Barcelona, Liverpool set for tough clashes

London, Nov. 3: Barcelona’s hold on the European title could be loosened with another loss to Russia’s Rubin Kazan this week, while five-time winners Liverpool would be closer to Champions League elimination if they lose again to Lyon.
Group qualification for the last-16 knockout stage passes halfway on Tuesday and Wednesday, with Manchester United, Chelsea, FC Porto, Sevilla, Lyon, Arsenal and Olympiakos on the verge of advancing with two games to spare.
But Barcelona, who lost 1-2 at home to Rubin Kazan two weeks ago in one of the biggest surprises in the competition’s history, now travel to play the Russian club again in wintry conditions expected to fall to minus 10º Celsius. After three rounds of games, Group F is the closest of the eight.
Barcelona, Dynamo Kiev and Rubin have four points each and Inter Milan — more than two wins clear in the Italian League — are last with three.
While Barcelona travel to Rubin, unbeaten Inter also have a long journey to Kiev aiming to end a run of three straight group draws.
The omens aren’t good for Barca.
The defending champions go to Rubin after a 1-1 draw with Osasuna in the La Liga and lost to the Russian side two weeks ago after a 0-0 draw with Valencia. Coach Pep Guardiola’s team has won their other seven league games and are top of the Spanish standings but don’t respond well to draws.
Barcelona’s position are nowhere near as bad as Liverpool’s. Two defeats in a row in Group E to Fiorentina and Lyon have left Liverpool third in the standings, six behind the French side and three behind the Italian club. Saturday’s 1-3 defeat to Fulham were also their fifth in the Premier League.
Liverpool have lost six out of their last seven matches in all competitions but manager Rafa Benitez is convinced his team will turn their season around.
Victories for Lyon and Fiorentina would put the French team through.
That would also mean that Liverpool will have to win their final two games, including a victory over Fiorentina by a three-goal margin, and hope that the Italian club doesn’t pick up another point at home to Lyon.
Arsenal and Olympiakos would both qualify by winning their Group H games on Wednesday. The Gunners, fresh from domestic victories over Liverpool and Tottenham, host Dutch champion AZ Alkmaar and Olympiakos visit last place Standard Liege and victories will put them out of reach.