away to villa a very tough game lets hope we can get at least a point i have a couple of fitness issues but apart from that everyone is raring to go but in this competition i like to rotate my team as the league is my main aim
Aston Villa vs Brentford
We're into the home straight with this one as qualification and playoffs start to take shape. We currently sit third and with two home games to close out the group phase. It's an interesting round of fixtures with 2nd vs 1st, 3rd vs 6th and 5th vs 7th
We can't confirm top four qualification this round but a win would put us definitely 2nd and would ensure Brentford can't catch us. One of Al Ahly and Inter Miami would drop out of contention for us too which would mean we were confirmed top five. So there is a big reward for winning this one. A loss would almost certainly see us drop out of the top four and would leave automatic qualification out of our hands. So we want to make sure that doesn't happen. Even a draw is ok keeping it in our hands going up against Moterrey at home in the final game.
We have played Brentford in the league already this season and won at their ground. We did the same last season although they held us to a draw at Villa Park. So we know they can give us a good game and we have to make sure we setup correctly.
They have some fitness issues but have kept their best players fit for this one. It's the same for us with the normal rotation to be employed but no concerns outside that.
We will go in as favourites but take nothing for granted. A big game for us as we approach the end of this group.
Al Ahly vs Inter Miami
It is 5th vs 7th in what is a massive game in the top half of the table. Whoever loses this one will almost certainly not make the top four whilst the other takes a big step in that direction.
We finish with two home games but the top four is out of our hands. If we win both we will definitely finish fifth or higher but we will need someone else to slip up to guarantee it.
We know little about Inter Miami except they are managed by a very good gaffer in Jamma. Obviously the key for us is going to be to stop Messi. They are at full strength with some fitness rotation required but then so are we so no excuses anywhere
Overall we feel we have the better squad but there's a lot riding on this. Hopefully the long trip to Cairo will take it out of them and give us the advantage
With a bye last round Liverpool closed the gap to us at the top end of the table and now the clash for the top place plays out this evening, Unfortunately we are away so its likely we slip to second in the table as we face a couple of fitness issues aswell so rotation is needed to rest to fight in all competitions still. Hopefully it wont compromise the match to much and we could sneak a draw which could be the best result.
