This week sees the last round of fixture in the group stage. There are still a number of places in the knockout round and UEFA Cup up for grabs, so we could see a cagey final day of fixtures.In Group A, Cluj play at Chelsea. Chelsea currently sit second in the group, while Cluj are in last. Cluj have no shot at the knockout round, but a Cluj victory and Bordeaux loss would see them grab a UEFA Cup place. Didier Drogba was injured against Cluj in Romania, and it will be interesting to see if he is given a place in the starting XI. Lampard is suspended after receiving two yellows against Bordeaux, but looked sharp over the weekend and should fill in well. Scolari has said that if Chelsea lose this game he will back to Brazil, and while it's much more beautiful in Sao Paulo than London this time of year, I think he will get a result and lead the club on. Bordeaux are at Roma, with both teams able to secure a spot in the knockout stage with a win. Roma can win the group with a victory and still get through with a tie, while Bordeaux need all three points in order to qualify. Roma have been hot as of late, and will hope that their top scorer in the competition, Mirko Vucinic, is fit. The Italians should park a couple buses in front of goal(heavy on the defense), and find their way in the next round.
In Group B, it's a battle of top and bottom with Inter away to Werder Bremen. Inter have already clinched a place in the knockout round, and Mourinho has said that he is more concerned with their opponent in the round of 16 than with this match. Bremen will want to save face, and know that victory is their only shot at a UEFA Cup place. The big battle will be between Cyprus and Greece, as Anorthosis Famagusta are away to Panathinaikos. If Panathinaikos win and Inter lose, then they will top the group. A tie would see them qualify for the knockout round, so look for the home side to try and dominate possession and try not to concede. Famagusta is competing in the group stages of the Champions League for the first time ever, and it would be a major upset if they were to make it into the next round. They won the corresponding home fixture 3-1, and were it not for defensive lapses that have let in some late goals, they would have already punched their ticket for the next round. The crowd will be deafening in Athens, but even a UEFA Cup spot would be huge for the Cypriot minnows and that's probably what they'll end up with.
Group C is already wrapped up, and expect to see a lot of second string players. Sporting Lisbon are at FC Basel, having already clinched second place in the group. Basel are the worst team in the tournament, with one point and a -13 goal differential. Sporting could play their reserves and still expect a win. Shakhtar Donetsk are at Barcelona, with the Spanish side looking to finish the top point getters in group competition. Shakhtar have qualified for the UEFA Cup, and were unlucky not to come away from the corresponding home fixture with a point. Their task won't be easy, as the second-string of Barca will be looking to play themselves into a greater role.
Things are still interesting in Group D, with two teams tied on 11 points and two teams tied on 3 points. Liverpool will be in the Netherlands to play PSV Eindhoven, and the Reds will likely rest some players having assured themselves of knockout round football(soccer). PSV has a number of injuries, but still have a chance at the UEFA Cup. Marseille have a better head to head record, so the Dutch side needs to better the result of the French side in order to progress. Atletico Madrid will be away to Marseille, and it will be interesting to see this match after the corresponding fixture in Madrid led to violence and the ban on Vicente Calderon Stadium. With Madrid warning their fans not to travel, their should be a raucous crowd at the Stade Velodrome and Marseille should get a result.
One Liners
- 'Ansome 'Arry 'Oudini wins 2-0 in grudge match against West Ham, Leslie King scores goal and then shatters into a million little pieces
- Roy Keane says he will coach again, will step in when Fergie takes the place of Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer
- Kinnear hit with another charge over comments to ref, that man spends most of his time coaching from the stands
- Rosicky out until March, that guy spends more time in the stands than Kinnear
- Benitez upset over claims that he wants massive pay raise, Liverpool owners contemplate saving through coach rotating system
