08-12-2010 20:45 Arsenal - Partizan

Gunners Looking For Qualification

Arsenal began their Champions League campaign in style, blazing a trail as they thumped all three teams in Group H. At the time they were looking like being the first team from England to qualify into the knockout stage of the Champions League.

But things have changed since, as the Gunners lost their next two European games - to Shakhtar Donetsk and Braga - and are now confronted with a must-win game against the minnows of the group to reach the last 16.

A victory would be enough to see the north London club through, as they have the best goal difference in the group. This means that Braga, having the worst goal difference among the three teams that still have a chance of qualification, would need Arsene Wenger’s men to lose if they are to have any hope of making it through to the next round - while in the process hoping for a victory over Shakhtar.

However, the French boss sees things in a different light, as he hopes his team win the game while Braga manage to beat the Ukrainian club. This would see Arsenal qualify as group winners, which would see them avoid the best performers in the first knockout round of the tournament.

Wenger said: “It was up to us in the last couple of games and we didn’t do it, so now we have to beat Partizan in the last game and pray that Braga get something against Shakhtar.”

Playing For Pride

Partizan are well and truly out of the competition, as they have lost all five of their matches so far. So they have nothing to play for but pride when they travel to take on their opponents at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday.

Going out of the group stage with nothing to show for in six outings would be a disgrace for any club, and Partizan will likely want to take something away as a consolation for their efforts this campaign.

This also happens to be the Serbian club’s last game before their customary winter break, which means that the performance in London will have a much more lasting impression since there are no more matches for some time.

This could prompt coach Aleksandar Stanojevic to field a relatively strong line-up to take away a point, if not more, from his side’s final game in the tournament.

Partizan have been doing very well in their domestic circuit, as they are five points clear at the top of the league. A plethora of goals have been scored as well, with Stanojevic’s charges hitting the back of the net no less than 21 times in their last five league games.

But their run in Europe has been as dry as a desert in comparison, since they have only scored one goal from five games.

TEAM NEWS

Arsenal

Manuel Almunia (elbow) is still sidelined, while Cesc Fabregas (hamstring) is thought to be a some way from fitness.

Laurent Koscielny is out after suffering concussion during a recent game against Fulham, while Thomas Vermaelen (Achilles) is out until the New Year.

Robin van Persie will look to continue to step up his comeback from injury, and he could be handed a start alongside Marouane Chamakh.

Possible starting XI: Fabianski; Sagna, Squillaci, Djourou, Clichy; Nasri, Denilson, Wilshere, Arshavin; Van Persie, Chamakh.

Partizan

This is the last game for the Serbian club before they go into the winter break, and their manager Aleksandar Stanojevic will likely field a strong line-up despite his side having nothing to play for in this game.

But a point will at least appease the fans after the club’s horror show so far.

Possible starting XI: Stojkovic; Stevanovic, Jovanovic, Krstajic, Lazevski; Petrovic, Smiljanic; Babovic, Almami Moreira, Ilic; Cleo.

Prediction

It probably isn’t whether or not Arsenal will win as much as how much parity they will put between themselves and their opponents. A strong performance should see the home side get a good 3-1 victory on the day.

Arsenal 3-1 Partizan

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08-12-2010 20:45 Shakhtar - Sporting Braga

In Pole Position

Shakhtar Donetsk have never featured in the knockout stages of the Champions League but things could change this campaign. With 12 points from five matches in Group H, the Ukrainians are in pole position and need just a point from tonight's match to go through.

Even a defeat will see the Miners progress and create history as long as Arsenal do not register a victory against Partizan. Nevertheless, Mircea Lucescu's side will attempt to go for all three points at the Donbass Arena and will hope that playing at home accentuates their confidence.

However, Shakhtar haven't played since November 28 and they will be looking to shake off the rust early on tonight, with Lucescu saying, "It was very difficult to fill the ten-day pause after our last league match. We could have prepared for the match in Turkey, but the weather meant we stayed in Donetsk.

"After so much training the lads are really eager to play, but there's always a danger of losing your competitive rhythm."

Lucescu is also aware of Braga's quality and opines, "You will not see the Braga who started the tournament with two defeats. They have improved their game and have won their last three Champions League matches with clean sheets. I think they've decided to concentrate on their European campaign."

Hope Lingers On

Braga weren't given much of a chance of progressing from this group at the start of the campaign but their 2-0 defeat of Arsenal in Portugal on Matchday 5 turned things on the head and placed them level on points with the Premier League giants.

With nine points from five games, the Portuguese side need to better Arsenal's result on the night to go through. With the Gunners taking on point-less Partizan, Braga need to realise that the English team will be favourites to go through but they have to win tonight to inflate their chances.

Braga, though, haven't won away from home this season and it will be a challenge for them to register a victory in Ukraine tonight. However, coach Domingos Pacienca remains confident despite Shakhtar's formidable home form.

"It's extremely hard to think of a more difficult task than having to win 4-0 against a team that hasn't lost at home for two years, but anything is possible in football," said Pacienca. "You always take to the pitch with the desire to win; that's our goal. I say, 'let's do our best to achieve it and see what happens'".

"We'll use the same tactics and strategy we did at home against Shakhtar when a 3-0 defeat wasn't a fair result. We dominated for 75 minutes and the only reason we failed to score was because of a fantastic performance of Shakhtar goalkeeper [Andriy] Pyatov. The first Shakhtar goal that night broke our rhythm."

TEAM NEWS

Shakhtar Donetsk

Fernandinho broke his leg in September and remains on the sidelines. Henrik Mkhitaryan is fit, though, after a viral infection.

Braga

Elderson and Paulao are unavailable because of thigh strains and Matheus has a pain in his left knee. Felipe is still struggling with his thigh problem.

Prediction

Shakhtar have a formidable home record and Braga are poor travellers. Which points to one thing: a victory for the Ukrainian side.

Shakhtar 2-0 Braga

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08-12-2010 20:45 Milan - Ajax

Nothing To Play For

At one stage it appeared that Milan are in danger of not qualifying for the second round of the Champions League but with eight points from five matches the former Italian and European champions have booked their place in the Round of 16 last month, defeating Auxerre 2-0 on Matchday 5 to secure their place.

The Rossoneri are second in the group and come what may they will finish as runners-up, as group leaders Real Madrid have an unassailable five-point lead over them. Tonight's game is pretty much meaningless for them, although they will like to stretch their eight-match unbeaten run in all competitions.

Milan are in great form too as at the weekend they defeated Brescia to go three points clear at the top of the table in Serie A and coach Massimiliano Allegri wants the Diavolo to continue their momentum.

"It's an important game for us," explained Allegri. "It's the Champions League and it's in matches like this that the real worth of a team comes out; that will help me take my decisions in the future.

"It is not a vital game, that's true, but we have to give our best because victories give you confidence and confidence helps you win again."

New Day, New Start

Ajax may have relinquished all hopes of qualifying for the latter stages of the Champions League last month when they were hammered 4-0 by Real Madrid in Amsterdam but the Dutch powerhouse can very much drop to the Europa League.

However, de Godenzonen will have to carry on their European adventure without Martin Jol, who resigned on Monday evening stating that expectations at the club were too high. Frank de Boer is now the caretaker coach and his first task will be to ascertain Ajax's passage to Europe's second-tier club competition.

"Ajax is what matters," enthused De Boer. "I want to bring the joy back; the players must be happy to play. When it comes to playing football, movement on the field and attacking, I am close to Johan Cruyff's philosophy.

"I like the 4-3-3 formation; I know you need the right players for that, but if you want to find them, then you will. I don't want to change too much to begin with, but I have my own ideas and I want to leave my mark on the team in the future."

Ajax are currently third in Group G with four points from five matches, a point ahead of Auxerre. The French side take on Madrid in the other game of the group and will be keen to win, which means that former Dutch and European champions Ajax must go for the kill at San Siro.

TEAM NEWS

Milan

Filippo Inzaghi, Alexandre Pato and Massimo Oddo are out injured. Ronaldinho missed training on Monday with an ankle injury but he was back in the sessions on Tuesday and is available for selection.

Ajax

Florian Jozefzoon, Nicolas Lodeiro, Evander Sno and Kenneth Vermeer are long-term absentees and will miss the trip to Milan.

Prediction

Milan have nothing to play for but they do have a better squad. It is unlikely that the Rossoneri will try their best to register a win tonight and Ajax could well sneak a draw.

Milan 1-1 Ajax

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08-12-2010 20:45 Real - Auxerre

Character Proven

Real Madrid have already locked in top spot in Champions League Group G but will be looking to boost their morale after a difficult spell by defeating an Auxerre side who can at best manage a place in the Europa League.

Los Blancos are still haunted by memories of their heavy Clasico defeat against Barcelona, but at the weekend they put those to bed to some extent with a victory over Valencia. Cristiano Ronaldo struck twice against the unadventurous and unimpressive Che, keeping the capital side in touch with their Catalan rivals at the summit of the standings.

“We have proven in this game that we have character,” Raul Albiol explained to the media after the weekend win against opponents who were reduced to 10 men midway through the second half. “It was very important to get the points to stay very close in the standings. With an early goal, things would have been easier for us and the fans I personally am very happy to have played. I feel happy.”

Wednesday’s match may be a Champions League fixture, but for los Merengues there are more important matches ahead. Keeping in touch with Barca is of paramount important at this point in time and so it’s likely that Jose Mourinho will reserve many of his best players for the weekend fixture against Zaragoza, allowing the fringe men to stretch their legs in this encounter.

Difficult Times

A trip to the Bernabeu is always a special occasion for any visiting side, but particularly so for Auxerre, who still have aspirations of reaching the Europa League. If the Frenchmen are to achieve that, they will somehow have to pick up maximum points against opponents who will not bow readily.

AJA’s recent form has been largely lamentable too. A 1-1 draw against a Racing Club de Lens side who are in the relegation zone was achieved at the weekend, though it required a late contribution from Jean-Pascal Mignot to save the Burgundy men from slipping to a third successive loss.

“We equalised from a corner that should never have been awarded. We were lucky,” coach Jean Fernandez admitted after the game. “Yet again we’ve conceded a header from a set-piece. That never happened to us last season when we had the best defence in the league and it’s happening far too often this campaign. The draw is precious for our confidence before travelling to Real Madrid on Wednesday.”

Injury problems have a real grip of the Stade Abbe-Deschamps unit, who are missing a number of first team squad members, including Cedric Hengbart and Delvin N’Dinga, both of whom have been ruled out until 2011 over the course of the last fortnight. With few resources, AJA have been unable to acquire a deep squad and are simply muddling along the best as possible at present. If they were to attain even a point on Wednesday, it would be a colossal boost to the team.

TEAM NEWS

Real Madrid

Gonzalo Higuain, Kaka, Fernando Gago, Sergio Canales, Sami Khedira and Angel Di Maria are all out injured. Xabi Alonso and Sergio Ramos are both banned following their controversial red cards against Ajax, while Iker Casillas is rested.

Castilla players Sarabia and Morata are included in the squad.

Auxerre

AJA have a lengthy list of injury problems approaching this fixture. Ireneusz Jelen is still missing from the offence, which should welcome back Anthony Le Tallec, and the midfield is minus Delvin N’Dinga. Jeremy Berthod, who can play a central role but is more commonly found in defence, is absent, along with Cedric Hengbart.

Prediction

Auxerre have been competitive in all of their Champions League fixtures to date, but arguably this is their toughest assignment to date, despite Real Madrid having already qualified. AJA are depleted in numbers, and though los Blancos are unlikely to approach this game in a full blooded manner, the hosts should have enough to comfortably see off the Frenchmen.

Real Madrid 2-0 AJ Auxerre

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08-12-2010 20:45 Olympique Marseille - Chelsea

Close But No Cigar

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.

Marseille 0-1 Chelsea

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08-12-2010 20:45 MSK Zilina - Spartak Moskva

Avoid The Whitewash

Wednesday’s encounter between Zilina and Spartak Moscow is one of only two totally meaningless matches of the final evening of Champions League group stage football for 2010, and both come in Group F. The Slovakians are out of touch with the Russians, who in turn cannot overhaul Olympique de Marseille to claim second spot.

For the home team, there is a great deal of pride at stake. A whitewash is on the cards, but they also have the opportunity to pick up their first group stage point ever. Pavel Hapal’s side nearly did that a fortnight ago against a much-changed Chelsea side at Stamford Bridge, but despite taking the lead through Babatounde Bello they would go down 2-1, with Florent Malouda scoring a very late winner.

Not all of Zilina’s memories of the competition this season have been so uplifting, particularly at home, where they’ve already conceded 11 goals in their previous two fixtures. A 4-1 defeat against the Blues was an ominous welcome to the elite level of football, though it was positively kind compared to the 7-0 lesson OM would give the Slovaks in November.

The money earned from this foray will be useful for the club, while the matches played will have given the staff valuable experience. If the Sosoni could finish the campaign with a draw, or perhaps even a win, they would be stood in great stead for the remainder of their domestic season, which is set up well as they lead the standings by six points.

Nearly Holiday Time

Spartak Moscow will round their 2010 season off with this encounter against Zilina, though frustratingly for Valery Karpin’s side the match will have little more importance than a high-profile friendly as the Meat are already eliminated from the top tier and have dropped into the Europa League.

A fortnight ago at the Luzhniki Stadium, Spartak hosted Olympique de Marseille in what was effectively a knock-out tie. The Russians went into the game in a commanding position but failed to match the energy of the home support as they were thoroughly outplayed and crashed to a 3-0 loss. Due to the mathematics of the competition, that defeat rendered the Russians eliminated and forced to travel to Slovakia with nothing at stake.

Of further disappointment to Russia’s most successful club since the break-up of the USSR is the fact that they won’t ply their trade at the top level next season either. They finished only fourth in the RPL, meaning that the Europa League beckons next summer.

It’s been a frustrating autumn for the capital side, who probably can’t wait to finally put this campaign to bed and rest over the cold winter months. Wednesday’s game may therefore be seen as something of an inconvenience, despite the recent excitement raised by the awarding of the 2018 World Cup to Russia.

TEAM NEWS

Zilina

Patrik Mraz was the only injury problem for Zilina previously, but he has recovered from his thigh problem.

Spartak

Kirill Kombarov, Andrei Ivanov and Martin Stranzl are all back involved in the first team after a pick and mix of injuries. Sergei Parshivlyuk is out due to knee ligament problems, while Ari and Nicolas Pareja are out. Alex is involved, though.

Welliton is suspended.

Prediction

MSK Zilina 1-1 Spartak 

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08-12-2010 20:45 Bayern Munchen - Basel

Goals Galore

Bayern Munich are one of a handful of teams to approach the final evening of Champions League group games with the luxury of already having secured top spot in the standings. On the other hand, opponents Basel face a very difficult encounter indeed as they attempt to progress into the knock-out stages.

It’s certainly not been an easy season for FCB, with coach Louis van Gaal struggling to get the team to replicate the terrific form of last term, which carried them through to the Champions League final against Inter. Injuries to Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery have not helped the cause, but other players have not stepped forward to fill the void sufficiently.

In the highly competitive Bundesliga this has cost die Roten dearly. At present they lie in the middle of the standings and are by no means guaranteed to be in the mix for a spot amongst Europe’s elite next season if their present form continues. A 2-0 reverse against Schalke was the latest set-back at the weekend, leaving Van Gaal frustrated with his side’s impotence.

Thankfully for the Bavarians, this form has not necessarily translated to a lack of success in Europe. They may have lost 3-2 away to Roma, but they’ve won all of their other four matches and have looked in decent, if not spectacular touch. An impressive 13 goals have been scored in five matches, and Group E’s entertainers will look to finish this stage of the season on a high come Wednesday.

Confident Mood

Swiss champions Basel will be considered heavy underdogs approaching their fixture against Bayern, but having already picked up one win on their travels in the Champions League this season, Thorsten Fink’s side will be gunning for maximum points, which could yet take them through to the knockout stages.

It would take something of a miracle for Basel to progress. Not only will they need to defeat FCB, but they require Roma to slip up against Cluj in Romania. Veteran striker Alexander Frei is confident that the BlauRot can hold their part of the bargain, however.

“We believe we have a chance to win here, especially us forwards,” he told the media. “Marco Streller and I have a lot of confidence at the moment.

"We won't get many chances, so we have to be very alert and take the ones we get. We are in good shape; we did well in our last few games and there is no pressure on us. That could be to our advantage.”

Meanwhile, fixtures against German clubs, particularly those from the south, are special to Swiss sides, as detailed by Streller when the draw was made. “I believe that most people maintain a kind of love-hate relationship to Bayern Munich,” he explained to his side’s official website. “In Switzerland, we follow the Bundesliga closely, and there is always joy when Bayern lose.”

To add spice to the occasion, coach Fink is a former FCB player, having turned out for the Bavarian outfit for nine years as both a professional and amateur.

TEAM NEWS

Bayern

Arjen Robben continues to be the headline absentee, though Ivica Olic and Holger Badstuber are also sidelined. Miroslav Klose and Daniel Pranjic will require late checks.

Thomas Kraft is poised to keep goal for FCB, who have third choice shot-stopper Rouven Sattelmaier out until 2011.

Basel

Scott Chipperfield, Genseric Kusunga and Jacques Zoua all have injury problems, with the latter suffering a recurrence of his ankle issues. Benjamin Huggel is missing until 2011, but Marco Streller has returned ahead of schedule.

Prediction

At home, Bayern should have too much for Basel, who will be eager to get one over on their relatively local rivals. The Swiss side may have previously won in Cluj, but this is a different proposition altogether.

Bayern Munich 3-1 Basel

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08-10-2010 20:45 CFR 1907 Cluj - Roma

Playing For Pride

Cluj have already abdicated their European ambitions as stationed at the bottom of the group with just three points from five matches, the Romanians cannot aspire to progress further either in the Champions League or in the Europa League.

The Railwaymen haven't looked very impressive either in the competition, which is why they will try to bow out in style. A home win will not only take them to the respectable six-point mark, but it will also give their supporters something to cheer about.

"Everyone would like a good game, even if it's a draw," explained caretaker coach Alin Minteuan. "We'd just like to feel we've played well so we're on a high after our final game of this year – we won last Friday and we need another win to give us that good feeling to take into the winter break.

"We want to win for the colours of Cluj, for the club and for the fans as well. The team wins together, the team loses together; everyone wants to feel good after the game."

Seeking A Point

Roma's task is pretty much straightforward: get a point at Cluj tonight and qualify for the Round of 16 of the Champions League. With nine points from five matches, the Italian side are currently second in the group, three points behind Bayern Munich and three ahead of Basel, who are third.

Although a draw in Romania will ascertain their place in the second round, a defeat for Claudio Ranieri's team could see them crash out if Basel defeat Bayern Munich. With the German champions having nothing to play for, the Swiss side will be expected to register a victory in Munich tonight, which means that the Lupi need to get the required point at Cluj.

However, Ranieri warns that defeating the Romanian champions is easier said than done and said on Tuesday, "CFR are out of Europe, they have nothing to lose.

"They will not be under pressure and they want to play well tomorrow so I think it will be a good game. We want to win and are only focused on this game – I'm not interested in the Bayern v Basel match."

TEAM NEWS

Cluj

Tomas Costa is out until the new year with a groin strain and Gabriel Mureşan has a leg injury. Felice Piccolo is suspended.

Roma

David Pizarro, Simone Perrotta and John Arne Riise have been ruled out of tonight's match.

Prediction

Cluj are playing for pride and they will not be easy pushovers. However, Roma know that a single point will be enough for them and they should get that tonight.

CFR Cluj 2-2 Roma

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