Arsenal will take a big step towards qualifying for the quarter-finals for the first time if they beat Spartak Moscow as expected at Highbury tonight. Apart from a League Cup defeat to Ipswich, when Arsene Wenger fielded a reserve side, Arsenal have not lost at home for over a year, and Spartak Moscow are unlikely to end that record.
Although the Russians beat Arsenal 4-1 in Moscow in November, their domestic midwinter break and their poor Champions League form suggests nothing but an Arsenal win, although the home side must guard against complacency.
Spartak have not scored another goal in three Champions League matches since beating Arsenal.
Wenger's only injury worry is a knock on the ankle picked up by defender Ashley Cole against West Ham. If he is unfit, Nelson Vivas could play at left-back.
Despite three straight defeats, Spartak could still reach the last eight with wins over Arsenal and Lyon in their last two matches. But coach Oleg Romantsev is forced to reshuffle his defence as sweeper Dmitry Ananko is suspended.
Meanwhile, in the other Group C match, Bayern, after struggling in the Bundesliga with a shock 3-2 defeat at unfancied Hansa Rostock on Saturday, need just one point to secure a place in the last eight again.
The German champions travel to in-form Olympique Lyon, who need to win their last two matches to make it to the quarter-finals at the expense of Arsenal.
Coach Ottmar Hitzfeld should make few chances to the team who lost in Rostock. Jens Jeremies, who looked nervous, should keep the libero slot.
French wing-back Bixente Lizarazu is suspended and should be replaced by Michael Tarnat while striker Carsten Jancker was a doubtful starter because of back pain.
Lyon, by contrast, will be without four key players.
International striker Steve Marlet, Swiss defender Patrick Mueller and Cameroon midfielder Marc-Vivien Foe are all suspended while Brazilian sweeper Edmilson is on international duty.
Probable Teams
ARSENAL: Seaman; Dixon, Grimandi, Tony Adams, Cole; Parlour, Ljungberg, Vieira, Pires; Wiltord, Henry.
SPARTAK MOSCOW: Filimonov; Kovtun, Tchuisse, Parfyonov, Mitrevski, Vasily Baranov, Bulatov, Titov, Kalinichenko, Marcao or Irismetov, Robson.
Referee: R Pedersen (Norway)
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