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Dare To Guess: UEFA Champions League Semifinal Predictions

Analyst Written on May 04, 2009

BARCELONA, SPAIN - APRIL 28: Gerard Pique of Barcelona tackles Didier Drogba of Chelsea during the UEFA Champions League Semi Final First Leg match between Barcelona and Chelsea at the Nou Camp Stadium on April 28, 2009 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Jasper Juinen/Getty Images)

(Photo by Jasper Juinen/Getty Images)

Just before the rematches in the UEFA Champion’s League semi-finals, I have decided to find out what your predictions of the two matches might be. Please try to be as objective as you can in your predictions.

Here are the matches:

Arsenal – Manchester United, second leg

Result in the first leg: 0-1

Scoring one goal at the Emirates would mean that Arsenal would have to score three to qualify for the final.

The other big problem for the Gunners is the important players who will miss the match due to injuries. The absence of the experienced centre-back William Gallas is only a small part of the nub of the problem. He suffered damaged knee ligaments during the match against Villareal in the quarter finals of the Champion’s League.

Other notable absences in the Arsenal squad are Eduardo, Tomas Rosicky, and Gael Clichy.

Manchester United, though, is in a much more comfortable position. Rio Ferdinand was surprisingly seen back in training with the first squad and there is a good possibility that he will take part in the rematch at the Emirates. However, Wes Brown was missing from training.

There are no other notable absences in the United squad.

Probable teams:

Arsenal – Almunia, Gibbs, Toure, Silvestre, Sagna, Nasri, Denilson, Fabregas, Walcott, Van Persie, Adebayor

Manchester United – Van der Sar, Evra, Ferdinand, Vidic, O’Shea, Park, Carrick, Anderson, Ronaldo, Rooney, Tevez

My prediction: 2-2

Chelsea FC – Barcelona, second leg

Result in the first leg: 0-0

The result from the first leg has left the game open and the teams will have to decide who will proceed at Stamford Bridge.

The missing players for Chelsea are Deco and Ricardo Carvalho. Ashley Cole is welcomed back from suspension and will resume his position on the left side of the defense.

Gabriel Milito, Rafael Marquez, and Carles Puoyl will all miss the second leg due to injuries and suspension, respectively. Henry is still doubtful for this match after sustaining an injury against Real Madrid on Saturday.

Probable teams:

Chelsea FC – Cech, Cole, Terry, Alex, Bosingwa, Ballack, Lampard, Essien, Malouda, Anelka, Drogba

Barcelona FC – Valdes, Abidal, Pique, Caceres, Alves, Xavi, Yaya Toure, Iniesta, Krkic, Eto’o, Messi

My prediction: 2-1

Please give your predictions in your comments.

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written on May 04, 2009 Preview/Prediction

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