Match Previews

A real chance after a goalless draw at France ... Tunchev (k)(def) ruled out along with Robert Petrov (r)(def) and Macado (sp)(def) ... Nei (k)(att), Odoji (r)(mid) and Dimitrov (r)(mid) doubts but look set to play ... CSKA face their biggest game of the season on Thursday as they bid to secure a place in the group stage of UEFA Cup. A home game against Toulose is on the cards and the Bulgarian outfit have a real chance to progress ahead of the second leg. CSKA earned a battling goalless draw away from home in the first leg and now will be hoping to earn a win in front of their fans. The Bulgarian team looked pretty solid and strong defensively in France a fortnight ago and now will look for another strong performance. Given the high investment and high expectations ahead of the season, Stoycho Mladenov and the players are almost required to earn a place in the groups and he will now be feeling the pressure to deliver. The build-up ahead of the game was quite problematic though and Mladenov is still sweating over the fitness of several players. The weekend league game at Slavia proved too costly as Apparecido Nei (k), Velizar Dimitrov (r) and Shaloze Odoji (r) picked up serious injuries and are now considered doubts. Yet, Mladenov said that the players are almost certain to play in the crunch game even if painkilling injections will be needed. Aleksander Tunchev (k) is surely missing the game though. The centre-back suffered a hamstring injury early during the Slavia game and faces at least two weeks out. Dutchman Quido Lanzaat (sp) is set to come in as a deputy at the back. Apart from Tunchev, the two left full-backs Robert Petrov (r) and Felipe Macado (sp) will miss as well. Petrov is out for the long term with a knee injury while Macado is not registered for this competition. Therefore, stand-in full-back Nikola Vujadinovic (sp) will play again. Nei and Dimitrov should start up front while Florentin Petre (r) will be hoping to earn a recall in the line-up even though Kevin Amuneke (sp) and Marquinhos (r) will be hoping to earn a starting slot. The fans will expect a great performance by the players and to see them rise to the occasion for the crunch game.