Liverpool face English bogey team Basel, Arsenal struggle with yet another injury crisis and Atletico look to bounce back against Juventus…
FC Basel v Liverpool
A win tonight would make it two wins from two for Liverpool in this year’s group stage. If only it was that easy, but nothing has come easy for Brendan Rodgers’ men lately.
Two defeats and a draw in their last three Premier League games is not the sort of form you want going into a crucial European tie.
Basel were trounced 5-1 by Real Madrid in their first group game, but Liverpool’s performances haven’t been on the same stratosphere as Madrid’s this season. To say the least.
JOE expects a close match with the Swiss side taking solace in the fact they defeated Chelsea at home and away last season.
Clip via: RiVoDolton
Arsenal v Galatasaray
Arsenal are no strangers to tricky ties against Turkish opposition, but they usually come up trumps. Last season they defeated Fenerbahce in the Champions League play-offs and this season they overcame Beskitas at the same stage.
Now they’ve arguably their toughest Turkish assignment, a group game against Galatasaray. Galatasaray are not great, but an Arsenal casualty list to rival Game of Thrones will make the game closer than it probably should be.
So great is the Gunners’ list of injuries that Abou Diaby could even make a 15 minute cameo before hobbling off with a dislocated earlobe. Mikel Arteta and Aaron Ramsey miss out, although Jack Wilshere is expected to play, cloaked in sheets and sheets of bubble wrap.
JOE expects the home side to scrape a narrow victory, then have 22 players missing for the next game.
Clip via: SkrillsSkrills
Atletico Madrid v Juventus
JOE didn’t expect Olympiakos to defeat Atletico on matchday one and let’s be honest, you didn’t either.
That defeat seemed to be the kick up the bottom Diego Simeone’s men needed as they’ve been unbeaten in their three games since.
This revitalisation will have to continue against the Old Lady tonight, because a loss will leave them with a serious mountain to climb. Juventus are missing Andrea Pirlo, Andrea Barzagli and Martin Caceres and may have to rest Arturo Vidal.
Because of this JOE expects Atletico’s fully-fit squad to get back on track with a victory.
Clip via: FinDing
