Borussia Dortmund v Manchester City
The final fixture in the group stages and it’s top of the group hosting bottom of the group – Manchester City. City knew they were in the toughest group and they had a mountain to climb, but who would have guessed they’d be bottom of their group with the calibre of players that they possess. Borussia Dortmund on the other hand has performed better than expected and with the comfort that they have already qualified, they can rest key players. To top the group, Dortmund need just a point or at least a better the goal difference compared to Real Madrid whereas City desperately need a win to have a chance of qualifying for the Europa League. In the previous game with these two teams last month, the points were shared when City scored a penalty in the last minute. With no possibility of progressing to the knockout stages, and the possibility of not being involved in Europe full stop, Manchester City have massively disappointed once again.
Chelsea v Nordsjælland
The top of Group E is still wide open and after only winning two out of five games, Chelsea can still qualify, although it is out of their hands. With the possibility of not progressing, new interim manager Rafa Benitez is not having the best of times and since his arrival, they have had two goalless draws at home and more recently lost away to West Ham. The atmosphere at Stamford Bridge is very hostile at the minute, with a number of fans wanting Benitez out already, and if they don’t qualify for the knock out stages, his managerial time at Chelsea could be over just two weeks into the job. Sitting bottom of the group, with just one point is Nordsjælland who are now playing for pride. The Danish side will have to settle for just domestic football with it being impossible to finish 3rd in the group. It was over 2 months ago when these two last played each other and it finished 4-0 to Chelsea under the management of Roberto Di Matteo.
Manchester United v CFR Cluj
Manchester United is 5 points clear at the top of the group and had even qualified before they played their last game against Galatasaray. They will be looking to field some players lacking game time as the outcome of the match result doesn’t affect them. CFR Cluj on the other hand needs a win to have a chance of grabbing second place and progressing to the knock-out stages. They have a slightly better goal difference than Galatasaray but Cluj will go out all guns blazing to give themselves the best chance they can have. The previous fixture with these two teams finished 2-1 to Man United who had to come from behind to win but with Cluj’s Champions League future in the balance, it will be a tight affair.
