Btw, what do you guys think of Celtic vs Benfica, want to bet on this game, and i'd like to see some predictions.
Maybe this helps you a bit.
CL Preview:
Celtic – SL Benfica'
What: Uefa Champions League Group D
Who: Celtic (4th, 3/9pts) v Benfica (3rd, 3/9pts)
When: Tuesday, November 6, 2007, kick-off 19:45 local (BST)
Where: Celtic Park, Glasgow
With both AC Milan and Shakhtar Donetsk topping the Group D table, tomorrow’s match between Celtic and Benfica could determine who challenges the top two for a place in the knock-out stages of the Champions League.
The Portuguese side were victorious over Celtic in the reverse fixture two weeks ago, but Benfica manager, Jose Antonio Camacho, knows it will be a tough test.
"Celtic will be a physically strong team and we have to match them," said the former Real Madrid and Spain star.
"It's going to be a hard game, a man's game. We won't be playing for a draw, we will be playing to win and we will be doing our best to win."
Despite Celtic’s mixed form in the Champions League, manager Gordon Strachan has been pleased with the Hoops’ overall start to the season.
“I’m happier this year than I was at this stage last season,” he said. “We’re top of the league, we’re scoring more goals, I feel content and I like what I’m seeing. I’m alright – I’ve definitely been in worse positions.
“At the moment, we’re scoring an average of 2.9 goals per game. Last season at this time it was 1.7 goals per game. That’s a huge increase and we’ve had the ability to do that.
“The top scorer in the league is Scott McDonald. The second top scorer, equal with other players, is Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink.
“Up to now, we’ve scored 32 goals in the league. If you continue at that rate, you’ll score over 100 goals in the season. Last season, we scored 66 goals in the league and we’re almost halfway there after 11 games.”
Strachan seems settled in his team selection, but seems more concerned with the press coverage that he and his side regularly receive.
"What happens is that players politely answer questions from you people and it's amazing the spin that goes on that," Strachan told reporters at a club press conference.
"You people sometimes are like those serial killers you see in films who send out these horrible messages.
"The serial killer who cuts out the words 'I am going to get you' or 'your wife is next'. You are the very same."
I hope what I have written is OK, Mr Strachan!
FORM GUIDE
Celtic
3 November v Kilmarnock (A) WON 2-1 (SPL)
31 October v Hearts (H) LOST 2-0 (CIS Insurance Cup)
27 October v Motherwell (H) WON 3-0 (SPL)
24 October v Benfica (A) LOST 1-0 (Champions League)
20 October v Rangers (A) LOST 3-0 (SPL)
7 October v Gretna (A) WON 2-1 (SPL)
Benfica
3 November v Pacos de Ferreira (A) WON 2-1 (SuperLiga)
31 October v Vitória FC (A) LOST 1-2 (Portuguese Cup)
28 October v CS Marítimo (H) WON 2-1 (SuperLiga)
24 October v Celtic (H) WON 1-0 (Champions League)
20 October v Vitória FC (H) DREW 1-1 (Portuguese Cup)
3 October v Shakhtar Donetsk (H) LOST 1-0 (Champions League)
TEAM NEWS
Celtic
Shunsuke Nakamura is expected to miss the game, after sitting out Celtic’s last two matches with a knee injury. Massimo Donati is likely to return in midfield, after missing out against Kilmarnock at the weekend. Scott Brown faces suspension if booked.
Squad: Boruc, Caldwell, Naylor, Kennedy, McManus, Jarosik, Hartley, Scott Brown, McGeady, McDonald, Vennegoor of Hesselink, Mark Brown, Sno, O'Dea, O'Brien, Killen, Donati, Riordan.
Last Starting XI: Boruc, Caldwell, Naylor, Kennedy, McManus, Jarosik, Hartley, Scott Brown, McGeady, McDonald, Vennegoor of Hesselink.
Benfica
Nuno Gomes is expected to return, after he missed the Celtic game at The Stadium of Light last month. Oscar Cardozo will be suspended if booked.
Squad: Quim, Pereira, Luisao, Katsouranis, Leo, Nuno Assis, Di Maria, Binya, Rui Costa, Rodriguez, Luis Felipe, Bergessio, Adu, Cardozo. Subs Not Used: Butt, Edcarlos, Zoro, Ribeiro.
Last Starting XI: Quim, Pereira, Luisao, Katsouranis, Leo, Nuno Assis, Binya, Rui Costa, Rodriguez, Bergessio, Cardozo.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Celtic: Artur Boruc – Despite the Polish goalkeeper’s mistake at the weekend against Kilmarnock and speculation surrounding him reportedly wanting to buy out his contract, Boruc remains a key player. Fans will be expectant of a result at Celtic Park and Boruc’s performance will be key in grinding out a result for the home side.
Benfica – Nuno Gomes The experienced Portuguese international is now entering the twilight of his career at 31, but his experience could prove vital in overthrowing Celtic. In recent years the striker has faced stiff competition for a first team place from Francisco Fonseca, Fabrizio Miccolo and Pedro Mantorras, but Gomes’ work rate and good positional play could provide Benfica with that extra attacking edge to seal victory.
PREDICTION
Both sides will be keen to avoid conceding, in a game that could ultimately decide their Champions League future. Celtic’s ability to score freely in the Scottish Premier League will hearten the Glasgow side, but the gulf in quality between the two competitions may prove too great for Celtic. Benfica’s victory over Pacos de Ferreira will give the Portuguese side confidence ahead of the clash, but it will be hard to separate the two sides, who have both been struggling to find a clinical edge in the Champions League.
Celtic 1 Benfica 1
goal.com