Champions League: Chelsea need big helping hand for last-16 ticket

The Stamford Bridge club are without a victory in seven matches and discontent is rife as fans openly vent their frustration at the decision to replace the Champions League-winning Di Matteo.

While Shakhtar are formidable opponents at home, Juventus will go there full of confidence after a 3-0 win against Torino on Saturday cemented their place at the top of Serie A.

DANGER LURKS

Victory would also see Juventus go through as group winners.

The Italians were held 1-1 by Ukrainians Shakhtar in October and Juve midfielder Claudio Marchisio said he was well aware of the dangers that lurk in Donetsk.

"We can't go on to the pitch hoping to take it easy," he said. "We've got to play like Juve always do.

"Saturday's win gives us a lot of motivation to face Shakhtar who I believe are the toughest team in the group."

Scotland's sole representatives Celtic will reach the last-16 for the first time since 2008 if they better Benfica's result at Barcelona when they host Spartak Moscow on Wednesday.

"We have to rise to the occasion. We have to win the game," said Celtic manager Neil Lennon after his weakened side were surprisingly held 1-1 by Arbroath in the Scottish Cup at the weekend.

Turkish side Galatasaray look favourites to win their scrap for the Group H runners-up spot as they travel to bottom club Braga needing to match what Romanians Cluj manage against leaders Manchester United at Old Trafford on Wednesday.

The only issue to be resolved in Paris on Tuesday is whether Paris St Germain can overtake Porto with a victory over the Group A leaders.

Bayern Munich will also guarantee top spot in Group F ahead of Valencia with victory against BATE Borisov on Wednesday.

Manchester City have been eliminated from the group stage for the second year running and will even miss out on the Europa League if they fail to triumph at Group D winners Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday.

... contd.

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