FC Viktoria Plzeň vs Barcelona UEFA Champions League Match Schedule, Match Preview

Viktoria Plzeň vs Barcelona Match Preview
FC Barcelona will be looking to continue their excellent European form when they travel to face FC Viktoria Plzen in the Czech Republic.

Barcelona are currently joint top of Group H, while Plzen are six points further back and tied for last place.

Marek Cech is sidelined with a knee injury for Plzen, while goalkeeper Roman Pavlik has returned to full fitness.

Pedro Rodriguez and Ibrahim Afellay are ruled out with injury for Barca, while Xavi Hernandez and Alexis Sanchez are injury doubts.

Barcelona are still without long-term absentees Ibrahim Afellay and Alexis Sanchez, who are still shelved with a cruciate knee injury and a hamstring problem respectively.

Cesc Fabregas is set to make his return in the Champions League after his hamstring strain and may be selected in the 'false 9' role in attack.

Pedro will miss the game with a knee injury after coming off in the Liga win against Granada a week ago.

Arsenal vs Olympique Marseille UEFA Champions League Match Schedule, Match Preview

Date/Time: Nov 1, 2011, 3:45pm

Competition: UEFA Champions League

Live/Repeat: Live

Venue: Emirates Stadium (London)

Arsenal vs Olympique Marseille Match Preview

Arsenal will play host to Olympique de Marseille in UEFA Champions League Group F action on Tuesday.

Arsenal currently top Group F after an unbeaten start, while second placed Marseille are one point behind them.

Arsenal beat Marseille 1-0 in France two weeks ago, but Gunners boss Arsene Wenger believe the French club will pose a big threat in London.

“I believe (Marseille) have a team (better suited to) playing away from home than at home,” Wenger told the official UEFA website. “They have a side that can defend well (and are) very physical and quick on the break. I believe counterattack suits them more than dominating possession in the game.”

In the reverse leg of this fixture, Arsenal were able to claim an important three points via a last-minute winner from Aaron Ramsey. It was a big win for Arsene Wenger and his side, as they were able to beat Marseille in one of the most hostile environments in Europe. Arsenal will hope to continue their brilliant run of form against Marseille.

It has been a different story for Marseille this season. Marseille has struggled in domestic play this season and have yet to be a threat on the attacking side of the ball this season. Marseille have been solid defensively, but that has not earned them any good results this season.

However, Marseille's three-man attack with Lucho Gonazlez, Mathieu Valbuena and Loic Remy could trouble Arsenal's defense, but the return of Thomas Vermaelen could prove to give Marseille troubles in the attack.

Arsenal, on the other hand, are running on all cylinders. With Robin Van Persie leading the attack, Marseille will have difficulty stopping them throughout the night. Aaron Ramsey has been outstanding recently and should prove to be the difference maker in the midfielder for Arsenal.

Genk vs Chelsea UEFA Champions League Match Schedule, Match Preview

Date/Time: Nov 1, 2011, 3:45pm

Competition: UEFA Champions League

Live/Repeat: Live

Venue: Cristal Arena (Genk)

Genk vs Chelsea Match Preview

Group E leaders Chelsea could qualify for the Champions League knockout stages with a win over Genk.

If Chelsea pick up three points in Belgium, then they will seal qualification for the round of 16 if Bayer Leverkusen win or draw at Valencia.

Genk were beaten 5-0 by Chelsea at Stamford Bridge two weeks ago, and will be looking to cause a dramatic reverse of that result here.

Genk may be heartened by the fact that Chelsea themselves conceded five goals in a 5-3 weekend Premier League defeat to Arsenal. “I have positive feelings about tomorrow’s game, I am a coach who always thinks positive but we know we’re playing against great opponents in Chelsea,” Genk boss Mario Been told the official UEFA website.

Raul Meireles looks set to deputize for Ramires, after the Portuguese midfielder was rested for much of the weekend’s game against Arsenal. Michael Essien remains sidelined with a knee injury.

Didier Drogba will be available for selection again after serving one game of his three match ban against the Gunners, following his sending off for a poorly timed lunge at Adel Taarabt. However, Fernando Torres is likely to keep his place in the side.

BATE Borisov vs AC Milan UEFA Champions League Match Schedule

Date/Time: Nov 1, 2011, 1:00pm

Competition: UEFA Champions League

Live/Repeat: Live

Venue: Stadyen Dynama, Minsk (Minsk)

BATE vs Milan Match Preview

AC Milan will be looking to continue their unbeaten start to UEFA Champions League Group H play when they travel to face FC BATE Borisov.

Milan are tied with FC Barcelona at the top of the group, while BATE are six points behind them.

Yegor FIlipenko, Vitali Rodionov and Evgeni Kuntsevich are sidelined with injury for BATE. Mateja Kezman is carrying a minor injury but Viktor Goncharenko is confident that former Chelsea striker Kezman can play a role. “He will be fit enough to play 60-70 minutes,” the BATE coach told the official UEFA website.

Zenit vs Shakhtar Donetsk UEFA Champions League Match Schedule

Date/Time: Nov 1, 2011, 1:00pm

Competition: UEFA Champions League

Live/Repeat: Live

Venue: Stadion Petrovskij, St. Petersburg (Sankt-Peterburg (St. Petersburg))

Zenit vs Shakhtar Donetsk Match Preview

Shakhtar Donetsk will be looking for their first win in UEFA Champions League Group G when they travel to face Zenit St Petersburg.Second placed Zenit are one point behind group leaders APOEL FC, while last placed Shakhtar are two points further back.

Russian playmaker Roman Shirokov will feature in the Zenit midfield, and has scored three goals in three games so far in this tournament.Striker Aleksandr Kerzhakov is ruled out with injury for Zenit, while Aleksandr Anyukov is back to full health.