CL Preview: Barca, Bayern hoping to seal last 16 spots

Fresh off Saturday's 4-0 mauling of arch-rivals Real Madrid, Barcelona can wrap up top spot in Group E by avoiding defeat at the Camp Nou against Roma. Elsewhere, Bayern Munich host Olympiakos having scored at least four goals in each of their last six home games.

Published : Nov 24, 2015 18:57 IST , Paris

Barcelona's Lionel Messi (L) returned to action after a two-month injury layoff in the 4-0 win against Real Madrid at the weekend.
Barcelona's Lionel Messi (L) returned to action after a two-month injury layoff in the 4-0 win against Real Madrid at the weekend.
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Barcelona's Lionel Messi (L) returned to action after a two-month injury layoff in the 4-0 win against Real Madrid at the weekend.

Fresh off Saturday's 4-0 mauling of arch-rivals Real Madrid, Barcelona can wrap up top spot in Group E by avoiding defeat at the Camp Nou against Roma. Not only did Barca move four points clear at the top of La Liga but they also welcomed back Argentine star Lionel Messi, who came on as a second-half substitute, following a two-month injury lay-off. Roma, firmly in the Serie A title hunt despite Saturday's 2-2 draw at Bologna, can take confidence from the two sides' 1-1 draw in Italy back in September, but Rudi Garcia's men haven't won a Champions League away game since 2010 and will also be without key attacking Gervinho and Mohamed Salah. Nevertheless, a Roma victory would see the Italians progress if Leverkusen fail to beat BATE.

With their final game against Barcelona, Bayer Leverkusen know they can ill afford a slip up against Belarusian champions BATE Borisov. Third-place Leverkusen trail Roma by a point but their away form in this season's competition, including the play-off round, reads three defeats from three.

Gunners hoping to stay in hunt for last 16

Arsenal must avenge their opening game defeat to Dinamo Zagreb if they are to retain any hope of qualifying for the knockout stages. Arsene Wenger's side, who have reached the last 16 in each of the past 15 seasons, need maximum points from their remaining two Group F matches - which include overturning a 3-2 home defeat to Olympiakos when they head to Greece in a fortnight - coupled with a Bayern win on Tuesday. Arsenal have won just once in their last five matches in all competitions, missing a chance to go top of the Premier League at the weekend after losing 2-1 at West Brom.

A draw at the Allianz Arena would send both Bayern Munich and Olympiakos through to the next round with a game to spare. Holding the Germans in check could be a tall order for Olympiakos though with Bayern, the competition's leading scorers, having netted at least four goals in each of their past six home matches in the Bundesliga and Europe. Bayern, who stretched their lead in Germany to eight points on Saturday, won the reverse fixture 3-0 in Piraeus with Thomas Mueller scoring twice. Olympiakos unexpectedly had extra rest at the weekend as their Athens derby with bitter rivals Panathinaikos was called off because of violence.

Chelsea aiming to get back on track

Maccabi Tel Aviv would appear to be the ideal opponents for a still-fragile Chelsea side who could clinch qualification for the last 16 in Israel. Jose Mourinho's side revived their European campaign with a 2-1 win at home to Dynamo Kiev three weeks ago and travel to the Middle East on the back of a 1-0 win over Norwich City in the Premier League at the weekend. The Blues are second in Group G and a win at the Sammy Ofer Stadium will take them through if Dynamo Kiev fail to beat Porto. A draw would also suffice if Dynamo lost, but they could also find themselves back in third place if they lose and Dynamo win. Meanwhile, Maccabi, who are hosting European games up the coast in Haifa this season, are already out but a win and a defeat for Dynamo would keep alive their chances of finishing third. A 3-0 win at Hapoel Haifa on Saturday left them two points clear atop the Israeli league.

Still unbeaten in Group G, Porto can clinch their place in the last 16 when they entertain Dynamo Kiev at the Estadio do Dragao. Julen Lopetegui's side need only draw with the Ukrainians to ensure their progress and could guarantee first place if they better Chelsea's result in Israel.

The only team to win their first four group matches in this season's competition, Zenit are already through to the last 16 and a draw at home to Valencia will guarantee top spot in Group H. However, Valencia could join their hosts in reaching the last 16 if they win and Gent do not beat Lyon.

Tuesday’s fixtures

Group E: FC Barcelona vs Roma, BATE Borisov vs Bayer Leverkusen

Group F: Arsenal vs Dinamo Zagreb, Bayern Munich vs Olympiakos

Group G: FC Porto vs Dynamo Kiev, Maccabi Tel-Aviv vs Chelsea

Group H: Zenit St Petersburg vs Valencia, Lyon vs Gent

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