Olympique de Marseille have a chance to salvage their campaign by clinching third and a place in the Europa League - but to do so they will need to get a better result away to Group C leaders Manchester City than Olympiacos can muster at home to Porto.
UEFA Champions League, Matchday 6
Group C
Etihad Stadium, Manchester
Manchester City - Olympique de Marseille
- Kick-off at 21:00 CET (20:00 GMT)
It has certainly been a tough European campaign for André Villas-Boas and his troops, but their 2-0 Matchday 5 win over Olympiacos - their first points and goals of the campaign - proved salutary not just for the confidence but also for their chances of extending their run In Europe, albeit a rung down in the Europa League.
AVB: 'Good dynamic'
Now needing only to obtain a better result than Olympiacos do in the final group stage match, OM have cause for confidence. They are on a tear in the league, in fourth place n the back of five wins in a row - in an unbeaten run of eight - with main striker Dario Benedetto having returned to scoring form after a long drought and getting a goal in the 2-0 win away to Round 13 derby rivals Nîmes.
"We've had more confidence lately and we've gotten there by working and earning good results," said the Portuguese coach, whose side still have two Ligue 1 Uber Eats matches in hand . "When we win, when we manage to obtain opportunities and positive results, we inevitably have more serenity and confidence and we must do everything to keep this state of mind and this good dynamic."
One eye on Monaco
However, AVB is wary of compromising OM's strong position in the league and hinted that Sunday's match against fifth-placed Monaco could have a bearing on the XI he fields in Manchester on Wednesday.
"There may be some changes against City but not too many - they're it's a big team, it's going to be hard for us especially considering the efforts made so far. There will probably be one or two changes."
This likely means resting defensive midfielder Boubacar Kamara , with Pape Gueye tipped to deputise at number 6, while left-back Yuto Nagatomo should deputise for the injured Jordan Amavi.
Probable teams
Manchester City: Steffen; Cancelo, Garcia, Laporte, Zintchenko; Silva, Fernandinho (c), Doyle; Torres, Sterling, Foden
Olympique de Marseille: Mandanda (c); Sakai, Gonzalez, Caleta-Car, Nagatomo; Sanson, Gueye, Rongier; Thauvin, Benedetto, Payet
