05.11.2013 Week four of the UEFA Champions League group stages sees Manchester City face CSKA Moscow at the Etihad and Manchester United travel to Spain to play Real Sociedad.
Manchester City vs. CSKA Moscow on Tuesday, November 5th
Manchester City will go into Tuesday’s game knowing they need a win to keep pace with Group A leaders Bayern Munich. Manchester City will be looking to beat CSKA, as they did in Russia, and capitalise on any slip ups from Bayern who are currently three points clear and face Viktoria Plzen. City’s fairly unremarkable 2-1 win over CSKA courtesy of two Sergio Aguero goals will not live long in the memory of supporters, however Russia is always a difficult away trip and Manchester City have been a different animal at home this season. Confidence will be extremely high at the Etihad among the likes of David Silva, Yaya Toure and Alvaro Negredo following their 7-0 thumping of Norwich on Saturday. It is important that City build on that performance and put any hopes CSKA have of finishing second to bed in this fixture as the English Premier League outfit face a daunting trip to Bayern Munich in their final fixture of the group. CSKA Moscow on the other hand will be desperate for a win if they are to have any hopes of progressing to the knockout stages. Costel Pantilimon looks set to continue in goal in place of the out of favour Joe Hart for the home side who will also be without captain Vincent Kompany and attacker Stevan Jovetic.
Real Sociedad vs. Manchester United on Tuesday, November 5th
Group A leaders Manchester United face Real Sociedad in Spain on Tuesday in a game the Red Devils are expected to win. Sociedad currently sit bottom of the group having lost their three opening games and only scoring one goal in the process however the La Liga side still possess the attacking talents of Carlos Vela and Antoine Greizmann who could cause Manchester United serious problems. Manchester United’s form has improved recently after a shaky start to the season under new manager David Moyes and the Scot seems to have found a way to get Wayne Rooney and Robin Van Persie playing well together, something Alex Ferguson never managed. Even with United’s two strikers firing, this fixture will not be plain sailing with Moyes’ side somewhat fortunate to beat their Spanish opponents 1-0 in the reverse fixture at Old Trafford thanks to an early own goal. The Red Devils were more impressive in their opening Champions League game win over Bayer Leverkusen and will hope for a similar performance on Tuesday although
the Premier League side will be without Tom Cleverley, Jonny Evans and Rafael who all stay at home due to injury.
