Champions League - Preview: Match Day 5, Group F
Group - F:
Spartak Moskva V Olympiue de Marseille - Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow, 2045 hrs GMT
Chelsea FC V MŠK Žilina - Stamford Bridge, London, 2045 hrs GMT
Spartak Moskva V Olympiue de Marseille:
Spartak Moscow may be the nine time Champions in Russia but their participation in the next edition of Champions League is almost impossible until and unless they win this year’s edition and play the next year’s as defending champions.
The domestic season in Russia is almost over with only one game left to play. Spartak are lying in the 4th spot and cannot mathematically catch up with any of the teams above, making it impossible for them to qualify for the Champions League domestically. Their form in Russia has been inconsistent and a defeat only last weekend at the hands of CSKA Moscow added more insult to their already woeful season.
Spartak have won only once in their last 5 games but their form at home has been decent as they are on a three game unbeaten streak but all of those games were draws.
Tonight, the Russians have a solid chance of taking a giant stride towards the knock out competition of Champions League by notching up a win against Marseille and in turn also avenge their semi final defeat of 1991 season.
Marseille may be lying third in group F table but they are tied on points with Spartak and a win tonight for either side will put them in pole position for qualification into the next round behind Chelsea.
Domestically also, Marseille may be fifth in French Ligue 1 table but they are just two points adrift of the top spot. Their form in France recently has been impressive as they have won three of their last four away fixtures in all competitions including a 7-0 pulverization of MSK Zilina only recently.
A win tonight for both sides is extremely essential as Marseille will face Chelsea in the next match and anything less than a win will severely hamper their chances of qualification.
Chelsea FC V MŠK Žilina:
Chelsea have already sealed their progress to the next round, having won all their matches in the competition so far but their current form is nothing to write about as they have lost three of their last four fixtures and are crippled by injuries to important players like Lampard and Terry. Chelsea’s loss to Birmingham in their last Premier League fixture was their first loss to Blues in 30 years and meant that for the first time in 165 matches, the London outfit had lost 2 matches in a row.
But, Chelsea are still occupying the top spot in English Premier League, although, their dismal form of late has seen their lead at the top diminish to only goal difference. Their game tonight is only against a side that has not won a single game so far and not only that it also has been mauled every time. It boasts the worst goal difference in the competition, having conceded 15 and scored only one.
For Chelsea, Carlo Ancelotti is expected to give his youngsters a run in the competition as his side have already qualified. Still, he needs to make sure that his side progresses to the next round as group winners as that would mean that his side will not face any of the other group winners in the next round.
UEFA Champions League: Group F Table
P
W
D
L
F
A
GD
PTS
1
Chelsea
4
4
0
0
12
2
10
12
2
Spartak Moscow
4
2
0
2
5
6
-1
6
3
Marseille
4
2
0
2
8
3
5
6
4
MSK Zilina
4
0
0
4
1
15
-14
0
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