish champions to stake a claim for second spot as United's starting XI is likely to be very inexperienced. They did however have a surprising 3-1 loss at the weekend which just about keeps them top of their domestic league. They have an almost full fit squad to chose from tonight.
United won the opening game of the group 1-0 but with an almost entire different starting XI expected to take to the field tonight, the balance could be tipped slightly in the Turk's favour. United however won't shirk the challenge and have plenty of players like Smalling, Jones and Ashley Young who will want to impress the manager and put their hand up for a place in the first choice team. Young incidentally was apparently given a welcoming message of his own by one Gala fan. United may be playing in hell but it will be a hell that wont affect their passage to the knockout stages.
Prediction: Draw
