Bayer Leverkusen vs Rosenborg

Bayer Leverkusen vs Rosenborg Preview

Bayer Leverkusen coach Jupp Heynckes has a headache about Michael Ballack's injury for his preparations against Rosenborg.

The pair played together in a 4-0 friendly win over Schalke during the international break with Rolfes taking his first steps back from a knee cartilage injury which had sidelined him for the last seven months.
However, Heynckes says that Rolfes is not yet ready to fill the boots of Ballack, who has been ruled out for the next six weeks with a shin injury.
"Simon is almost ready, but the Rosenborg game and Sunday (in the Bundesliga) are too early for him," Heynckes told the Express newspaper.
Instead, Sebastian Reinartz will move forwards from the centre of the defence and he is looking forward to tomorrow's debut Europe's second-tier competition.
"There are so many illustrious names in this Europa League," he said. "We have to play Atletico Madrid (in the group), but I was surprised by how many other top teams are in the competition.
"Teams like Liverpool, Juventus, Porto, Manchester City, Besiktas and all the others - this is all top-drawer."
But even tomorrow's opponents Rosenborg are not to be under-estimated.
"I remember a game in 1999 when they won 3-0 in the Champions League in Dortmund," he told www.bayer04.de.
"That impressed me back then. I don't know their current team too well, but they have been in the Champions League often recently and that says it all, really."
However, only one result will do tomorrow for Reinartz, who expects Leverkusen to come through the group phase at least this season.
"We certainly have the potential to survive this group and our aim is to get through to the knockout stage," he said.
"I want a win, without conceding."
Rosenborg are Norway's record league and cup winners, although they were unable to show their superiority at the weekend when they could only draw 1-1 with Viking Stavanger.
Former Tottenham striker Steffen Iversen will lead the Rosenborg attack alongside Rade Prica, who is no stranger to the Bundesliga having played for Hansa Rostock between 2002 and 2006.

Under-2.50
Over-1.65

MSK Zilina vs Chelsea

Chelsea begin their quest to land an elusive UEFA Champions League crown with a trip to MSK Zilina. 

Having returned themselves to the summit of English football last season, the Blues are now more determined than ever to crack the continent.
Success in Europe's premier club competition remains the Holy Grail for all concerned at Stamford Bridge, with owner Roman Abramovich desperate to get his hands on the top prize.
They will hope that the 2010/11 campaign proves to be the one in which their long wait comes to an end, having come agonisingly close in the recent past.
Chelsea will, however, be wary of suffering an early slip-up when they head for Slovakia on Wednesday night.
A tricky trip to Eastern Europe is set to pitch them against group stage debutants Zilina, who will be looking to claim a prized scalp.
The Blues can take heart, though, from the fact that they secured a 5-0 aggregate victory over the Slovaks in the qualifying rounds back in 2003/04.
In fact, their record against Slovakian sides, which stretches to four games, has seen them build up a cumulative score of 9-0.

Challenge

Zilina boss Pavel Hapal is well aware of the task facing his side in midweek, but expects them to give a good account of themselves.
He said: "It's a great challenge for me and I'm really looking forward to it. On the other hand, we won't sell ourselves short.
"We want to show our supporters quality football and we'd like to get some points from our meeting with Chelsea.
"We respect our opponents; they're a really big club. Chelsea are obviously superior to us, but football is about 11 players playing against 11 players and we want to walk off with our heads high after the match."
Hapal's endeavours will be aided by the fact that Zilina have a fully-fit squad from which to choose.

Missing

Chelsea, on the other hand, are set to be without a number of their key men.
Talismanic frontman Didier Drogba is set to start a two-match ban, having been dismissed against Inter Milan in the last 16 last term.
Frank Lampard is also unavailable to Carlo Ancelotti as he nurses his way back to full fitness following a hernia operation.
Jose Bosingwa is edging his way back into contention, but will not be risked, while Ashley Cole is another who has been left behind in London.
The missing men could have handed Ancelotti something of a selection poser, but the Italian, in a Jose Mourinho-esque manner, has already named his starting XI.
He said: "I've already made a decision about the starting lineup: Cech, Ivanovic, Alex, Terry, Zhirkov, John Obi Mikel, Essien, Benayoun, Malouda, Anelka, Sturridge.
"Zilina are a good team. I saw their play-off against Sparta. They deserved to go through. We have to be careful because they are a very organised side, especially in defence, and can cause us problems."

Under-2.05
Over-1.95

Malmo FF Vs Helsingborg IF

The Swedish Allsvenska football match between Malmo FF (8th) and Helsingborg IF (7th) kicks off on Swedbank Stadion at 20:00 CET 15 September 2010. Stats and info are based on previous season for the first 3 rounds of the new season.
Malmo FF has played 15 Swedish Allsvenska matches this season on Swedbank Stadion. On home ground Malmo FF has won 4, drawn 8 and lost 3 matches. This ranks Di blaae (The Blues) 11th in home team performance in the Swedish Allsvenska.
Helsingborg IF has played 15 Swedish Allsvenska matches this season away from home. On away ground Helsingborg IF has won 5, drawn 2 and lost 8 matches. This ranks Di Roe (The Reds) 8th in away team performance in the Swedish Allsvenska.
Stats and info are based on previous season for the first 3 rounds of the new season.

Malmo FF is placed 8 in Swedish Allsvenska – scored 40 goals and conceded 25. Helsingborg IF is placed 7 in Swedish Allsvenska – scored 39 goals and conceded 39.

Under-1.80
Over-2.20

CFR Cluj-Napoca vs Basle

• UEFA Champions League
• Group E
• 15th Sep 2010

CFR Cluj and FC Basel meet in Romania in UEFA Champions League Group E, with third spot the likely target for the two teams. 

With last season's runners-up Bayern Munich and Roma also in the group, an opening game victory could go a long way to deciding whether Cluj or Basel will be playing European football after the winter break.
Both teams last competed in the Champions League group phase in 2008/09 when Cluj marked their debut by winning away to Roma and drawing at home with Chelsea.
Four defeats followed for Cluj, while the only bright spot during Basel's campaign was a draw away to eventual winners Barcelona.

Coach change

Cluj's build-up to Wednesday evening's encounter has been overshadowed by a change in coach after last season's double-winning boss Andrea Mandorlini was sacked.
Sorin Cartu was appointed as Mandorlini's successor on Monday and is optimistic the players will not have been unsettled by the upheaval.
"We're trying to approach this as a normal game," said Cartu. "I trust my players and I think playing in the Champions League is motivation in itself for the players.
"On a personal level, the Champions League is an important milestone in my career, but I have had others.
"On the domestic front I've won everything so the pressure is to repeat what I've done, not necessarily better it, and return to the group stage next season."
Cluj are likely to be without Sasa Bjelanovic with the Croatian striker having been sidelined for the past month due to an ankle injury.

Basel news

Basel have already won twice away from home in the Champions League this season after victories over FC Sheriff and Debrecen in the qualifying rounds.
Coach Thorsten Fink is unsure how Cluj's change in manager will impact on the game and is setting his sights on qualification for the last 16.
Fink said: "This will be a difficult game for us as we don't quite know what to expect with the change of coach.
"There are no small teams in the Champions League; Cluj are a good side and anything is possible in football.
"We're aiming to finish second in the group even though we're third seeds, although third place wouldn't be a tragedy for us - Bayern are naturally the favourites to win the group."
The Swiss outfit are likely to be able to call on Cabral for the game after he made his first appearance in over a month against Young Boys at the weekend.
However, Jacques Zoua and Genseric Kusunga have thigh and knee injuries respectively, while Valentin Stocker will undergo a late fitness test on an ankle problem.

Under-1.80
Over-2.30

Bayern Munich vs As Roma

Group E action is underway as Roma travels to Allianz Arena to take on the mighty Bavarians of Bayern Munich. Group E consists of Bayern, Roma, Basel and Cluj so winning out is not necessarily a given. Roma is coming off a 5-1 league loss while Bayern will not easily forget their loss to the other Italian powerhouse, Inter Milan in last year’s Champions League Final.

Bayern Munich:

Bayern Munich has virtual the same squad as the team from last year’s Champions League Runners up. Manager Louis van Gaal did well not to lose his star players during the threatening off-season. Of those, Frank Ribery and Arjen Robben will miss the match due to a suspension and a hamstring respectively. Ribery is serving the last of his three-match suspension for being sent off in last season’s semifinal. Thomas Mueller, on the other hand, made more than a name for himself during Germany’s impressive run in the World Cup and has made it clear that there are plenty of players anxious to play in Ribery’s stead. Bayern is packed with some of Germany’s best players and they rarely fail to produce. Bastian Schweinsteiger, captain Philipp Lahm, Mario Gómez, and Miroslav Klose are all stars for both club and country. Van Gaal will likely choose either Olic and Gomez to start as his center forward.


AS Roma:

The 2009/2010 Serie A runners up, I Giallorossi (yellow-reds), are coming off a hefty 5-1 defeat at Cagliari over the weekend, but should not be counted out of Wednesday’s fixture. Capitano Francesco Totti is not worried about their recent loss and believes Roma can compete for the title. The new arrivals of Adriano and Marco Borriello have hopefully put the sails in the wings of Roma players and supporters. Claudio Ranieri’s biggest problem as of late is the growing list of injuries. Midfielder Rodrigo Taddei injured his right calf and has been declared unfit. Mirko Vucinic, Stefano Okaka, Philippe Mexes, John Riise, and Paolo Castellini will all miss out against Bayern through various injuries. Menes, Borriello, and Totti should lead the attack while Adriano is not quite up to form.

Prediction:

Bayern Munich and Roma have to be the favorites to advance out of the group into the Round of 16. The winner of this match has a big advantage as they should be well on their way past the Group Stages. After a solid campaign in last year’s Champions League, Bayern wins through experience. Let’s not forget how well they play at home. Roma will do well and be happy to draw in Allianz Arena and will look to their strikers to do just that.

Under-2.20
Over-1.85

AC Milan vs Auxerre

AC Milan's new coach Massimiliano Allegri is hoping his Rossoneri side will put aside their weekend debacle against Cesena with victory at home to Auxerre in UEFA Champions League Group G. 

The seven-time European champions have not won their last six home games in Europe, spanning almost two years.
And despite Milan's opening day Serie A win against Lecce, Allegri's side were severely punished by new boys Cesena on Saturday as they were beaten 2-0 in northern Italy.
The former Cagliari boss, who took over at the San Siro during the summer, has vowed that his team will not make the same errors against the French outfit.

Invention

Allegri is likely to restore Dutch veteran Clarence Seedorf back into the team in place of either Gennaro Gattuso or Massimo Ambrosini to add more invention to their forward play.
Meanwhile, Alessandro Nesta is expected to return to the line-up after missing the Cesena match with an inflamed sciatic nerve, while Daniele Bonera is ready to step in if Thiago Silva is unable to play.
Striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic will be hoping for a better Champions League debut than his first Serie A match with Milan after missing a penalty in the loss to Cesena.
Allegri insists that, despite the presence of Ajax and Auxerre in the so called 'Group of Death', the fight for top spot will be between his team and Jose Mourinho's Real Madrid.
"Real and ourselves will play for (top spot); I'd say we have a 50 per cent chance of winning the group but neither I nor the team will be happy with second place," he said.

Struggling

Auxerre go into the game struggling for form in the French league, sitting in 17th place with just four points from five matches.
The side from Burgundy have never been beyond the quarter-finals and are competing in the group stage for only the third time, and the first time since 2002 thanks to a 2-1 win over Zenit St Petersburg in the play-offs.
They will be without suspended Roy Contout, and fellow striker Alexandre Licata is out with an ankle injury.
Coach Jean Fernandez spent time at Milan's training camp in his formative years and a return to the San Siro will bring back good memories.

Under-1.93
Over-2.10

Real Madrid v Ajax

Two European heavyweights are set to slug it out on Wednesday when Real Madrid take on Dutch giants Ajax. 

Group G is loaded with UEFA Champions League pedigree, with AC Milan also helping to make up the numbers.
Between them, those three sides have collected 20 of the 55 European Cup titles handed out over the years.
Real Madrid, the most successful club in the competition's history, have taken the crown on nine occasions, while their midweek opponents Ajax have lifted the trophy four times.
Real have gone eight years since they last tasted success, though, and have crashed out in the last 16 in each of the last six seasons.
They do, however, have a trump card to play this year, with European specialist Jose Mourinho now at the helm - a man who has taken the top prize with Porto and Inter Milan.
Ajax, though, will head to the Spanish capital in confident mood, having gone 43 years since they last tasted defeat against Real.
The Eredivisie outfit have emerged victorious in each of the last four meetings between the two sides.
Martin Jol's men have been away from the spotlight for some time, though, with the 2005/06 campaign representing the last time they graced the Champions League.

Kaka out

Mourinho is set to be without Brazilian playmaker Kaka once again on Wednesday, with the Samba star still working his way back to full fitness following knee surgery in August.
Fernando Gago will also be missing from the midfield, with sprained knee ligaments keeping him on the sidelines.
Ezequiel Garay (knee) and Raul Albiol (ankle) will play no part in the midweek fixture, meaning Pepe and Ricardo Carvalho will be paired together at the heart of the back four.

Suarez suspended

Ajax are still reeling from the news that Evander Sno suffered a heart attack in a reserve fixture against Vitesse Arnhem on Monday and he is set for a lengthy spell out of action.
Jan Vertonghen must serve a one-game ban on Matchday 1, while talismanic frontman Luis Suarez is also suspended.
Jol must also cope without the services of Kenneth Vermeer (Achilles), Nicolas Lodeiro (foot), Thimothee Atouba (knee) and Rasmus Lindgren (knee).

Under-2.56
Over-1.65

MK Dons v Southampton

Venue: Stadium MK Date: Wednesday, 15 September Kick-off: 1945 BST
Coverage: BBC Sport website, BBC Radio 5 live, BBC local radio, Final Score & highlights on The Football League Show

TEAM NEWS

Nigel Adkins will be without suspended striker Lee Barnard and midfielder Adam Lallana (knee) for his first game as Southampton boss.

Frazer Richardson (shoulder) is still sidelined while Dan Seaborne (foot) and Lee Holmes (groin) are both doubtful.
MK Dons skipper Dean Lewington is available after suspension and Luke Howell could recover from a dead leg.
Striker Aaron Wilbraham is expected to be on the bench as he awaits his first appearance of the season.

---

MK Dons captain Dean Lewington told BBC Three Counties Radio:"It's just another game for us, Southampton or whoever you play, you don't get any more points for beating them.

"We know they're a good team, last year we let ourselves down against them on a couple of occasions.
"We're looking to put that right, but for me it's not really a big issue that it's Southampton."

Under-2.05
Over-2.00

Barnsley Vs Leeds United

Venue: Oakwell Date: Tuesday, 14 September Kick-off: 1945 BST
Coverage: BBC Sport website, BBC Radio 5 live, BBC local radio

TEAM NEWS

Striker Garry O'Connor is set to make his Barnsley debut following his recent arrival on loan from Birmingham.

Midfielder Hugo Colace, who missed Saturday's defeat at Norwich, has been struggling with a calf problem and could miss out again.
Leeds are without goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, who has a foot injury.
Lloyd Sam has been nursing an ankle strain, but the winger featured against Watford on Saturday and could be involved again.

MATCH PREVIEW

Leeds face the first of three Yorkshire derbies in the space of a week, and make the short trip to Oakwell hoping to build on their impressive return to the Championship, while Barnsley will be looking to atone for the defensive lapses that cost them at the weekend.

Leading 1-0 at Norwich with 19 minutes remaining, the Tykes ended up with nothing after a Stephen Foster own goal and a late Canaries winner. A victory would have been Barnsley's first at Carrow Road for 73 years.
Simon Grayson's Leeds side, on the other hand, came from behind to beat Swansea and have every reason to be full of confidence after going four matches without defeat since losing on the opening day.
Luciano Becchio's second-half winner against the Swans - his third goal of the season - means Leeds, who face Doncaster on Friday and Sheffield United next week, are sixth in the table after their first five matches.

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head
• These clubs have played 50 competitive matches against each other. Leeds have won 20 of them and Barnsley 15, with 15 draws. All but two of the 46 league meetings have been in the second tier.

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• Leeds' 3-2 victory at Oakwell in the Premier League in November 1997 is their only win there in the last 21 years.
Barnsley
• Barnsley are yet to lose - or concede a goal - at home this season.
• Mark Robins' side are the highest placed in the division with a negative goal difference.
• They have scored first in four of their five league outings.
• Victory would give the Tykes their best start to a league season in seven years. They have not had double figures after the first six games at this level since the promotion campaign of 1996/97.
Leeds
• Leeds have won their last three matches.
• They have hit the woodwork eight times in Championship games this season - more than any other team.
• Defeat would be the 800th away from home in their league history.
• Leeds have conceded the opening goal in four of their five league games, and have recouped an unequalled seven points from losing positions.
• They are also the only team in the division to have come from behind to win twice this season.

Under-1.90
Over-2.10

Ipswich v QPR

Venue: Portman Road Date: Tuesday, 14 September Kick-off: 1945 BST
Coverage: BBC Sport website, BBC Radio 5 live, BBC local radio & highlights on The Football League Show

TEAM NEWS

Mark Kennedy could make his home debut for Ipswich after recovering from a recent hamstring injury.

Winger Andros Townsend is available again after serving a suspension, but Darren O'Dea has been nursing a knee problem and could miss out.
QPR include Kyle Walker in their squad after his arrival on loan from Spurs as cover for Bradley Orr and Peter Ramage, who picked up injuries at the weekend.
Deadline-day signing Rob Hulse is still out with an Achilles problem.

MATCH PREVIEW

Two of the Championship's three unbeaten sides meet at Portman Road in what promises to be a real test of their promotion credentials.

After back-to-back clean sheets, Ipswich face the leaders and top scorers. QPR have netted 14 goals already this season and have had a whopping 74 attempts on goal - more than any other side in the division.
Rangers staged a late fightback to snatch a draw at Derby and had to be patient on Saturday, before scoring three times in 10 second-half minutes to see off Middlesbrough. But they have tended to start well this term, with six of their goals coming in the first half.
Ipswich, on the other hand, have not netted before the 50th minute and are one of only two teams yet to score a Championship goal in the first half. They will replace Rangers at the top of the table if they win and Cardiff lose at Leicester.

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head
• Ipswich have won the last four matches between these clubs are unbeaten in nine matches against QPR.

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• Rangers' last win against the Suffolk club was at Loftus Road in August 2005.
Ipswich
• Ipswich have conceded the opening goal in only one of their five league matches this season (against Middlesbrough).
• Town have used 22 players in the Championship so far. Only Coventry have fielded as many.
Queens Park Rangers
• QPR have conceded only two league goals this season and are the only side to have kept four clean sheets in the Championship.
• They have already scored four penalties this term, and 39 of their 74 goal attempts have been on target.

Under-1.93
Over-2.10

Werder Bremen vs Tottenham

For their first game in the group stage of the Champions League, Germany plays England as Werder Bremen and Tottenham Hotspur go head-to-head...

Harry Redknapp will lead his Tottenham Hotspur side that are carrying come injuries in to the fixture and will still look for a win. Luckily for Spurs they have a wealth of talent this term in players like Gareth Barry and the inform Jermain Defoe although there is a question mark over Defoe’s fitness. New Signing Van de Vaart is a possible start but most believe that lack of recent games will mean he may miss out this time. If he did play his experience would be very helpful.

Werder are a team that will not want to lose in front of their own fans and you can bank on there being a largely partisan crowd. They might not need it though as they are a tough team to beat at home. They travel a lot better so an away goal would be helpful. Why don’t you see if Harry can get a head start to take back to London....

Under-2.30
Over-1.77