Chelsea face a crucial UEFA Champions League Group E clash against Valencia at Stamford Bridge with qualification to the knockout stages on the line.
Chelsea will reach the last 16 of the tournament with a win or a 0-0 draw, while Valencia will qualify at the expense of Chelsea with a win or score draw. If Valencia score during a draw, they will edge out the Blues due to away goals scored during the head to head encounters.
Bayer Leverkusen have already sealed qualification from Group E, and will seal top spot with a win at last placed Genk.
In Group F, Olympique de Marseille will guarantee their progress to the knockout stages if they can win at Borussia Dortmund.
A draw will also see Marseille through to the last 16, if Olympiacos fail to beat group winners Arsenal in Group F’s other game.
Dortmund are not yet eliminated from contention, but face a mammoth task if they are to qualify for the next round. If Olympiacos lose to Arsenal, then Dortmund must win by four goals to go through. If Olympiacos get a point against the Gunners, then Dortmund must win by five clear goals to qualify as Group F runners up.
APOEL FC have already qualified from Group G, and can clinch top spot with a win against Shakhtar Donetsk.
Zenit St Petersburg currently occupy the second qualification spot in Group G, but face a crucial qualification battle against third placed FC Porto, who are only one point beliw them.
Group H winners Barcelona and second placed AC Milan have already qualified for the last 16, and will round off their campaigns against BATE Borisov and Viktoria Plzen respectively.
Bayer Leverkusen can wrap up top spot in UEFA Champions League Group E with a win over last placed Genk.
Leverkusen will travel to Belgium having already secured progress to the last 16, but know finishing first in the group will see them avoid giants like Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid in the next round.
Genk are already eliminated from Europe, but will be hoping to sign off in style by registering their first Group E win. They must do so without star winger Kevin De Bruyne, who is ruled out with a broken toe.
Sidney Sam will feature in the Leverkusen midfield, and has assured fans that he and his teammates will not be taking Genk lightly.
“The crowd is different. It is difficult to play there in Belgium,” Sam told the official UEFA website. “These are finals now and you have to be professional for all these games and try to win them.”
Olympiacos will be fighting for a place in the UEFA Champions League knockout stages when they play host to Arsenal on Tuesday.
Arsenal have already secured progress to the last 16 as Group F winners, while Olympiacos must beat Arsenal and hope Marseille do not win at Borussia Dortmund to advance.
Midfielder Ariel Ibagaza is sidelined with a thigh injury for Olympiacos. Jean Makoun and David Fuster are also ruled out for the Greek team, while Olof Mellberg is expected to shake off a groin injury in time to play.
Swedish defender Mellberg is aware that Arsene Wenger could rotate his squad with qualification already assured, but knows that his team still face a difficult task.
“We just don’t know what they will do,” Mellberg told the official UEFA website. “They have a great squad and whoever plays it won’t be easy for us to win.”
With the group already wrapped up, young players such as Alex Oxade-Chamberlain, Ignasi Miquel, Craig Eastmond and Oguzhan Ozyakup are expected to feature for the Gunners.
Jack Wilshere and Abou Diaby are sidelined with injury for the Gunners, while Carl Jenkinson and Kieran Gibbs are also ruled out.
Chelsea face a crucial UEFA Champions League Group E clash against Valencia at Stamford Bridge with qualification to the knockout stages on the line.
Chelsea will reach the last 16 of the tournament with a win or a 0-0 draw, while Valencia will qualify at the expense of Chelsea with a win or score draw. If Valencia score during a draw, they will edge out the Blues due to away goals scored during the head to head encounters.
Michael Essien is a long-term injury absentee for Chelsea, while Andre Villas-Boas must choose between Daniel Sturridge, Didier Drogba and Fernando Torres to lead the attack.
Torres is the leading goal scorer for Chelsea in Europe, while Sturridge is the in-form striker at Stamford Bridge having netted eight goals in all competitions.
Valencia will enter this game in excellent form, having won their last two Champions League games by a combined score of 10-1.
In-form Spanish striker Roberto Soldado will be a particular threat to Chelsea, having registered five goals and one assist in his last four European games. Brazilian striker Jonas is another important player, and has tallied three goals and two assists so far in this competition.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Roberto Soldado (Valencia) – The Spanish striker is in a red hot run of form, and will cause plenty of worry to a Chelsea defense that must keep a clean sheet if they do not win this game to progress.
Olympique de Marseille will guarantee their progress to the UEFA Champions League knockout stages if they can win at Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday.
A draw will also see Marseille through to the last 16, if Olympiacos fail to beat Arsenal in Group F’s other game.
Dortmund are not yet eliminated from contention, but face a mammoth task if they are to qualify for the next round. If Olympiacos lose to Arsenal, then Dortmund must win this game by four goals to go through. If Olympiacos get a point against the Gunners, then Dortmund must win by five clear goals to qualify as Group F runners up.
Dortmund defender Mats Hummels has said his team are gearing up for a “really difficult” task of reaching the last 16, but has told how he is expecting a favor from Arsenal. “I have told (Germany teammate and Arsenal defender) Per Metersacker I’ll kick him if they don’t win there,” Hummels joked to the official UEFA website.
Marseille have the easier task of knowing a win will see them through to the knockout rounds, and will be relying on the strike pair of Andre Ayew and Loic Remy to fire them to victory here. The in-form strike pair have combined for three goals and one assist so far in this competition.
FC Porto will play host to Zenit St Petersburg in a crucial UEFA Champions League Group G clash on Tuesday.
Zenit currently occupy the second qualification spot in Group G, while Porto are only one point further back and can leapfrog their Russian opponents with victory here.
Porto coach Vitor Pereira knows his team must win to avoid demotion into the UEFA Europa League, and has called upon the Porto fans to roar their team onto victory in the Estadio do Dragao.
“The fans are crucial for us tomorrow. I hope that they create as hot an atmosphere tomorrow as we experienced in Russia,” Pereira told the official UEFA website.
Fredy Guarin is an injury doubt due to a calf problem, while Hulk is expected to lead the Porto attack. Brazilian striker Hulk has netted an impressive four goals in five games so far in this competition.
Zenit coach Luciano Spaletti insists his team will not be adopting a defensive approach despite one point being enough to see them through. “Playing here at the Dragao is never easy, and although a draw is enough for us, we will try to get the win,” Spaletti told the official UEFA website.
Striker Aleksandr Kerzhakov is sidelined with injury for Zenit, while Roman Shirokov will feature in midfield. The Russian playmaker has scored three goals so far in this tournament.
FC Barcelona will round off their UEFA Champions League Group H campaign against BATE Borisov on Tuesday.
Barcelona have already sealed their progress to the last 16 as Group H winners, while BATE Borisov need win if they are to achieve the consolation prize of UEFA Europa League qualification.
Daniel Alves will return from suspension for Barcelona, while Adriano and Ibrahim Afellay are doubtful with injury. With qualification to the knockout rounds guaranteed, Josep Guardiola has declared his intention to field some young players for this game.
Andreu Fontas, Jonathan Dos Santos and Isaac Cuenca are among the young guns expected to be given experience by Guardiola, under the instruction “to be bold.”
Vitali Rodionov is expected to return from injury for a BATE side looking for an unlikely three points. Rodionov was identified this week by Guardiola as one of BATE's “most important” players.
AC Milan will round off their UEFA Champions League Group H campaign when they travel to face Viktoria Plzen.
Milan have already qualified for the last 16 as Group H runners up, while Plzen can seal a UEFA Europa League spot with a draw here. Even if Plzen lose this game, they will qualify for the Europa League as long as BATE Borisov do not beat Barcelona in Group H’s other game.
Plzen coach Pavel Vrba has no new injury concerns, and has predicted that his side can achieve a “happy ending” to their Champions League campaign against the Italian champions.
Marek Bakos will lead the Plzen attack, and the Slovakian forward has scored his team’s only two goals so far in this competition.
With Milan already qualified for the knockout stages, coach Massimiliano Allegri has said he will use this game to “give a chance to players who have not played for some time.”
Luca Antonini, Massimo Ambrosini and Simone Andrea Ganz are among the squad players who could start for Milan in this game.
APOEL FC can seal top spot in UEFA Champions League Group G with a win over Shakhtar Donetsk on Tuesday.
APEL have already became the first ever team from Cyprus to make the knockout stages of this tournament, and with a win here they can avoid giants like Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid in the next round.
Ailton will lead the APOEL attack in this important game, and the Brazilian striker has scored three goals in five games so far this season.
Shakhtar have only pride to play for, as they are also eliminated from UEFA Europa League contention. Brazilian striker Luiz Adriano has scored two goals so far in this competition, and will lead the attack as Shakhtar look to sign off with their first Group G win.
Bayer Leverkusen have already sealed qualification from Group E, and will seal top spot with a win at last placed Genk.
In Group F, Olympique de Marseille will guarantee their progress to the knockout stages if they can win at Borussia Dortmund.
A draw will also see Marseille through to the last 16, if Olympiacos fail to beat group winners Arsenal in Group F’s other game.
Dortmund are not yet eliminated from contention, but face a mammoth task if they are to qualify for the next round. If Olympiacos lose to Arsenal, then Dortmund must win by four goals to go through. If Olympiacos get a point against the Gunners, then Dortmund must win by five clear goals to qualify as Group F runners up.
APOEL FC have already qualified from Group G, and can clinch top spot with a win against Shakhtar Donetsk.
Zenit St Petersburg currently occupy the second qualification spot in Group G, but face a crucial qualification battle against third placed FC Porto, who are only one point beliw them.
Group H winners Barcelona and second placed AC Milan have already qualified for the last 16, and will round off their campaigns against BATE Borisov and Viktoria Plzen respectively.
Bayer Leverkusen can wrap up top spot in UEFA Champions League Group E with a win over last placed Genk.
Leverkusen will travel to Belgium having already secured progress to the last 16, but know finishing first in the group will see them avoid giants like Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid in the next round.
Genk are already eliminated from Europe, but will be hoping to sign off in style by registering their first Group E win. They must do so without star winger Kevin De Bruyne, who is ruled out with a broken toe.
Sidney Sam will feature in the Leverkusen midfield, and has assured fans that he and his teammates will not be taking Genk lightly.
“The crowd is different. It is difficult to play there in Belgium,” Sam told the official UEFA website. “These are finals now and you have to be professional for all these games and try to win them.”
Olympiacos will be fighting for a place in the UEFA Champions League knockout stages when they play host to Arsenal on Tuesday.
Arsenal have already secured progress to the last 16 as Group F winners, while Olympiacos must beat Arsenal and hope Marseille do not win at Borussia Dortmund to advance.
Midfielder Ariel Ibagaza is sidelined with a thigh injury for Olympiacos. Jean Makoun and David Fuster are also ruled out for the Greek team, while Olof Mellberg is expected to shake off a groin injury in time to play.
Swedish defender Mellberg is aware that Arsene Wenger could rotate his squad with qualification already assured, but knows that his team still face a difficult task.
“We just don’t know what they will do,” Mellberg told the official UEFA website. “They have a great squad and whoever plays it won’t be easy for us to win.”
With the group already wrapped up, young players such as Alex Oxade-Chamberlain, Ignasi Miquel, Craig Eastmond and Oguzhan Ozyakup are expected to feature for the Gunners.
Jack Wilshere and Abou Diaby are sidelined with injury for the Gunners, while Carl Jenkinson and Kieran Gibbs are also ruled out.
Chelsea face a crucial UEFA Champions League Group E clash against Valencia at Stamford Bridge with qualification to the knockout stages on the line.
Chelsea will reach the last 16 of the tournament with a win or a 0-0 draw, while Valencia will qualify at the expense of Chelsea with a win or score draw. If Valencia score during a draw, they will edge out the Blues due to away goals scored during the head to head encounters.
Michael Essien is a long-term injury absentee for Chelsea, while Andre Villas-Boas must choose between Daniel Sturridge, Didier Drogba and Fernando Torres to lead the attack.
Torres is the leading goal scorer for Chelsea in Europe, while Sturridge is the in-form striker at Stamford Bridge having netted eight goals in all competitions.
Valencia will enter this game in excellent form, having won their last two Champions League games by a combined score of 10-1.
In-form Spanish striker Roberto Soldado will be a particular threat to Chelsea, having registered five goals and one assist in his last four European games. Brazilian striker Jonas is another important player, and has tallied three goals and two assists so far in this competition.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Roberto Soldado (Valencia) – The Spanish striker is in a red hot run of form, and will cause plenty of worry to a Chelsea defense that must keep a clean sheet if they do not win this game to progress.
Olympique de Marseille will guarantee their progress to the UEFA Champions League knockout stages if they can win at Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday.
A draw will also see Marseille through to the last 16, if Olympiacos fail to beat Arsenal in Group F’s other game.
Dortmund are not yet eliminated from contention, but face a mammoth task if they are to qualify for the next round. If Olympiacos lose to Arsenal, then Dortmund must win this game by four goals to go through. If Olympiacos get a point against the Gunners, then Dortmund must win by five clear goals to qualify as Group F runners up.
Dortmund defender Mats Hummels has said his team are gearing up for a “really difficult” task of reaching the last 16, but has told how he is expecting a favor from Arsenal. “I have told (Germany teammate and Arsenal defender) Per Metersacker I’ll kick him if they don’t win there,” Hummels joked to the official UEFA website.
Marseille have the easier task of knowing a win will see them through to the knockout rounds, and will be relying on the strike pair of Andre Ayew and Loic Remy to fire them to victory here. The in-form strike pair have combined for three goals and one assist so far in this competition.
FC Porto will play host to Zenit St Petersburg in a crucial UEFA Champions League Group G clash on Tuesday.
Zenit currently occupy the second qualification spot in Group G, while Porto are only one point further back and can leapfrog their Russian opponents with victory here.
Porto coach Vitor Pereira knows his team must win to avoid demotion into the UEFA Europa League, and has called upon the Porto fans to roar their team onto victory in the Estadio do Dragao.
“The fans are crucial for us tomorrow. I hope that they create as hot an atmosphere tomorrow as we experienced in Russia,” Pereira told the official UEFA website.
Fredy Guarin is an injury doubt due to a calf problem, while Hulk is expected to lead the Porto attack. Brazilian striker Hulk has netted an impressive four goals in five games so far in this competition.
Zenit coach Luciano Spaletti insists his team will not be adopting a defensive approach despite one point being enough to see them through. “Playing here at the Dragao is never easy, and although a draw is enough for us, we will try to get the win,” Spaletti told the official UEFA website.
Striker Aleksandr Kerzhakov is sidelined with injury for Zenit, while Roman Shirokov will feature in midfield. The Russian playmaker has scored three goals so far in this tournament.
FC Barcelona will round off their UEFA Champions League Group H campaign against BATE Borisov on Tuesday.
Barcelona have already sealed their progress to the last 16 as Group H winners, while BATE Borisov need win if they are to achieve the consolation prize of UEFA Europa League qualification.
Daniel Alves will return from suspension for Barcelona, while Adriano and Ibrahim Afellay are doubtful with injury. With qualification to the knockout rounds guaranteed, Josep Guardiola has declared his intention to field some young players for this game.
Andreu Fontas, Jonathan Dos Santos and Isaac Cuenca are among the young guns expected to be given experience by Guardiola, under the instruction “to be bold.”
Vitali Rodionov is expected to return from injury for a BATE side looking for an unlikely three points. Rodionov was identified this week by Guardiola as one of BATE's “most important” players.
AC Milan will round off their UEFA Champions League Group H campaign when they travel to face Viktoria Plzen.
Milan have already qualified for the last 16 as Group H runners up, while Plzen can seal a UEFA Europa League spot with a draw here. Even if Plzen lose this game, they will qualify for the Europa League as long as BATE Borisov do not beat Barcelona in Group H’s other game.
Plzen coach Pavel Vrba has no new injury concerns, and has predicted that his side can achieve a “happy ending” to their Champions League campaign against the Italian champions.
Marek Bakos will lead the Plzen attack, and the Slovakian forward has scored his team’s only two goals so far in this competition.
With Milan already qualified for the knockout stages, coach Massimiliano Allegri has said he will use this game to “give a chance to players who have not played for some time.”
Luca Antonini, Massimo Ambrosini and Simone Andrea Ganz are among the squad players who could start for Milan in this game.
APOEL FC can seal top spot in UEFA Champions League Group G with a win over Shakhtar Donetsk on Tuesday.
APEL have already became the first ever team from Cyprus to make the knockout stages of this tournament, and with a win here they can avoid giants like Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid in the next round.
Ailton will lead the APOEL attack in this important game, and the Brazilian striker has scored three goals in five games so far this season.
Shakhtar have only pride to play for, as they are also eliminated from UEFA Europa League contention. Brazilian striker Luiz Adriano has scored two goals so far in this competition, and will lead the attack as Shakhtar look to sign off with their first Group G win.
