Mid-Week Football Preview

The Champions League Battle of Britain - between Man Utd and Celtic - rekindles the debate about the relative strengths of the Scottish Premier League and the English Premiership.

Amazingly, these sides have never met in Europe, but the Red Devils dealt comfortably with Celtic's arch rivals, Rangers, in this competition in 2003, winning 3-0 at Old Trafford and Pinnacle Sports rate United 1.787 (-1 & -1.5).

Celtic have played Premiership opposition six times in the UEFA Cup losing just once. However, their record in the Champions League is poor, failing to qualify from the Group stages in four attempts.

The Hoops have regularly disappointed on the road in Europe, last season losing 5-0 away to Artmedia Bratislava. Pinnacle Sports price them at 2.17 (+1 & +1.5).

The Red Devils exited this competition at the first hurdle last year, after winning just one group game, but come into this game with a 100% record after four Premiership fixtures. Wayne Rooney is available, but probably rusty after a month's suspension, while Cristiano Ronaldo sits out the game due to a one game ban.

With Barcelona waiting in the wings, Chelsea will be keen to get their Champions League campaign off to a winning start, but visiting Werder Bremen 2.110 (+1) are no stooges. Bremen have made huge strides in five years under coach, Thomas Schaaf, winning the Bundesliga in 2004 and narrowly losing out in last season's Champions League knock-out stages to Juventus. With goals supplied by double World Cup Golden Boot winner, Miroslav Klose and international compatriots, Tim Borowski and Torsten Frings, part of an experienced midfield, Jose Mourinho will need to show the visitors plenty of respect. The 'Special One' will expect Michael Ballack and Andriy Shevchenko to put their vast European experience to good use, and Pinnacle Sports have Chelsea 1.826 (-1).

Lyon welcome Real Madrid in a repeat of last season's group stage match-up. Real's new coach, Fabio Capello, will be very disappointed with a repeat of Real's 3-0 defeat in France. Capello's acquisition of Fabio Cannevaro should plug some of the gaps Madrid's defence displayed last season, but this will still be a tough game. Having won Ligue 1 for five consecutive seasons, Olympique have growing Champions League experience, and are unbeaten this term. Gerard Houllier's side will fear nothing from the Galacticos. Lyon are listed at 1.769 (0/scratch) and Real are 2.2 (0/scratch) with Pinnacle Sports for an away win.

Elsewhere Hamburg (2.12, 0/scratch) host Arsenal (1.82, 0/scratch), who went all the way to last season's Champions League final on the back of a defensive master class. The Gunners however, are yet to win in the Premiership and their reshuffled back-four (without Sol Campbell and Ashley Cole) is taking time to gel. SV have their own problems in that department, with Argentine international signing Juan Pablo Sorin, a big doubt. Thomas Doll's side are yet to hit top form domestically recording three straight score-draws in the Bundesliga.

Liverpool begin their Champions League campaign at PSV, licking their wounds after a crushing 3-0 Derby defeat at Everton. The Reds may have lost just three of their last thirteen away European fixtures, but a repeat of the comical defending shown at Goodison Park will give last season's Eredivisie's champions every chance to establish an advantage in Group C. Pinnacle Sports rate PSV 2.01 (0/scratch) and Liverpool 1.917 (0/scratch).

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