The hosts come into this match on the back of a two-match losing streak in the league but are clear 2/9 (1.22) favourites with Betway to come out on top this time out and avoid a third consecutive defeat.
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Chelsea’s start is their worst in the Roman Abramovich era (since 2003/04), and only once since the start of the Premier League have they registered less than eight points after seven games.
Speaking ahead of Wednesday’s big game against the Bundesliga club, van Gaal assessed why the famed competitiveness of the Premier League could prove to be disadvantageous in Europe and also explained why squad rotation is perhaps the key to success.
‘It is always a struggle and a battle in England – and then you have to play the Champions League in midweek.
“The four Premier League teams in the Champions League have the quality to overcome the group stages and get through but you can’t predict that is what will happen”.
Dismal on the road in the Champions League, Olympiakos have lost 12 of their last 17 away games in the competition, and although you can never be truly sure that the Gunners aren’t about to shoot themselves in the foot at any point, Alexis should be able to lead his side to victory here.
The champions had another disappointing result this weekend – a 2-2 draw at Newcastle where Chelsea had to come back from two goals down.
Al Hain-Cole is a Liverpool fan, experienced tipster and avid follower of European football. “Not only do they need City to drop points, Manchester United and Liverpool also are there, Arsenal too”.
Besides managing Barcelona on two occasions, Van Gaal won the Champions League with Ajax and reached a final with Bayern Munich.
Defeats for United, Manchester City and Arsenal in the opening round of group games follows on from last season’s poor showing in which no Premier League club reached the quarter-finals. They racked up totals of 18, 19 and 21 at the start of their three other championship-winning campaigns. I have to praise my players for beating Sunderland. “Back in the day, a match like that would have been a guaranteed three or four-goal win“.
Newcastle United striker Ivan Toney could be sent out on loan. There are now just 0.5 goals per game being scored there after two 0-0 draws a 1-0 win and a 1-0 defeat.
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Manuel Pellegrini’s side are desperate to make an impact in this competition, and with Kevin De Bruyne in fine form following three goals in three games, the Belgian with vast experience of German football could be their talisman here. And things didn’t start well this season with a home defeat against Juventus that has put pressure on their visit to Borussia Monchengladbach.
