Barcelona, Man United eye knock-out phase
Football: Champions League
Barcelona, Manchester United, Porto and unlikely contenders Malaga can book their tickets to the Champions League knockout stages by winning in midweek.
The quartet have all won the opening three group games and if they win a fourth will take their places in the last 16 with two matches to spare.
Schalke 04, Borussia Dortmund and Shakhtar Donetsk could also take a big stride towards qualification with victories while champions Chelsea, big-spending Manchester City and former winners Juventus are under severe pressure.
Meanwhile, Arsenal are hoping to put their campaign back on track after the shock loss to Schalke at home two weeks ago.
“The Champions League is reaching a critical phase and we cannot afford any more mistakes,” said Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger. “But this group of players is strong, we have belief and we go to Schalke on Tuesday believing we can get a good result there.”
After beating Montpellier and Olympiakos Piraeus in their opening two Group ‘B’ games, Arsenal lost 2-0 to Schalke and another defeat in Germany would put their hopes in the balance.
The Londoners are second in the group, one point behind Schalke but three clear of Olympiakos and five ahead of Montpellier who also meet on Tuesday.
Things look far rosier for United who, without playing particularly well, have won their three Group ‘H’ matches and go to Portugal's Braga on Wednesday in good spirits having gone top of the Premier League with a 2-1 win over Arsenal at the weekend.
Braga established a 2-0 lead at Old Trafford two weeks ago before losing 3-2 and coach Jose Peseiro believes they can grab all three points this time round.
“We know about the resources and the value of Manchester United but that doesn’t stop us thinking that we have our chances, that we have good players, that we have a good team, and that we are ready to do good things and win the match if we can,” he said.
Barcelona can guarantee a place in the last 16 by winning at Celtic on Wednesday, as can Porto with a victory at Dynamo Kiev on Tuesday.
Malaga need to triumph on Tuesday at AC Milan to qualify. The Italians have only won six of their last 27 Champions League matches.
Chelsea, who have made an ordinary start to the defence of their crown with a win, a draw and a defeat, cannot afford another reverse at home to Shakhtar on Wednesday after losing in Ukraine two weeks ago.
