This Tuesday and Wednesday comprise the final matchday of the group stage of this year's Champions League. Here is a breakdown of what to watch in each group:
GROUP A
Bayern are top of the group and have already won it following their win over Villarreal. Napoli sit a point ahead of Manchester City after their win last matchday in Naples. City are home to Bayern knowing they must win and hope Napoli draw or lose in Spain. A draw is not good enough, as Napoli have the edge head-to-head. City have looked like one of the top sides in Europe in the Premier League but have struggled in Group A, but I think they will win against a Bayern side with nothing to play for. However, Napoli face inferior opposition with even less motivation than the Germans, and should have no trouble taking care of business, even though they must travel.
Manchester City - Bayern Munich: HOME WIN
Villarreal - Napoli: AWAY WIN
QUALIFIERS: 1) Bayern Munich, 2) Napoli. Europa League: Manchester City
GROUP B
Inter Milan have put their miserable domestic form to the side and have won Group B with a game to spare. Unfancied Trabzonspor lead Lille and CSKA by a point for second, put face a trip to France, while CSKA goes to Italy. Despite only losing a single game in the competition, it is difficult to see the Turks holding off Lille and going through. Even a draw might not be enough as CSKA face what will likely be a weakened Inter side. Look for Lille, who have improved steadily throughout the competition and sit third in Ligue 1, to defeat Trabzonspor and go through. CSKA could see a difficult time in Italy but they should be able to squeak through to continue a European adventure.
Lille - Trabzonspor: HOME WIN
Inter Milan - CSKA Moscow - DRAW
QUALIFIERS: 1) Inter Milan, 2) Lille. Europa League: CSKA Moscow
GROUP C
Benfica lead Group C on head-to-head over Manchester United with both clubs sitting on nine points, and have already qualified. FC Basel are close behind with eight, while Otelul have yet to gain a point in the competition. United travel to Switzerland, hoping for a better showing than their 3-3 result against Basel on Matchday 2, while Benfica host the Romanian side. Benfica should win easily, as although Otelul have not been blown away, they have shown no capability of pulling an upset. That would make the Portuguese side group winners and leave second to either United or Basel. Despite the 3-3 draw in England, United are huge favorites, knowing a draw will send them through. United never play for a draw though and will surely be attacking from the start. As comical as it would be to see United lose this game, you can't really reasonably predict it. United always seem to do enough to get through. It should be an interesting game nonetheless, especially if Basel are able to score the first goal.
Benfica - Otelul Galati: HOME WIN
Basel - Manchester United: AWAY WIN
QUALIFIERS: 1) Benfica, 2) Manchester United. Europa League: FC Basel
GROUP D
Real Madrid have won Group D with five wins out of five. Ajax are second on eight points, Lyon third on five, and Dinamo Zagreb prop up the group with zero. Ajax and Lyon are even head-to-head, but Ajax is ahead of Lyon by seven goals on goal difference. Ajax must host Real Madrid, but if there is any good time to face the Spanish giants, it is this week. Real have nothing to play for and face Barcelona this weekend in La Liga. They have enormous squad depth, but surely Mourinho will not choose close to his strongest side. Ajax only need a point so Lyon have to hope Madrid can pull out a win, and they must absolutely hammer Dinamo in Zagreb. I think Lyon can put up four or five on the Croatians, but their result will not matter.
Ajax - Real Madrid: DRAW
Dinamo Zagreb - Lyon: AWAY WIN
QUALIFIERS: 1) Real Madrid, 2) Ajax. Europa League: Lyon
GROUP E
Bayer Leverkusen lead group E after their last minute win over Chelsea, who are tied on eight points with Valencia. Genk have just their two draws in five games, while scoring just a single goal. Leverkusen travel to Belgium while Chelsea host Valencia. Bayer is through, and Chelsea can qualify with a 0-0 draw (if Bayer do not lose to Genk) or a win. Genk have been tough at home and Bayer have been woeful on the road, but the Germans should be able to avoid defeat. A win is certainly far more likely than a loss. Chelsea will be playing to win at home to make sure of qualification, but their home form has been terrible lately so you really don't know what to expect. An early goal from Valencia would send jolts through Stamford Bridge. Chelsea should be able to do enough to just barely squeak through here.
Chelsea - Valencia: HOME WIN
Racing Genk - Bayer Leverkusen: AWAY WIN
QUALIFIERS: 1) Bayer Leverkusen, 2) Chelsea. Europa League: Valencia
GROUP F
Arsenal have won the group ahead of their trip to Greece, and Marseille are second, one point ahead of Olympiakos, and three ahead of Dortmund, where they head tomorrow. This group has a variety of scenarios that can see any of the three other teams qualifying. To have any hope, Dortmund must win by at least four goals, and hope Olympiakos lose to Arsenal, because a draw would mean they must win by five goals to go through. Olympiakos hope Marseille do not win, and a win or draw (if Marseille loses by two, three or four goals) would send them through. Marseille can go through with a draw if Olympiakos draws or loses, a win in Germany, or a loss by one goal and an Olympiakos loss or draw. Very confusing. I have no clue what's going to happen here. Dortmund clearly look the unlikeliest to qualify but it is not out of the question. Olympiakos have improved throughout the competition after losing their first two games and Arsenal will be far weaker than normal. These games should be fantastic.
Dortmund - Marseille: DRAW
Olympiakos - Arsenal: DRAW
QUALIFIERS: 1) Arsenal, 2) Marseille. Europa League: Olympiakos
GROUP G
Surprise package (and personal favorite, other than Chelsea of course) APOEL have become the first Cypriot team to qualify for the knockout round of the Champions League after their 0-0 draw against Zenit. The Russians head to Portugal to face Porto needing a draw to go through, while the Portuguese must fight for a win. Shakhtar have been very disappointing, as they are completely out of the picture. APOEL look likeliest to win the group, as Porto are very tough at home and Zenit will probably play for a draw to get through. They would have to lose along with a Porto win to finish second. Despite their struggles I believe Porto gets through too. They are historically difficult to beat at home and needing a win here, they can attain the result. Hulk should lead the way for the reigning Portuguese and Europa League champions.
APOEL - Shakhtar Donetsk: DRAW
FC Porto - Zenit St. Petersburg: HOME WIN
QUALIFIERS: 1) APOEL, 2) FC Porto. Europa League: Zenit St. Petersburg
GROUP H
Group H has the least amount of drama, as Barcelona have already won the group and AC Milan are second. Plzen host Milan while BATE travel to Spain, hoping to replicate Rubin Kazan's stunning upset at the Camp Nou two years ago. It is extremely unlikely. Barca will be preparing for Real Madrid this weekend but they still have a strong enough squad to defeat BATE. Plzen have a far greater chance of pulling an upset, as they are a more dangerous side. A draw would be enough to send them into the Europa League.
Barcelona - BATE Borisov: HOME WIN
Viktoria Plzen - AC Milan: DRAW
QUALIFIERS: 1) Barcelona, 2) AC Milan. Europa League: Viktoria Plzen
If the groups came out this way, the knockout round would consist of the group winners(Bayern, Inter, Benfica, Real Madrid, Bayer Leverkusen, Arsenal, APOEL, and Barcelona) in Pot 1, and the runner-ups (Napoli, Lille, Manchester United, Ajax, Chelsea, Marseille, Porto, and AC Milan) in Pot 2. There are the potential for some heavyweight ties in there, and Barcelona could face a stiff early test in Napoli, Manchester United or Chelsea. Groups A-D will be played on Wednesday while Groups E-H are Tuesday. Go Blues!
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