See what we think is certain to happen in tonight’s Champions League fixtures…
The joy of football is its unpredictability, but there are some things that are just inevitable. Here are five things that are bound to take place over the course of tonight’s European games…
Surely…?
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5) An Arsenal player to hobble off injured
Arsenal’s dreadful injury record not only prevents Arsene Wenger from ever playing his full strength side, it also means the French manager is forced to regularly play half-fit players, who then get injured and continue the cycle.
Tonight, either Danny Welbeck or Laurent Koscielny (or possibly both) will be rushed back into the side, and will end up limping off the pitch. If it’s not them it’ll be Kieran Gibbs or Aaron Ramsey, or one of the many other china dolls that make up Arsenal’s first eleven. Still, as long as it’s not Alexis…
4) Cristiano Ronaldo to score four
Lionel Messi smashed the Champions League scoring record with a hat-trick last night, which can mean only one thing. Cristiano will be shooting from anywhere and everywhere in order to keep pace with his nemesis, and one fears for the safety of the FC Basel defenders, who have an extremely long night ahead of them.
It will certainly be difficult for clubs to follow up on their interest in Fabien Schar in January if all that remains of the youngster is a pair of smoking Adidas Nitrocharges.
3) Liverpool to blow it in Sofia
Liverpool have not been up to in Europe this year, and were even lucky to beat the Bulgarians in the home leg. Things will be made easier by the absence of Mario Balotelli, and back Rickie Lambert to get another goal as Liverpool slump to another embarrassing loss, but it won’t be enough to save Liverpool from themselves.
2) Juventus to drop into the Europa League
Juventus are Europe’s best team who are rubbish in Europe. Every year they dominate their domestic league, play powerful, tactically advanced football with a fantastic first XI, look set to finally crack the Champions League, and then slope out at the first hurdle.
Last year they couldn’t even manage to win the Europa League after dropping into it, as they were beaten over two legs by Benfica. Tonight they go to Sweden to play Malmo, and failing to win will be fatal for their hopes of progressing.
1) Alexis Sanchez to save Arsenal, again
Arsenal will get themselves into a hole against Borussia Dortmund, but their Chilean saviour will descend from heaven to grab a late goal against the Germans. It’s inevitable.