Marseille play host to Chelsea knowing they have already secured the runners-up spot in Group F, having clinched second place in the last round of games by beating Spartak Moscow 3-0 in Russia.
Despite losing their first two fixtures, against Spartak Moscow and Chelsea, Didier Deschamps’ side have gone on to qualify with some ease courtesy of the victory in Russia and back-to-back victories over MSK Zilina. Indeed the 7-0 victory in Slovakia made history as the biggest away win ever in the Champions League.
However, even a win against Chelsea will not be enough to see them top the group, as they are six points behind the Londoners, yet they may be keen to avenge the 2-0 defeat suffered at Stamford Bridge when a John Terry goal and a somewhat generous Nicolas Anelka penalty did the damage.
Winter Blues
Chelsea, meanwhile, may be glad of the chance to escape Premier League action having suffered a real slump in form that has seen them win just once in their last six outings.
Carlo Ancelotti has admitted he is losing sleep over their form that has seen them knocked off the top of the Premier League and into third behind both Arsenal and Manchester United.
Life doesn't get any easier for the Blues either as they face a tricky looking trip to Tottenham at the weekend and therefore the distraction of the Champions League, where they possess a perfect record of five wins from five this season, may prove some respite.
TEAM NEWS
Marseille
The home side have already clinched second spot in the group and therefore it would be little surprise if they opted to rest some of their stars for the visit of Chelsea.
However, they will definitely be without Stéphane Mbia who serves a one-match ban whilst Andre-Pierre Gignac is a doubt with a thigh injury, and César Azpilicueta has ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament and is expected to miss the rest of the season.
Possible starting XI: Mandanda; Kabore, Diawara, Heinze, Taiwo; Lucho Gonzalez, N’Diaye, Jordan Ayew; Valbuena, Brandao, Remy.
Chelsea
With the visitors already confirmed as group winners Carlo Ancelotti may rest several senior players with the likes of John Terry and Ashley Cole not expected to travel to France.
The game also comes too soon for Frank Lampard and he remains on the injured list alongside Alex and Yossi Benayoun with Yury Zhirkov also a doubt.
However, Didier Drogba is expected to feature against his former club and the Ivorian could line up alongside youngsters such as Daniel Sturridge, Jeffrey Bruma, Josh McEachran, Patrick van Aaholt and Gael Kakuta who featured in the 2-1 win against MSK Zilina and may be handed another European outing.
Possible starting XI: Turnbull; Ferreria, Ivanovic, Bruma, Van Aaholt; Ramires, McEachran, Malouda; Kakuta, Drogba, Sturridge.
Prediction
As both teams have already confirmed their qualification, this match appears to matter little, yet the visitors are currently on their worst run of form in over a decade and a victory would surely prove a huge tonic to both fans and players alike.
A goal for Didier Drogba would prove another much-needed boost and, on a ground where he scored 19 league goals in 35 appearances, he may just prove the difference between the two sides to gain a result that might allow Ancelotti a good night's sleep.
A goal for Didier Drogba would prove another much-needed boost and, on a ground where he scored 19 league goals in 35 appearances, he may just prove the difference between the two sides to gain a result that might allow Ancelotti a good night's sleep.
Marseille 0-1 Chelsea 
