Brits in Europe round-up

Steve Tongue
Sunday 17 October 2010 00:00 BST
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Champions' League:

Tuesday:

Arsenal v Shakhtar Donetsk (7.45pm, Sky Sports 2)

Both teams have won their opening games against the other Group H sides, Braga and Partizan Belgrade, Arsenal rather more convincingly than the Ukrainians. That gives them the opportunity to take control of the section before the return match in Donetsk in two weeks' time. Eduardo's return to the Emirates will be hugely popular.

Spartak Moscow v Chelsea (5.30pm, Sky Sports 2)

A similar situation to Arsenal's group, both these teams having a 100 per cent record after defeating Marseilles and Zilina; very comfortably each time in Chelsea's case. It is probably better to travel to Moscow at this stage (when the temperature is five degrees) than next month (minus three).

Wednesday:

Internazionale v Tottenham Hotspur (7.45pm, ITV1)

Eight goals scored and three conceded in six games ahead of today's visit to Cagliari shows the strength and comparative weakness of the Inter team now managed by former Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez. In contrast, Spurs' record is 12-6 from four Champions' League adventures so far, and clean sheets are hardly a speciality.

Manchester Utd v Bursaspor (7.45pm, Sky Sports 2)

The "Green Crocodiles" may have bitten off a bit more than they can chew in this group section, having lost to both Valencia and Rangers without scoring. This game should be comfortable for United as long as Sir Alex Ferguson picks the right team, especially in attack.

Rangers v Valencia (7.45pm, Sky Sports 4)

Meanwhile Rangers, joint top with United after holding them at Old Trafford and then beating Bursa, could put pressure on Valencia if they can squeeze out another win. The Spaniards have started well in La Liga, although they have lost international winger Joaquin to injury.

Europa League:

Thursday:

Manchester City v Lech Poznan (8.05pm, Five)

After collecting a rare Polish championship last season, Lech were knocked out of this season's Champions' League group stage by Sparta Prague, who then went out to Zilina. All that suggests they are nothing special and that City should make up ground after being held last month by Juventus.

Napoli v Liverpool (6pm, ITV4)

Liverpool meet up again with Andrea Dossena, not one of Rafa Benitez's finest signings. They should be more concerned about the gifted Slovakia playmaker Marek Hamsik and Uruguay's Edinson Cavani, joint top scorer in Serie A so far. Napoli came from 3-0 down to draw at Steaua Bucharest in their last game.

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