Liverpool and Real Madrid, with an astonishing 13 European titles between them, face the humiliating prospect of being dumped out of the Champions League on Tuesday. Liverpool, who have lifted the continental crown five times, are in the most precarious position having to travel to France where only a Group A win will suffice against 1993 winners Marseille in the imposing Stade Velodrome.
Eight-time champions Real are in a better position. They tackle Lazio at the Bernabau needing only a draw to make the knockout rounds but wary that a heavy defeat could send them heading for the exit from Group C.
In Group B, Chelsea, who have already made sure of their place in the last 16, welcome struggling Valencia who can only hope to aim for a UEFA Cup place. Liverpool, runners-up last season and champions for the fifth time as recently as 2005, suffered the worst possible preparation for their trip to the south of France when they were beaten 3-1 by Reading in the Premiership at the weekend.
Both Marseille and Liverpool have seven points, one behind group leaders Porto, but a draw could be enough for the French side to qualify after Eric Gerets' men won the first match between the two at Anfield. Marseille warmed up for the do-or-die clash with a 2-0 win over Monaco in the French championship on Saturday.
Gerets believes his team's occasionally fickle fans could be key on Tuesday. "There's been a change in the behaviour of our fans," said the former Belgian international. "I was pleasantly surprised by the support we had throughout the 90 minutes on Saturday. On Tuesday, against Liverpool, we will need even a little more."
Porto, the 2004 champions, need just a draw at home to Besiktas to make the last 16. The Turks, crushed 8-0 by Liverpool on their last Champions League trip and are bottom of Group A, need to win to qualify. Besiktas coach Ertugrul Saglam said: "Our total focus is on the Porto game which is important both for us and Turkish football. Our aim is to write a new page in the club's history." Real are confident Dutch striker Ruud van Nistelrooy will be fit to face Lazio and fire them into the next stage.Van Nistelrooy limped out of Saturday's 1-0 win over Athletic Bilbao after scoring his seventh league goal of the season.
"I had some problems with my calf muscle towards the end of the game but I'll definitely be ready for Tuesday," said the 31-year-old. Madrid need just a point to ensure qualification and with four goals in the competition van Nistelrooy has a crucial role.
Chelsea, who reached the semi-finals last season, are already assured of top spot in Group B with three wins and two draws in their five games. The Londoners will again be missing Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba who has undergone knee surgery with the player battling to be fit for the African Nations Cup in Ghana, which kicks off on January 20.
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