Group E is one of the most competitive groups in the Champions League this season with each team likely to think they have a good chance of winning it. With this in mind these first matches are incredibly important.
Leverkusen have had a mixed start to the season with one victory and one defeat which leaves them 7th overall. Whilst they have virtually no chance of winning the Bundesliga this season, they should be able to put together a good run in Europe and will be happy with this group draw.
In Javier Hernandez they have a nippy little striker who will cause problems for an ageing CSKA back-line whilst other players such as latest German prospect Julian Brandt will back him up very nicely.
The above-mentioned CSKA defence is not the Russian club’s only problem this season. Although they won 3-0 at the weekend, goal-scoring has been a massive problem for them with only one recognised and useful striker in Lacina Traore. Even then, he is not really good enough to cause most European teams a problem. Apart from the win against Terek on Saturday, CSKA have not scored more than once in any game this season – ridiculous when you consider they are one of the top teams in Russia.
Leonid Slutsky’s side have played incredibly defensive football in recent seasons and it has got them nowhere. It will be interesting to see if we see a change from this conservative mindset, however, in a game away against a good Leverkusen side, I cannot see CSKA suddenly playing an expansive game. Slutsky will no doubt take a point.
CSKA are really struggling for goals It’s hard to envisage them scoring here, let alone winning. With this in mind I would go for Leverkusen to win without conceding at a nicely priced 7/4. I mentioned how Hernandez would cause trouble for CSKA’s ageing back-line earlier and I believe he should be able to profit from that with his quick movement. The Mexican to score anytime is Evens with Bet365 – definitely worth a shot.
Lastly, after his hat-trick in Leverkusen’s 3-1 win over Hamburg at the weekend, you can back Joel Pohjanpalo to score again on Wednesday at 7/4. The Finnish striker will no doubt be brimming with confidence after his recent performance and, like Hernandez, should be capable of taking advantage of the sluggish CSKA defence.
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