Champions League Group A Preview

Rampant Manchester City will head to El Madrigal to face a depleted Villarreal in Champions League Group A action on Wednesday.

La Liga side Villarreal have been struggling domestically with their second win of the campaign over Rayo Vallecano on Sunday lifting them out of the relegation zone, though the win came at a cost.

Already savaged with injuries with star striker Giuseppe Rossi ruled out for six months with a knee injury sustained against Real Madrid last week, Villarreal suffered further setbacks against Rayo.

Christian Zapata (knee) and Javier Camunas (leg) are two casualties to come out of the win while Nilmar (knee), Cani (knee), Marco Ruben (adductor) and midfielder Marcos Senna (hamstring) form part of an increasingly threadbare squad.

To add to their woes, Villarreal sit at the foot of the table in Group A, having lost all three of their opening fixtures to Bayern Munich, City and Napoli.

Meanwhile, City boss Roberto Mancini boasts a fully fit squad brimming with confidence after wins over bitter rivals Manchester United and back-to-back wins over Wolverhampton in the Carling Cup and English Premier League.

The Etihad Stadium outfit won the corresponding fixture with Villarreal 2-1 thanks to Sergio Aguero's late winner and will be expected to pick up the three points.

Bayern Munich vice-captain Bastian Schweinsteiger looks set to feature in the side's reverse fixture with Napoli after making a quick recovery from a hamstring injury sustained in a 4-0 win over Nuremberg in the Bundesliga on Saturday.

Bayern are looking for their ninth straight win at the Allianz Arena while Napoli, who suffered a 2-1 defeat at Catania in the Serie A on Saturday, are without captain Paolo Cannavaro who is suspended for the trip north.

Bayern top the group, while a win for Napoli would see them leapfrog the Bundesliga leaders into first and could potentially put more pressure on third-placed City.

Champions League Group B Preview

Inter Milan will be looking to build on their good form in the Champions League when they host Lille on Wednesday.

The Serie A giants have had a tumultuous league campaign, struggling in 17th place with just two wins from their opening nine outings.

But their form in Europe has been solid, sitting top of Group B after consecutive wins, including a 1-0 victory at Lille on October 18.

Inter held out after Giampaolo Pazzini gave them a 21st-minute lead, and they will close in on progress to the round of 16 with a win at the San Siro.

Claudio Ranieri will be without defender Maicon, who picked up a thigh injury in their 2-1 loss to Juventus on Saturday.

The Brazilian has been one of the better performers this campaign, but Ranieri will be confident of overcoming Lille despite his absence, particularly at home.

In contrast to Inter, Lille has enjoyed a fine start to Ligue 1, but have struggled in the Champions League.

They are winless and bottom of the group, while they sit third in the league - behind Paris-Saint Germain and Montpellier.

Goals have been hard to come by for Rudi Garcia's men, with Senegalese striker Moussa Sow their best with just three goals in his last nine outings.

Lille desperately need maximum points if they are to keep their hopes of advancing to the round of 16 alive.

In the other game, CSKA Moscow travel to Turkey to take on Trabzonspor.

The Russian outfit has been in excellent form recently, unbeaten in their last five outings, with three of those victories.

They have scored at will since the comfortable 3-0 win over Trabzonspor on October 18, netting nine goals in two matches.

Seydou Doumbia and Vagner Love have been vital in that run, although the latter was sent off in the 4-0 league win over Spartak Nalchik on Friday.

In his last three matches, Doumbia has struck a remarkable eight goals.

Meanwhile, Trabzonspor have gone three matches unbeaten since losing to CSKA and will be hoping they can capitalise on their home advantage this time around.

Champions League Group C Preview

Manchester United will go into their meeting with Otelul Galati in the Champions League on Wednesday as hot favourites.

Sir Alex Ferguson's men drew their opening two matches in Group C, but a win over the Romanians on October 18 helped them into second, behind Benfica.

It took a brace of Wayne Rooney penalties to record that 2-0 win, while captain Nemanja Vidic will miss the return meeting after being sent off.

After that win, United were embarrassed at Old Trafford, slumping to a 6-1 loss to fierce rivals Manchester City in the English Premier League.

But they have bounced back, thanks to a win in the Carling Cup and a 1-0 victory over Everton in the league on Saturday.

Ferguson could afford to leave Portuguese star Nani on the bench until the final half-hour at Goodison Park, while goalscorer Javier Hernandez came off towards the end of the contest.

Ferguson's team is two points behind Benfica in the group, and the Scot said he expected the November 22 meeting between the sides at Old Trafford to decide who finished top.

"I expect Benfica to beat Basel as they're in a bit of disarray with (manager) Thorsten Fink going to Hamburg," Ferguson told United's official website.

"We'll hopefully win our game and, when we play Benfica at home, it'll be the decider in our section."

The Romanian outfit are eighth in the league and have won three consecutive games since the loss to United, but manager Dorinel Munteanu will need a bit of luck if his team are to take anything out of the game at Old Trafford.

In the other game, Benfica will be out to extend their unbeaten run in Group B to four matches when they host Swiss outfit Basel.

The Portuguese side is also unbeaten in Liga Sagres and will be keen to record a win over Basel to maintain their advantage over United.

Champions League Group D Preview

Real Madrid can seal their place in the knockout stages of the Champions League with a win over Lyon on Wednesday.

The in-form La Liga giants have been irresistible of late, leading Barcelona in the league thanks to their recent run, as well as topping Group D.

Jose Mourinho's men have won eight games in a row in all competitions, impressive in both attack and defence.

In the run, they have netted 29 goals and conceded just three.

It includes a 4-0 thrashing of Lyon on October 18, a clash the Ligue 1 outfit struggled in and were always likely to lose.

Mourinho has his array of talent combining well, with the midfield - led by Spaniard Xabi Alonso - pulling the strings for a star-studded attack.

Cristiano Ronaldo has continued to score, while strikers Karim Benzema and Gonzalo Higuain have battled for a spot up front.

Both Benzema and Higuain are scoring when called upon, and Mourinho is happy to have two in-form strikers at his disposal.

A win for Real at Stade de Gerland would see them wrap up a top-two spot, while Lyon would remain in the hunt even if they are beaten.

Remi Garde's team, who sit fourth in Ligue 1, will finish with fixtures against Ajax and struggling Dinamo Zagreb.

Striker Bafetimbi Gomis (seven goals in 12 appearances) will again hold the key for Lyon, but he has failed to net in his last three matches.

In the other Group D game, Ajax will be keen to make it two wins from as many matches against Dinamo Zagreb.

The Eredivisie champions sit second but a win, along with a Lyon loss, would move them three points clear of the French outfit.

Miralem Sulejmani (six goals) and Kolbeinn Sigthorsson (five) had done most of the damage up front for Frank de Boer's team.

Dinamo Zagreb is still searching for their first point, but it will be a tough task at the Amsterdam Arena.

Liverpool & Man City Considering Swoop For Inter Milan Defender

Liverpool are keeping tabs on Inter Milan full-back Cristian Chivu - but they may face competition from Manchester City, according to reports in Italy.

The Romania international is out of contract at the Serie A side in the summer and is yet to discuss a new deal with the club, who are currently 17th in the table.

As a result, Chivu has been linked with a number of clubs across Europe and now Liverpool and City are reportedly monitoring his situation.

The 31-year-old, well known for wearing a protective helmet during games following a fractured skull, has been one of Serie A's stars since he joined Roma in 2003.

He became a mainstay of the Inter defence following his £14m move in 2007 but it has been suggested that Chivu is now ready for a fresh challenge.

And he could be handed a shot at the Premier League, with Liverpool and City considering a cut-price deal.

Arsenal Set To Move For Real Madrid Striker

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is preparing to step up his pursuit for another striker and has set is sights on Real Madrid's Karim Benzema.

On the back of beating Chelsea 5-3 in the Premier League on the weekend Arsenal could only manage a 0-0 draw at home to Marseille in the Champions League.

Robin van Persie who scored a hat-trick in the game against Chelsea and has scored 12 goals in all competitions so far this term did not start for the Gunners against Marseille, and it just goes to show the lack of fire power Wenger has available.

Arsenal have been linked with a move for Benzema on a number of occasions in the past and it is felt with money to spend and needing a new forward urgently Wenger is planning a £25million bid for the 23-year-old, French international.

So far this season Benzema has made 13 appearances for Real Madrid and has scored seven goals whilst providing five assists.

Manchester United Defender Set For Shock Move To Italian Giants

Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidic is being lined up for a shock move to Italy with Serie A side Inter Milan preparing to make an offer.

According to reports in Russian publication Novosti, Inter Milan is struggling in the bottom half of the league and the clubs president Massimo Moratti, is willing to break the bank to secure the services of Manchester United skipper Vidic.

The Serbian international has been linked with moves to Spanish giants Barcelona and big-spending Russian out Anzhi in the past.

However Vidic face stiff competition for a place in Sir Alex Ferguson's starting line up with the emergence of Chris Smalling and Phil Jones.

Inter president Moratti fears not qualifying for next seasons Champions League and is ready to make an £16million move for the 30-year-old in the January transfer window and can offer the Vidic first-team football at the San Siro.

Chelsea Line Up Move £35m Real Madrid Striker

Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas is preparing to make a move for Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Higuain as a replacement for Dider Drogba.

Drogba's contract with the Stamford Bridge club runs out next summer and the Ivory Coast international is still yet to put pen to paper on a new deal.

It is felt Chelsea is willing to listen to offers for Drogba when the January transfer window opens for business.

According to reports in Spanish publication Sport, Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is a huge admirer of Higuain and sees him being the ideal replacement for Drogba.

So far this term the Argentine international has made 15 appearances for Real Madrid in all competitions and has scored 10 goals.

The 23-year-old has been earning high praise for his performances at the Bernabeu this season and if Chelsea is to get their man they will have to pay in the region of £35million, as he is under contract with Madrid until 2016.

Arsenal Prepare To Make Move For England U21 Keeper

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is set to step up his pursuit of a new goalkeeper and has set his sights on Birmingham City's Jack Butland, according to reports in The People.

The England Under-21 international is currently on loan with League Two side Cheltenham Town and has become the first choice keeper at the club this season at just 18-years-old.

Butland's performances haven't gone unnoticed and it is believed a number of Premier League clubs have shown an interest with Manchester City and Arsenal leading the way.

Wojciech Szczesny is the current Gunners No. 1, but it is strongly felt that Manuel Almunia and Lukasz Fabianski could leave the Emirates in January in search of more regular first-team action.

It is felt Arsenal is favourites to acquire the services of Butland, and Wenger is planning to make a move for the £1.5million rated keeper in January.

Man Utd Weigh Up Multi-Million Pound Offer For Real Madrid Star

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is keen on making an approach for Real Madrid attacking Angel di Maria, with the Catalan press suggesting that the Argentinean is enduring a turbulent time in the Spanish capital.

The South American winger has featured 67 times for Real Madrid after being signed for €25 million plus €11 million in incentives from Portuguese club Benfica.

Since arriving at the Santiago Bernaneu, Di Maria has become a key part of Jose Mourinho's attacking front line, with the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Gonzalo Higuain also featuring.

Whilst Di Maria has only scored 11 times in a Real Madrid shirt, he has contributed 27 assists, underlining his creative potency and importance to Real Madrid's fortunes.

However, tribalfootball.com has reported of Sir Alex Ferguson's interest in the wide midfielder, whom he believes has improved defensively under Mourinho.

Di Maria has become increasingly frustrated by Real Madrid's reluctance to offer him a new deal at the club, after he spoke to Spanish radio station Radio La Red.

"I am now eager for a contract renewal because I was promised that if things went well, I would receive a new deal," Di Maria revealed in the summer.

Ferguson is said to be keen on bolstering his attacking options despite having the likes of Luis Nani and Ashley Young available in wide areas, and Di Maria represents the sort of creative flair Ferguson would be keen on.

According to the Catalan press, Di Maria's position at the Santiago Bernabeu has always been shaky, as the Argentinean wasn't initially a signing that club president Florentino Perez was always enthusiastic about.

FIFA Reveal Ballon d´Or Shortlist

Barcelona forward Lionel Messi and Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo have made the 23-man shortlist for the 2011 FIFA Ballon d'Or award.

Manchester United players Wayne Rooney and Nani have also made the cut alongside the likes of Luis Suarez and Sergio Aguero.

The list is dominated by 2010 World Cup winners Spain with seven candidates to win the trophy, while 2011 Copa America holders Uruguay have two players in contention to take home the award.

Meanwhile, three German players still have a chance to win the Ballon d'Or, while Argentina and Brazil will have to settle for two candidates.

Anzhi Makhachkala striker Samuel Eto'o is the only African player to have made the cut.

Champions League holders Barcelona are the best represented club team on the list with eight players up for nomination.

The winner of the award will be revealed at the Zurich Kongresshaus on January 9, 2012. On December 5, 2011 FIFA and France Football will announce the names of the three men who have received the most votes.

Last year's award was won by Messi ahead of his Barcelona team-mates Iniesta and Xavi.

Full list: Eric Abidal, Karim Benzema (France), Sergio Aguero, Lionel Messi (Argentina), Iker Casillas, Cesc Fabregas, Andres Iniesta, Gerard Pique, David Villa, Xabi Alonso, Xavi (Spain), Cristiano Ronaldo, Nani (Portugal), Dani Alves, Neymar (Brazil), Samuel Eto'o (Cameroon), Diego Forlan, Luis Suarez (Uruguay), Thomas Muller, Mesut Ozil, Bastian Schweinsteiger (Germany), Wayne Rooney (England), Wesley Sneijder (Netherlands)