Champions League
2011-11-22 - Manchester United vs Benfica
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: European Champions League
Tuesday 22 November 2011 - Kick Off 7:45pm
This game is live on TV
Manchester United
Manchester United have done what they have had to do in recent games to earn the victories as they very much get 'back to basics' since the terrible performance in the defeat to Manchester City. I have said in recent previews for United games that they are not the flamboyant attacking team that we saw at the start of the season, currently focusing on getting the victory behind solid defensive performances.
Since the defeat to City, United have at least got their Champions League prospects back in order, beating Otelul Galati at home and away to move back to the top of the Group. They will now be acutely aware that a victory over Benfica will almost guarantee that they finish top of the Group and thus avoiding a tough 2nd Round assignment. The team have won 1 and drawn 1 of their games at Old Trafford in this competition this season.
The Red Devils beat Swansea 0-1 away from home at the weekend to earn their 5th straight win in all competitions and all victories coming with the bonus of a clean sheet. I don't think it is any surprise that these results have coincided with the return of Captain Nemanja Vidic in the centre of defence. United have won 3 of their last 4 games at Old Trafford, the exception being the City game, and they have had clean sheets in those games.
Michael Owen is a long-term absentee for United, but Danny Welbeck should be back in the squad as should Chris Smalling. Wayne Rooney missed training this morning, but Sir Alex Ferguson expects him to be available. Rafael is back in training and could play a part on Tuesday.
Benfica
Benfica remain unbeaten in all competitions this season and come to Manchester knowing a win would secure their place in the last 16 as Group Winners. There cannot be more to play for if you're a Benfica player, although they will want to be a little less overawed as they were when the teams met at the Stadium of Light earlier this season.
The team currently sit behind United on goal difference having dropped 2 points in a 1-1 home draw with Basel in the last round of games. That means they have gained 8 points from their 4 Champions League games this season, and they do have a 3 point lead over 3rd place Basel with the head to head in their favour.
They come into this one in great confidence having won 7 of their last 9 games in all competitions, and they got back to winning ways last time out against Naval having drawn their previous 2 games. Benfica have scored in every game they have played in this season.
Javier Saviola missed the game on Saturday with an injury and is a doubt for this game. Enzo Perez and Nemanja Matic are both likely to miss out through injury.
Head to Head
The teams have a rich European history of playing one another, including in the Final of the European Cup in 1968.
They last met here at Old Trafford in the 2006/07 Champions League Group Stage, with United coming away as 3-1 winners having fallen 0-1 behind.
United have won all 3 home games played against Benfica.
Prediction
This will not be an easy night for Manchester United, especially not as easy as the prices on the home win suggest.
I am going to back United to come away with the 3 points and am going to take a slightly risky proposition by backing them to do so with yet another clean sheet.
It is clear that Sir Alex Ferguson is insistent on his side defending well at the moment and getting back to what made them so tough to beat in the last couple of seasons. That means he has sacrificed some of the attacking elements of his team and I don't expect to much to change with his thinking before this game.
Benfica are a very creative team, but they looked a little 'star-struck' when they drew with United at home and this is the toughest game they will have faced this season.
We may not see many goals in this game, but the 2.63 of United winning with a clean sheet looks decent.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Manchester United 2-0 Benfica
