Werder Bremen vs Sampdoria
Uefa Champions League Play-Off, 20h45
This should be the most mouth-watering tie of this stage of the competition, as two big clubs from football history battle it out for a place in the UCL group stage. Both teams played Uefa Cup Finals in the 90's, but Werder has played in the UCL recently and should have the experience on their side. It should be also mentioned that Werder were finalists in the last Uefa Cup, in 2009.
Sampdoria lost their coach this summer, who signed for Juventus. The Bluecerchiati finished 4th in Serie A with main striker Gianpaolo Pazzini summing up 19 goals.
Werder has just lost Mesut Oezil to Real Madrid, but will have Aaron Hunt to throw in the battle instead. Otherwise the team has a great goalscorer in the Peruvian Pizzaro, helped by a attacking minded formation. Watch also for Hugo Almeida and Marko Marin. Brazilian centre-back Naldo is the only major absentee.
I tip Werder to win it, at 2/3.