Champions League
2009-09-15 - Wolfsburg vs CSKA Moscow
A Sports Betting Pick by Pantocrator
Football: Europe, UEFA Champions League 2009/2010
Tuesday, 15th September 2009 - 19:45
Wolfsburg (Germany)
Wolfsburg's confidence took a further knock after suffering a 2-3 home defeat against Bayer Leverkusen. A first half red card for goalkeeper Benaglio made a crucial impact as Leverkusen took full advantage and ran away to a 3 goals lead.
Later the visitors also got decimated, which saw the Wolves rally back through goals from Misimovic and Grafite, but it was not enough to claim a result.
Their 3rd straight defeat sees the team of coach Veh drop into 10th place, while they will have to get over the disappointment quickly. Their Champions League debut on Tuesday at home against CSKA Moscow is highly anticipated but the recent lack of form is worrying.
Early team news is that midfielder Kahlenberg remains out, but team captain Josue already returned against Leverkusen. Dzeko looks likely to recleem his place in attack next to Grafite. This would see Martins drop back into a pinch-hitter role. Hasebe could keep his place in midfield, where Ziani failed to impress so far.
CSKA Moscow
After a streak of disappointing domestic results CSKA chairman Yevgeniy Giner fired Brazilian specialist Zico and appointed Juande Ramos setting an objective of qualifying from the Group Stage of the Champions' League 2009/10.
The Spaniard enjoyed a positive debut beating Krylia Sovetov in Moscow 3-0. CSKA started the game with a 4-4-2 formation and, frankly speaking, looked absolutely helpless for majority of the first half. The Spaniard tactician wasted no time and ajusted the formation to 3-4-3, sending Semberas and Schennikov to the wings.
Brazilian striker Guilherme, loaned from Dynamo Kiev in the dying moments of the transfer window, was introduced after the half time interval as he replaced compatriot Daniel Carvalho. 20-year-old would go on to score twice combining well with CSKA's fantasista Alan Dzagoev.
Russians received a much needed morale injection before the all-important start in the Champions' League. They miss Chilean left-winger Mark Gonzalez, who is suffering with minor muscular problems. Milos Krasic missed the 3-0 win against Krylia Sovetov through suspension and comes back to, probably, be included as a right winger.
Juande Ramos will likely send Tomas Necid to the bench and use Dzagoev, Guilherme and Krasic as an attacking trio. Last time CSKA reached the last eight of the UEFA Champions League was back in 1993, since than only Spartak Moscow and Lokomotiv Moscow have managed to progress that far.
Betting Advice
I've had a poor record in Europe so far this year, so with some adjustments to my estimation sensors I suggest giving visitors some chances.
Naturally Wolfsburg is not an open book to me, but after Magath's departure reigning German champions are struggling. CSKA goes into the match with lifted spirits and having more experience behind them should give them the edge.
Champions' League fixtures are tricky, hopefully Russians will pull out a small trick of their own on Tuesday.
The Statistics :
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Gooner’s Statistical Value Bet
Take CSKA Moscow (+0.5) @ 2.08
