The Champions League group stage has reached the midway level and by now groups know whether or not they’re in a fantastic spot to qualify for the final 16 knockouts – or face an uphill battle of their closing three fixtures.
Tuesday and Wednesday nights from this level onwards can go from thrilling to anxious in a short time, with outcomes elsewhere additionally impacting on whether or not golf equipment would possibly want a constructive end result on the street or a shock upset in certainly one of their hardest video games.
Right here we concentrate on what the Premier League quartet of Manchester United, Manchester Metropolis, Arsenal and Newcastle United have to do of their respective teams to undergo, together with Scottish facet Celtic and the remainder of Europe’s elite.
Group A
Bayern Munich are flying on the high and a win on matchday 4 (MD4) will assure development. It’s nonetheless up for grabs for a top-two end between the opposite three golf equipment.
Man United are third, one level behind Galatasaray who beat them at Previous Trafford, so job No.1 is to make it a double over Copenhagen on MD4. In the event that they try this and Bayern win in opposition to the Turkish facet, a attract Istanbul subsequent trip will guarantee United go into the ultimate sport in second place.
Group B
Arsenal are high regardless of slipping up at house to Lens on MD2. If they will beat Sevilla on the Emirates Stadium this week, they’ll be inside touching distance of the final 16.
Behind them, Lens are second however there’s not a lot to decide on between themselves, PSV and Sevilla. The Dutch facet realistically have to beat the French outfit in MD3 to bunch up the race.
Group C
The group which seems to be essentially the most set at this stage. Actual Madrid are high and unbeaten, with Napoli second. Braga and Union Berlin, who’re pointless, are doubtless preventing for third and a Europa League spot.
Group D
One other clear hierarchy group, with Actual Sociedad and Inter Milan tied on the high on seven factors apiece. Salzburg and Benfica will struggle for third, until a shock end result or two crops up rapidly.
Group E
Celtic earned a degree at house to Atletico Madrid on MD3 however a thrashing within the reverse means their hopes of any European soccer within the new 12 months are all however extinguished. Celtic have to win each their final two and hope Feyenoord lose them each, in any other case they’ll end final.
Atleti at the moment are high, with Lazio one level again and Feyenoord sitting an extra one behind in third, so video games between the Spanish membership and people two rivals will nonetheless dictate the highest two.
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Group F
The tightest quartet of all, however it’s wanting very robust for Newcastle United, who sit backside after MD4, although solely three factors off Borussia Dortmund in first.
Again-to-back wins for the Germans over the Magpies means Eddie Howe’s crew realistically have to beat each AC Milan and PSG, whereas the MD5 Milan vs Dortmund conflict will nearly actually dictate who goes by way of from that pair. PSG have work to do themselves however profitable at house to Newcastle will go a great distance in the direction of placing them by way of.
Group G
A simple experience to date for Man Metropolis, who’ve already assured themselves passage to the final 16. RB Leipzig are additionally by way of and simply high spot stays to struggle for, with Crimson Star and Younger Boys incomes only one level every by way of MD4.
Group H
Porto and Barcelona are the highest two with three wins from 4 every, however Shakhtar’s shock win over the Spanish membership on MD4 retains them within the working, three factors again in third. Antwerp are out of the working after 4 straight defeats.