Champions League permutations: what remains to be decided? | News Today

Much remains to be decided across the continent in the elite club competition in Europe as teams battle to reserve their places in the round of 16.

While a number of teams have already secured a spot in the knockout first round, they will be eager to secure their respective groups’ top spot and, in theory, an easier pass, hopefully. to the quarter-finals.

Here Standard Sport examines all permutations before the last round of the group stage matches …

Paris Saint-Germain vs Club Brugge

Manchester City have already secured the headliner of Group A thanks to their comeback victory over PSG at the Etihad a fortnight ago.

The French giants are assured of the finalist spot, but the battle is on between Leipzig and Bruges to see who will take part in the Europa League in the New Year.

Leipzig are currently in third place and will head to the Europa League if they beat City, while a draw would be enough if Club Brugge don’t beat PSG.

Defeats for both would obviously see Leipzig finish third, while Brugge have to beat or draw with PSG and hope that City face Leipzig in Germany.

FC Porto v Atlético Madrid

Like their domestic title rivals City, Liverpool have already qualified for the last 16 as a group winner – but the other three teams here can still hope to reach the last 16.

Porto are in the driver’s seat and will claim a home win against Atletico tonight, while a draw will be enough if Milan don’t beat a Liverpool side who will turn their starting XI strongly with a guaranteed first place and a festive schedule. charge. before.

Atletico, meanwhile, have to beat Porto and hope Milan don’t topple Liverpool, while Milan will be in the last 16 if they win and Porto and Atletico draw at Estadio do Dragao.

Borussia Dortmund v Besiktas

Group C is very simple – everything is already decided. Ajax cannot be passed at the top and Sporting CP are assured of second place.

Meanwhile, Borussia Dortmund will finish third and head to the Europa League with Besiktas assured of ending the campaign bottom.

Real Madrid vs Inter Milan

Shakhtar Donetsk vs. Sheriff Tiraspol

Real Madrid have already reserved their place for the round of 16 and will advance as group winners – as long as they don’t lose to Inter Milan at the Bernabeu tonight.

Inter would jump over Los Blancos with a victory, while Moldovan minnows Sheriff Tiraspol are already assured of third place. Shakhtar cannot quit fourth place.

Bayern Munich v Barcelona

Bayern Munich finished first in Group E and will be joined in the last 16 by Barcelona – as long as the Catalans don’t lose to Bayern and Benfica beat Dynamo Kiev.

If Benfica win and Barca don’t, then it’s Europa League ignominy for Xavi and Co at Camp Nou.

Dynamo Kiev, like their Ukrainian compatriot Shakhtar, will finish at the bottom of the group.

Manchester United’s head-to-head record against Villarreal means they are assured of top spot in Group F.

Villarreal must win or draw against Atalanta to qualify, while Atalanta will progress if they win at El Madrigal on Wednesday.

If Atalanta is beaten and Young Boys manage to win at Old Trafford, the Swiss side will take third place.

Everything is to be played in Group G!

Lille are currently in the lead with just one point and will retain that place if they win in Wolfsburg or draw in Germany and Salzburg do not beat Sevilla.

Salzburg will finish first if they win and Lille don’t, while a draw will be enough to see them through.

Sevilla will go through with a win and can win the group if Lille are beaten, while Wolfsburg will also go through with a win. If that happens and Salzburg and Sevilla draw, then Wolfsburg will be top of the group after starting the final week of the game in fourth position.

Chelsea have already qualified after the demolition of Juventus at Stamford Bridge and will seal the top spot if they beat Zenit, or if they draw in Russia and Juve don’t beat Malmö.

Holders Thomas Tuchel can afford to lose to Zenit if Juventus lose to Malmö.

Juve are also qualified and will be top of the group if they win and Chelsea do not, or if they draw and Chelsea are beaten by Zenit.

Zenit will finish third, while Malmo is guaranteed to finish at the bottom.