How teams can qualify for the knockout rounds
The UEFA Champions League group stage is reaching its conclusion, with all eight groups starting to take shape.
This is the final season of the multigroup format, before it becomes a 36-team competition with all clubs in one league table.
We take a look at who is through and how can still seal their places on matchday six.
The top two teams in each group qualify for the round of 16, the third-placed clubs drop into the Europa League knockout playoff round, and those who finish bottom are eliminated.
Qualified for round of 16 (12/16): Manchester City, RB Leipzig, Real Madrid, Inter Milan, Real Sociedad, Bayern Munich, Barcelona, Borussia Dortmund, Atletico Madrid, Lazio, Arsenal, PSV Eindhoven
Eliminated (10/16): Union Berlin, FC Salzburg, Benfica, Celtic, Antwerp, Young Boys, Red Star Belgrade, Feyenoord, Sevilla, Lens
Tiebreakers:
1) Points
2) Head-to-head points in games involving the tied teams
3) Goal difference in head-to-head matches involving the tied teams
4) Goals scored in head-to-head matches involving the tied teams
— If the above tiebreaker initially involves 3 or 4 teams, it is reapplied to resolve any remaining tiebreaker among fewer clubs
5) Goal difference in all group matches
6) Goals scored in all group matches
7) Away goals scored in all group matches
8) Wins in all group matches
9) Away wins in all group matches
10) Disciplinary points
11) UEFA club coefficient.
This page will be updated throughout the final rounds of the group stage.
Group permutations
Group A
Remaining fixtures
Dec. 12: Manchester United vs. Bayern Munich, FC Copenhagen vs. Galatasaray
Bayern Munich have qualified as group winners.
FC Copenhagen are guaranteed to qualify in second with a win, or with a draw if Manchester United draw or lose.
Galatasaray have to beat FC Copenhagen, which will secure second place.
Manchester United have to beat Bayern and hope FC Copenhagen vs. Galatasaray is a draw. However, United are guaranteed at least a place in the Europa League if they win.
Group B
Remaining fixtures
Dec. 12: PSV Eindhoven vs. Arsenal, Lens vs. Sevilla
Arsenal went through and sealed first place in the group with a 6-0 win at home to Lens.
Arsenal’s victory also ensured PSV Eindhoven advanced, as the Eredivisie side hold the head to head over Lens.
Lens need a win or draw at home to Sevilla to move into the Europa League.
Sevilla must beat Lens to climb up to third and continue in Europe.
Group C
Remaining fixtures
Dec. 12: Union Berlin vs. Real Madrid, Napoli vs. Braga
Real Madrid have qualified for the round of 16 and have topped the group.
Napoli will be through with a win, draw or one-goal defeat at home to Braga.
Braga must win by 2+ goals away to Napoli to finish in second place.
Union Berlin have been eliminated and must win at home to Real Madrid and hope Braga lose to Napoli to make the Europa League.
Group D
Remaining fixtures
Dec. 12: Internazionale vs. Real Sociedad, FC Salzburg vs. Benfica
Real Sociedad and Inter Milan have both qualified for the round of 16.
Top spot will be decided when the two teams meet in Italy on the final night. Real Sociedad will top the group with a win or draw, Inter require a victory.
FC Salzburg hold the Europa League place, and they will secure it if they win or draw against Benfica, or if they lose by one goal.
Benfica must beat FC Salzburg by 2+ goals to make the Europa League.
Group E
Remaining fixtures
Dec. 13: Atletico Madrid vs. Lazio, Celtic vs. Feyenoord
Atletico Madrid and Lazio have qualified and face each other in Spain on Matchday 6. Atletico will top the group with a win or draw, while Lazio need a victory.
Feyenoord will drop into the Europa League knockout playoff round
Celtic have been eliminated from Europe.
Group F
Remaining fixtures
Dec. 13: Newcastle United vs. AC Milan, Borussia Dortmund vs. Paris Saint-Germain
Borussia Dortmund have qualified and will top the group with a win or draw at home to PSG.
Paris Saint-Germain must win in Germany to be sure of going through — which will also see them top the group.
PSG can only go through with a draw if AC Milan win or draw.
PSG can only go through with a loss if Newcastle-AC Milan is a draw.
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Newcastle United must win and hope PSG draw or lose. If the two teams are level, Newcastle will finish second on head to head.
AC Milan must win and hope PSG lose. If the two teams are level, PSG will finish second on head to head.
If Newcastle and Milan draw, Newcastle will drop into the Europa League on goal difference.
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Group G
Remaining fixtures
Dec. 13: RB Leipzig vs. Young Boys, Red Star Belgrade vs. Manchester City
Manchester City have won the group with a 100% record.
RB Leipzig go through in second place.
Young Boys will drop into the Europa League in the New Year.
Red Star Belgrade are out of Europe.
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Group H
Remaining fixtures
Dec. 13: Antwerp vs. Barcelona, FC Porto vs. Shakhtar Donetsk
Barcelona sit on top of the group and are through to the round of 16. They will win the group unless they lose in Antwerp, and Shakhtar beat FC Porto while overtaking Barca on goal difference. As Barca hold a goal difference advantage of seven this is unlikely.
FC Porto and Shakhtar meet in Portugal level on points.
FC Porto won the first meeting of the sides so will be through with a win or draw, though they cannot win the group. Shakhtar Donetsk must win to progress.
Antwerp have been eliminated.
