Ok, guys. We need to win this one to qualify. What is your prediction for the score and for the line up?

------------Sar-------------

--Neville-Rio-Silves--O'Shea

--Ronaldo--Smith--Scholes--Giggs--

-------------Rooney---------

--------------Ruud-----------

My prediction for this match is 0-2. Rooney scoring once and Ruud scoring as well.

He good go with that team but I think he will play Fletcher on the right and one winger either Park Giggs or Ronaldo. and I also think Brown will start.

It's going to be a very tough match, and I would be delighted with a win. I don't think Smith has been as good in the Champions League as he has in the Premiership. And as Macari said last game its about time Rooney and Ronaldo start producing the goods in the CL!

I totally agree with that! Rooney has been known for his playmaking this season as well as last but he hasnt done that in the CL this season at all. Cristiano Ronaldo should start because he was excelent for the very little time he played against Pompey today. He created some nice chances for Scholes and Rooney, I think it was, and he also had some nice crosses. His trickery worked very well today and let's hope it can work well in against Benfica!

Totally Agree!

I think benfica have the edge

they'll want justice from old trafford


it'll be interesting to see what man united will do with their backs to the wall

no points no europe

Benfica 3 Man united 1

BTW Koeman said Simão won't play bahahaha.

I'll try to go to the match with a mate of mine who's a benfiquista since the match should be very tense and emotive... I still don't know who to support though

Simao won't play That one's been used before!
Rooney and ronaldo will start IMO as expected.Just hope SAF sees the pompey game as a mark and starts
with park.
I think pressure on MUFC but Hope and believe and pray for a 2-0 win for united

I agree with the 0-2 scoreline as well. *hint hint* first post

I have a feeling Benfica will win, but Manchester United will win.

This is good for a draw. I really see Benfica stepping it up a notch, so will United. They will both cancel each other out, and play a 0-0 draw. Or a 1-1 draw would be. Benifca have some class in their pockets, and will look for revenge when their great performance served as nothing when they lost at OT.

Now I hope I am wrong with the prediction, 1-0 to Benfica more like.

Man Utd have the tendency to turn it up for the big match (think Chelsea and Arsenal when we ended their unbeaten runs) and I dont see why they cant do it this time, especially when Simao is out and the team is looking strong. Van Nistelrooy and Scholes are scoring, Rooney doing his usual good stuff, Ronaldo was rested and looked great against Portsmouth when he came on, Giggs and Gary Neville back to full fitness, Rio and Brown forging a good partnership. Says it all, really.

It would be a close one though, 2-1 to Man Utd I guess. Lets just hope that Fletcher wont start ...

I really don't see Benfica winning this one, especially the way United have been performing lately.

Simao was a must for this match but he will be out again.

Need a win, simple as.

As for the lineup...I think Ronaldo will get in there ahead of Giggs on the left. Not sure if it'll either be Park or Fletcher on the right. I suspect Neville to start, as with Rio and O'Shea...not sure which of Brown or Silvestre, although I'm leaning towards Brown, but who knows. I'm not even cosidering anyone ahead of Van der Sar, Rooney, or Van Nistelrooy...these three stay for me.

This will be tougher than our last three games. Group D hasn't collectively produced many goals, so I want to see goals. More from our end, of course. Here's to a good game...

Id go along with that line-up and hopefully score line.


Doubtfull.. 'if' United play well the should easily put Benfica away.

Can I just ask what was the injustice in the game at Old Trafford?

2-0 win for us, a fitting tribute to George Best.

Not too confident since we're playing shit and Simão isn't plauing and Miccoli, Karagounis and Manuel Fernandes probably won't play either but i'm hoping for a 1-0 win goal by Nuno Gomes.


FORÇA BENFICA

Ruud is scoring in the Premiership but has only scored one goal in the champions league so far .
last year he was top scorer in the Champions league and didnt score much in the Premiership .
i hope he manages to score a hatrick or a super hatrick to boost his chances of getting the golden boot.

I am really worried, it looks like Benfica is going to be missing alot of key players, Simao, Manueal Fernandes, Miccoli, Moriera and who knows if Quim is really ready. Though I am hoping he puts Montarras in with Nuno Gomes, Nuno needs support up front that how he plays well. I am pissed about Simao and Manual Fernades not playing they are both amazing players and I hope to God Beto isnt going to play. PLEASE FERNADES HEAL BEFORE WED SIMAO TOO

Hope my Man utd win this match and go to next round haha.

=================VanDerSaar===============

===GNeville====Ferdinand========Slivertre==O'Shea===

===CRonaldo===Smith===========Scholes====Park===

====================Rooney=================

====================Nistrlooly================

if saha can play it will be good.
Garyneville for wes brown
JiSungpark for giggs place

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`

Wow we are having such great luck yet we're in trouble
Last game:villareal:No riquelme,no forlan:0-0
Tomorrow:Benfica:long list:hope we thrash 'em

Manuel Fernandes is apparantly able to play. Miccoli is doubtful though.

-----------------------Quim----------------------
Alcides----------Luisao-----Anderson-----Rocha
----------------Petit----------Fernandes--------
Nelson----------------Assis-----------------Karyaka
-----------------------Gomes-------------------

this kills me though because i just dont think Nelson is as effective playing as a Rw but with injuries we have no choice, although i want to play Joao Pereira he isn't fit enough because dumbass Koeman is hardly playing him.

Alcides has been fairly decent playing as a RB. He also is an aerial threat in set-pieces. Thats why i also included Anderson and Luisao, and placed Rocha there as well because i think he's will keep the back solid.

I prefer Karyaka in the AMC but due to injuries he will have to play winger. Unless Leo play as a LW then move Karyaka to the center, but i don't like the fact of defenders playing as wingers.

If Miccoli is able to play then have him on the bench then take out Assis and replace him with Mantorras. Mantorras is an active player that will keep the Manchester defence busy and will be a constant threat. I thought he looked very good when coming on against Maritimo.

I know we can win this match. FORCA BENFICA!!!!!

The good thing is that it's only one last game and anything can happen. Despite this fact, I don't have a good feeling. Nelson played amazing as a RB, but not as a RW as Benfiquista mentioned. If Miccoli is ready to play, we would have much more ability in terms of attacking, he can be a decisive factor.

Hopefully this game will be a draw, and so will the lille - villareal game, meaning man united get knocked out, which would be nice, but also benfica would get knocked out, which would the transfer of simao to liverpool more likely.

Of course you CAN win it, anyone can beat anyone, that doesn't mean you will however, in fact, I'd stick my neck out right now and say you won't.

C. Ronaldo will be the key. The best Portugese player at the moment (bar Deco) playing in Portugal after being left out of the United line up for the last few games. Who said Fergie has lost it?

Great motivation for the lad and I'm sure if he plays well United will win the game if the mistakes at the back are minimised

This article got me pretty pissed off

http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/....html?gusrc=rss

------------------------------------
Benfica look made for United wide boys

Matt Scott in Madeira
Monday December 5, 2005
The Guardian


When Sir Alex Ferguson looked over his brother Martin's scouting report yesterday, a confident grin must have spread across the Manchester United manager's face. On Wednesday night in Portugal United must win to guarantee progression to the knockout phase of the Champions League and there is much to suggest that a record of no away wins in the competition proper since November 2003 is set to come to an end this week.


If George Best is to provide the inspiration for the win United crave, the Benfica of 2005 could prove complicit. On Saturday Ronald Koeman's side, sixth currently in the Portuguese League, laboured to a 1-0 win at lowly Maritimo, showing scant imagination or penetration. Though Koeman selected a five-man midfield, the left-sided Andii Karyaka was regularly drawn inside. Consequently Benfica's build-up was almost exclusively squeezed into a thin central channel. The narrowness was mirrored at the back, where all four defenders were squeezed the width of the penalty area.
Sir Alex Ferguson should seek to exploit the outside space on Wednesday, ordering Cristiano Ronaldo and Park Ji-sung or Ryan Giggs to run at a defence that is provided scant support by the wide midfielders. There will also be routes to goal from central positions for Wayne Rooney and Paul Scholes. Koeman uses Armando Petit as a holding midfielder but he did not demonstrate the intuition required of the position.

Though Luisao's 6ft 4in frame is a formidable barrier, his central defensive partner Alcides seems untrustworthy and has a tendency to go to ground too readily in the tackle. He can also be drawn out of defence and a simple one-two between Scholes and Rooney could take out Petit and Alcides. If, however, United choose to play it long, they would be wise to do so on the floor. Luisao and Alcides both cope solidly with the high ball but the latter lacks his partner's pace and twice fell to the ground when chasing opponents for the ball. So weak is the goalkeeper Quim Berto's kicking that he defers the responsibility to one of his defenders, principally Luisao. United might therefore wish to attempt speculative shots, since Benfica's goal-kicks generally cede possession to the opposition, with the defence lacking formation.

Even Benfica's strengths expose weaknesses. In set-plays Petit's delivery is adequate and from these positions Luisao will be their greatest threat, but if United can force a quick transition from defence to attack the centre-half must recover his ground or leave an otherwise poor defence unassisted. Nuno Gomes holds the ball up well and is the league's top scorer with 10 goals from 13 matches. However, in the absence of the injured Simao Sabrosa - the former Barcelona winger was rushed back to face Villarreal last month and aggravated a hernia - his skills as a lone striker are blunted; with a flagrant lack of support he plays in isolation.

Inevitably the game's only goal on Saturday came from a long ball from defence, Pedro Mantorras squeezing a right-foot shot just inside the post. The tussle with Maritimo's Valnei as he bore down on goal showed his strength but he lacks pace after a serious knee injury. Mantorras had already had one well-taken headed "goal" rightly disallowed for offside. He will be significant if Koeman chooses to play with two strikers on Wednesday.

Three points averted what would have been Benfica's worst-ever league position at this stage of the season. "We missed players up front and [consequently] we had to change a little bit," said Koeman. "But we will play for the win at home against Manchester United. We'll try to attack with our head and try to win that game. Everything is possible."

-------------------------------------------------

Now obviously by reading this its quite obvious he hasn't seen Benfica play much.



If he had done his research he would of known that Maritimo were undefeated under their new coach and rising in the standing quickly. Benfica are the first to beat them and limit them to very few chances. What makes it more impressive is that it is very hard for any team to go to Maritimo and win. Porto tied them despite Maritimo being a man down, they equalised.




Wow very good. Now this would have made sence if Alcides was actually Luisao's central defensive partner. Alcides has not played in the center this season and has only played two or three times in all competion.



He's making it sound like only Benfica brings up defenders in set-pieces. I'm pretty sure Ferdinand will be part of Manchesters attacking set-pieces. Can Benfica not create a quick attack aswell? or can only Manchester do that because their Manchester?

Poor defence unassisted? How is our defence poor? Because Manchester scored 2 lucky deflections? I think he should take a better look at our defenders before commenting. Because Silvestre and O'Shea really isnt the greates either.



Again he should do some more research before commenting. Quim can kick the ball for crying out loud. He just isn't doing it as much because he came back from an injury and does want to re-injure himself so quickly.



Finally Koeman bringing in some good attitude in the upcoming game. just hope he will be able to pull off the win.



in fact, I'd stick my neck out right now and say we will.

Uh oh. My allegiance is split. Therefore, I think I shall hide under the metaphorical table until after the match is done and dusted and it's safe to come out again.

there is no fence sitting on this one....

Ronnie and Giggsy hopefully to start, lets see if we can finally score a couple of goals in europe.

cant make up your mind eh.. .

i think utd will win.........

they have the players to do it & they should do it....

i go for a 2-1 win for utd as well....

For the sake of the neutrals i hope SAF plays 2 of Ronaldo Park or Giggs because against Lille it seemed like the Fletcher just didnt provide any attcking options on the right and RVN also seemed to drift mostly to the right and its Rooney not him that is normally the playmaking striker. however if they pick an attacking winger like Giggs or Park on the left Ronaldo can do his shimmys and crazy moves on the right which hopefully will provide more creativity for Manchester United

Benfica only chance of winning if Beto is not in the squad i remain hopeful Benfica will win N.gomes 95th minute

Dammit Manuel Fernandes won't play. So many injuries

Guarda-redes: Quim e Rui Nereu;
Defesas: Anderson, Luisão, Léo, Alcides, Dos Santos, Nelson, João Pereira e Ricardo Rocha;
Médios: Bruno Aguiar, Geovanni, Beto, Petit e Nuno Assis;
Avançados: Mantorras, Hélio Roque e Nuno Gomes.

What i dont get is that Koeman said he was gonna go full out attack, but then he calls up 8 defenders and 3 defensive mids. Taking out Karyaka who is a good attacking option is a very stupid move by Koeman, especailly calling up Aguiar who hasn't played a game this season because of his injury.

With the players available this would be my lineup:

-----------------------------Quim-----------------------
Nelson-------Luisao---------------Anderson-----Rocha
----------------------Beto---------Petit-----------------
J.Pereira-------------------------------------------Geovanni
-----------------------Mantorras-----Gomes-----------

Mantorras looks great and is starting to prove he should start. He is much more active and the attack seems to look better when he's on.

No Fernandes, Simao, Micolli or Karyaka means that any small chance Benfica had just disapeared.

Having said that it wont be a walk in the park for Man Utd, but in the end the luck will go their way.



Mantorras wont start. He's the only card Koeman has comming off the bench.

J Pereira

I'm not saying Mantorras will start. I know he wont but this is the lineup i would have chosen.

Wats wrong with Pereira? Am i the only one the finds him very underrated and can be a very valuable player once given the chance? I would choose him over Geovanni any day.

Besides i placed him there because i rather not see Aguiar or Beto playing there or even Nelson because i find Nelson to be much better as a RB.

no Karagounis either

Benfica has way too many key players out, All I see coming out of this game is a convingcing Manchester United victory. But I do hope Benfica gives it their all and plays attacking futebol.

Benfica has got injuries on their side, but i think the players will pull a really gutsy performance.

And Manchester should watch out for Nuno Gomes, he always comes out with huge goals in games like these.

Benfica plays at home to a sold out crowd. Should be a good one, and close to.

Hoping for a 1-0 Benfica win

United have not played convincingly thus far, and I just don't really like them anyway. So I'm definitely rooting for Benfica in this one, 1-0 hopefully.

Scholes has found form, he'll hustle United through.

It will be around 1 15 am when the game starts.
I am sure i am will praying for Lille And Benfica in my sleep

I predict Benfica 0 Man Utd 2

3-0 United, Ronaldo, Rooney, and finally Park

I just realized SAF's technique and what a technique it is, he leaves Ronaldo out for a couple of games knowing that the game vs. Benfica is one of the most critical matches of the season, he leaves Cronaldo out of some matches just to make him think that he might not be good enough and that he has to show more and play better, then he unleashes him vs. Benfica, in his own coutry, against the rival of his formal team, brilliant.

lol that is brilliant, but bad or our side lol I am hoping Benfica comes through you never know they can do it, even with all of our injruies we still have a good team, lets just hope we play as a team and win this game. We can do it if we really want this win, we can not let Man U beat us in our home soil no matter how many injuries we have. This is going to be the biggest game of the year and Benfica must WIN!!!!! FORCA BENFICA!!!!!!!

For a horrible moment I thought Scholesy had fucked up

Yeah, LMAO at the goalie trying to make out the ball didn't cross the line.

what a nice pass by neville!

1-1, trouble for United at the moment.

wow that sucks for united. A crucial deflection.