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Manchester United go on the road in Wednesday’s Champions League fixture, and it is one of the longest trips that they’ll ever have faced. They head off to the cold of Russia to face the ‘Army Men’ of CSKA Moscow. Having come through two tough enough opening fixtures of the Champions League, Alex Ferguson’s men will more likely than not be ready for the challenge ahead. United top of both their Champions League group and the Premier League, have been grinding out results, more than looking at their free flowing dominant best. Either way a win is a win, and they will be out to solidify their position at the top.

A 2-1 win over Wolfsburg and a 1-0 victory of Besiktas has put United in control of Group B. They haven’t faced any of their group rivals before in the Champions League, but that has not stopped their progress. CSKA Moscow are sitting in third with three points, following a heavy Match Day One defeat away to Wolfsburg, and then picking up a 2-1 win over rock bottom Besiktas. CSKA are nearing the end of their domestic league season, so they have plenty of match fitness, but are sitting in fourth, a long way back of leaders Rubin Kazan. It is probably going to be one of those games that are more enduring as opposed to any great shows of excitement.

That though, is a key factor of success in Europe, the ability to go to difficult places and bring something back. That is what United did exactly in their Match Day One game away at Besiktas, and is something they have always been good at doing. With Chelsea collecting their second consecutive away defeat in the Premier League, United went back to the top of the pile on the weekend, and that will bring some confidence with being in a position they are used to. One thing that they won’t be used to however, is the fact that they will be playing on an artificial pitch on Wednesday night. This could be a factor, as the home side will of course be used to things like the accelerate bounce of the ball. This is the same pitch upon which the national side have played their games, and some of United’s England internationals will have see it before.

That however does not make for an entire team being comfortable on it. United will be without two big names, that of Ryan Giggs and striker Wayne Rooney. Ji-Sung Park, Evra and Darren Fletcher have all missed out on the trip as well. This will be a big test for Rio Ferdinand, whose form, or lack thereof has been highlighted over the past couple of weeks. He will need to be on his toes, as the Russian side are no slouches. Moscow have lost only once in their last five games, and have conceded very little. They could be a really tough team to break down, but United will get hope from the fact that Wolfsburg put three past CSKA in the first round of matches.

Wolfsburg have a more potent strike force than United, and take Rooney out of the equation and United will have to rely on someone else to step up. While blessed with plenty of attacking options, especially from midfield, will they have the strong enough presence up front, in somewhat hostile surrounding, to take maximum points from the Russians?

CSKA Moscow to win: 11/4 at BetFred
Draw: 23/10 at Bet365
Manchester United to win: 6/5 at SkyBet

Betting Advice: Maybe not the toughest game that United faces in this years Group stage, for that will likely be against Wolfsburg. But it is certainly a very uncomfortable one. With Rooney missing and the artificial pitch, initial thoughts would be for a draw, which both sides would be fairly happy with. But you won’t often see United trying to play cautiously for a draw from the get go. They will come under some pressure, but is there anyone else more experienced than United at grinding out results and coming through awkward games with a positive?
Manchester United to win 1-0: 13/2 at 888Sport