The Oracle Speaks

Ok, so I am greatly exagerating my oracular qualities. But, like the ancient mystics, I read the signs and predict the future. Right here. Every European matchday. Like today. So here it goes.

Ajax to draw Thun:

I'll probably get this wrong, but I just can't stop pulling for these smallest of minnows. They had a great result last time out and Ajax are not a team that is playing particularly well.

Arsenal over Sparta:

I know that they lost to the Baggies over the weekend, but I just don't think they're going to repeat that performance against Sparta. Could this be the season when Arsenal final makes a run in Europe but tanks at home?

Bayern over Juve:

I really don't have much confidence in this result either, but I desperately want Bayern to pull this out. Juve are strong, organized and hideously dull. Contrary to popular misconceptions of German football, Bayern's strengths are all at the attacking end of the field. The Germans dropped two 1-0 results to Juve last year. Maybe the added experience will make the difference.

Rapid over Brugge:

The best you can say for these teams is that they are big fish in their own ponds. I know very little about either except that Brugge take what might be called a "vigorous" approach to football and Rapid gave Bayern a good fright earlier in the group. I'm really just picking the home team.

Man U over Lille:

ManU are no great shakes. But they are at home and Lille are soft.

Villareal over Benfica:

Neither team has too much quality. I think Villareal has more. And they're at home. I can see this being a draw, too.

Barca over Pana:

They haven't done much in Spain this year, but Barca have put in some good European performances. That should continue.

Udinese over Werder Bremen:

Udinese have picked themselves off the mat in Italy. They have a one great European result and one that they are going to want to forget. It's looking like Bremen are going to want to want to forget this whole European campaign. Poor Bremen.