PSV and Milan top a busy UEFA Champions League Slate

Two of the most storied clubs in soccer clash tonight as PSV and AC Milan collide in Eindhoven for the first leg of their UEFA Champions League playoff. Al Dannity previews the game of the day and the other four match-ups.

This is where you end up if you don’t take care of business in your home league. PSV’s failure to win the Dutch Eredivisie last season means they entered the qualifying stages of this season’s Champions League. In order to make the main competition and earn big money, they must overcome the second most successful team in tournament history. Milan edged out Fiorentina for third place in Italy’s Serie A last season but they still have work to do to play for the highest honour in club soccer. The Italian giants may lack the big names of old but they still have significant talent on their roster. Nigel de Jong, Kevin-Prince Boateng, and Riccardo Montolivo bring some serious oomph to their challenge. Eindhoven will hope that Park Ji-Sung, on loan with his former club, can give them a spark tonight. I wouldn’t be shocked by a draw at +222 but Milan look the better side in this clash.

Scottish champions Celtic must travel to the farthest reach of UEFA territory tonight. Neil Lennon’s side face Shakhter Karagandy of Kazakhstan. Not only is the first time Karagandy have advanced to the playoff round, it’s the furthest any Kazakh side has ever progressed in European competition. Technically speaking, the game is being played in Central Asia but Kazakhtan switched its allegiance from the Asian Football Confederation to UEFA in 2002. The bulk of the squad hails from the soccer minnow and it would be a huge shock if they won tonight. Celtic should have enough to take a lead with them to Glasgow for the second leg.

Portugal’s Pacos Ferreira are also in unchartered territory with this being their first ever participation in the Champions League. In Zenit St Petersburg they face an opponent with vast Champions League experience and a wealth of world class talent at their disposal. I like the Russian side to take the win on the road tonight.

Champions League mainstays Lyon need a win at home against Real Sociedad. The Spanish club will have home advantage for the second leg and will surely look to Carlos Vela to provide a spark in Tuesday’s away leg. This promises to be the closest match-up of the round and merits attention in live betting. Finally, the clash of Viktoria Plzen and NK Maribor may not make too many headlines but it promises to be a passionate affair. Next to Lyon and Sociedad, these are the two best matched teams in the draw. That makes a win for Plzen vital tonight. Maribor will be happy if they can bring an away goal back to Slovenia.