Wednesday's Games To Watch: Madrid-Milan and Bayern-Bordeaux

There were plenty of upsets yesterday, could we see more today? On paper Manchester United, who have struggled as of late, could be expected to slip against CSKA after a long trip to Moscow but CSKA has not been performing well either. I am not expecting a feast of football from that match and the real drama lies elsewhere in the schedule.

One need look no further than the Real Madrid – AC Milan clash for a taste of drama. Kaka was at the centre of a massive transfer from Milan to Madrid this past summer and now comes the much anticipated meeting between the two sides. Madrid have been dominant offensively this season but as usual, their defence is capable of giving up suspect goals. Milan have struggled on all fronts, including a home loss to FC Zurich on Matchday 2. Milan scored a big win over Roma at the weekend with Ronaldinho involved in both goals so they cannot be written off so early. I am hoping for a high-scoring affair but both sides have been a little hard to predict this season. I think Madrd will just edge this one given the home-field advantage.

The other game that catches my eye is the Bayern Munich – Bordeaux clash. Bordeaux will hope for an improvement in form after consecutive losses in Ligue 1 – 3-1 away to AS Saint-Etienne and then 1-0 at AJ Auxerre this past weekend. The time could be right to defeat Bayern who will be without star wingers Franck Ribéry and Arjen Robben as well as striker Ivica Oli? . Bayern will make some tactical adjustments and still have plenty to work with. In particular, keep your eye on Thomas Müller (pictured above) who has scored six goals in his last eight games, with five of those strikes coming in the final 20 minutes.

Full Wednesday schedule (my predictions in bold):
AC Milan v Real Madrid
Apoel Nicosia v FC Porto
Atletico Madrid v Chelsea
Bayern Munich v Bordeaux
Besiktas v Wolfsburg
Maccabi Haifa v Juventus
Manchester United v CSKA Moscow (DRAW)
Marseille v FC Zurich (DRAW)