Champions League Game Two Day One Predictions (EPL only)

Game Preview And Prediction for Chelsea and Arsenal

Chelsea v Olympique de Marseille

Marseille is looking to atone for the embarrasing loss at home to Spartak Moscow in the opening matches.  They have scoring power with Nigerian defender Taye Taiwo and Ghanan Andre Ayew who have both scored 3 goals in French Ligue 1.  Although it is still very early, an 0-2 start could be devestating and give Spartak the real chance to move on with Chelsea from this group.

Chelsea has been a road grater this season in the EPL until losing 1-0 to Manchester City.  That looks to be only a blip in the road with the domcumented trouble Chelsea had with City last season as well losing both matches.  The Blues will be without all world talent Didier Drogba who is serving the second of his three game suspension for an incident in the Inter match last Champions League season.  Chelsea will be looking at Anelka and Malouda and Eissen to show a scoring touch with Kalou and Lampard out also due to injuries.

Prediction:  Marseille will play with a nothing to lose attitude and will give Chelsea a run in the first half, but Chelsea's depth and class will show through in the second half and pull Chelsea to another win in the Champions League. Chelsea 3  Marseille 1

Arsenal v FK Partizan

Partizan is coming off a 1-0 loss to Ukranian football power Shakhtar Donetsk in which they were dominated on shots, time of posession and overall play.  They must give a better showing versus EPL heavyweight Arsenal to even make this game a match.  The best idea for Partizan is to play a defensive game similar to the Rangers game versus Man United.  They must hope for a mistake and capitalize to have a chance.

Arsenal was brought back to earth after a strong start to domestic play with a 3-2 loss to West Brom.  It is not enough to damper the confidence of a bunch that will be playing without striker Theo Walcott and midfielder Cesc Fabregas. Russian Andrei Arshavin is masterful and creative with the ball and knows how to put the ball in the back of the net with the best of them. 

Prediction: The first 10 minutes are vital to Partizan's hope in this game.  They must not let the Gunners dictate the pace or it will be a long day in Serbia for the hosts.  Look for Partizan to give everything in the first 30 minutes of the match but once Arsenal puts one in the net, the goals may come in bunches.  Arsenal 5 Partizan 0