MATCH PREVIEWS

Monday 3^rd October 2011

Madrid v Chelsea

6:00 pm

This should be a lively match to open the night’s proceedings with two very competitive sides. Both teams will be looking for 3 crucial points in the fiercely competitive group A (Group of Death) and with Madrid already having a win in the bag it will be up to Chelsea to come out and get their first scalp of the competition. Chelsea didn’t have a bad showing against Juventus but they just have to finish their dominant position into goals.

Both defences will have to be wary as they both have an attack that can create chances so this evening the spotlight will be thrust upon the respective keepers Hosea ‘Biggz’ Boyce (Chelsea) and Richard Clarke (Madrid). The madridistas have drafted in old boy Phillip Moore to sure up their already steady defence and his experience will help them greatly as he has to deal with the pace and creativity of Chelsea’s attack. I can’t divide these sides and I think this will go down to the wire and I will have to go with Chelsea for the win.

Ajax v Liverpool

630 pm

Liverpool will have a tough time against the champions Ajax, but if the dutch continue their poor shooting form in front of goal Liverpool just might sneak an upset. Liverpool will also have to bring their shooting boots as the dutch have a stingy defence but the weak spot may be their goalkeeper so they need not be wasteful with their chances. In my opinion Bishon Williams should be brought out of defence to help out the attack as his strength and pace should give Caleb Morgan a few problems.

This should be an exciting encounter as long as both sides finish their chances. With the misfiring Applewaithe and Best, Ajax will look to target man Omari Eastmond for the goals so the Liverpool defence should be on their guard to annihilate the threat. Midfielder Khalid Batson will have a major test controlling the tempo of his team’s passing whenever they get the ball as they would be up against a side who can keep the ball well. I have Ajax to win this encounter but Liverpool can still sneak and provide an upset.

AC Milan v Manchester City

700pm

After a Valencia no show the Rossoneri will have their first match of the competition against a lacklustre Manchester City.  After a poor showing against Porto (including a HILARIOUS own goal) there was a bust up between captain and manager with the captain saying that their most impressive player Leroy “Fishy” Massiah should not turn up for the next match. Whether it was just the outburst of a bruised ego (as he played very bad) or he was actually serious, losing their most creative player would all but hamper chances of progressing from the group.

The experienced Milan side should leave with all 3 points tonight but as other teams in the competition they will have to be wary of complacency. The attack of Rico Brathwaite and Tory Callender should be able to create numerous chances but they will just have to capitalise on these opportunities to kill off the competition.

Manchester United v Arsenal

730pm

Throughout the last decade this has been a highly anticipated fixture in the Barclay’s Premier League. Even though UWIFA isn’t as competitive (*cough* but even more competitive than La Liga *cough*) this match should provide just as much entertainment. United come off of a dominant win against Lyon but Arsenal will prove to be a difficult test even though they lost their first game. Both teams play a physical game and this match should have some crunching challenges (no sliding!!) as they battle for victory.

Interesting tie this and I have a hard time trying to pick a winner so I will have to put this one down as a draw. The Red Devils and The Gunners will be looking to their respective forwards Festus Drakes and Stephen Williams to finish their chances as this would be a tightly contested affair.

Juventus v Bayern Munich

800pm

Three days of the UWIFA games and the Juventus team are about to play their third game. No respite for the freshers, and after a disappointing defeat to Dortmund the impressive youngsters may take their first win tonight to revive chances of progressing out of the group. Bayern narrowly lost to Madrid and manager/captian Renn Belgrave- Herbert went back to the drawing board on how to deal with the threat of the bianconeri.

Both teams have yet to score a goal and each hope that tonight will be the night that the flood gates open. Bayern’s attack must bring their A game to get past the Old Lady’s defense and keeper and will look to Tareq Branch to bang in the goals. After a better attacking display on Thursday, Juve must turn this possession into goals and Dario Forde will be the one they turn to as they look to end the barren spell in front of goal. I have this one down as a Juve win as they are the better footballing side despite Bayern’s UWIFA experience.