Wolfsburg

Wolfsburg know that only 3 points from this match will ensure that they are playing in the 2nd round of the Champions League in their debut season and will feel confident that they can do that.

They have a 2-1-2 record in the Champions League group which leaves them in 2nd place with 7 points and knowing they have to match CSKA Moscow's result to ensure a place in the next round. Wolfsburg are 1-1-0 here after beating Moscow 3-1 and drawing with Besiktas 0-0.

It has been a tough start to the season for the Wolves after winning the German title last season. They currently sit in 8th spot in the Bundesliga but are only 8 points from the summit. Wolfsburg are 3-2-3 at home where they have scored 19 goals but conceded 18.

Wolfsburg have not been in the best of form coming into this game and have failed to win any of their last 4 games in all competitions. They have failed to win any of their last 4 games at home either. A key hope for them is the fact that they have only lost 1 of their last 7 at home in all competitions.

Obafemi Martins will not be in the squad for this match but Grafite will return after serving suspension. Edin Dzeko has been linked to a number of English clubs recently and will also look to impress.

Manchester United

Fortunately for Manchester United, they have qualified from this group and the only thing left to decide is if they win the group or not. This is especially fortunate as United are suffering a huge injury crisis as they travel to Germany.

United are 3-1-1 in the Champions League this season where they have scored 7 goals and conceded 5. Away from home remains their strength where they are unbeaten in 14 ties in this competition and they added to that this season with 2 0-1 wins in Besiktas and CSKA Moscow.

There was some good news amongst all the injuries this weekend for the Red Devils- their comfortable win at West Ham left them only 2 points off the top of the table. United are 5-0-3 away from home in the Premier League where they have scored 18 goals and conceded only 6.

They have won their last 3 matches since the defeat to Besiktas, scoring 10 goals and conceding only 1. They have won 3 of their last 4 away games in all competitions but have lost to both Chelsea and Liverpool in recent weeks away from home.

The injury crisis at Old Trafford has been receiving a lot of interest at the moment and the squad travelling to Germany had 13 midfielders from the 19 picked. Many of these were youngsters and there is only 1 recognised defender, Patrice Evra, in the squad. Nemanja Vidic, Wayne Rooney, Ryan Giggs, Edwin van der Sar and Dimitar Berbatov all carried slight knocks and are left at home along with Rio Ferdinand, Gary Neville, Wes Brown, John O'Shea and Jonny Evans.

It is expected that the back line will contain Ji Sung Park, Michael Carrick, Darren Fletcher and Patrice Evra.

Head to Head

The 2 teams met earlier this season at Old Trafford with Manchester United winning 2-1 after going a goal down. This was a much stronger United team than the one expected to play tomorrow.

Prediction

Wolfsburg have made all the right noises coming into this match and know only a win guarantees them a place in the next round with the added incentive of winning the group in their grasp. They will play a strong team to ensure a win is achieved.

Manchester United have made it clear that they dont mind if they finish 2nd in the group and their squad selection highlights this. The defence will be weakened significantly tomorrow and will have their hands full against the forwards. Sir Alex Ferguson has also made it clear that he is focused on the Christmas period more than this match.

This game smells very much like United's visit to Fenerbache back in the 2004/05 season when defeat there cost them top spot. Wolfsburg are a dangerous side that scores goals and I can see them giving United a really hard time as they did at Old Trafford earlier this season.

The squad choice and the lack of options for United means I have to favour Wolfsburg to outscore them and win this game at decent odds.

The Statistics :

The Pick :

Wolfsburg 2-1 Manchester United

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

Take Wolfsburg WIN