Stevens wants first place for Schalke

Huub Stevens says Schalke are aiming to beat Montpellier and finish top of Champions League Group B, ahead of Arsenal.

Bundesliga side Schalke lead Group B with 11 points from five games played, and a win away to Ligue 1 champions Montpellier on matchday six will confirm top spot.

Both Schalke and Arsenal are guaranteed progression to the last 16, while third-placed Olympiakos have secured passage to the Europa League.

“My priority is to keep the lead in this group. In the knock-out round there are no weak teams, but by finishing first we might avoid some of the bigger ones,” Schalke coach Stevens said.

“We are here to win the game and the group. Things would be a bit different if we had to win to qualify, so I think that we will be a little bit more relaxed but still focused.

“Montpellier play good football. French football is usually quite skilful. Montpellier have less experience than the other teams in this group, but they showed in our first meeting that they are a quality team.”

Arsenal travel to Olympiakos in the other Group B match on Tuesday.