Preview to this week's Champions League

The Champions League returns this week with all the British teams looking to continue their unbeaten starts to the competition, and move a step closer to qualification for the last 16.

Former Chelsea midfielder Didier Deschamps’ Olympique de Marseille face Premiership leaders Chelsea looking to bounce back from their 1-0 defeat at the Stade Velodrome against Spartak Moscow knowing that defeat here will leave them struggling to qualify. Chelsea have carried their imperious league form into the Champions League, despatching MSK Zilina 4-1 in the first game. With Saloman Kalou, Frank Lampard and Yossi Benayoun all injured, and with Didier Drogba serving the last game of his suspension, against the side with which he forged his reputation in Europe, the attacking onus will fall on Nicolas Anelka and Florent Malouda. The French champions have a fully fit squad to choose from but come into the game in poor form, sitting eighth in Ligue 1. Expect a closer game than many that the Blues have played this season, but Chelsea will still have enough to triumph here with Nicolas Anelka scoring in a 2-0 victory.

Arsenal face their first long trip to Eastern Europe to take on Partizan Belgrade. The two sides had contrasting starts to their campaigns with Arsenal beating Braga 6-0, while Partizan went down 1-0 to Shakhtar Donetsk. Cesc Fabregas’s recent absence has been offset by the emergence of Jack Wilshere in the heart of the Arsenal midfield. The young Englishman looks like Fabregas’ natural heir, should the Spaniard finally succumb to the lure of Barcelona. Thomas Vermaelen, Theo Walcott and Robin Van Persie are also absent for the Gunners, who are looking to avoid a fourth straight away defeat in the Champions League. Partizan have started well in their pursuit of a fourth straight Serbian league title with five straight wins and will provide a stern test for Wenger’s men. The men from the Emirates should just have enough to win this one, expect a hard fought one goal victory.

The big two in Group C meet at the Mestalla where Valencia welcome Manchester United. Valencia looked highly impressive in defeating Turkish Champions Bursaspor 4-0 last time out, with Tino Costa scoring an early contender for goal of the season. Manchester United had a wretched night against Rangers, being held to a goalless draw and losing Antonio Valencia to a broken Ankle. History certainly favours Valencia as Manchester United have only won once in 18 attempts against Spanish opposition in Spain, whilst Valencia are unbeaten in 11 home European games. If Valencia can secure three points here they will be almost guaranteed top spot in the group already. Expect Valencia to attack from the off consigning Manchester United to another defeat in Spain.

Tottenham’s first home Champions League game is against Dutch champions FC Twente. Both sides drew 2-2 first time out, but Tottenham will be furious at throwing away a two goal lead in Bremen. Ledley King, Luka Modric, Heurelho Gomes and Vedran Corluka are all expected to be fit for the game. Twente have never beaten English opposition while Tottenham are undefeated in their last five home European ties. Throwing away two points in Bremen has taught Spurs that they can never take their foot off the pedal in Europe and they will not make the same mistake again here as they run out 2-1 victors. 

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The Caveman