I Can't Believe It Either...
The beautiful game did not disappoint tonight, and the match results will give this prognosticator some food for thought going into the final matchday come early December. Despite making a number of seemingly routine ‘guestimations’ regarding the ties of the day, I was once again foiled by the anything-can-happen spirit of the competition. Most notable of the suprises of the day was the early exit of Liverpool FC, a team that has struggled both at home and throughout Europe this football season. Rumour has it they will be looking for some help in the form of a new blood during the transfer window in January (more on that to come).
Before getting into the results of this past half of the matchday, let’s get down to business on predicting the forecast for tomorrow’s clashes… some of which will undoubtedly end up being a footy fan’s dream.
We begin with Group A, where top teams Bordeaux and Juventus will look to do battle in the hopes of officially securing a trip to the next round of play. Bayern Munich will need every ounce of their hunger in order to beat Maccabi Haifa who can do no better than spoiler at this point the competition. Bayern must win to have any hope of continuing into the knockout round. Look for Bordeaux and Juventus to dance to a stalemate with Bayern to win.
In Group B, CSKA Moskva will need full points against a Wolfsburg team that has nearly qualified. Anything short will spell exit from the competition. The already safe Manchester United will likely field their second string of footballers against a Beskitas team that has already conceded defeat in a season that has been a complete wash. Despite starting their bench Man U should rule the day. Wolfsburg to put out Moskva’s flickering flame.
Group C is where all the action is on this half of the matchday, with all 4 teams holding a mathematical chance of advancing past the group stage. Reports have tipped Cristiano Ronaldo to return for Real Madrid’s clash at the Bernabeu against Zurich. While the Swiss have managed a decent run considering their company, I cant imagine their trip will go much further. Elsewhere, Marseille will have to have their wits about them if they intend on taking full points from this matchday as they will face joint group leaders AC Milan, a team that edged them 2-1 in their first meeting this season. Marseille will be hard pressed to advance without the win, unfortunately, I just don’t think they have what it takes. Milan to win. Madrid to win.
CR9 - Ready For Action
Group D, which… well its already been decided with both Chelsea and Porto advancing. In the interest of good fun, I am going to wager that Chelsea will sit a number of its big guns in order to rest them for the EPL match against Arsenal on Sunday, and that Porto will send their top XI to battle… just enough to edge past the English giants. Atletico Madrid will take on APOEL Nicosia for pride… and if Madrid doesnt play in top form, it will be another in a long line of disappointments on the season. Porto to win. Atletico and APOEL to tie.
The Cheddarbomb team would like to take this opportunity to thank everybody who has commented on our posts. Your insight is much appreciated and indeed welcomed! To all of our readers, as always, you can follow us and our daily rantings and ravings at cheddarbomb.wordpress.com, or why not have us come to you… sign up for our RSS feed to get instant updates from the Cheddarbomb universe.
Debrecen 0 – 1 Liverpool: Robert 1 for 1 (starting strong)
Fiorentina 1-0 Lyon: Robert 1 for 2
Rubin Kazan 0-0 Dynamo Kiev: Robert 1 for 3
Barcelona 2-0 Inter Milan: Robert 1 for 4 (this is getting painful)
Rangers 0 – 2 Stuttgart: Robert 2 for 5
Unirea 1 – 0 Sevilla: Robert 2 for 6 (Lazy bums didn’t even start Luis Fabiano… the nerve!!)
AZ Alkmaar 0-0 Olympiacos: Robert 2 for 7 (Looks like ‘Dutch Pro‘ was right about Alkmaar being useless this year)
Arsenal 2 -0 Standard Liege: Robert 3 for 8
Top Cheese 
This is a great breakdown. Huge wins for Bordeaux, Bayern and Real.
Don’t know your feelings on Liverpool but I’m happy to see them go.
Thanks for the comment, I agree that this was a massive day for the aforementioned teams. As for Liverpool… good riddance to bad rubbish. They needed this wake up call, it’s time for them man up and compete for the EPL or at least win the FA Cup. Best of luck to them in the Europa League… at this rate they will need it.
Aye, it’s going to be hard for them to be motivated in the Europa League. But given the relative quality of clubs (Celtic, Fulham, Everton??), Liverpool should be able to advance through a few rounds.