28 September 2011: UEFA Champions League Predictions

There were a few surprising results in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday. The biggest shocker was undoubtedly Manchester United drawing 3-3 at home to Swiss side FC Basel.

What do today’s fixtures have in store for us? The following matches are scheduled for today’s action.

Team to Watch: Arsenal

Arsene Wenger’s club are coming off of back-to-back victories for the first time this season. But those two victories were against Shrewsbury Town and Bolton Wanderers, who are bottom of the Premier League table. Nonetheless, the Gunners may finally be turning around their season.

Did You Know?

There have been 33 goals scored in the ten games Arsenal have played in 2011-12.

It would be a safe bet to expect more of the same, with Arsenal either scoring or conceding a healthy number of goals.

Players to Watch: Fernando Torres and Juan Mata

Chelsea striker Fernando Torres has finally found some of his Liverpool form over the past three games. Torres has tallied two goals and three assists in that span. He looks a legitimate threat to score many more goals this season, which is surely music to Andre-Villas Boas’ ears.

You should also keen an eye on Juan Mata, who will be facing his old team Valencia for the first time since leaving the club for Stamford Bridge in the summer. Mata has started his Chelsea career on solid form, bagging two goals and one assist in his first five games with the club.

Wednesday’s Champions League Predictions:

Bayer Leverkusen 2 – Racing Genk 0

Leverkusen are just one lever too high for Genk to climb. This match goes to the Bundesliga.

Valencia 1 – Chelsea FC 2

Chelsea sneak past Valencia in a hostile environment in Spain. Juan Mata makes the difference for the Blues against his former club.

Arsenal 3 – Olympiakos 2

Arsenal defence struggles yet again, but captain fantastic — Robin van Persie — rescues the Gunners…Again.

Marseille 0 – Borussia Dortmund 2

Dortmund are far too strong for Marseille. Another great performance from Mario Goetze, another Borussia Dortmund victory. The Bundesliga win again.

Zenit St Petersburg 1 – FC Porto 3

The Portuguese have too much firepower for the Russians. Hulk’s brace secures three points for Porto.

Shakhtar Donetsk 4 – Apoel Nicosia 0

The Ukrainians rout the Cypriots. Shakhtar have far too much class for Nicosia. Plain and simple.

AC Milan 3 – Viktoria Plzen 0

Milan cruise at the San Siro. Look for Pato to give Viktoria’s defence fits in this one.

BATE Borisov 0 – Barcelona 4

BATE Borisov would be underdogs to Barcelona’s B team. If that doesn’t scream blowout, I don’t know what does.