Previews

English giants refocus on Europe

Author: Brandon Barker
Date: 21/10/2009
Football betting

Manchester United and Chelsea will put their Premier League title aspirations to the back of their minds this week as they return to action in the Champions League.

Last season's losing finalists United face a tricky test in Russia as they prepare to face CSKA Moscow.

Can the Red Devils overcome CSKA Moscow this week? - Latest Football Betting

The Russian Premier League runners-up play on an unfamiliar artificial surface and although the English giants should have enough quality to come out on top, it will be interesting to see how Sir Alex Ferguson's men will adapt on the setting.

United have picked up maximum points so far following slender victories over Besiktas and Wolfsburg.

Ryan Giggs and Wayne Rooney are among five United players that will miss the game.

Patrice Evra, Ji-sung Park and Darren Fletcher have also failed to recover from injuries in time to fly to the Russian capital.

Rooney will stay at home as his wife is expecting to give birth to their first child anytime soon.

Chelsea face La Liga strugglers Atletico Madrid at Stamford Bridge looking to preserve their own 100 per cent start to their Group D campaign.

Carlo Ancelotti's outfit have already beat FC Porto and APOEL Nicosia and another win will almost see the Blues through to the knockout stages.

However, with precocious talent in the visiting squad, such as Sergio Aguero, Diego Forlan and Maxi Rodriguez, Atletico have enough fire power in their ranks to cause the Londoners some problems.

Chelsea are overwhelming sportsbook favourites to beat the faltering Spanish giants.

Elsewhere Laurent Blanc's Bordeaux face a tough test against German giants Bayern Munich at their Stade Chaban-Delmas home.

Juventus entertain Israel minnows Maccabi Haifa as they look to get their first win in the competition.

The Old Lady have drawn their opening two games and a win will bolster their qualification chances.

Wolfsburg come up against Besiktas and after looking so impressive against Manchester United at Old Trafford three weeks ago, the German champions, with Edin Dzeko and Grafite leading the line, should down the Turkish outfit.

FC Zurich entertain Marseille in Group C and after their stunning victory over AC Milan in the San Siro three weeks ago, the plucky Swiss newcomers will want to add more misery to the former European Cup winners this week.

The undoubted clash of matchday three is between Real Madrid and AC Milan at Santiago Bernabeu.

With players like Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, Kaka, Sergio Ramos, Ronaldinho and Filippo Inzaghi likely to be on show, the contest promises to a mouth-watering affair.

To add spice to the contest, Kaka left Milan in the summer to join the Madrid revolution.

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