Barcelona are already through. EMPICS Sport
EMPICS Sport
Updated at 15.00
1. Who can still qualify?
WITH HOLDERS BARCELONA, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Juventus, Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester City, Atletico Madrid, Benfica and Zenit St Petersburg all through to the knockout stages before a ball is kicked this week, there are seven places still up for grabs.
In Group B, Manchester United, Wolfsburg, and PSV Eindhoven are in a three-way battle, while Roma, Bayer Leverkusen and BATE Borisov will all aim to finish behind Barcelona in Group E.
Arsenal and Olympiacos face off with the Gunners needing at least a 3-2 win to claim second in Group F.
Chelsea and Porto, tied on 10 points at the top of Group G, clash at Stamford Bridge but Dynamo Kyiv will still qualify if they beat Maccabi Tel Aviv.
Elsewhere, Zenit are guaranteed to win Group H meaning Valencia, under new manager Gary Neville, and Gent are looking to fill the runner-up spot.
2. Man United’s hopes hang in the balance
Back in the Champions League after a one-year absence, Man United were handed what was seen as a relatively kind draw in Group B.
Advertisement
However, with just one fixture remaining, they are in real danger of missing out on the last-16.
A point behind Wolfsburg, Louis van Gaal’s men need to win in Germany to ensure progression. In their last three fixtures, they have managed just one goal and Saturday’s meeting with West Ham ended in a stalemate.
Considering the club has parted with around €350 million in transfer fees since the Dutchman’s arrival 18 months ago, having to settle for the Europa League would be a hard pill to swallow.
3. Gunners record on the line
With no points to show from their first two group matches, Arsenal’s hopes of going through looked dead in the water before they picked up a surprise win against Bayern Munich back in October.
On Wednesday night, the Gunners’ fate is in their own hands as they take on Olympiacos — three points better off in second.
Victory over the Greeks will be enough provided it is better than a 1-0 or 2-1 but the corresponding fixture in September ended with a 3-2 away win at the Emirates.
If Arsenal do progress, it will be the 16th consecutive time that they have done so and manager Arsene Wenger wants to keep the run intact.
Personally the record means a lot because it’s important for the club and for the players,” he said this week.
“I want to win and I want to qualify. For me our job is to win the next game and do what is requested.”
4. Chelsea still have it all to play for
Like their Premier League rivals Man United and Arsenal, Chelsea have a bit of work to do if they are to prolong their involvement in this season’s competition beyond Christmas.
The reigning English champions are level on 10 points with Wednesday’s opponents Porto, while Dynamo Kiev are just two points back in third.
If Jose Mourinho’s men win at home to his former club, they will claim top spot in Group G.
However, a draw coupled with a Kiev win over Maccabi Tel Aviv, already eliminated, would see the Blues settle for second, while defeat would send them in the Europa League.
Preparations haven’t been ideal as Bournemouth handed them an eighth league defeat of the season but captain John Terry, who trained on Monday, could return from an ankle injury.
5. Baptism of fire for Neville
AP / Press Association Images
AP / Press Association Images / Press Association Images
Having watched his new club pick up an unlikely point against Barcelona from the stands of the Mestalla on Saturday evening, Gary Neville will take charge of Valencia for the first time on Wednesday.
And there will be no room for error as he attempts to settle into life in Spain quickly because the 2000 and 2001 runners-up have a must-win game at home to bottom-placed Lyon.
One point behind Gent, they are also banking on the Belgians failing to overcome group winners Zenit St Petersburg.
“Even with a change of coach, my feeling is the same and I am focused on playing,” said Valencia midfielder Danilo.
“We all know Wednesday’s game is one that will define our lives. I think the team will make the most of the game and I think it will be a great match.”
5 talking points ahead of the final round of Champions League group matches
Updated at 15.00
1. Who can still qualify?
WITH HOLDERS BARCELONA, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Juventus, Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester City, Atletico Madrid, Benfica and Zenit St Petersburg all through to the knockout stages before a ball is kicked this week, there are seven places still up for grabs.
In Group B, Manchester United, Wolfsburg, and PSV Eindhoven are in a three-way battle, while Roma, Bayer Leverkusen and BATE Borisov will all aim to finish behind Barcelona in Group E.
Arsenal and Olympiacos face off with the Gunners needing at least a 3-2 win to claim second in Group F.
Chelsea and Porto, tied on 10 points at the top of Group G, clash at Stamford Bridge but Dynamo Kyiv will still qualify if they beat Maccabi Tel Aviv.
Elsewhere, Zenit are guaranteed to win Group H meaning Valencia, under new manager Gary Neville, and Gent are looking to fill the runner-up spot.
2. Man United’s hopes hang in the balance
Back in the Champions League after a one-year absence, Man United were handed what was seen as a relatively kind draw in Group B.
However, with just one fixture remaining, they are in real danger of missing out on the last-16.
A point behind Wolfsburg, Louis van Gaal’s men need to win in Germany to ensure progression. In their last three fixtures, they have managed just one goal and Saturday’s meeting with West Ham ended in a stalemate.
Considering the club has parted with around €350 million in transfer fees since the Dutchman’s arrival 18 months ago, having to settle for the Europa League would be a hard pill to swallow.
3. Gunners record on the line
With no points to show from their first two group matches, Arsenal’s hopes of going through looked dead in the water before they picked up a surprise win against Bayern Munich back in October.
On Wednesday night, the Gunners’ fate is in their own hands as they take on Olympiacos — three points better off in second.
Victory over the Greeks will be enough provided it is better than a 1-0 or 2-1 but the corresponding fixture in September ended with a 3-2 away win at the Emirates.
If Arsenal do progress, it will be the 16th consecutive time that they have done so and manager Arsene Wenger wants to keep the run intact.
“I want to win and I want to qualify. For me our job is to win the next game and do what is requested.”
4. Chelsea still have it all to play for
Like their Premier League rivals Man United and Arsenal, Chelsea have a bit of work to do if they are to prolong their involvement in this season’s competition beyond Christmas.
The reigning English champions are level on 10 points with Wednesday’s opponents Porto, while Dynamo Kiev are just two points back in third.
If Jose Mourinho’s men win at home to his former club, they will claim top spot in Group G.
However, a draw coupled with a Kiev win over Maccabi Tel Aviv, already eliminated, would see the Blues settle for second, while defeat would send them in the Europa League.
Preparations haven’t been ideal as Bournemouth handed them an eighth league defeat of the season but captain John Terry, who trained on Monday, could return from an ankle injury.
5. Baptism of fire for Neville
Having watched his new club pick up an unlikely point against Barcelona from the stands of the Mestalla on Saturday evening, Gary Neville will take charge of Valencia for the first time on Wednesday.
And there will be no room for error as he attempts to settle into life in Spain quickly because the 2000 and 2001 runners-up have a must-win game at home to bottom-placed Lyon.
One point behind Gent, they are also banking on the Belgians failing to overcome group winners Zenit St Petersburg.
“Even with a change of coach, my feeling is the same and I am focused on playing,” said Valencia midfielder Danilo.
“We all know Wednesday’s game is one that will define our lives. I think the team will make the most of the game and I think it will be a great match.”
18-year-old wonderkid’s first Benfica goal is a 35-yard thunderbastard
Bundesliga goalkeeper successfully sabotages penalty kick with sneaky antics
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Champions League European Football Gary Neville make or break Team: Manchester United Arsenal Chelsea