CHL Round 2

[HiyaVata]

Things are heating up all over Europe as round two of the champions league prepares to kick off. 20:45 GMT and I can safely bet that 90% of the football world will be in front of the TV screens Odds are around 1.15 unfortunately Sadly this is the safest odd as round 1 showed us two weeks ago. Not to despair though, the doctor is in the house Should be something in here for us to find, though if I were you, I'd join Tuesday and Wednesday in my combo....

Manchester cross the channel and head to Denmark where they will face AAB. Not so much to our surprise was the draw against Celtic, rather than the clover leafs poor performance that earned the Danes a point. Missed penalty in the first half (wich I personally am still trying to get over) and lots more chances, not to mention the 1 man more in the last 10 minutes. Bruce Rioch and his boys are hoping to send an earthquake through Denmark!? What ever that means...
There will be a heated atmosphere inside the compact 10,000-seat Aalborg Stadium, and if AaB prevail, Rioch predicts the noise generated will be so loud it will be heard across the country. "This is a massive game and has got the whole city buzzing," he enthused. "It will be a tough evening for us but if we do win our supporters are sure to go crazy. It will be like an earthquake going off – everyone in Denmark will feel it." [uefa.com-UEFA Champions League-Fixtures & Results ]
Something tells me that the Richter scale will move as much as my ass on the sofa during tonight's 90 minutes of the games! I should think that this could be the only banker for today and tomorrow, more so because the "little mess" Manchester is in right now. They drew against their direct rival at home and now Villareal and Celtic meet. If either one of them wins, it'll be hard for Man. United to grab top spot. An away game with the Spaniards and 2 hot games against hot rivals Celtic, means Manchester MUST NOT lose tonight. Ferguson isn't resting anyone, so that should tell you how serious he is about this fixture. I would go for a HT/FT win here, all Manchester!
The team that manages to control possession and stay focused in a carnival atmosphere will emerge victorious from Matchday 2 at El Madrigal when Villarreal CF host Celtic FC. EXATLY!
If Villarreal's home league form is anything to go by then we should see a big home win here. The point at Manchester sure lifted their moral. With the teams in their group, home wins are a must. Celtic on the other hand escaped what would have been an embarrassing draw to lowly Aberdeen. They are stubborn, I'll give them that, and they really are a pain in the ass when they play the big teams. No need to mention how big Villarreal are this season, but I should expect them to come away with 3 points. Could use this game in a system if anyone wants, HT/FT Draw/Villarreal, but a 1.40 combo multiplier should be just fine....

Fiorentina eager to make amends is today's headline. After storming into a 2:0 away lead at Lyon, they blew and almost lost any point. It was just one of those 2 way games. 45 minutes of Fiorentina Vs. the next 45 minutes of Lyon. I think Fiorentina is a very good team that just hasn't found it's full potential. Something like Luke Skywalker in Star Wars...The force is strong with this one, just no Yoda to teach them that, but through more and more games, they will prevail. But here's what I don't like...the odds are @ 1.45. Imo way too low, in other words, underestimated FC Steaua. They did lose to Bayern at home, but only by 1 goal and let's be realistic, that was Bayern. It wont be easy for the purple hearts, should be a home win, but I'm very curious if Steau will show their teeth or will Fiorentina steamroll over them in the first half like they did Lyon
Maybe the match of the day, then again, maybe not, but when Bayern and Lyon step on the pitch today, sparks will be flying. Lyon face a similar situation here as Manchester, only they face Bayern. What to say about ze Germans...They're Bayern, they're giants, they're worth $100 mil yet they are 9th in their domestic league!? Actually, it's no surprise. Klinsman is trying to transform Bayern, everyone knows this, just that his tactic isn't producing the best of results. Lyon on the other hand are in great domestic form, not really thrashing teams but still, a win is a win, yet they too almost lost it against Fiorentina two weeks ago. Ribery is back in Bayerns lineup, though I doubt he'll be starting. This one's a tough call. Hmm hmm on the draw pick, but maybe more hmm hmm hmm on the goal line, and Under would be my choice. First half draw? @ 1.90... I'll take it!

Combo No.1 :
HT/FT Manchester/Manchester @ 1.70
Villarreal @ 1.40
Fiorentina @ 1.45
Bayern - Lyon First half draw @ 1.90
Chelsea @ 1.40
Fenerbahche @ 1.70

Combo No. 2 :
Aab - Man. United : Over 1.5 goals first half @ 2.35
Arsenal - Porto : X2 @ 2.40
Bayern @ 1.85
Sporting @ 1.50

Combo No. 3 :
Gilardino(Fiorentina) to score @ 2.33
Aab - Manchester : Over @ 1.60
Arsenal - Porto :Both teams to score @ 1.85
Atletico Madrid @ 1.50
Villarreal - Celtic : Over @ 1.95

[Ledi17]

Good picks HiyaVata, just one that i have some doubt. You think that Arsenal will be with 1 or 2 points after two matches in CHL, anyway i have done my bet already and it was for Arsenal to win. I saw Arsenal with Hull in Premier League and Arsene Wenger (coach of Arsenal) was so nervous about Arsenal that match. I think he have done something better this time to not let more pressure against him. Anyway i wish u good luck with your combo, as i really have see that in last time u was great with ur results.

[HiyaVata]

I watched it too, and am not surprised to be honest. I read what Venger had to say about this match today, he's planning on rearranging the team, hence tactic...Don't know if this is a smart thing to do right now. Porto is no pushover and with the odds being this high on the X2 I'm willing to risk it.
GL on your picks too

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/foot...pe/7642269.stm

[Dreamer]

My combo for tonight:
Zenit v RealMadrid - X
ManU - clean sheet
Villarreal - clean sheet
Fiorentina v Steaua - 1
Juventus - clean sheet
Ipswich v Barnsley - 1
QPR v Blackpool - 1
May The Luck Be With Us