Champions League hopes hand in the balance for Man United and Arsenal

The final fixtures of the Champions League group stages takes place this week, with Manchester City the only English side guaranteed a spot in the next round.

With some tricky opponents to play also, the English sides will need to be at their best to progress.

Wolfsburg vs Manchester United

It has been a relatively underwhelming couple of weeks for Manchester United, who drew 0-0 at home with West Ham at the weekend in another abject attacking display.

Louis van Gaal’s men travel to face Wolfsburg in Group B knowing that they will need to match PSV Eindhoven’s result to ensure qualification.

United are a point ahead of the Eredivisie side, who host CSKA Moscow and will know a victory is enough to see them through.

The English side will have to beat Wolfsburg if PSV are victorious, which will require more attacking intent than has been shown recently.

The German side lost to Borussia Dortmund at the weekend, while United are set to be without skipper Wayne Rooney.

Olympiakos vs Arsenal

Arsenal travel to Greece knowing that only a two-goal win will be enough to avoid early elimination and Europa League participation in the new year.

The Gunners unexpectedly lost 3-2 to Olympiakos at the Emirates Stadium; if the North London side prevail on Wednesday they will have the same number of points as the Greeks and as such need to equal the reverse result.

Arsene Wenger’s men are undermanned through injury currently, with Santi Cazorla and Alexis Sanchez the latest on the treatment table.

Arsenal beat Sunderland at the weekend and will need to rally if they are to avoid being dumped out of the competition.

Chelsea vs Porto

Chelsea go into the final fixture of Group G on top of the pool but know that a defeat at home to Porto could send them to the Europa League.

Dynamo Kiev host Maccabi Tel Aviv and if they win will usurp the Blues’ points total, meaning at least a draw is necessary to secure a place in the next round.

Jose Mourinho is under mounting pressure after losing to Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge at the weekend, with rumblings in the press suggesting the Portuguese could be sacked if Chelsea are dumped out of the Champions League.

Manchester City vs Borussia Monchengladbach

City are already guaranteed a place in the knockout rounds, but could still win Group D with a victory over Monchengladbach.

Manuel Pellegrini may be tempted to rest players however after fatigue showed in defeat to Stoke at the Britannia Stadium over the weekend.

City have lofty ambitions in the competition this season and winning the group would be a step in the right direction.

Leave a comment