Manchester United and Chelsea can both seal their places in the last 16 of the Champions League on Tuesday evening.
United have maximum points in Group A with three wins thus far, and they entertain pointless Benfica on Tuesday knowing if they win and CSKA Moscow fail to beat Basel – then they are into the knockout phase.
“Our aim is to qualify, ten points would be okay, but our main aim is to qualify first in the group. Benfica will give us a difficult match,” said Mourinho.
“They have their own ambition and pride and they will try to win, we just want to get to the last 16 by finishing first in the group.”
Chelsea task is a little simpler than United, as they know three points in the Italian capital against Roma will also seal their place in the next phase – no mater what other results are.
Antonio Conte’s side are unbeaten and he wants to make sure of qualification in his homeland although he is anticipating a tough clash at the Stadio Olimpico.
“We know that this game will be tough. In the first game that we played at home, I think, at the end, it was a good result,” he said.
“But for sure, I’d like to play better and we will try to do this in the game against Roma.
In Group B and Celtic could see their top-two hopes disappear with defeat to Bayern Munich.
Brendan Rodgers’s side are just three points off the Greman giants, but if they lose and Paris Saint Germain beat Anderlecht – then they would be out.
But Rodgers believes his side are capable of claiming another famous Parkhead scalp and said: “We want to get a result and we have to show we have the qualities to do that. We always think we have a great chance at home.”
Elsewhere, in Group D – Barcelona and Juventus will seal their places in the last 16 if they win at Olympiakos and Sporting Lisbon, respectively.
See below for a run-down on the games, including predictions from leading agent Barry Silkman and our own Football Insider Graeme Bailey together with everything you need to know from the bookies – with BoyleSports’s Leon Blanche.
GROUP A
Manchester United 19:45 Benfica
Old Trafford
TEAM NEWS: Paul Pogba, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Marouane Fellaini and Marcos Rojo are all sidelined for United, whilst Michael Carrick is a major doubt. The away side have Luisao and Andre Almeida suspended.
KEY FACT: Benfica on worst ever run of four European losses
MATCH ODDS: Man Utd 4/11 Draw 15/4 Benfica 17/2
GRAEME SAYS: Comfortable United win here, don’t see Benfica getting near them…2-0
SILKY SAYS: I believe Benfica will give them a good game but home win…2-1
BOYLESPORTS PICK: Man United to win to nil @21/20
FOOTBALLIndex – One to follow: Marcus Rashford is looking the real deal now and under £4 is a great buy
GROUP B
Celtic 19:45 Bayern Munich
Celtic Park
TEAM NEWS: Patrick Roberts, Jozo Simunovic, Erik Sviatchenko and Tony Ralston are all sidelined for Celtic. For Bayern, Juan Bernat, Franck Ribery, Thomas Muller and Robert Lewandowski are all injured.
KEY FACT: Sides drew 0-0 in only past meeting in Glasgow, in 2003
MATCH ODDS: Celtic 15/2 Draw 4/1 Bayern 4/11
GRAEME SAYS: I think Celtic could give this a good go, maybe not the win but a draw…1-1
SILKY SAYS: I can see this being similar to the away leg, comfortable Bayern win…0-3
BOYLESPORTS PICK: Celtic +2 @4/5
FOOTBALLIndex – One to follow: Thiago – looks a great buy at under £3
GROUP C
Roma 19:45 Chelsea
Stadio Olimpico
TEAM NEWS: Rick Karsdorp, Patrik Schick and Bruno Peres miss out for Roma and Kostas Manolas and Gregoire Defrel are doubtful. The only definite absentee for Chelsea is Victor Moses.
KEY FACT: Chelsea have lost last three UEFA away games in Italy
MATCH ODDS: Roma 13/8 Draw 12/5 Chelsea 17/10
GRAEME SAYS: This will be a good game, and I can see Chelsea edging it…1-2
SILKY SAYS: Two good teams, can see this playing out as a draw…1-1
BOYLESPORTS PICK: Draw @12/5
FOOTBALLIndex – One to follow: At £3.46, Alvaro Morata looks a great prospect for any portfolio