Champions League Matchday Two Preview, Group H: September 28, 2010

Partizan vs Arsenal

Partizan will be hoping they can take advantage of Arsenal's injury-ridden squad and take away all three points in what is set to be something of a crucial match for the clubs qualification chances.

Partizan lost their first match of the group stages and three points at home are something of a must if they are to pursue hopes of getting through to the next round, after all, their aren’t exactly a lot of matches in the group stages to allow for slip ups.

The players to watch will be Cleo and Ilic; however, if Arsenal can suppress this pair, then Belgrade will have very little sting.

Arsenal are going to be without keeper Almunia and that is just the beginning of their injury worries. The "Gunners" will also be without Fabregas, Walcott, and Van Persie, which at first may sound like a list of Arsenal’s star players. And without them Arsenal don’t seem like half the side that they can be.

Arsenal showed just how potent they can be in the Champions League, winning 6-0 in their first match. They are certainly the better side on paper, even with the injury list; the issue is whether the Gunners second stringers will be able beat Partizan.

Braga vs Shakhtar Donetsk

Braga have been pretty good at home, in fact that is the main reason why they have got to where they are in the Champions League, they won 14 of their 15 home games in the Portuguese top flight last season, which is a testament to the fact that they have turned their home ground into something of a fortress.

Their solid defence is proving something of a stickler for a lot of clubs; in fact, Braga won their two home qualifying matches without conceding a single goal. On the other hand their matches outside of qualifying have not gone so well, if they manage to find their stride again then they could be on for a win.

Donetsk could have a few problems here, the first one being that they have problems with Portuguese opponents: They have only managed to win two of their last eight matches against sides from Portugal and they’ve lost the last three.

They have picked up a little bit of form recently in the European competition winning their last three matches, which is their best ever run, but still they may struggle against Braga. Especially considering the fact that they don’t travel well; however, a win here could mean an awful lot in when the points are tallied up.

Joe - livescoredaily.com - live scores and live sports