Bundesliga Weekend Preview: Round 25

Friday 20th March

20:30 Borussia Moenchengladbach – VfL Bochum

Saturday 21st March

15:30 Borussia Dortmund – Werder Bremen

15:30 Arminia Bielefeld – VfL Wolfsburg

15:30 1899 Hoffenheim – Hannover

15:30 Bayer Leverkusen – Eintracht Frankfurt

15:30 VfB Stuttgart – Hertha Berlin

15:30 Bayern Munich – Karlsruhe

15:30 Energie Cottbus – 1.FC Koeln

Sunday 22nd March

17:00 Schalke – Hamburg

Borussia Moenchengladbach – VfL Bochum

Borussia Moenchengladbach can start to dream of survival. Last weekend’s win in the Rhein-derby against local rivals Koeln lifted the Fohlen out of the bottom two for the first time in a long while and another win this weekend against fellow strugglers Bochum could conceivably see them climb as high as 13th.

Bochum, on the other hand, are on the slide after their 3-0 home defeat to Bayern Munich. They are only ahead of Friday’s opponents Moenchengladbach on goal difference so the game is a real ‘six-pointer’.

Prediction: Bor. M’gladbach 2-1 Bochum

FOOTBALL Germany Bundesliga
MONCHENGLADBACH-BOCHUM 1 2.15

Report: Juventus To Use Poulsen As Bait For Werder Bremen Ace Diego

The Bianconeri are considering a part-exchange deal, which would include the services of the Danish midfielder, to land the Brazilian superstar.

According to Turin-based newspaper Tuttosport, Juventus director of sport Alessio Secco is confident of luring Werder Bremen attacking midfielder Diego to Italy by sweetening the pot with Danish international Christian Poulsen.

The former Sevilla man joined the Old Lady last summer for a fee of around €12 million, but he has failed to impress at the Stadio Olimpico and could be deemed surplus to requirements at the end of the season.

Juve have made no secret of their interest in Brazilian ace Diego, however, Werder are expected to demand no less than €20m for their prized asset.

Poulsen has already played in the Bundesliga, featuring for Schalke 04 from 2002-06, but his current wage packet of €3m per season could prove to be a stumbling block in any deal with Werder.

German sources claim that Inter are also ready to pounce next summer and have allegedly tabled a €25m offer to take Diego to the San Siro.

HOCKEY-Germany DEL Qualification
DEG METROS STARS-KREFELD PINGUINE 1X 1.37

ADLER MANNHEIM-SINUPRET ICE TIG. 1X 1.32

FOOTBALL Germany second division
MUNCHEN 1860-FSV FRANKFURT 1 1.85 1-1

NURNBERG-AHLEN 1 1.55 4-0

KAISERSLAUTERN-KOBLENZ 1.1.75 2-1

Bundesliga Preview: VfL Wolfsburg – Schalke 04

Wolfsburg look to maintain their push for a top three finish when they entertain a manager-less Schalke at the Volkswagen Arena this weekend…

Kick-off: Friday, March 13 2009 (20:30 GMT) Volkswagen Arena, Wolfsburg

Felix Magath goes head-to-head with under-fire Schalke trainer Fred Rutten on Saturday with both trainers needing three points for wholly different reasons.

Wolves Head The Pack

Just like last season Wolfsburg are enjoying a highly impressive second-half of the campaign. Last time around under the guidance of the wily Felix Magath, the ‘Wolves’ climbed to fifth in the table following a run of form following the winter break to beat both Bayer Leverkusen and VfB Stuttgart to a UEFA Cup spot.

History looks to be repeating itself this season and Magath’s side, inspired by the goals of Edin Dzeko and Grafite have manoeuvred themselves into joint second place with 11 games to go. Magath is desisting talk of the Bundesliga title, but on this form anything is possible.

A Champions League place though would be seen as a massive success for the club, who set themselves the target of finishing fifth at the start of the season.

Since the Bundesliga restarted following the traditional winter break at the start of February, Wolfsburg have gone unbeaten in the league (five wins and a draw). A heavy loss to Werder Bremen in the DFB Pokal and a disappointing exit from the UEFA Cup at the hands of Paris St.Germain hasn’t really affected them in the league.

They inflicted Hamburg with their first home defeat of the season two weeks ago, but also showed last week against Karlsruhe that they are able to grind out a win even when not playing at their best.

The reverse fixture earlier in the season at the Veltins Arena very nearly saw Wolfsburg take all three points, but Felix Magath’s side were held to a point after leading 2-0 going into stoppage time with a 93rd minute equaliser from Kevin Kuranyi.

Mueller Gone, Rutten To Follow?

Schalke general manager Andreas Mueller finally paid for the club’s mediocre season this week by losing his job. That’s life in football and when the performance on the pitch doesn’t match up to the high expectations from the board and fans, there is usually somebody who gets the finger of blame pointed at them.

The removal of Mueller perhaps won’t have much of an effect in the short-term other than to perhaps inspire a few of the players to raise their game.

Schalke currently occupy eighth place in the league and it’s fair to say that the Koenigsblauen are not as bad as their lowly position portrays. They actually have the best defence in the league having only conceded 21 goals this season. They are five points behind the chasing pack, all on 42 points.

If they could create more chances, then the club would be in a much healthier position and the critics wouldn’t be on their case so much.

Last week’s win over Koeln was a case in point. Fred Rutten’s side dominated the first-half and deservedly went in 1-0 up even though they could and should have scored more. They were unable to find a second and were very nearly punished by Koeln who had a much better second-half and perhaps deserved a share of the spoils.

Three points away at Wolfsburg would see a few happier faces at the club and hold out a glimmer of hope that the Koenigsblauen could have an outside chance of making it into the top five.

FORM GUIDE

Wolfsburg

07/03/09 VfL Wolfsburg 1-0 Karlsruhe (Bundesliga)
04/03/09 VfL Wolfsburg 2-5 Werder Bremen (DFB Pokal)
01/03/09 Hamburg 1-3 VfL Wolfsburg (Bundesliga)
26/02/09 VfL Wolfsburg 1-3 Paris St.Germain (UEFA Cup)
21/02/09 VfL Wolfsburg 2-1 Hertha Berlin (Bundesliga)

Schalke

06/03/09 Schalke 1-0 Koeln (Bundesliga)
03/03/09 Mainz 1-0 Schalke (DFB Pokal)
28/02/09 Eintracht Frankfurt 1-2 Schalke (Bundesliga)
20/03/09 Schalke 1-1 Borussia Dortmund (Bundesliga)
14/02/9 VfL Bochum 2-1 Schalke (Bundesliga)

TEAM NEWS

Wolfsburg

Sascha Riether is the only real injury worry for Wolfsburg. Makoto Hasebe and Ashkan Dejagah are poised to fill in.

Probable Starting XI: Benaglio, Petarik, Simunek, Barzagli, Schaefer, Josue, Riether, Gentner, Misimovic, Grafite, Dzeko

Schalke

The signs are that Fred Rutten will send out the same side that beat Koeln last week because captain Marcelo Bordon is still not able to take his place in the starting XI. Having suffered a hand injury, the Brazilian defender now has a knee problem.

Probable Starting XI: Neuer, Rafinha, Hoewedes, Krstajic, Kobiashvili, Jones, Westermann, Rakitic, Farfan, Kuranyi, Sanchez

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Wolfsburg-Edin Dzeko

The Bosnian is one of the in-form strikers in Europe at the moment having hit the back of the net seven times in his last five games. Alongside Brazilian Grafite he is forming one of the most potent strike partnerships in the Bundesliga and Wolfsburg are going to need him to keep hitting the back of the net if their challenge for Champions League football is to be maintained.

Schalke-Kevin Kuranyi

There have been yet more rumours this week linking Kevin Kuranyi with a move away from Schalke. In the January transfer window it was Everton, and it seems that Russian outfit Lokomotiv Moscow want the former German international. The 27-year-old has stressed his desire to stay at the Veltins Arena and prove himself, and the best way to do that will be with a few goals this weekend against Wolfsburg.

PREDICTION

The Bundesliga’s best defence comes up against one of the most in-form front lines, so something has to give. Schalke responded to the sacking of Mirko Slomka last season with a 5-0 win over Cottbus, but it is hard to imagine a similar response to the departure of Andreas Mueller. I’m going to predict a draw.

VfL Wolfsburg 1-1 Schalke

FOOTBALL-UEFA CUP

WERDER BREMEN-ST.ETTIENE 1 1.60 1-0

DYNAMO K.-MET.CHARKOV 1 1.75 1-0

UEFA Cup Preview: Werder Bremen – St-Etienne

Both Werder Bremen and St-Etienne are big names in Europe, but are having disappointing domestic campaigns. Both are looking for European glory to brighten up their seasons...

Kick-off: Thursday, March 12 2009 (20:30 CET) Weser Stadion, Bremen

On The Up

Werder Bremen are more used to battling Bayern Munich at the top of the Bundesliga, but this season has seen the Green and Whites struggling to match their own high standards, and Thomas Schaaf’s outfit are down in 10th place.

However, of late Werder have been showing signs of their best football, and none more so than when they knocked Milan out of the UEFA Cup in the last round. A 1-1 draw at the Weser Stadion seemed to have put the Italian side in the driving seat.

And Carlo Ancelotti’s side looked to have booked their passage to the next round when Andrea Pirlo and Pato fired them into a 2-0 lead at the San Siro. However, Claudio Pizarro masterminded a dramatic Werder Bremen turnaround, beating Dida with two second-half headers to send the competition favourites crashing out of the Cup on the away-goals rule.

Werder are in danger of missing out on the top five in the Bundesliga, so will be looking at both the DFB Pokal and the UEFA Cup as other routes to securing European football next season.

Europe Provides A Welcome Break

The UEFA Cup remains the bright spot in an otherwise rather dismal season for St-Etienne. ‘Les Verts’ find themselves down in 17th in Ligue 1 just three points and one place off the relegation places. It is a far cry from their 5th place finish of last season.

The sacking of trainer Laurent Roussey back in November and the hiring of Alain Perrin hasn’t really stopped the rot. Their current form, however, isn’t too bad, and they remain unbeaten in their last five games.

They finished top of their group ahead of Valencia, FC Copenhagen and Club Bruges before two highly impressive matches against Greek side Olympiakos in the round of 32. A 3-1 win in Athens set them up perfectly for the second-leg at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard where they won 2-1 to set up this week's clash with Werder.

Coach Alain Perrin is however not underestimating the challenge that faces his side. “Werder are a team from the Champions League, who have a large physical presence,” Perrin told the club’s official website.

“They know how to play the ball around but they are also athletic with it. Their game is disciplined and precise. It is very difficult to counter their type of game.”

FORM GUIDE

Werder Bremen

07/03/09 Hoffenheim 0-0 Werder Bremen (Bundesliga)
04/03/09 VfL Wolfsburg 2-5 Werder Bremen (Bundesliga)
01/03/09 Werder Bremen 0-0 Bayern Munich (Bundesliga)
26/02/09 AC Milan 2-2 Werder Bremen (UEFA Cup)
21/02/09 Energie Cottbus 2-1 Werder Bremen (Bundesliga)

St-Etienne

08/03/09 St-Etienne 2-1 Nantes (Ligue 1)
01/03/09 Monaco 2-2 St-Etienne (Ligue 1)
26/02/09 St-Etienne 2-1 Olympiakos (UEFA Cup)
22/02/09 St-Etienne 1-1 Bordeaux (Ligue 1)
18/02/09 Olympiakos 1-3 St-Etienne (UEFA Cup)

TEAM NEWS

Werder Bremen

Thomas Schaaf has a few players returning from injury to boost his squad for Thursday’s UEFA Cup tie. Clemens Fritz and Christian Vander are poised to return following spells on the sidelines while Torsten Frings and Claudio Pizarro are also expected to be fit.

The only real doubt for Werder is midfielder Mesut Oezil, who has a knee injury.

Possible Starting XI: Wiese, Fritz, Pasanen, Mertesacker, Naldo, Frings, Baumann, Tziolis, Diego, Pizarro, Almeida

St-Etienne

The main absentee for trainer Alain Perrin is Greek defender Stathis Tavlaridis, who is suspended. His place in the squad has gone to attacker Boubacar Mansaly.

Bafetimbi Gomis (sprained ankle) and Ilan (pain in a leg) have made the trip to North Germany, but it remains unclear whether they will play. Loic Perrin (thigh), Christophe Landrin (adductor) and Sylvain Monsoreau (Achilles tendon) are still unavailable though.

Probable Starting XI: Janot, Varrault, Sauget, Bayal, Dabo, Matuidi, Machado, Payet, Matsui, Ilan, Gomis

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Werder Bremen - Diego

The transfer speculation surrounding Brazilian playmaker Diego never seems to go away and it is widely expected that the Werder midfieler will leave the Weser Stadion for pastures new in the summer. The ideal farewell present for the Werder fans would be the UEFA Cup to go with the Cup Winners’ Cup the Green and Whites won back in 1992.

St-Etienne - Bafetimbi Gomis

Like Diego, it seems only a matter of time before French international striker Bafetimbi Gomis moves on from St-Etienne for a bigger club. He has only scored six goals this season, which is nowhere near the 16 he hit last year, but he remains the dangerman up front for the French side.

PREDICTION

Werder are on the up and are slowly looking to get back to the kind of form which can see them beat anyone. They knocked the UEFA Cup favourites out in the last round, so now must be considered one of the favourites themselves. A home win for me, with a clean sheet as an added bonus.

Werder Bremen 2-0 St-Etienne

Five-Star Barcelona Outclass Lyon

There were signs of a fightback from Lyon, but in the end quality told as the Blaugrana head to the final eight.

Barcelona (6) 5 - 2 (3) Lyon

Lyon utterly capitulated to rampant Barcelona in the first half of this epic Champions League encounter, but the French side managed to salvage pride in the second period as the Blaugrana tailed off.

That isn't to take away too much from the hosts, though; their opening 43 minutes of play were relentlessly effective and mesmerizingly beautiful in equal measure; the kind of play for which Barcelona have become famous, albeit in doses all too small to be called consistent.

Still, it was clear from the outset that the home fans were to be in for a treat. As early as the ninth minute Lionel Messi had set up Thierry Henry for a half-chance, but what was really of note was Barcelona's midfield dominance.

Indeed, the likes of Jeremy Toulalan were struggling to make an impact, and a lack of passing options were presenting themselves to Lyon, resulting in every clearance, near enough, being an aimless punt. When Fabio Grosso attempted a considered pass into midfield in the 14th minute, in fact, he found only Andres Iniesta, whose through ball to Samuel Eto'o should have been put away. However, the Cameroonian shot over.

Lyon were having immense trouble getting out of their own half, but one effort saw Juninho - in a rare moment of possession - dink the ball over the top for Karim Benzema, but the forward's finish was as poor as Eto'o's.

Still, the first half was all about Barca, and it was no surprise when in the 24th minute they took the lead. With Jean-Alain Boumsong woefully positioned, Rafael Marquez's long ball forward found Thierry Henry onside to go one-on-one with Hugo Lloris and bury a low finish.

Two minutes later 'Titi' Henry doubled the advantage. This time the strike was prettier; great work from Xavi put Henry through just ahead of the again-dozing Boumsong, although the defender may feel that Henry was offside this time. No flag went up, though, and Henry was left to make a fine finish.

Lyon were all at sea, with even Yaya Toure having the run of the attacking midfield for Barcelona, such was the visitors' ineffectiveness. Juninho's next contribution was to get a yellow card; Lionel Messi's was to score.

Yes, the Argentine had been quiet, but in one glorious moment he showed just why he is carving out a reputation as a Ballon d'Or winner-in-waiting. Seizing the ball on the right, he left three defenders for dead, played the one-two with Eto'o in the box, and then passed the ball past the agog Lloris for the 3-0.

The onslaught did not end there. Samuel Eto'o put his recent duck behind him to slam home a convincing finish after Cris - previously one of the more solid stoppers - contrived to miss Henry's cross from the left.

Lyon could have shriveled up and died, but to their credit a lifeline of sorts came courtesy of Jean-Il Makoun seconds before the break with an excellent, albeit unmarked, header from Juninho's far-post corner.

Nobody saw it coming but it was game on right after the interval as Juninho himself put his poor start behind him to get on the scoresheet. Delgado, with practically his first action of the game, fought Iniesta off on the right and cut back a low cross; Karim Benzema showed maturity and wisdom to dummy for the onrushing Juninho to bury it.

Suddenly Barcelona were worried - surely they weren't going to throw it away? When Karim Benzema was just a mere inch offside when breaking down the left the fans wondered if the comeback was coming.

In fact, though, for all Lyon's improvement in the midfield, Barcelona were to enjoy the bulk of the chances heading up to the hour mark, with Cris pulling off a great block to prevent Dani Alves from converting a Messi cross, and Henry and Xavi coming close soon after.

Lyon, while showing plenty of spirit, lacked finesse, and their persistent fouling saw cards for Grosso and Makoun as the ending stages approached.

But with ten minutes to go their hopes were so nearly raised as Ederson and Toulalan found Benzema unmarked on the edge of the box with an angled shot just waiting to be taken. Inexplicably, the youngster blasted over, and with the ball went his side's hopes of a fightback.

The Blaugrana knew the game was now theirs as they made some late substitutions, and the game ended with the unhappy sight of Juninho - the man who seemed set to spark a comeback - being sent off for a second bookable offense, namely for a pointless act of dissent.

Barcelona, then, held on convincingly for the win - and in fact built on it. Right at the death substitute Seydou Keita took advantage of Hugo Lloris' decision to come off his line to meet a lovely Xavi through ball to finish after taking it round the 'keeper.

So, five goals to Barcelona about sums up their attacking brilliance on the night, and while Pep Guardiola will worry about this side's propensity towards defensive errors, they absolutely outclassed Lyon, especially in midfield, and are worthy last eight contenders.

NOGOMET Liga Prvaka FOOTBALL Champions league
BARCELONA-LYON 1 1.45 5-2

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE:ROMA-ARSENAL

Champions League Preview: Roma - Arsenal

Arsenal have a one-goal lead to protect, and will be looking to kill off the tie with an early away goal in Italy. Rome though will look to stifle the Gunners' play, and provide the Premier League side with a scare of their own.

Kick-Off: Wednesday March 11, 2009, 20.45 CET.
Stadio Olimpico, Rome, Italy

Another third of the Anglo-Italian fixtures will be concluded on Wednesday evening as Arsenal take to Italy's capital with the ambition of securing progression to the quarter-final of the Champions League by virtue of protecting their single goal cushion.

Injury News

The north London side's supporters will be buoyed by the news that many key first team players will be fit and available for selection for Wednesday's clash.

Ivorian center-half Kolo Toure - who has shown glimpses of a return to his former best in past games having hurried opposition forwards into mistakes, relentlessly charging down his man in order to dispossess, and making assured challenges - has been confirmed by manager Arsene Wenger today to be ready to re-partner William Gallas in Arsenal's rearguard, completing a first choice back line.

Further up the field, Denilson and Samir Nasri were rested for the club's routine 3-0 win over Burnley in the FA Cup, and will likely start the game, while clinical finisher Eduardo da Silva scored arguably his finest goal in red and white colors as he volleyed home a shot on Sunday that was as audacious as it was delicate. The 'Crozilian's' creativity in midfield was highlighted in the first leg against Roma as he split the Italian's defense with a curving pass early on, while his fox-in-the-boxing ability is without question.

Theo Walcott too made a return on Sunday, and could be a useful weapon as a super-substitute with 20 minutes to go as his pace alone can kill a game, as shown this time last year when an aging Milan team failed to keep up with his electric acceleration.

Injury Blues

The Giallorossi have been rocked by the news that Cicinho is sidelined for the rest of the season due to injuring his anterior cruciate ligament.

Their midfield could also be depleted due to the suspension of Daniele De Rossi, together with the doubtfulness of Simone Perrotta and David Pizarro.

Trequartista Francesco Totti's availability too remains a mystery as a problematic knee injury could keep the influential Italian forward at bay.

"We have to wait to evaluate the situation regarding Totti and the rest of the players,'' boss Luciano Spalletti coyly stated.

Tactical Views

Both teams will likely employ the formation that was witnessed during the opening leg; the 4-2-3-1.

Wenger may be tempted with a 4-4-2, now that he has two exquisite strikers available in van Persie and da Silva.

Both can play in a forward line that positions three flexible forwards behind a striker, as either can swap roles with the attacker occupying the deeper position, and this also allows Samir Nasri and Theo Walcott to play where they are most dangerous. The former can marvel in the No. 10 role, while the latter - if he starts - can trouble what could be a makeshift left sided defense.

However, Arsenal fully controlled affairs and a midfield partnership of Denilson - who perhaps put in his greatest breaking-up display while on Arsenal's books - and Abou Diaby, who box-to-boxed in great fashion, exerted their game onto the Romans and Daniele De Rossi barely had a sniff.

The tempo swung Roma's way when Chilean deep-lying playmaker David Pizarro was brought on late in the second half, and dominated Arsenal's substitute Alexandre Song.


FORM GUIDE

Roma

07 Mar 09 - Udinese (H) DREW 1-1 (League)
01 Mar 09 - Inter (A) DREW 3-3 (League)
24 Feb 09 - Arsenal (A) LOST 1-0 (CL)
21 Feb 09 - Siena (H) WON 1-0 (League)
15 Feb 09 - Atalanta (A) LOST 3-0 (League)

Arsenal

08 Mar 09 - Burnley (H) WON 3-0 (Cup)
03 Mar 09 - WBA (A) WON 3-1 (League)
28 Feb 09 - Fulham (H) DREW 0-0 (League)
24 Feb 09 - Roma (H) WON 1-0 (CL)
21 Feb 09 - Sunderland (H) DREW 0-0 (League)


TEAM NEWS

Roma

TBA

Probable Starting XI: TBA

Arsenal

Confirmed Squad: Almunia, Sagna, Gallas, Toure, Clichy, Nasri, Denilson, Song, Walcott, Van Persie, Eduardo, Fabianski, Djourou, Ramsey, Vela, Bendtner, Diaby, Eboue.

Probable Starting XI: TBA


PLAYERS TO WATCH

Roma - Doni:

With so many influential midfielders and attackers sidelined, it is imperative that Roma are strong at the back. Arsenal may start sprightly, and Doni will therefore need to be at his shot-stopping best in order to be equal to whatever the Gunners fire his way.

Arsenal - Eduardo da Silva:

The Croatian international has picked up as if he was never away. He bagged a brace on his initial comeback a few weeks ago, and grabbed Arsenal's second during their weekend win. If he embarks on an extended run of form then Premier League enthusiasts may be about to witness one of the most natural finishers of the football since Robbie Fowler.

PREDICTION

Roma 0-1 Arsenal

BITI SRETAN

"Covjek koji nista ne riskira
za svoje ideje
ili nista ne vrijede ideje
ili nista ne vrijedi covjek."

Platon

Champions League Preview: Juventus - Chelsea

After winning the first leg 1-0 at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea travel to Turin hoping to finish the job and dump Juventus out of the competition.

9 Mar 2009 13:46:36

On A Roll

Having lost the first leg and failed to score an away goal at Stamford Bridge, Claudio Ranieri’s men have it all to do in Turin on Tuesday night.

To compound matters they face a Chelsea side who are currently enjoying a hot run of form.

The Blues are flourishing under new manager Guus Hiddink and have won their last six games on the trot.

Chelsea’s good recent form owes much to striker Didier Drogba who did the damage in the first leg, hitting the winner in the first half. The Ivorian appears to be enjoying his football again and may well be the man to watch, having bagged three goals in his last four games.

Another key man for the Blues is Michael Essien who may make something of a shock return to action against Juventus. Having missed the last six months due to a knee injury picked up on international duty in September, Essien made his long-awaited return to action with a substitute appearance against Coventry City at the weekend.

Manager Hiddink has since admitted that he must now decide whether to start with Essien, although after such a long absence it is possible he will begin on the bench.

Further good news on the injury front concerns Ricardo Carvalho who may partner John Terry at the back although Nicolas Anelka and Deco are expected to miss out and Paulo Ferreira has been ruled out for the rest of the season.

Whilst Chelsea have endured something of an inconsistent season so far, Juventus will be aware that away from home they have been excellent.

The Blues have lost only three times on their travels all season and, armed with a narrow lead, will travel to Italy brimming with confidence.

Ranieri’s Revenge

Yet Claudio Ranieri’s men will be buoyed by their display in the first leg and will feel confident they can turn this tie around.

Their second half performance against the Blues proved they can cause Hiddink’s men problems and Pavel Nedved, in particular, almost grabbed a vital equaliser.

The Czech Republic international, who announced his intention to retire at the end of the season after the game at Stamford Bridge, was inches away from an equaliser in the closing minutes with a shot that whistled past Petr Cech’s left post.

Certainly Nedved’s determination to reach the Champions League final in his last season will aid Juve, as will their experience of coming from behind in the Champions League.

The Bianconeri have overturned first leg defeats in Turin, four times in seven attempts, mostly famously in 2003 when a 2-1 first leg semi-final defeat to Real Madrid was forgotten about with a 3-1 home win.

However, if they are to stage another remarkable comeback they will have to do so without some key players.

Mauro Camoranesi broke a rib at Stamford Bridge and will miss the game but so too will Mohamed Sissoko who injured his foot at the weekend and will join his colleague on the sidelines.

Against a midfield as strong as Chelsea’s, those injuries could prove key but with the likes of Alessandro Del Piero, Amauri and David Trezeguet the options in attack they will hope to find the inspiration needed to hand Hiddink his first Chelsea defeat.

FORM GUIDE

Last Five Results

Juventus

Mar 7: Torino 0-1 Juventus
Mar 3: Lazio 2-1 Juventus
Feb 28: Juventus 1-0 Napoli
Feb 25: Chelsea 1-0 Juventus
Feb 21: Palermo 0-2 Juventus

Chelsea

Mar 7: Coventry City 0-2 Chelsea
Mar 3: Portsmouth 0-1 Chelsea
Feb 28: Chelsea 2-1 Wigan Athletic
Feb 25: Chelsea 1-0 Juventus
Feb 21: Aston Villa 0-1 Chelsea

TEAM NEWS

Juventus

Claudio Ranieri has problems in midfield where injury rules out Mauro Camoranesi and Mohamed Sissoko. The pair join Paolo De Ceglie and Cristiano Zanetti on the sidelines and they may be accompanied by Marco Marchionni who is also a doubt.

Possible starting XI: Buffon, Mellberg, Legrottaglie, Chiellini, Molinaro, Poulsen, Tiago, Salihamidizc, Nedved, Del Piero, Trezeguet.

Chelsea

Nicolas Anelka and Deco are both expected to miss the trip to Turin. Ricardo Carvalho and Michael Essien are both fit again and Hiddink must decide whether or not the pair to start with the pair.

Possible Starting XI: Cech, A Cole, Carvalho, Terry, Bosingwa, Mikel, Lampard, Ballack, Essien, Kalou, Drogba.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Juventus – Alessandro Del Piero

If one man can inspire his team to come from behind to beat Chelsea and progress into the quarter-finals of the competition it is Alessandro Del Piero.

Whilst the striker could not find a way past Petr Cech at Stamford Bridge, he will know that his side must beat the Chelsea stopper in Turin at least once if they are to progress.

The 34-year-old striker has been rested by Ranieri for the last two games, meaning he should be raring to go come Tuesday night.

Chelsea – Didier Drogba

Drogba scored the vital goal in the first leg and is a man on form after hitting three goals in his last four games.Guus Hiddink’s arrival seems to have revitalised the Ivorian who has rediscovered his goalscoring touch with a bang.

With Nicolas Anelka likely to miss out through injury, Drogba’s presence will prove even more crucial and he will know that an away goal will make Juve’s task that much more difficult.

PREDICTION

Whilst Chelsea undoubtedly go into the match with a slight advantage, this game remains delicately poised.

Yet the Blues look a different prospect than under Luiz Felipe Scolari and Hiddink appears to have restored their previous air of invincibility.

Although Juventus will undoubtedly hand Chelsea a very stiff examination, the Blues are a tough side to beat, especially away from home, and they may just do enough to sneak past Ranieri’s men.

Juventus 1-1 Chelsea

NOGOMET Engleska 2.liga England League Championship
SHEFFIELD UTD.-BLACKPOOL 1 1.60 2-2

NOGOMET Engleska 3.liga England League One
LEEDS-YEOVIL 1 1.50 4-0

NOGOMET Liga prvaka Champions League
JUVENTUS-CHELSEA X2 1.41 2-2

NOGOMET Portugalska 1.liga Portuguese 1.division
VITORIA SETUBAL-CD NACIONAL MADEIRA 1 2.75 2-0

NOGOMET Njemacka 2.liga Germany 2.league
MSV DUISBURG-FC NURNBERG 1 2.40 2-2