06.12. (Tue) 20:45 Olympiakos - Arsenal

PROBABLE LINEUPS

OLYMPIAKOS Megyeri Maniatis, Mellberg, Papadopoulos, Torosidis Potouridis, Holebas, Orbaiz, Abdoun Pantelic, Djebbour

ARSENAL Fabianski Koscielny, Vermaelen, Squillaci, Santos  Coquelin, Frimpong, Benayoun Oxlade-Chamberlain, Chamakh, Arshavin

Olympiakos are without Argentine playmaker Ariel Ibagaza for the crucial clash. The former Mallorca man has wrestled with a thigh injury since early November, and will sit out the match on Tuesday night along with Ljubomir Fejsa and David Fuster.

Although they opted for a 4-5-1 system for the surprise win over Marseille last time out, Olympiakos are expected to go 4-4-2 for the visit of Arsenal, with Rafik Zoheir Djebbour and Marko Pantelic likely to lead the line. Both players netted in the weekend victory over Panaitolikos, and the Greek side will be looking to them to carry the team through to the knockout phase of the competition.

Arsene Wenger, with his side already confirmed as group winners, will look to give some much-needed game time to a selection of fringe players. Francis Coquelin is likely to anchor the midfield in place of Alex Song, while Marouane Chamakh is expected to replace goal machine Robin van Persie as Arsenal’s target man.

One or two Gunners are hoping to get a run-out as they recover from injury. Tomas Rosicky could be set for a return after picking up a thigh injury against West Brom, whilst Abou Diaby could be in contention to feature after missing the victory over Wigan.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Olympiakos have won only three of nine matches at home to English opposition – including against Liverpool in 2004-05 Champions League, and in a Uefa Cup clash with Tottenham Hotspur in 1972.

• The Greek side are bidding to reach the knockout phase for the third time in succession, although they need a favour from Borussia Dortmund, who play Marseille, if they are to climb above the French team into second place.

• Arsenal have won in only two of their last six visits to Greece – both of those came against Panathinaikos.

• Whilst their opponents’ fate hangs in the balance, Arsenal have already confirmed progression to the next round as group winners. It’s the eighth time in the last 12 seasons they have qualified at the top of their group table.

• Robin van Persie netted his 22nd goal in 24 matches for club and country, taking his tally for 2011 to 32 goals in 31 Premier League outings.

• Arsenal won the reverse fixture 2-1 on September 28, with Alex Oxlade-Chaberlain netting a goal on his Champions League debut at Emirates Stadium.

Prediction

With Arsenal likely to rest key players and Olympiakos desperate for goals, this could be a lively and entertaining fixture, with plenty of attacking play in the offing – particularly from the hosts, who have everything to play for. Even with the Gunners at half strength, expect Wenger’s men to prove a match for the Greek side.

Editor's Prediction

Olympiakos 2-2 Arsenal

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06.12. (Tue) 20:45 Borussia D. - Olympique Marseille

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PROBABLE LINE-UPS

BORUSSIA DORTMUND Weidenfeller Piszczek, F. Santana, Hummels, Lowe Kehl, Gundogan Gotze, Kagawa, Grosskreutz Lewandowski

MARSEILLE   Mandanda Azpilicueta, Nkoulou, Diawara, Traore Diarra, Mbia Amalfitano, Valbuena, A. Ayew J. Ayew

Jurgen Klopp is set to make one change from Saturday's 1-1 draw with Borussia Monchengladbach. Marcel Schmelzer misses out through suspension, with Chris Lowe set to step in. Moritz Leitner remains a doubt with a knock, with Sven Bender a long-term absentee in the same position. Neven Subotic will also miss the clash as he continues his recovery from a facial injury.

Injuries to Loic Remy and Andre Pierre Gignac mean that Didier Deschamps will continue with Jordan Ayew at the pinnacle of the team. Meanwhile, after starting Friday's game with Caen on the bench, Mathieu Valbuena is set to return to the first XI for the crunch Champions League clash. Rod Fanni remains sidelined with a broken toe.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Marseille boss Didier Deschamps was in the Juventus team that was beaten 3-1 by Borussia Dortmund in the 1997 Champions League final.

• The German champions are unbeaten in their last six home games against French opposition.

• Dortmund must win by four goals to qualify for the next round and hope that Olympiakos lose to Arsenal.

• Marseille have conceded just two goals in the Champions League this season - the joint fewest along with Real Madrid.

• Jordan Ayew's 52nd minute strike against Caen was just the second away goal of his career.

• This is Marseille's first trip to Germany since a 1-1 draw with Werder Bremen in the 1998-1999 Uefa Cup.

Prediction

Borussia Dortmund will win, but not by the margin required to ensure qualification. Jugen Klopp's men have been in excellent form in recent weeks after their sluggish start to the campaign, while Marseille have won just three matches away from Stade Velodrome this season.

Editor's Prediction

Dortmund 3-1 Marseille

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06.12. (Tue) 20:45 APOEL - Shakhtar

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PROBABLE LINEUPS

APOEL Pardo Poursaiditidis, Jorge, Jahic, Oliveira Morais, Satsias Adorno, Marcinho, Manduca Solari

SHAKHTAR DONETSK Rybka Kobin, Rakytskiy, Kucher, Rat Hubschmann, Mkhitaryan Douglas Costa, Jadson, Willian Luiz Adriano

For APOEL, Helio Pinto looks set to sit out the contest after picking up a foot injury on Friday in their 2-0 win over Anagennisis, while Ailton will likely miss the clash after Ivan Jovanovic stated last week that the forward must rest to overcome his ankle problem. Argentine Esteban Solari, the brother of former Real Madrid midfielder Santiago Solari, will likely start in attack.

Ivan Trickovski will also likely miss the match after picking up a hamstring injury on matchday five. William Boaventura has not featured since the end of October due to a sprained ankle and will not play.

There is no pressing injury news for the visitors, who are close to full strength, other than the absence of Dmytro Chygrynskiy, who is still out after rupturing his thigh muscle on October 26.

DID YOU KNOW?

• APOEL have not lost a game in the group stage this campaign, winning two and drawing three, clinching a spot in the round of 16. They will win the group with victory, a Porto draw with Zenit, or a draw and a Porto victory.

• The home side have become the first team from Cyprus to reach the last 16 of the tournament.

• On matchday two, the two teams played out a 1-1 draw.

• Shakhtar Donetsk have not won a group stage game in the Champions League this season, drawing two and losing three.

• The visitors have not seen victory in seven consecutive Champions League games, dating back to last season.

• In the 2010-11 edition of the tournament, the Ukrainians advanced to the quarter-finals, ultimately losing to champions Barcelona.

Prediction

The home side have won games during the group stage, the vistors have not. The trend should continue as APOEL earn the top spot in the group.

Editor's Prediction

APOEL 2-1 Shakhtar

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06.12. (Tue) 20:45 Barcelona - BATE

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PROBABLE LINEUPS

BARCELONA PintoMontoya, Fontas, Pique, Maxwell Thiago, Dos Santos, Riverola  Kiko, Pedro, Cuenca

BATE BORISOV Gutor Filipenko, Simic, Yurevich, Bordachev Volodko, Bressan, Baga, Pavlov Kontsevoi, Skavysh

Barcelona have already qualified as group winners and are expected to rest 13 first-team players for the last match of this stage. Key players such as Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta, and Xavi are all expected to be given the night off against BATE Borisov.
A number of B team starlets are in line for a Champions League outing. Andreu Fontas and Martin Montoya may be given the nod in defence, and Jonathan Dos Santos and Marti Riverola are likely to be given the chance to impress in midfield.
As for Barca's attacking options, Isaac Cuenca, fresh from a goal against Levante, will feature and he may be joined by summer recruit Kiko Femenia and Pedro, who has missed recent action with injury.
The Catalan side are without Adriano, who pulled a hamstring in last week's win over Rayo Vallecano but the Brazilian should be available for the Clasico if needed. Ibrahim Afellay is a long term absentee with a cruciate ligament injury.

DID YOU KNOW?

• The last encounter between Barcelona and BATE Borisov was the first meeting in history between the sides, and ended 5-0 to the Catalan side.

• Barca are unbeaten in 12 European home matches since the shock defeat against Rubin Kazan in 2009. Since then they have won 10 matches and drawn two.

• Pep Guardiola's side will progress as group winners no matter the result. They have a five-point advantage over second placed AC Milan.

• BATE need to beat Barcelona at Camp Nou and hope AC Milan defeat Viktoria Plzen if they are to clinch third place in the group and a place in the Europa League.

• The Belarusian side have played Spanish opposition five times, and lost every match.

• BATE have never won an away match in the Champions League.

Prediction

Barcelona have already qualified, so they would be forgiven if they took their foot off the gas given their Clasico clash versus Real Madrid is on the horizon. The team that Barca field should have a blend of youthful exuberance and veteran heads, and this will help them to professionally dispatch the Belarusian side.

Editor's Prediction

Barcelona 2-0 BATE Borisov

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06.12. (Tue) 20:45 Chelsea - Valencia

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PROBABLE LINEUPS

CHELSEA Cech Bosingwa, Ivanovic, Terry, Cole Meireles, Ramires, Lampard Sturridge, Drogba, Mata

VALENCIA Alves Miguel, Rami, Dealbert, Alba Costa, Topal Feghouli, Jonas, Mathieu Soldado

After being lucky not to be sent off within five minutes and otherwise enduring a difficult afternoon against Newcastle on Saturday, David Luiz may be considered too big a risk to play by Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas, with Jose Bosingwa the likeliest addition and Branislav Ivanovic moving into the centre of defence. Fernando Torres is almost sure to be on the bench once more with Didier Drogba continuing in the central striking role, with no new injury worries to report for the hosts.

The likes of Jonas, Sofiane Feghouli and in-form striker Roberto Soldado were all rested for Valencia by coach Unai Emery for the weekend's 2-1 home win over Espanyol and will surely return for the visit to Stamford Bridge. Central defender Victor Ruiz is unlikely to be able to return yet, with Angel Dealbert set to continue in his place.

DID YOU KNOW?

• A win would put Chelsea into the last 16, as would a goalless draw, which would see the Blues level with Valencia on points but through due to scoring an away goal in the reverse fixture between the two sides, a 1-1 draw on September 28.

• Chelsea's 3-0 victory over Newcastle on Saturday was only their second win in five games in all competitions.

• Valencia are one goal away from recording their 150th strike in the European Cup/Champions League over the years.

• Fernando Torres is the only player to have scored more than one goal for the Blues in Europe so far this season, having netted twice during a 5-0 triumph over Genk on October 19.

• The Liga side have won their last two Champions League matches, both at home, first a 3-1 success against Bayer Leverkusen before a 7-0 thumping of the Belgians.

Prediction

The Blues are unlikely to add to their two clean sheets in a row, given their overall defensive record this season and the red-hot form of Roberto Soldado, but they have a manager in Andre Villas-Boas who knows that nothing less than success will do if he is to avoid a serious reevaluation of his position from owner Roman Abramovich.

Editor's Prediction

Chelsea 2-1Valencia

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06.12. (Tue) 20:45 Racing Genk - Bayer Leverkusen

Bongarts

PROBABLE LINEUPS

GENK Koteles Vanden Borre, Ngongca, Nadson, Pudil Buffel, Camus, Tozser, Limbombe Nwanganga, Barda

BAYER LEVERKUSEN Leno Castro, Reinartz, Friedrich, Kadlec Schurrle, Bender, Ballack, Sam Derdiyok, Kiessling

It is tough to call how Mario Been will line up his side as the Belgians find themselves amidst a full-blown injury crisis. Left-sided winger Kevin De Bruyne has been ruled out for three weeks with a broken toe, adding to the already sizeable list which includes Abel Masuero, skipper David Hubert, Jeroen Simaeys and Torben Joneleit.

Meanwhile, it is unclear whether Khaleem Hyland or Jelle Vossen will feature, as the duo missed the club's previous match against Beerschot with a foot knock and the flu respectively.

For the Germans, who have already qualified, long-term injury woes keep Tranquillo Barnetta and Rene Adler out of the side, while Karim Bellarabi and Hanno Balitsch have been sidelined with thigh injuries.

Omer Toprak will probably miss the clash as well as he recovers full from a pelvic problem, having fallen awkwardly whilst playing Hertha Berlin last week.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Genk's previous Champions League match, a 7-0 defeat to Valencia, was the Belgian side's heaviest ever defeat in Uefa competition, beating their previous 6-0 record against Real Madrid in 2002.

• Jelle Vossen, who remains a doubt for Tuesday's match, has scored Genk's only goal of the competition so far.

• The hosts are joint leaders of goals conceded in the Champions League this year with 15, level with Dinamo Zagreb.

• While Genk are on a three-match losing streak away from home, the Belgians are unbeaten in four matches at home.

• Bayer Leverkusen's Michael Ballack, Michal Kadlec, Stefan Kiessling and Omer Toprak will earn suspensions with their next yellow cards.

• In-form Eren Derdiyok – who scored the equaliser against Chelsea two weeks ago – has scored five goals in his last three matches, including a hat-trick against Hertha Berlin at the end of last month.

Prediction

Amid an injury crisis and already out of Europe completely as they sit six points adrift from the nearest teams above, the hosts have only pride to play for. And, with the Belgian league to think about as well, Genk could be excused if they find themselves overrun and outplayed by the Germans.

Editor's Prediction

Genk 0-2 Bayer Leverkusen

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06.12. (Tue) 20:45 Porto - Zenit

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PROBABLE LINEUPS

PORTO Helton Maicon, Rolando, Otamendi, Pereira Fernando, Moutinho Djalma, Defour, James Rodriguez Hulk

ZENIT ST PETERSBURG Malafeyev Anyukov, Hubocan, Lombaerts, Criscito Zyryanov, Denisov, Shirokov Faizulin, Bukharov, Danny

Fredy Guarin is the most glaring absentee from Porto's first team as the Colombian is still recuperating from a calf injury he picked up while on international duty a month ago. Emidio Rafael broke his leg at the beginning of the year and has not been registered in the Champions League squad.

For the visitors, Aleksandr Kerzhakov misses the game as he is recovering from an ankle knock he suffered in the 2-2 draw against Spartak Moscow on October 2.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Porto need a win against Zenit St Petersburg if they are to qualify for the next round of the Champions League.

• The Dragons have collected no less than 16 yellow cards, which is the joint highest total in the competition together with Villarreal.

• Porto have lost just once in their last 10 home games in Europe.

• Zenit St Petersburg have played five away matches in the Champions League, winning just one of them.

• The Russians need just a point from the game in order to secure qualification for the next phase of Europe's elite club competition.

• Bruno Alves made 119 league appearances for Porto before moving to Zenit in 2010.

Prediction

Given the Portuguese side's pedigree in the Champions League, and their home advantage, it is hard to overlook them as favourites. However, the Russians will not give up without a fight, so expect a close game on Tuesday.

Editor's Prediction

Porto 2-1 Zenit

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06.12. (Tue) 20:45 Viktoria Plzen - Milan

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PROBABLE LINE-UPS

VIKTORIA PLZEN Cech Rajtoral, Cisovsky, Bystron, Limbersky Petrzela, Jiracek, Horvath, Kolar, Pilar Bakos

AC MILAN Amelia Abate, Yepes, Thiago Silva, Antonini Nocerino, Ambrosini, Seedorf  Boateng Robinho, Ibrahimovic

Pavel Vrba should have a full squad to choose from, with the Czech champions welcoming back Marian Cisovsky after the defender served his suspension following his sending off in the 4-0 defeat to Barcelona.
The visitors will travel to Plzen without key defender Alessandro Nesta, who is still nursing the hip injury picked up against Barcelona last month. Marco Amelia is again expected to start after Christian Abbiati failed to recover from the shoulder problem that has seen him miss Milan's last two games.
There will also be changes to the midfield that lined up against the Spanish champions, with Mark van Bommel still suffering from a knee inflation, and Alberto Aquilani suspended for the tie.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Viktoria Plzen's victory over BATE Borisov in their last group game was the Czech champions first ever victory in the competition.

• The four points earned by Plzen this season are the only points the club have ever won in the Champions League.

• The hosts have only managed to score two goals in this years competition, with Marek Bakos netting both.

• If the hosts triumph on Tuesday, they will end the group stages with the same amount of victories as seven-time winners AC Milan.

• Milan have failed to win all of their away games in the group stages so far.

• Zlatan Ibrahimovic is the club's highest scorer in the competition this season with four goals, including two in his last two appearances.

Prediction

With the hosts still competing for a place in the Europa League, along with Milan's poor away form in this season's competition, a tough night for the visitors could come to pass.

Editor's Prediction

Viktoria Plzen 1-1 Milan

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