December 7th, 2009 by Phil Lythell

All the major issues have been sorted out at the sharp end of Group D though there is still a question of pride to be resolved.

Chelsea have already qualified for the knockout stages of the UEFA Champions League as group winners after their 1-0 win at FC Porto a fortnight ago while the Portuguese champions have secured second place.

But there is a real scrap going on between Atletico Madrid and APOEL Nicosia for a third place finish and qualification for the UEFA Europa League.

The Spanish side currently have the edge by a single point and they must be heavily fancied to retain their position looking at the final round of fixtures. The Madrid side welcome Porto to the Vicente Calderon and will hope a strikeforce of Sergio Aguero and Diego Forlan will ensure their continuation in continental competition.

APOEL meanwhile face the daunting trip to Stamford Bridge. Carlo Ancelotti will doubtless field a weakened side with qualification already assured but having seen his team get beaten at Manchester City on Sunday the squad will be keen to get back to winning ways.

APOEL need to beat the Barclays Premier League leaders which conceivably should not happen but then nobody expected to see Besiktas win at Old Trafford. Even so, the smart money must be on Atletico.

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