We’ve reached the final round of group games in the UEFA Champions League with much to play for ahead of the midweek action.
Ahead of Matchday 6, we’ve looked at who’s through to the round of 16, and who can still make it.
Group A
- Bayern Munich – 13 points
- Copenhagen – 5 points
- Galatasaray – 5 points
- Manchester United – 4 points
Final fixtures: Manchester United vs Bayern Munich, Copenhagen vs Galatasaray
Bayern Munich are guaranteed their place in the last 16 as group winners, having progressed in comfortable fashion. As winners, the German champions will be seeded for the last-16 draw and play the second leg of their tie at home.
It’s an open race to see who finishes as runners-up. Copenhagen and Galatasaray meet in Denmark, with the victors assured of a place in the knockout rounds. A draw would see Copenhagen through, provided Manchester United do not beat Bayern Munich in the other fixture.
Manchester United must win and hope the result of Copenhagen vs Galatasaray is a draw to progress.
Group B
- Arsenal – 12 points
- PSV – 8 points
- Lens – 5 points
- Sevilla – 2 points
Final fixtures: PSV vs Arsenal, Lens vs Sevilla
Almost everything is settled in Group B, with Arsenal through as group winners and PSV confirmed as runners-up. Lens can not overhaul PSV, regardless of results on Matchday 6, due to the Dutch side’s superior head-to-head record.
Sevilla must beat Lens in France to overhaul the Ligue 1 side and secure entry into the Europa League.
???? 52 goals scored
????️ 6 goals conceded
???? 100% win rate @PSV in Eredivisie this season ????#UCL pic.twitter.com/5AvdNLyRLn— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) December 8, 2023
Group C
- Real Madrid – 15 points
- Napoli – 7 points
- Braga – 4 points
- Union Berlin – 2 points
Final fixtures: Napoli vs Braga, Union Berlin vs Real Madrid
Five straight wins have sealed Real Madrid’s passage as group winners, while Napoli can join the 14-time winners if they avoid defeat at home to Braga. A win for Braga, by two or more goals, would see the Portuguese side overhaul Napoli and progress.
Union Berlin can move above Braga and secure Europa League football, if the Germans can beat Real Madrid, and Braga lose in Naples. Napoli are guaranteed at least Europa League football.
Group D
- Real Sociedad – 11 points
- Inter Milan – 11 points
- Red Bull Salzburg – 4 points
- Benfica – 1 point
Final fixtures: Inter Milan vs Real Sociedad, Red Bull Salzburg vs Benfica
Real Sociedad and Inter Milan are safely through, with who tops the group all that’s left to decide as the teams meet at the San Siro. Inter require a win to top the group, due to an inferior goal difference and a draw in the first encounter between the teams.
Red Bull Salzburg are in pole position to earn a Europa League spot, as Benfica visit Austria. Benfica need to win by two or more goals for the Portuguese side to climb into third, via goals scored.
Four knockout stage spots still up for grabs ????#UCL pic.twitter.com/ZxhiJZWUrU
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) December 11, 2023
Group E
- Atletico Madrid – 11 points
- Lazio – 10 points
- Feyenoord – 6 points
- Celtic – 1 points
Final fixtures: Atletico Madrid vs Lazio, Celtic vs Feyenoord
Atletico Madrid and Lazio are through, with only top spot left to decide. Lazio must win in Spain on Matchday Six to move above Atletico at the summit. Feyenoord are already guaranteed a place in the Europe League ahead of their trip to Celtic.
Group F
- Borussia Dortmund – 10 points
- Paris Saint-Germain – 7 points
- Newcastle – 5 points
- AC Milan – 5 points
Final fixtures: Borussia Dortmund vs PSG, Newcastle vs AC Milan
Borussia Dortmund were bottom of the group after two games, but three consecutive wins have booked the Germans a place in the knockout rounds. A positive result against PSG will see the Bundesliga side through as group winners, but defeat would allow the French champions to overhaul them at the top.
PSG must win to be guaranteed of their place in the last 16. Defeat or a draw, coupled with a Newcastle win against AC Milan, would eliminate the Parisians.
Both Newcastle and Milan, who meet on Matchday 6, need to win to have any chance of progress. Newcastle will go through if they win and PSG fail to do so, while Milan require a PSG defeat and a victory of their own at St James’ Park.
PSG are assured of at least a place in the Europa League. Newcastle will take that spot should PSG win and the Magpies avoid defeat to AC Milan. Milan will claim the Europa League position if the Italians beat Newcastle, and PSG avoid defeat at Borussia Dortmund.
Still with us?
Group G
- Manchester City – 15 points
- RB Leipzig – 9 points
- Young Boys – 4 points
- Red Star Belgrade – 1 point
Final fixtures: RB Leipzig vs Young Boys, Red Star Belgrade vs Manchester City
Five straight wins have sent Manchester City through as group winners, with the holders having made light work of Group G. Leipzig will join them in the knockout rounds after guaranteeing a runners-up finish.
Young Boys have claimed the Europa League position after a 2-0 win over Red Star Belgrade on Matchday 5.
⚽️⚽️⚽️#UCL pic.twitter.com/WsJHkzM7e6
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) December 11, 2023
Group H
- Barcelona – 12 points
- Porto – 9 points
- Shakhtar Donetsk – 9 points
- Royal Antwerp – 1 points
Final fixtures: Porto vs Shakhtar Donetsk, Antwerp vs Barcelona
Barcelona are through and will claim top spot if the Spanish side avoid defeat at already eliminated Antwerp. Even defeat looks likely to confirm Barcelona as group winners, barring a Shakhtar Donetsk win and a seven-goal swing in goal difference.
Porto and Shakhtar meet, level on nine points. The winner will join Barcelona in the last 16, while a draw will be enough to send Porto through. Each are guaranteed at least Europa League football in the new year.
Round up:
Through to round of 16: Arsenal*, Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich*, Borussia Dortmund, Inter, Lazio, Leipzig, Man City*, PSV, Real Madrid*, Real Sociedad.
*Group winners
Cannot finish in top two: Antwerp, Benfica, Celtic, Red Star Belgrade, Feyenoord, Lens, Salzburg, Sevilla, Union Berlin, Young Boys.
Read – The five youngest players to reach 150 Premier League games
See more – Michael Owen Exclusive: England icon talks to The Football Faithful
