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Group A Preview

Having reached the business end of the first round of the UEFA Champions League, Group A sees Juventus and Bayern Munich tussling for top spot.

Only goal difference separates the two protagonists but Juve would appear to face the sterner test on Tuesday with Club Brugge, still in contention for qualification themselves, travelling to Turin.

Bayern, meanwhile, host a Rapid Vienna side with little more than pride to play for having already been consigned to the group's wooden spoon.

Juventus v Club Brugge

Fabio Capello's Juve approach Tuesday's match in fine form - Saturday's 4-1 win over Roma saw The Old Lady reaffirm their leadership of Serie A.

But Capello will resist the temptation to rest any of his star turns with Zlatan Ibrahimovic the only absentee after a dismissal last time out in Juve's 2-1 win over Bayern.

Alessandro Del Piero is set to replace the Swede and Capello will deploy an attack-minded formation.

"We won't be playing with an attacking trident," Capello said. "We will play with four - Del Piero, David Trezeguet, Pavel Nedved and Mauro Camoranesi.

"All four have attacking qualities that they will use to maximum effect."

Brugge have enjoyed a profitable Champions League campaign as well and courtesy of a 3-2 win over Rapid Vienna have already guaranteed third spot and Uefa Cup football.

However, the Belgians are only three points behind the joint leaders and coach Jan Ceulemans has not discounted his side's chances of claiming an unlikely passage in Europe's premier club competition.

He said: "We know we are safe [in terms of UEFA Cup qualification] but we are not playing without motivation.

"Now we are in this position, we want more. In football, anything is possible so we will be trying our hardest to progress in this competition."

Ceulemans is also boosted by the return from injury of trio Philippe Clement, Gert Verheyen and Rune Lange with the latter challenging Bosko Balaban for a starting place alongside Javier Portillo in the visitor's attack.

Bayern Munich v Rapid Vienna

The second match in the group would appear, on paper at least, a little more straightforward.

Despite losing the leadership to Juve in their last European engagement Bayern will approach the game confident of dispatching a side who have failed to earn a single point from their four fixtures.

And the Germans' coach Felix Magath will also be keeping a close eye on his team's scoreboard as they seek to overhaul Juve at the head of the group and earn a more favourable draw for the knockout stages in the process.

To do that Bayern may have to rectify a goal difference deficit of four and Magath believes the visit of Rapid will give his side an opportunity to do just that.

"If we manage to score an early opener, we will not just sit back and relax - we will continue to apply the pressure because we need a convincing result to top the group," said Magath.

Bayern's cause is not helped, however, by a potentially crippling midfield injury list.

The influential Michael Ballack is almost certain to miss out with a thigh injury, while Mehmet Scholl has also been laid low with a similar complaint. Ze Roberto is also doubtful for the hosts although Philippe Lahm could return.

His opposite number, Josef Hickersberger, has taken heart from Bayern's selection conundrum.

"I know all of those players very well and the absence of Bayern's skillful midfield trio is a major advantage," confirmed the man who will assume the reins of the Austrian national team on January 1.

The prospects of Rapid becoming the first side to beat Bayern at their new Allianz Arena are diminished, however, by the loss of Axel Lawaree (ankle) and Marcin Adamski (calf).

Group D Preview

Manchester United could go out of the UEFA Champions League if results do not go their way as they face a vital game against Villarreal.

Lille's hopes of qualifying received a major boost when they overcame United last time out in Paris and they entertain Benfica in the other fixture in Group D.

Man United v Villarreal

Sir Alex Ferguson has described the tie as one of the biggest in recent years for his club and, coming so soon after captain Roy Keane's sudden departure, it is difficult to argue against that assessment.

United were on song at Charlton Athletic on Saturday, particularly in the first half, but life without their most influential player over the past decade will not be easy. Ruud van Nistelrooy continues as skipper despite the return of Gary Neville at right back, buoyed by his double strike at The Valley.

Van Nistelrooy will be expected to fire the bullets again, as he does so often in Europe, with Alan Smith continuing to gamely try to fill Keane's boots in midfield. Cristiano Ronaldo hurt his shin in training and his pace and penetration will be crucial on the night so the Portuguese winger will be given every chance to prove his fitness. South Korean Park Ji-sung stands by.

Neville's return should mean the axe for Wes Brown, despite his impressive return from injury. Ferguson may instead shift Mikael Silvestre to left back, play Brown in the middle and leave John O'Shea out.

United's fans are being urged to bring flags and banners to Old Trafford to generate a special atmosphere and make the ground a cauldron of noise on Tuesday night.

Villarreal are without former United striker Diego Forlan and inspirational playmaker Juan Roman Riquelme, who was outstanding in Argentina's recent friendly defeat to England in Geneva.

Roger Garcia is set to deputise for Riquelme but The Yellow Submarines may put the emphasis on defence as they strive to stretch an unbeaten run of 11 games.

Goalkeeper Sebastian Viera is a man on a mission as he seeks revenge for a collapsed move to Arsenal by putting one over The Gunners' English rivals.

Lille v Benfica

Lille come into the game on the back of a defeat at Auxerre but coach Claude Puel hopes that serves as a wake-up call to his side.

There are a batch of injuries for Puel to contend with as Peter Odemwingie, Daniel Gygax and Mathieu Debuchy are all sidelined. Youngster Kevin Mirallas is pushing for a place in the starting line-up but will probably have to settle for a place on the bench.

Former Tottenham midfielder Milenko Acimovic will be a key figure, playing just behind lone striker Matt Moussilou.

Benfica desperately need a win but have suffered a massive blow with the news that Simao Sabrosa has injured his thigh.

The classy Portugal international's probings will be sadly missed as the Liverpool target is forced to sit it out. Italian hit-man Fabrizio Miccoli is fit to play after hamstring trouble and looks set to partner Nuno Gomes in attack.

Quim continues in goal as coach Ronald Koeman urges his team to show the required desire to keep their European dreams alive.

Group B preview

Arsenal aim to continue their 100 percent record in Group B when they face FC Thun.

In the other group game Ajax host Sparta Prague hoping to seal their place in the knockout stages.

Ajax v Sparta Prague

Ajax can book their place in the next phase of the UEFA Champions League with just a draw against Sparta Prague if Thun fail to overcome Arsenal.

The Champions League has provided a welcome relief for Ajax as they have struggled domestically and trail league leaders PSV Eindhoven by 11 points.

Ajax are missing key quartet Ryan Babel, Julien Escude, Angelos Charisteas and Bogdan Lobont through injury.

Czech midfielder Tomas Galasek is also unavailable for Danny Blind as he is missing through suspension.

Markus Rosenberg is pushing for a place in the starting line-up after impressing in last weekend's win over FC Twente.

Sparta Prague go into the game buoyed by their win over Mlada Boleslav last weekend to end a run a six successive defeats.

Defender Pavel Pergl is available again for Sparta coach Stanislav Griga after serving a domestic suspension.

Jan Simak will be given until the last minute to prove his fitness after picking up a slight knock.

FC Thun v Arsenal

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger looks set to rest a number of his key players for the trip to Switzerland.

With qualification already secured Wenger will look to give some of his fringe players a chance to impress.

Arsenal have won their opening four games in the group and another will secure top spot in the table.

Jens Lehmann, Kolo Toure and Gilberto Silva have all been rested by Wenger, while Dennis Bergkamp has not made the trip to Switzerland because of his fear of flying.

Cameroon midfielder Alexandre Song and versatile Ivory Coast international Emmanuel Eboue could feature in Switzerland, along with young strikers Arturo Lupoli, Nicklas Bendtner and Johan Djourou as Wenger shuffles his pack.

Ashley Cole and Gael Clichy are still sidelined through injury along with Alexander Hleb.

In the absence of Cole and Clichy, Pascal Cygan is set to continue at left back.

Nothing other than a win will do for Thun as they look to keep alive their slim hopes of progressing.

Thun are four points behind second-placed Ajax in the race for qualification, but they will be boosted by their last outing against Arsenal when only a late Bergkamp goal saw them lose.

The home side are without captain Andreas Gerber as he struggles with an Achilles problem.

Thanks for all the updates.

Its a "do or die" game for ManU tonight and the reason why they're a little on the short side is Villareal are missing 3 key players....Forlan, Riquelme and their captain Alvarez.

Catch you all later.

good luck all

FC Thun vs Arsenal

FC Thun: Jakupovic, Orman, Hodzic, Deumi, Goncalves, Ferreira, Milicevic, Aegerter, Leandro, Adriano, Lustrinelli

Subs: Portmann, Bernardi, Duruz, Gelson, Spadoto, Faye, Sen

Arsenal: Almunia, Eboue, Senderos, Campbell, Cygan, Ljungberg, Song Billong, Flamini, Reyes, Henry, Van Persie

Subs: Poom, Pires, Lauren, Fabregas, Bendtner, Djourou, Lupoli


With the exception of central midfield and full backs a strong Arsenal side and Arsenal now odds against - gonna be backing

Man Utd
E Van der Sar, W Brown, R Ferdinand, M Silvestre, J O'Shea, D Fletcher, A Smith, P Scholes, C Ronaldo, W Rooney, R van Nistelrooy
Subs: T Howard, G Neville, L Saha, J Park, K Richardson, G Pique, G Rossi

Villarreal
M Barbosa, R Javi Venta, G Rodriguez, J Pena, R Arruabarrena, G Roger, A Tacchinardi, M Senna, J Sorin, L Figueroa, R Jose Mari
Subs: S Viera, C Arzo, M Josico, R Hector Font, J Kromkamp, G Santi Cazorla, M Xisco Nadal

For those with sky, Man Utd on 103, Arsenal 120, Lille Benefica on 402, Juve Bruges on 404 and all the other games via the red button on 404

Backed Arsenal at 2.02 and layed United at 1.58

Just got my daughter off the PC.

Taken a punt on Arsenal but only got 1.95.

Backed United too so I hope you lose on that bet Steve!

Good bet on Arsenal John - only playing 10 men now

John, Did you have to pay her?

No positions yet. May wait till half time to get on ManU. Not too convinced with their attacking. Can't seem to get it together in the box.

Someone backed Arsenal at 1.12 after the sending off lol - my finger wasnt quick enough

Greened at 1.5

Big over reaction to the sending off imo

Good bet the overs on Barca game Woodie - likewise the unders in the United game :-)

Bak,

No she has 'kindly' stepped down to let me play. I wonder who is the boss sometimes.

Steve,

Good decision. Me too.

Will go back in just after half time if still nil nil - would expect the price to be nearer 1.8 than 1.6

I just couldnt back a side who dont have to win, away from home at 0-0 with 55 mins to go at 2/1 on even if they are playing a poor side with ten men

Nice trading guys! Keep it up.

Just bought back my Man U lay, not sure what to do now. Man U haven't really looked like scoring in the first half.