Even if Manchester United have one eye on Sunday's Premier League clash against Chelsea I can't see them slipping up against CSKA Moscow on Tuesday.
Last month's 1-0 Champions League victory away in Moscow put them on the brink of qualification for the knockout stages and I can see a far more clear-cut home victory this time around.
To me this is a home-banker, no doubt about it. United dominated the reverse fixture last month even though they were in unfamiliar territory and playing on a plastic pitch.
Next in line: Ancelotti is in Ferguson's sights after Champions League week
I thought CSKA were frightened that night, I honestly did. They looked scared. It was as though they - rather than their visitors - were playing for a draw.
United just had to be disciplined and were. I was so disappointed with CSKA because they needed to attack but they showed no ambition and no threat, which surprised me immensely.
Surely they should have identified this as a match to win? After all, playing on a plastic pitch should have given them a clear advantage.
I thought CSKA were frightened that night, I honestly did. They looked scared. It was as though they - rather than their visitors - were playing for a draw.
Phil Thompson
Quotes of the week
Man Utd v CSKA Moscow
7pm, Tue, Sky Sports 2 & HD1
Atletico Madrid v Chelsea
7.30pm, Tue, Sky Sports Xtra & HD3
They missed their opportunity and now they'll be frightened of getting a drubbing.
Threat
United have not lost at home in 22 Champions League games and this one gives them a great opportunity to rest quite a few players ahead of the Chelsea clash.
Ryan Giggs and Rio Ferdinand were two of five players to miss training on Monday morning, along with Nemanja Vidic, Berbatov and Wayne Rooney.
Berbatov did score a good goal in Saturday's win over Blackburn but he was poor against Liverpool.
One goal against Rovers doesn't mean he's in great form. I still think he doesn't pose enough of a goal threat.
I think this is an ideal chance for Michael Owen to play and I think he will do at the expense of either Berbatov or Rooney, or he will play as a lone striker in a 4-3-3 formation.
THOMMO'S CALL: I can't see any problems ahead for Sir Alex and Manchester United could well win this one by three goals. They have a formidable recent European record at home, while CSKA have not won away in the group stages since season 2004/05. That says it all.
Atletico Madrid v Chelsea
With the Manchester United game looming at the weekend, this one is all about who Chelsea will play.
Didier Drogba is back in the European ranks for the first time this season but he is just the sort of fella you need against United.
I can't see Carlo Ancelotti risking him - particularly if he does have a slight leg injury; no, if he is going to risk anyone it will be Nicolas Anelka. But I wouldn't be surprised if he chose to play just Salomon Kalou up front.
Chelsea are scoring goals at will at the moment - 17 in their last four games to be precise - and whoever they play they have the ideal squad to cope with the challenge. There will be changes on Tuesday and I expect the likes of Alex will play and we may even see Daniel Sturridge at some point.
Dipped
I'd expect the big guns to still be there on the bench just in case there are any hiccups because it's still important to get the right result
After getting thumped 4-0 at the Bridge, Atletico parted ways with coach Abel Resino because of the way their performances had dipped.
He carried the can and Quique Flores has come in; Chelsea might be worried about a reaction from the players if this was Atletico's first game under Flores but they lost 1-0 at Athletic Bilbao at the weekend.
The bottom line is that their performances have not been good enough recently. Funnily enough, they seem to go through a patch like this where they throw hot and cold every season.
In fairness to Atletico, they had a little bit of a go at Stamford Bridge and might have scored.
They created a couple of chances but because of the run they are on you can see that their confidence is fragile to say the least.
THOMMO'S CALL: Expect this one to be tighter than when the teams met at the Bridge because despite their dip Atletico have a decent record against English clubs in Europe. I think Chelsea will win this one but only by the odd goal.
Comments (22)
Caolan Mc bride (Arsenal fan) says...
I hope it to be a draw and that arsenal beat wolves because if so aresnal go second with a game in hand and only to points behind chelsea. i can see chelsea winning it due to form but i wouldnt rule out united !! Come on the GUNNERS!!!!!!!
Posted 11:05 4th November 2009
John Mcdonald (Liverpool fan) says...
Manu and Chelsea fans are all talk about how bad Liverpool are this season.If either of them lose this Sunday they will have lost 3 matches in the league 2 less than Liverpool.Take the injuries Liverpool have had this season and i know there form has been poor,but if you take Rooney,Giggs and Vidic out of Manu's team or Terry,Lampard or Drogba out of Chelsea's team i bet they would struggle too.Going back to Sundays game i think Chelsea will win.A lot of people are forgetting about Arsenal this season who i think are only going to get stronger with the players they have coming back from injury.
Posted 18:21 3rd November 2009
Big B (Liverpool fan) says...
Thommo for Liverpool manager!!!
Posted 18:10 3rd November 2009
Josh Hoskins (Chelsea fan) says...
Easy win for the chels tonight! athletico are poor at the moment and are low on confidence. an early goal should see us go on and grab a couple more! United will win at a canter tonight too. Chelsea are playing some of the best football that ive ever seen us play at the moment, and we were absolutely awesome on saturday. Chelsea to win three nil on sunday 2. i admit when united had ronaldo, they were a level above us, but not now.Theyve lost the best player in the world and i dont care what the united fans say its true! only rooney and giggs strike any fear in to me tbh! United are a brilliant side still but expect a new name on the premier league crown this year. If we keep this current form up there really will be no stopping us, because were on fire at the moment. Once we learn how to defend set plays the rest of the league should be running scared, because thats our only weakness so far this year!
Posted 18:10 3rd November 2009
Thomas Scott (Arsenal fan) says...
Arsenal are miles behind Man Utd? Your Joking Right? Sundays will hopefully be entertaining and a draw would be perfect for us
Posted 17:57 3rd November 2009
Wandega Joseph (Arsenal fan) says...
i am a gunner but in all fairness if we are to have an interesting season then Chelsea should be put to the sword on Sunday so that the competition is tight.Even a draw could do for me and i think United will be defensive minded and break the Blues in attacks. I dont see Chelsea opening a 5 point gap.Watch my word.
Posted 17:45 3rd November 2009
Chris Py (Arsenal fan) says...
To David Batten; I don't know what league table you're looking at where Arsenal are miles behind Utd. Win our game in hand against Bolton and we're above you... Numpty!! I think Chelsea will win on Sunday.... easily. 3-1 but i'd be happy with a high injury draw or mass brawl with multiple straight red cards ;)
Posted 17:41 3rd November 2009
Charlie Ginger (Manchester United fan) says...
Arsenal are not miles behind! check the table David Batten. Further more, and this is coming from a man u fan, please tell me when we last won at stamford bridge! i expect a draw or a narrow chelsea win
Posted 17:20 3rd November 2009
Conor Mc gorrian (Liverpool fan) says...
i can see tonigcurrently game with chelsea being a closer affair than last months home game.under new managment they, ll be hoping to continue in europe, europa league.it,ll be a good chance to get 3points with utd on there mind key players could be rested.i also think man utd will overcome a weak cska moscow comfortably
Posted 16:36 3rd November 2009
Bibo Gbeworo says...
Manchester United and Ferguson know very well they stand no chance at the Bridge.I will advise they play with full strenght against CSKA so they don't lose at both ends.
Posted 16:35 3rd November 2009
Omran Nawfal (Chelsea fan) says...
Chelsea have been really gr8 this season but united weren't "losing to Liver"today chelsea will win 3-0 and united will win 2-1 and sunday the blues have a better oportunity and will win 2-0 obviously since united ain't in their best form and remembewr no points bringer"Ronaldo"
Posted 15:33 3rd November 2009
David Batten (Manchester United fan) says...
United will win their group anyways because we are that good.As for sunday that will be the six pointer for the league,because arsenal are miles behind man united and chelsea have got far greater squad than arsenal.I reckon it will be close 2-1 united because we are the champs!!!!
Posted 14:57 3rd November 2009
John Elliott (Hull City fan) says...
Manchester United 2-1 chelsea
Posted 14:41 3rd November 2009
Olawunmi Raji (Manchester United fan) says...
Chelsea are on fire at the moment. All the departments are perfect and okay. They are in good and right spirit and mind. Drogba looks unstoppable. Utd are shakky and need magic and luck on sunday but you can't write them off. I fancy Chelsea to win but I am not convince if they will win the league. United will still be champion in May.
Posted 14:11 3rd November 2009
Teryima Adi (Blackburn Rovers fan) says...
could be anybody's game.i believe both teams are very strong.but if i am to make a prediction, i believe the match would end in a score draw for either side.
Posted 13:28 3rd November 2009
Ashwin Iyer (Chelsea fan) says...
Yeah both big guns are due to rest players but i still think they will qualify comfortably.As for the bragging rights on sunday i think chelsea are high on confidence and are scoring at will with an added advantage of the match being at the bridge its hard to see them losing this.My prediction Chelsea 2-0 and to go 5 points clear.
Posted 13:25 3rd November 2009
Jim Ward (Manchester United fan) says...
I think Tom is really a Chelsea supporter?? The match on Sunday will be very close - one mistake could win it for either side. I obviously hope its Chelsea turn (again) to slip up. If I'm honest, I suspect a draw. Come on you Reds!!!
Posted 12:52 3rd November 2009
Jay Hussain (Manchester United fan) says...
I think for United to succeed this season Owen's form is more important than Berbatov. We know what Berbatov can do and he will continue to do so. Owen for me is all about thew champions league and his form is key like ronaldos was the last few years. I almost see Berbatov to pull us over the line in the league and Owen in the CL.
Posted 12:14 3rd November 2009
Tom Kilpatrick (Manchester United fan) says...
I expect chelsea to be brilliant on sunday, I think united do not have the players to win it because their lack of signing players in the summer. Prediction: Chelsea 4-0 Manchester Utd.
Posted 19:17 2nd November 2009
Gary B (Chelsea fan) says...
I totally agree with Phil. Both United & Chelsea will be to strong for there European counterparts. Of course they will both have one eye on Sunday's big game but they will both cruise thru to the next stages of the Champions League. Chelsea to win 2-0 and United to win 3-1
Posted 18:48 2nd November 2009
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