Champions League

[Zoda]

2004: 12-4 +26.15 %


Milan - Deportiva La Coruna

Milan to qualify (-187) 5%

Milan won Champions League last year, but they were very lucky to win it. This year they are better and have dominated the Italian Serie A losing only 1 of 26 matches. They are in excellent form scoring 18 goals in their last 6 homegames and winning 12 of their last 13 matches in the league (37/39points). They are unbeaten away having outscored their opponents 22-5 !

Deportivo are currently on 4th place in spanish Primera liga. They opened the year very strong winning 7 of first 8 matches, but have only won 9 of their last 21. They have had some problems away in their league going just 2 4 4 (10/30p) their last 10 awaygames.


Milan are the better team and are in an excellent form right now. They are almost unbeatable with a very strong defence, and currently they score a lot of goals, which they usually don't do as they are a defensive team. I see Milan winning tonight and with their good defense they should get a good result in Spain in 2 weeks. I would be very surprised if Deportivo were to beat them over 2 matches.

 

[Zoda]

Milan - Deportivo La Coruna 4-1


Deportivo took the lead, but Milan scored 4 goals in just 9 minutes to take them to the semi-finals, as there is absolutely no chance that they will lose the game in Spain by 3 goals.

 

[Zoda]

Chelsea - Arsenal

Arsenal to qualify (-188) 5%


Arsenal are unbeaten in their last 31 matches in Premier League, a very impressive streak.

Arsenal are 10 7 0 the last 17 matches in the Premier League against Chelsea, they haven't lost a derbymatch since '95 !

Also Chelsea is a overrated team, they beat Stuttgart in the 1/8-finals with a total of 1-0 over 2 matches. The single goal came in the game in Stuttgart, a match in which Chelsea had 0 (ZERO !) shots at goal.....Stuttgart were beaten after an own goal...


As I see it Arsenals very good form and their impressive streak against Chelsea + the fact that Chelsea are a very overrated team, makes them a very good bet to qualify, as i don't think Chelsea have any chances beating them over 2 matches.

 

[Zoda]

Chelsea - Arsenal 1-1

Arsenal didn't lose, scored a goal and Chelsea will be without their captain Desailly in the second game.

Arsenals chances to qualify have improved after the first game.

Still, this is not a team that will win Champions League this year...

 

[gethman]

agree with you on both games zoda...both milan and arsenal will qualify.

in my opinion, there is no doubt that milan are the strongest team in the competition this season and would be my tip for euro glory although i expect the winners from the potential arssenal /real madrid semi final to be rated as favourites.

i am looking forward to the lyon v porto leg as i do not believe that game is dead and buried..lyon are in fine domestic form and are very strong at home...maybe that will be one game to stay away from!!

 

[Zoda]

Well after this weeks matches i think that Arsenal-Chelsea will be the only interesting match in two weeks. I don't think Lyon have any bigger chances at home, if Porto scores 1 goal Lyon have to score 4...either way they will have to score at least 3 to qualify...


As I see it Milan and Real Madrid are the only 2 teams that can win this year. Milan will absolutely beat Porto/Lyon i see that as close to a "LOCK" that you get at this level.

Real will have a tougher opponent in Arsenal, but should be able to make it to the final if just Zidane and Ronaldo can play (they are both healthy at the moment, but in a team with so many stars these guys are the ones that makes the difference in the end, especially Zidane).

In the Final Real Madrid would be favourites against Milan, but Milan would be favourites against Arsenal.