UEFA Champions League Resumes Today
When the UEFA Champions League resumes Tuesday for Matchday 5, Groups E, F, G and H will be in action to further set the tables for the knockout rounds.
No game will generate more enthusiasm and passion from the squads' respective fans than the Manchester United at Celtic clash in Glasgow.
Both clubs are known for the fanatical support from their followers.
Celtic, who have won 11-straight in the Scottish Premier League, are second behind United in Group F, just three points back. A win or a tie by United would guarantee the English club a spot in the final 16, while Celtic can qualify if they win and the other Group F contest between Benfica and Copenhagen ends in a draw. A defeat for either Benfica or Copenhagen ends that team's chance of advancing.
In Group F's top two teams' first meeting on Matchday 1, United captured a 3-2 win for one of the Scottish champions two losses. The other loss was a 3-0 contest to Benfica. United is coming off a 1-0 loss to Copenhagen in its last Champions League contest.
United star striker Wayne Rooney is coming off a two goal performance in Manchester's seventh-straight Premiership win this weekend, and should also be a huge factor in Tuesday's game.
The English squad heads into the match relatively healthy, while Celtic striker Kenny Miller has recovered from an ankle injury and will play but defender Gary Caldwell is very doubtful after suffering a knee injury this weekend.
In Group G, the best matchup figures to be FC Porto at CSKA Moscow.
Moscow, the newly crowned Russian champions, will try to get over its hangover after winning its second straight league championship this weekend. CSKA, who boast one of the top defenses in the Champions League, have yet to give up a goal in four contests. The Russian champions sit in first in the group with eight points, while Porto and Arsenal - who host last-placed Hamburg - are tied for second with seven points.
Moscow can confirm a top-two finish with victory, while that coupled with an Arsenal loss at home would clinch the top spot. With Hamburg already fixed in last place, any other results would leave the qualifying picture wide open heading into Matchday 6, the final group game.
In Group H, AC Milan needs just a draw in its match with AEK Athens to earn a spot in the final 16. An AEK loss would also give Lille a chance to move on, assuming it beats last placed Anderlecht at home, Tuesday. A draw will also keep the Belgian club's European aspirations alive if Milan beats AEK.
In Group E, the top two teams, Lyon and Real Madrid, have already qualified for the round of 16, but will contest the top spot when they meet in Spain. Lyon have the advantage following their 2-0 Matchday 1 win, but a Real win on Tuesday will force the announcement of the Group E winner to the final day. Steaua Bucuresti will host Dynamo Kiev in the other group contest.





Comments
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Posted by: Tailynn | January 7, 2012 09:12 PM