Friday, August 07, 2009

The Champions League Playoffs are interesting

In some years the final round of Champions League Playoff can be almost a bore, but this year that could be different with one tie Arsenal vs. Celtic. The team that drops this tie could be in financial trouble. Both clubs count on the Champions League group stage money in order to fund their spending, so going out before that stage could be a mess for both. Rangers went out in an earlier playoff round last year and they are still trying to dig out from the lost revenue.

Here are some predictions for the playoff round:

  • FC Sheriff v Olympiakos: Olympiakos
  • SV Red Bull Salzburg v Maccabi Haifa: Red Bull Salzburg
  • FK Ventspils v FC Zurich: FC Zurich
  • FC Copenhagen v Apoel Nicosia: FC Copenhagen
  • Levski Sofia v Debrecen: Leveski Sofia
  • Lyon v Anderlecht: Lyon
  • Celtic v Arsenal: This has PK written all over it, but I can not see Wenger going out at this point.
  • FC Timisoara v VfB Stuttgart: VFB Stuttgart
  • Sporting v Fiorentina: Fiorentina
  • Panathinaikos v Atletico Madrid: Panahinaikos, the shocker of the round. Last years the Greeks booked a place in the last 16 of the Champions League.
Some leagues are up and running, while others about to start. It feels like it has been a long time since we have all had club football.

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