Champions League Match Day 4 - Preview of Groups C and D
Group C:
Bursaspor vs Manchester United
Valencia vs Rangers
Manchester United will travel to Turkey tonight to take on Bursaspor with the hope of making their qualification to the next round guaranteed with a win.
But, Manchester United will have to play the game without two of their key players: Wayne Rooney- who is out nursing an injured ankle- and Rio Ferdinand- who has just returned from a back injury- and has not been risked by the manager and left home.
In the absence of Ferdinand, Chris Smalling will partner Nemenja Vidic at the centre of defence as Johnny Evans is also out injured, while Javier Hernandez is likely to play up front alongside Dimitar Berbatov.
United have 7 points from three games in the group and are unbeaten in 15 matches that they have played this season. It is unlikely that they will be beaten tonight by a team that is playing their first ever season in the Champions League.
A win for United will all but guarantee them a place in the next round and anything less than a win for Bursaspor will eliminate them from the Champions League.
In the other match of the group, Walter Smith’s Ranger will travel to Spain to take on Unai Emery’s Valencia at the Estadio Mestalla.
Valencia currently have 4 points while Rangers have 5 and a win for both the sides is absolutely crucial tonight as it will put them in pole position for qualification for the last 16 of the Champions League.
Rangers might have to play their match without Maurice Edu, who is a doubt for tonight's game with a calf injury and will undergo a late fitness test.
Valencia, on the other hand, have a fully fit squad and will have the home advantage in tonight’s game to spur them on for the win.
Clubs
Pld
W
D
L
F
A
+/-
Pts
1
Manchester United FC
3
2
1
0
2
0
2
7
2
Rangers FC
3
1
2
0
2
1
1
5
3
Valencia CF
3
1
1
1
5
2
3
4
4
Bursaspor
3
0
0
3
0
6
-6
0
Group D:
FC Copenhagen vs Barcelona
Rubin Kazan vs Panathinaikos
In Group D, Barcelona will travel to Denmark to take on Danish Champions, FC Kobenhavn. The match looks to be a mismatch on paper but Barcelona will not be complacent after having already dropped two points against Rubin Kazan on match day two. A defeat
for Blaugaranas will see the Danish side pip them to the first spot in the group.
Barcelona will be boosted by the return of Xavi from injury but he is still not likely to start the match as coach Guardiola will be looking to protect his midfield ace from a match that is likely to be a feisty encounter. But, Guardiola will surely be without
the services of his 2nd choice goal keeper, Jose Manuel Pinto as he is currently serving a two match ban. The coach will have to turn to his reserve goal keeper for a place on the bench tonight.
In the other match of the group, Rubin Kazan will take on Panathanikos and will be hoping to put things right after having conjured only two points from the first three games. The Greek side will also be looking for their first win against the Russian champions.
A loss for either side will eliminate them from the competition.
Clubs
W
D
L
F
A
+/-
Pts
1
FC Barcelona
3
2
1
0
8
2
6
7
2
FC København
3
2
0
1
3
2
1
6
3
FC Rubin Kazan
3
0
2
1
1
2
-1
2
4
Panathinaikos FC
3
0
1
2
1
7
-6
1
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