CL Bootroom: Arsenal Squeaky Bum Edition

Will he take out anger on water bottles again?

Our most populous fanbase gets to fret and whine today about getting through to the knockout phase of the Champions League. What kind of pain would it be for them to fail while Tottenham got through?!

Anyway, the games are on all the usual spots. I’ll point out the FSC and FSP game (Arsenal and Chelsea, respectively). The rest are on DirecTV. Let’s look at what we’re getting.

Group E

This is not a dead rubber group, as AS Roma need a point against Cluj to secure passage. They also can get through if Basel can pull off the upset at Bayern Munich (which is unlikely but possible since Munich is assured of top of the group and will likely rest some players).

Predictions: Roma 2-0 Cluj; Bayern Munich 1-1 Basel.

Group F

Dead rubber alert! Chelsea travel to Marseille with the top spot already in hand. Marseille is in great form and has the second-place spot assured. Spartak Moscow travels to Zilnia with its Europa League future set. Booooooring, and Chelsea will lose at Marseiile.

Predictions: Marseille 3-1 Chelsea (match on FSP); Spartak Moscow 1-0 Zilnia.

Group G

More dead rubber, sort of. Real Madrid has the top spot in the group and plays host to Auxerre, while AC Milan will be second and welcomes the Martin Jol-less Ajax. Third place will go to whoever has the better result between Auxerre and Ajax (which has the advantage on goal difference). Expect draws all around.

Predictions: Real Madrid 1-1 Auxerre; AC Milan 0-0 Ajax.

Group H

Ah, here’s the interesting one. For Arsenal, the chore is clear — win a home match with pointless Partizan and you’re through. No problem, right? We’ll see. As for placement, that depends on the other match. Shakhtar Donetsk leads the group now. Should they lose to visiting Braga (and assuming an Arsenal win), they will finish second. If they lose by 4 goals or more, they would finish third. If the teams draw, Shakhtar tops the group no matter what Arsenal do. I don’t expect Braga to sit back. They need to draw and pray Arsenal lose (unlikely) or go for the win and hope Arsenal draw (slightly possible). No matter what happens, this is the interesting group of the day, and really it shouldn’t have been. In the end, I think Arsenal pull it out but finish second to Shakhtar in the group.

Predictions: Arsenal 3-1 Partizan (game on FSC); Shakhtar Donetsk 2-2 Sporting Braga.

Enjoy the games and comment safely!