UEFA Champions' League Group Stages (Matchday 3)

CSKA Moscow v Manchester United
Wolfsburg v Besiktas
Chelsea v Athletico Madrid


Wednesday, 21 October
CSKA Moscow v Manchester United

Preview: A depleted Manchester United take the long trip to Russia in search of three points and the reward of virtually sealing qualification into the next phase. CSKA sit on 3pts after their 2-1 defeat of Besiktas and any points here will be a welcome bonus. Manchester travel with some key players out including Rooney, Giggs, Fletcher and Park. CSKA in turn will miss the services of Gonzalez and young, in-form striker Guilherme.

Verdict: Despite the absentees and the up and coming fixture against Liverpool, Sir Alex still has the artillery to complete the job in Russia. In defeating Besiktas in Matchday 2, CSKA broke their 10 game losing streak in Europe, dating back to 2006. A poor Besiktas still managed to create some opportunities against the Russians. With Berbatov and Owen lurking, Man U will not be as forgiving this evening.

Pick: Manchester United DNB @1.72 (sbobet, 8 units)
CSKA Moscow 0 - 1 Manchester United

Wolfsburg v Besiktas

Preview: After a good showing at Old Trafford in Matchday 2 (2-1 loss), German champions Wolfsburg will not have a better opportunity to gain 3pts in Group B when they face Besiktas. The Turkish champions have not won on their travels, in the Champions League group stages, since their famous 2-0 win at Chelsea in 2003. In team news, Wolsfburg has no injury concerns whereas Holosko misses out for the visitors.

Verdict: Wolfsburg demonstrated in Matchday 2 that they are a match for anyone on their day. A late Michael Carrick goal condemned the Germans to a 2-1 defeat, at Manchester United, on that occasion but the striking power of Grafite and Dzeko was there for all to see. With Besiktas lacking goal threat, especially on their travels in Europe, it is hard to envisage the Turks getting anything from this game.

Pick: Wolfsburg -1AH @1.95 (sbobet, 5 units)
Wolfsburg 0 - 0 Besiktas

Chelsea v Athletico Madrid

Preview: Group D leaders Chelsea have taken maximum points so far without really reaching the heights. Narrow 1-0 wins over Porto and APOEL has put them in the driver seat for qualification to the next phase, while Athletico are the most likely to miss out all together with a solitary point against APOEL. Chelsea will be absent of some key figures including the suspended Drogba, in addition to the injured Bosingwa, Alex and Ballack. The visitors are without Pernia, Camacho, Valera and Roberto.

Verdict: Athletico may be struggling in La Liga (15th) but they do have quality including Forlan, Aguero, and Simao that can cause the best of teams problems. I fully expect Athletico to raise their game here and perhaps they will be more motivated to get a result at Stamford Bridge than the home team. A good result for the visitors will not only go a long way in reviving their Champions League hopes, it will also galvanize their league form. Chelsea are comfortable leaders in this group and a draw against Athletico (without injuries) will be a decent result for Ancelotti and his chargers.

Pick: Athletico Madrid +1.5AH @1.71 (sbobet, 8 units)
Chelsea 4 - 0 Athletico Madrid