A couple of crucial games will bring to a close the group stages of this season’s Champions League on Wednesday night, as several teams fight it out for their survival in the competition and for their places in the next round. With the teams in the first three places in each group decided, Wednesday night’s games will have the final word for which positions these teams occupy by the end of the round, and who will have to continue their European campaign in the often-meddling Europa League.
Champions League Odds
|
Game |
1 |
X |
2 |
| Milan v Ajax |
4/6 |
14/5 |
5/1 |
| Atletico Madrid v Porto |
23/20 |
5/2 |
27/10 |
| Barcelona v Celtic |
2/11 |
7/1 |
18/1 |
| Chelsea v Steaua Bucharest |
1/5 |
13/2 |
16/1 |
| Austria Vienna v Zenit |
5/1 |
16/5 |
8/13 |
| Marseille v Borussia Dortmund |
13/2 |
4/1 |
4/9 |
| Napoli v Arsenal |
6/4 |
13/5 |
15/8 |
| Schalke v Basel |
7/10 |
3/1 |
17/4 |
Despite losing in Switzerland last gameweek, Chelsea’s three previous consecutive victories were enough to seal their place in the next stage, and their home game against last-placed Steaua should only serve to confirm their first position in the group, which will be important for seeding purposes in the draw for the second round. It is the Schalke – Basel encounter that will be the focus on Wednesday night, as the Germans will need to win to make it to the next round. The Swiss side, who shocked the 2012 champions at Stamford Bridge in the opening gameweek, have been impressive this season, though they will need to hold out the only side that has beaten them in the group thus far.
Considered the group of death after the initial draw, Group F has proven to be just that. With Marseille’s woeful campaign producing five defeats from five games, the other three teams have fought it out amongst themselves, reaching this final gameweek with similar records. Marseille may well have a say in the final outcome of the group, however, which Premier League leaders lead by three points, as they host last season’s runners-up Borussia Dortmund. Should they be able to take points away from the Germans, Napoli could see themselves sneak through to the next stage with a result against Arsenal. Should the Germans win, Napoli will have to beat Arsenal by three goals to leapfrog them on the table. In this scenario, all three teams will finish on 12 points, with only goal difference separating the sides.
One of only three unbeaten sides in the competition with tournament contenders Bayern Munich and PSG, Atletico Madrid has enjoyed one of their best campaigns in recent memory, winning their group comfortably. With Atletico so far ahead, the battle for second place will take center stage on Wednesday night, with Zenit and Porto currently separated by just one point. Zenit will need to win in Austria to take Porto’s result against Atletico out of the equation, but will be hoping that the Spanish side do them a favour at home to make their task that little bit easier.
Barcelona and Milan have met on numerous occasions in the last few editions of the Champions League, with the Catalans prevailing almost on every occasion, and this season was no different. However, following their defeat at Ajax two weeks ago, Barcelona’s top spot looks a bit vulnerable. Their last game at home against Celtic, against whom they have struggled in recent times, should still see them top Group H, but this Barcelona side doesn’t inspire the same sense of awe that recent Barca sides have. In the more important game on the night regarding qualification to the next round, Milan will need at least a draw at home against Ajax to make it through to the next round and at least be able to salvage something from their disastrous start to the season in the Serie A, which already sees them out of contention for the title and in peril of missing out on qualification to the tournament for next season.
Check out the official Champions League website to keep up with the lastest.
Tagged With : Ajax • Champions League • Dortmund • Milan • Napoli • Porto • Zenit