In this preview, we take a look at Group A which contains Basel, Benfica, CSKA Moscow and Manchester United. Firstly, Benfica, who will still be reeling from a humiliating defeat to Basel and poor league form, will take on Manchester United, who on the contrary will be high on confidence. In the second match CSKA Moscow, a team that will be looking to prove themselves following their last Champions League loss, will play Basel, whose fans can only still be pinching themselves after their last win.
Benfica (Por) vs. Manchester United (Eng)
Three-Way: 1: Benfica +430; X: +300 Draw; Manchester United -116
Spread +0.5: Benfica +114; Manchester United -122
Total +2.5: Over +106; Under -111
Benfica
The Portuguese champions were taught a lesson in their last Champions League fixture with a harrowing 5:0 loss at Basel. Benfica never got themselves going after having to chase the game from the 2nd minute with the early Basel goal. In fact, Benfica didn’t have a single shot on target despite retaining most of the possession. The two-times European Cup winners had their day made even more difficult following a red card just after the hour mark to right-back André Almeida, ensuring that Benfica was the European laughing stock of the week.
Unless Benfica goes unbeaten in the rest of their games, with probably at least three wins needed, they are unlikely to progress to the next stage of the competition after losing their first two games to their 2nd place rivals Basel and CSKA Moscow. Unfortunately, Benfica is showing little signs of being able to recover as they have won just once in their last five games in all competitions. Additionally, not qualifying would be a huge disappointment considering that Benfica has made at least the last sixteen in the last two seasons. One possible savior may be 33-year-old striker Jonas who has hit the form of his life at this late stage of his career, scoring nine goals in his last eight league games.
Manager Rui Vitoria will have a full squad selection other than André Almeida who was, as previously mentioned, sent off in his last Champions League match.
Manchester United
Manchester United continued their 100% record in this European campaign with a convincing 4:1 win over CSKA Moscow in Russia. Romelu Lukaku added his eleventh goal of the season with a header just four minutes into the match and added his twelfth later on in the first half after Anthony Martial scored Manchester United’s second from a penalty. From this point, the winners of the game were already clear while Henrikh Mkhitaryan put all doubts to bed with a fourth. CSKA Moscow did get a consolation goal in the ninetieth minute, but it did little to persuade fans and pundits alike who were the superior side.
It was a good performance from the English side, especially from attacker Anthony Martial who created issues for the CSKA Moscow defense all game with his tricky dribbling and clever ball-play. That being said, the Russian side’s defense had a particularly bad day at the office and their performance on the day is not a good representation of how they can really play.
The win put’s Manchester United in the driving seat for Group A and they will expect to qualify as a team with such European pedigree. That being said, the three times Champions League winners haven’t progressed past the group stage since the 2013-14 season and had to qualify for Europe’s top competition through winning the Europa League last season. Despite some poor recent seasons, Manchester United’s fear factor seems to be back with a much better-balanced team, genuine world-class talent and an experienced Jose Mourinho at the helm.
Manager Jose Mourinho will be without forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic (cruciate ligament), centre-back Marcus Rojo (cruciate ligament) and central midfielders Paul Pogba (thigh) and Marouane Fellaini (twisted knee).
Benfica (Por) vs. Manchester United (Eng) – Match Prediction:
With Benfica looking so poor and Manchester United looking so great, there’s only one possible winner. Add to that that the English side has the superior European pedigree and it becomes an even easier choice.
Take Manchester United to win, but also as seven of their last nine wins have been won by three goals or more I would go for a big handicap.
MY PICK: Manchester United +0.5 AH (-122)
CSKA Moscow (Rus) vs. Basel (Swi)
Three-Way: 1: CSKA Moscow +110; X: +272 Draw; 2: Basel +320
Spread -0.5: CSKA Moscow +100; Basel -108
Total +2.5: Over +100; Under -103
CSKA Moscow
CSKA Moscow disappointed at home to Manchester United in an embarrassing 4:1 loss. The out-of-sorts defense conceded three goals within the first half an hour which epitomized a lackluster performance from the Russian side. Although last year’s Russian League runner-ups had a few good chances and earned a 90th-minute consolation goal, it did little to mask a poor home defensive display in the Champions League round 2 matchup.
The result was particularly damning in that it was the first time in CSKA Moscow’s history that they conceded four goals in a home competitive European game. All is not lost for the thirteen times Russian champions, however, as a win in their first game against 2nd place rivals Benfica means that they still have a good chance of progressing, a feat that they haven’t achieved since the 2011-12 season.
Manager Darko Milanic will be without winger Aleksandr Makarov (ankle) and midfielder Alan Dzagoev (Achilles) for Wednesday’s match.
Basel
The Swiss champions recorded a famous 5:0 victory over Benfica in front of their home crowd in their last Champions League fixture. Basel’s dominance was apparent from the off as they scored the first goal within ten minutes. Although they only had 41% of possession over the duration of the match, they were more incisive than their opponents and created far more opportunities. These opportunities turned into goals in abundance as they eased to their second, third, fourth and fifth goals.
The three points give Basel a good chance of progressing, but they will look at their next match as a must-win while progression is still against the cards. They can look to their campaign of three seasons ago for inspiration, as they reached the last sixteen, but were knocked out by FC Porto. That being said, Basel’s domestic season has been quite disappointing so far, sitting in third place after ten games and eight points behind league leaders Young Boys.
Manager Raphael Wicky will be without right-back Omar Gaber (minor wound), forward Ricky Van Wolfswinkel (metatarsal) and centre-back Eder Balanta (muscular problems).
CSKA Moscow (Rus) vs. Basel (Swi) – Match Prediction:
Although CSKA Moscow had a disappointing time in their last match against Manchester United, while their opponents were excellent, Basel was also well-beaten by Manchester United 3:0 in their first game, so it has little bearing on this match.
Overall, I think CSKA Moscow will just edge it on quality and with the home advantage, I think they’ll be the team to take the three points.
MY PICK: CSKA Moscow to WIN (+110)
