1. Win or bust for Man City
Sitting bottom of Group E with just two points from four matches, the Premier League champions are in danger of going out of the Champions League at the group stage yet again unless they can pull a win out of the bag against Bayern Munich tonight.
City have only progressed to the knockout stages once in the past four years and their inconsistent form in Europe has been a major problem for manager Manuel Pellegrini.
They welcome the 2013 champions to the Etihad, who have already booked their place in the last-16 and come into the match unbeaten in their last 18 games in all competitions.
2. Chelsea and Di Matteo reunited
The current Premier League leaders are in Gelsenkirchen for a showdown of Group G’s top two teams. Chelsea, who can confirm their place in the knockout round with one game to spare, are pitted against former player and interim boss Roberto Di Matteo.
The Italian guided the club the the 2012 Champions League but has been in charge of the Bundesliga club, currently seventh in their domestic league, since October.
“I spent many years of my life at Chelsea and still know many people who work there – players as well,” Di Matteo said this week.
“But that’s more a private thing and has nothing to do with my job. A win would mean three points for us and a very good position in this group. I have no thoughts of revenge – I had a wonderful time there with lots of wonderful people.
3. Europa League spot up for grabs for Sheridan and APOEL
When APOEL and Barcelona faced off on Matchday 1 back in September, the Catalan giants were left frustrated by their Cypriot opponents but managed to pull off a scrappy 1-0 win thanks to Gerard Pique’s header.
Barca, who were 5-1 winners against Sevilla over the weekend, trail Paris Saint-Germain by a point going into the penultimate round of group matches but do meet the French champions in two weeks’ time.
For Irish striker Cillian Sheridan and his team-mates, a place in the Europa League is now the target. Ajax have the upper hand with a point more on the board but the gap could be closed if APOEL can avoid defeat tonight.
4. CSKA and Roma vying for runner-up place
Two sides tied for second place in Man City’s Group E take to the field in a 5pm kick-off at the Arena Khimki.
Rudi Garcia’s Roma will surely take some confidence from the fact that they defeated CSKA Moscow 5-1 when the clubs last met in the Italian capital three months ago, although the Giallorossi boss has insisted that it won’t be a repeat of that scoreline this evening.
Roma were 2-1 winners over Atalanta on Saturday while CSKA lost to high-flying Krasnodar by the same scoreline.
5. BATE hoping to catch Porto cold
BATE Borisov are aiming to close the five-point gap on second-placed Shakhtar Donetsk when they take on Porto.
The Belarusians can still qualify but need a victory at home to the Portuguese side — who thrashed them 6-0 in the corresponding fixture. Porto, already through, haven’t played in over two weeks and BATE coach Aleksandr Yermakovich says his team won’t have any fear.
“One thing is clear: there is no sense in playing open football against Porto,” he said. “We will play a different game, with a more organised approach in defence. Against teams like this, first of all you need counterattacks and set pieces. And also a bit of luck.
“How do we feel? Not afraid, that’s for sure. Above all, we have a sense of duty.”
Kick-off 7.45pm unless stated:
- CSKA Moscow v Roma, 5pm
- BATE v Porto, 5pm
- Paris Saint-Germain v Ajax
- Schalke v Chelsea
- APOEL v Barcelona
- Shakhtar Donetsk v Athletic Bilbao
- Manchester City v Bayern Munich
- Sporting Lisbon v Maribor
