The UEFA Champions League continues action from Matchday 1 with some non-feature matches from Wednesday’s fixtures; this includes relatively experienced Portuguese and Ukrainian sides, a French outfit looking to make their mark, two Eastern European clubs looking to improve on previous campaigns and a newcomer from Denmark.SC Braga Vs. CFR Cluj – Wednesday Sept 19 2012, 2:45PM ET: Estadio Municipal de Braga
The first match of the “Round Up” sees two teams that have never met during European competition, as Romainian side CFR Cluj travel to Portugal to take on SC Braga. Both of these teams have had relatively good success in recent editions of UEFA Champions League Play, with Cluj taking part in the 2008-2009 and 2010-2011 editions of the competition. Although they could only muster a last place finish in the group stages on both occasions they did manage a major away win against AS Roma, which was a major step for a the club that also took part in UEFA Europa League during 2009-2010. As for Braga, their best success in Europe was playing in the 2010-2011 UEFA Europa League Final where fellow Portuguese side FC Porto eventually defeated them. Another interesting aspect to this match is the amount of Portuguese players on the Romanian side, as Cluj have six Portuguese players and three players that have previously played for Braga. Key players for Cluj are forwards Pantelis Kapetanos and Ronny as well as midfielder and former Braga player Rafael Bastos, as for the Portuguese side midfielders Alan and Rúben Micael will be vital.
I like the OVER in this match, there is a good amount of familiarity between the teams and while Braga are at home I don’t see them having it all their own way in a match that could have quite a few goals.
Pick: OVER 2.5 (-110)
LOSC Lille Vs. BATE Borisov – Wednesday Sept 19 2012, 2:45PM ET: Grand Stade Lille Metropole
This next match sees a relatively experienced Belarusian side BATE Borisov travel to France to take one of the immerging sides within the major European stage in LOSC Lille. Although BATE plays in the relatively obscure Belarusian league they have now made Europe’s premier competition on three occasions, with their best finish coming in 2008-2009 getting good success in their first appearance drawing Juventus, Real Madrid and FC Zenit St. Petersburg on their way to a last place group finish. The club also have made two appearances in the UEFA Europa League, finishing third in the 2009-2010 group stages and making it to the Round of 32 in 2010- 2011. Lille comes into this match with great home form in European competition, having only lost once in their last twelve group stage matches and will be looking to further christen their new Grand Stade Lille Metropole stadium. The key players for Lille are forward Tulio De Melo,as well as midfielders Marvin Martin and Rio Mavuba, the balance between the attacking intent of Martin and defensive solidity of Mavuba will be key to watch.
Even with BATE’s relatively good success for a club of their small stature I like Lille to continue their good home form, with the changing landscape of French football a good run in Europe is crucial for a club like Lille.
Pick: LOSC Lille -1 (-130)
FC Shakhtar Donetsk Vs. FC Nordsjælland – Wednesday Sept 19 2012, 2:45PM ET: Donbass Arena
The last match of the “Round Up” sees experienced European side in FC Shakhtar Donetsk host UEFA Champions League new boys in Danish side FC Nordsjælland. This is a Shakhtar side that have really made a name for themselves over recent European campaigns and along with experienced manager Mircea Lucescu have the ability to spring a surprise or two in this group, as they have players like forward Luiz Adriano and midfielders Alex Teixeira, Willianand Franandinho capable and proven of doing major damage. These players along with experienced defenders in captain Darijo Srna and Razvan Rat will be key, as they are the players that typically start or are heavily involved in attacks coming out of the back. As for Nordsjælland, they do boast one American player in former New England Revolution and US Men’s National Team member Michael Parkhurst. This is a club with previous European experience during UEFA Europa League and the previous edition known a the UEFA Cup, however this is a massive step up and it will be interesting to see how they cope. Other than the aforementioned Parkhurst the Danish side relies heavily on Dutch forward Joshua John to carry the goal scoring load, the 23 year old will have to carry a big burden but will relish the chance against what are three major European sides.
I really don’t see anything other than a comprehensive win for Shakhtar, this is not to disrespect the accomplishment of FC Nordsjælland to even make it to the big show but in my opinion they are out of their depth in what is a very difficult group also featuring Italian giants Juventus and the defending European champions Chelsea.
Kamal picks and previews Wednesday’s non-feature UEFA Champions League matches in the “Round Up”
