That means leaving a fresh Bendtner out who scored two goals in his last game. Oh decisions decisions, I trust the manager to make the correct choices regarding tactics, confidence and balance

So here we are again, one of the most important matches of our season so far is hours away from kick off. Liverpool and Chelsea cruised through last night which frightens me a little, not for any reason other than probability, having said that all four clubs found their way into the quarter finals last season and there is every chance that it could happen again. Poor old Platini must be in tears.

I said yesterday that I had no fear, well guess what?.. I lied through my teeth, I have terrible butterflies in my stomach as I write this and it is still only 10am, god only knows what I will feel like come kick off.

Like I have said previously, I have a lot of confidence in the team to get the job done, regardless of Roma’s stunning victory against Chelsea earlier in the season.

The difference is Chelsea did not have a goal advantage and they cannot keep the ball like we can. I have been struggling in my head since the Burnley game to predict the team for tonight. Bendtner being rested and Eboue playing 90 minutes has not helped my thoughts one bit.

We know who will certainly play and that will be Almunia, Sagna, Clichy, Gallas, Toure, Denilson, Nasri and Van Persie but filling in the rest of the blanks is not quite as straight forward.

Mean Lean’s Predicted Line Up

But I will be surprised if Wenger leaves out Alex Song who was arguably our best player on the day against Burnley, especially seeing that we need to keep a clean sheet to go through. I could also see Wenger lining up like the formation below.

That means leaving a fresh Bendtner out who scored two goals in his last game. Oh decisions decisions, I trust the manager to make the correct choices regarding tactics, confidence and balance.

It is great that Roma are missing Di Rossi who is their main man in the middle of the pitch. This is a classic case of the game being won and lost in midfield. Denilson, Song (should he play) and Diaby will be vital to that, we need to create triangle options around the pitch as we did in Milan last year.

It is so important that we score a goal, and the positive thing is that you cannot imagine Roma parking the bus infront of their goal to stop us scoring, if that doesn’t happen then we have a very good chance of imposing our game on them with the space of the Roma pitch being an advantage to us.

I know Vela has been left out of the squad, even after his fantastic finish against Burnley but you cannot overcrowd the bench with attacking options when you have Walcott, Eduardo and in one case Bendtner. Having said that

Mean Lean’s Match Prediction

Nope, not giving one today. I just predict that we pass the ball well and everyone gives their all in closing down and winning the ball back. In big games this is not usually a problem so I expect to us at our best. I do predict Theo coming on for Eboue at some point in the second half, lets just hope it is not a desperate attempt to get back into the game by then and more a case of trying to stretch them as they push forward in search of a goal to get them back in the tie.

What do you think the team will be and what are your reasons for your selections? It is easy to jot down a team but it is more interesting to hear views on how it will help us win.

I missed the other goals from last night as I was playing football so I think I will leave the rest of the news for now, I am only interested in the game tonight. Come on lads, another famous Champions League night for the boys in Yellow.

Back tomorrow.

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