Gunners lacking firepower to keep Euro dream alive
It’s been almost ten days since Arsenal’s 2-1 defeat in the North London derby that saw them lose further ground in the Champions League qualification race. Arsene Wenger’s side have an almighty task ahead of them if they are to avoid elimination at the hands of Bayern Munich following their convincing 3-1 loss at the Emirates a fortnight ago. Defeat here would mean a third successive year that the Gunners have been dumped out at this stage.
As Arsenal’s domestic season falls apart, Bayern Munich tightened their trip on the Bundesliga by beating Dusseldorf 3-2 to open up a 20 point lead at the summit. That was Bayern’s 11th successive victory and they have won ten of their 13 home league games this season. The hosts have only lost once in 16 home Champions League ties against English sides heading into Wednesday’s clash.
Bayern scored 16 times en route to winning all three home group games.
Can Bayern extend superb away record when they visit the Emirates?
If Arsenal fail to progress to the quarter-finals of the Champions League at the expense of Bayern Munich it will ensure that they will finish without a trophy for the eighth successive campaign.
Arsene Wenger has it all to do against Bayern, who are cruising to the Bundesliga title having opened up a 15 point lead over defending champions Borussia Dortmund. Bayern have been formidable this season and have actually been stronger away from home than at the Allianz Arena. From 11 away league games they have won ten, drawn one and in that time have conceded just once.
The Gunners lost to Championship side Blackburn on the weekend in the FA Cup fifth round where they failed to score at the Emirates.
Can Madrid maintain formidable home form when United visit?
It’s been a long time coming, but the glamour Champions League tie between Real Madrid and Manchester United will finally kick-off on Wednesday evening in Spain. As soon as the draw was made it was the stand-out fixture that will see Cristiano Ronaldo face Sir Alex Ferguson for the first time since he departed Old Trafford.
Jose Mourinho has endured a controversial campaign that has seen his side slip a massive 16 points behind Barcelona, yet they remain imperious at the Bernabeu. The Catalans are the only club to have won in Madrid since the start of last season. They have won nine of their 11 home league games since August and have averaged 3.3 goals per game, conceding just nine in reply.
Ronaldo has of course been key in Madrid’s attacking fortunes and his hat-trick on the weekend was his 20th in the white of Madrid to take his overall tally to 189.
On the last occasion these two European giants met in the competition there were 11 goals scored across both legs in which Madrid prevailed.
Manchester United to pass Portuguese test with flying colours tonight
Manchester United travel to Portugal tonight hoping for a win against Braga that would guarantee qualification.
The Red Devils sit atop Group H with maximum points after three games but, in typical United fashion, have done it the hard way. They had to come back from 2-0 down at home against Braga to secure a 3-2 victory on matchday three.
The Manchester club have won by a single goal in all three Champions League games this season and have scored in 19 consecutive European games.
Braga are still in with a chance of qualifying and will be hoping for a big performance from Eder who has six goals in six games.
The Arcebispos have won both of their league games since these two sides met a fortnight ago but have only kept one clean sheet in seven games at home this season.
The home side has won their last four meetings at home to English opposition without conceding a goal.
However, aside from an extra-time defeat to Chelsea in the League Cup, Robin van Persie and co have won 12 of their 13 most recent games this term and they should have too much class against the Portuguese outfit.
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