Liverpool will swap North West England for the South of France, Chelsea will welcome a Cypriot invasion of West London, whilst PSV make the journey over the North Sea to face Newcastle as the Champions League resumes this week

Just two points separate the three English Premier League clubs going into this round of games, with all three outside of the all-important automatic qualification spots.

The table remains competitive, however, as a win for all three sides would see them secure a place in the play-offs, should other results fall in their favour.

Automatic qualification remains a possibility, albeit an unlikely one for Newcastle and Chelsea, who both face tricky opposition in their final match.

Marseille vs Liverpool match preview

Manager Arne Slot’s machine has stopped paying out in recent weeks, well, unless you count winning back your stake as a win.

Draws have been the recurring theme of Liverpool’s last few games, notably at home to Leeds, Sunderland and Burnley.

Throw stalemates versus Fulham and Arsenal in there and you have six draws from nine English Premier League matches.

But where better than to turn your fortunes around than Southern France, though admittedly, Marseille won’t be an easy game.

Following consecutive wins over Newcastle and Royale Union Saint-Gilliose, the Ligue 1 side will know that a win would see them go level on points with Liverpool going into the final game of the League Phase.

Former Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been instrumental for Marsille in this competition, contributing to eight goals so far this season.

Chelsea vs Pafos match preview

Pafos face more than a stark contrast in weather, as they travel from Cyprus to West London to take on a Chelsea side who are unbeaten in 14 home Champions League matches Group/League phase fixtures.

New Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior will take charge of his first Champions League game too, hoping to add to his two wins from three games.

A win would see Chelsea climb up to 12 points, a total which would likely secure them a place in the play-offs.
Pafos will need to overcome a recent habit of conceding exactly two goals in five of their last seven games on the road, if they are to leave Stamford Bridge with a positive result.

Though this won’t be easy, given the depth of talent in Chelsea’s squad which – at the best of times – resembles rush hour on the tube.

They have players all over the place and good ones at that, meaning that whichever way Rosenior sets up his team, they will be a tough nut to crack.

Newcastle vs PSV match preview

Newcastle’s habit of making things far more difficult than it should be knows no bounds, as they drew 0-0 with bottom of the table Wolves, in last weekend’s English Premier League game.

It was another disappointing defeat on the road, adding to two results in this competition – against Marseille and Bayer Leverkusen – where they led the game and failed to win.

They will welcome a return to St James’ Park where they have lost just one of their last 14 competitive matches, but this did come in last week’s Carabao Cup Semi-Final first leg defeat to Manchester City.

Manager Eddie Howe will hope that both Anthony Gordon and Harvey Barnes continue their good form in this competition, with the wingers recording seven and five goal contributions respectively.

PSV have shown themselves to be no pushovers though, having demolished Liverpool at Anfield earlier this campaign.

READ NEXT: Jamie Carragher demands ‘special’ appointment as Man Utd shortlist emerges