Group G Preview (Nov. 4)
Sevilla vs Stuttgart
Group G leaders Sevilla can book their place in the knock out stages with a win over struggling Stuttgart as the Group’s prize positions begin to take shape.
Sevilla’s rampant form has seen them blitz their way to the top, with 9 points from a possible 9. A 2-0 win at the weekend with the free-scoring Alvaro Negredo and Luis Fabiano on target once more has set the Spaniards up to wrap up their Champions League Group campaign in style.
Stuttgart are in the middle of a terrible barron run in front of goal which has lasted three games. It’s been 286 minutes since they last struck but interestingly that strike came against Sevilla. With 7 players on the treatment table coach Marcus Babbel is short of options and as his side have eyes on the Europa League, they’ll need to start hitting the net.
Player to watch:
Fabiano has been brilliant for Sevilla.
Match prediction:
Fabiano’s superb form is matched by that of his team. Sevilla are the team to catch and stuttering Stuttgart look a far cry from a side capeable of doing that. If Rangers can get a win in the other game, Babbel’s position as coach will no doubt be under threat.
Sevilla 3-0 Stuttgart
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Unirea Urziceni V Rangers
The battle for the Europa League places starts to take shape in Group G as second place Unirea Urziceni take on Europa hopefuls Rangers in a real crunch game.
Dan Petrescu’s ambitious outfit left Rangers smarting after smashing them 4-1 last time out and a similar result would see Group G take shape. Urziceni look like following the Spanish flair of Sevilla into the knock out stages while a defeat for the Romanian’s would really open things up. Rangers have a fight on to avoid finishing bottom with the Europa League their realistic chance of salvaging something from a mixed campaign.
The Glasgow based powerhouse will welcome back Lee McCulloch for a clash which manager Walter Smith has already lauded as ‘the most important match of my coaching career’. Having had their warm up, a League game with Dundee, called off after heavy rain their preparations have hit a nasty snag.
Petrescu’s team ended a three-match winless run in Liga 1 at the weekend as their solid form appears to be coming to fruition. That said, Unirea are yet to claim three points at home in the Champions League this term setting up an even and interesting battle.
Player to watch:
Exciting midfielder Sorin Frunză bagged two at the weekend and his superb recent form puts him in pole position to be a match winner. Frunză is a tidy, neat and efficient midfielder with goals in locker. Rangers be warned.
Match Prediction:
Struggling Rangers are a team in chaos and with Unirea already showing how easy it is to thrash them, we’re tipping the Romanian’s to claim their first home win of the campaign.
Unirea Urziceni 2-1 Rangers
J. Sanderson
