Champions League
2011-10-18 - Otelul Galati vs Manchester United
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football : Champions League Match Day 3
Tuesday 18 October 2011 - Kickoff 7:45pm
This game is live on TV
Otelul Galati
There isn't a lot I can tell you about the Romanian side- I know they won their first major trophy last season when they won the Romanian title to qualify for the Champions League and it has seemed like they are a notch below the level required to compete in this competition, although they are yet to be embarrassed in the Group.
Otelul lost 1-2 in Basel and were beaten 0-1 by Benfica last time out and are unlikely to be playing in Europe beyond Christmas. The game against Benfica was telling as the Portuguese side created a number of chances and this is something that United could really expose. The Romanian side will also be forced to play their home game in Bucharest as their own Stadium does not come up to standards.
They have struggled for form in recent games, winning 1 of their last 5 games in all competitions. The team have also only won 1 of their last 4 home games.
Cornel Rapa and Gabriel Paraschiv both returned to the side in their last game and are in the squad for this game.
Manchester United
Manchester United travel to Romania with Sir Alex Ferguson's words ringing loud and clear in their ears- the manager has demanded they get 6 points from this double-header against Otelul Galati and put their Champions League campaign back on track. With some big guns likely to be returning to the starting line up, it is understandable United are the short priced favourites.
The Red Devils earned a 1-1 draw at Benfica in what looked like their hardest game in the Group. However, they followed that up with a terrible defensive performance in a home game with Basel that saw the side lose a 2-0 lead and almost lose the game 2-3 before a late Ashley Young equaliser. That means United are 2 points behind both Basel and Benfica, but could have top spot in their grasp with 2 wins in their next 2 games.
United remain unbeaten in all 12 games they have played this season following a hard earned 1-1 draw at Anfield on Saturday. A slight concern will be the fact they have drawn 3 of their last 4 games in all competitions and have only kept 2 clean sheets in their last 7 games. United have drawn 3 of their last 4 away games.
Rio Ferdinand has been left in England in anticipation of the Manchester Derby on Sunday, but Nemanja Vidic looks set to start his first game for United since the opening day of the season. Wayne Rooney should be restored to the starting line up after only making the bench on Saturday, while Anderson, Nani, Michael Carrick, Antonio Valencia and Javier Hernandez are also pushing for starts.
Head to Head
Unsurprisingly, this is the first meeting between the teams.
Prediction
United are very much coming to Romania with the sole purpose of picking up all 3 points from this game and I think we will see a line up that makes that clear from Sir Alex Ferguson.
The team have performed very well and very professionally in away games in Europe over the last few seasons and I can see them coming here and making sure they get the job done and put themselves in line to win this Group.
I would be surprised if Otelul Galati are able to get on the scoresheet here, and I feel the attacking team that will be picked by the away side will be good for a couple of goals at least.
In saying that, I do believe United can cover the Asian Handicap.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Otelul Galati 0-3 Manchester United
