Soccer

UEFA Europa League 2011, Matchday 6 Preview: PSG-Athletic And Udinese-Celtic The Biggest Games

Paris Saint-Germain and Celtic need wins on the final matchday of the UEFA Europa League group stage, while Fulham control their own destiny and Tottenham Hotspur need a miracle.

by Kim McCauley

Dec 13, 2011, 8:44 PM UTC

There are a number of groups with spots up for grabs on the final matchday of the UEFA Europa League group stage, some of them involving the competition's biggest teams. Paris Saint-Germain likely need to defeat Athletic Bilbao to have a chance to advance, while Celtic cannot advance with anything but a win over Udinese. Elsewhere, Tottenham Hotspur need a miracle, while Lazio and Fulham both have some work left to do.

PSG-Athletic is perhaps the best of the early matches on Wednesday. The Basque side have already locked up first place in Group F, but PSG are currently tied for second with SV Salzburg and behind on goal difference. They’ll need a home win at Parc des Princes to feel good about their chances at going through, but they can get through with a draw if they get some serious help.

For Celtic, nothing but a win will do. They travel to Fruili behind Udinese by three points and must go for the jugular. Udinese, while playing a B team, got a draw against Celtic at Celtic Park when they met earlier in the group stage, so progression to the next round seems like a longshot for the Bhoys.

In Group A, Tottenham Hotspur can only go through if PAOK Salonika defeat Rubin Kazan and they make up a five-goal difference between the two results. Lazio host Sporting Lisbon at the Olimpico and need a big result, as they’re currently tied with FC Vaslui on six points in Group D. In Group K, Fulham can guarantee progression with a home win over Odense BK.