Score Prediction:
Manchester United (Berbatov, Owen) 2-0 CSKA Moscow
I have a feeling Berbatov is hitting goals for fun at Old Trafford, as his last 2 goals at Old Trafford have been world class finishes and hopefully he can make it 3 tomorrow. If Rooney doesn't play, Owen will and I think he can put his miss against Blackburn behind him and score his 4th for United.
Team Prediction:
1. Van Der Sar
Edwin has been making some decent saves and doing his usual stuff in net, at the weekend Blackburn didn't really test him but he made a decent save from McCarthy near the end and has been playing well in his recent run of games, and also he set the defenders in front of him staright with his experience. He will want another clean sheet in the Champions League.
2. O'Shea
6. Brown
23. Evans
3. Evra
This defence did quality at the weekend and never looked troubled, and i'm not sure if Vidic or Ferdinand are fully fit to come back in, plus Evans played against Chelsea last season away and was superb, so keeping his place tomorrow will do no harm ahead of the Chelsea game. Brown needs more games to get match fit and back to his best, and has looked solid in all his games this season, he was also key to our last triumph in Europe. O'Shea and Evra are both quality at the full back positions and will continue to stay there, whether I don't see why we should play Neville as he wouldn't be available for Sunday, so this defence will need to play together should Rio and Vida not be fit.
25. Valencia
16. Carrick
24. Fletcher
11. Giggs
With Park still unavailable I think Valencia will start against Chelsea and get at Ashley Cole so I feel tonight he can continue his good form for United. Fletcher has been given a start in time to get match fit and prepared for Sunday, and does excellent with Carrick next to him, Scholes played last time but I feel his performance against Liverpool has made Sir Alex think tiwce about playing him in big games, but you never know, maybe he could pop up with a 30 yard screamer against Cech. Giggs should return tomorrow night, i'm not sure if he will play against Chelsea as I think Ando could return there, but Giggs needs to be fit and CSKA aren't quality and Obertan could make another appearance, and Nani seems short of confidence, but he may even start again and hope to finish 90 minutes.
7. Owen
9. Berbatov
With Rooney's doubt (Congratulations on the birth of Kai Rooney) maybe tomorrow could give Owen a chance to make an impression and even score a couple of goals, if Rooney is available then he could take his place and fire goals ready for Chelsea. Berbatov deserves another start after he showed what he possess even if he isn't at his best, and goals like his one on Saturday is why we need him in the squad.
Subs: Foster, G.Neville, Fabio, Scholes, Anderson, Macheda, Obertan
Match Prediction:
With Chelsea on the horizon, I think Sir Alex will play a full strength team to get the job done in Europe and if Wolfsburg draw then we have finished top of the group with 2 games to spare. Also he team I feel will reflect who is starting on Sunday, minus Vidic and Ferdinand. We will want to get the job done early and not struggle to score against a team with a quality young goalkeeper, but last time we played them, they never really troubled our defence and we never needed to hit top gear. I feel this shouldn't be a tough night for the boys as long as CSKA don't park the bus, butif they play the right way and not get frustrated if we don't take our chances, we will find a way to score just like against Blackburn. I'm sure players that want to prove a point such as Brown, Evans, Nani and Owen will want Sir Alex have decision problems come Sunday, because we can't just expect Rio and Vida to come back and be top quality, so if this team does its job right tomorrow then i'm sure at least 80% of the starting 11 with start against Chelsea. Both Chelsea and United are having the same rest time so they will both be fresh come Sunday, unless we are hit with more injuries. Good luck United. Come On!