It is Matchday 4 and the group stage of the UEFA Champions League is gradually reaching the business end. We run the rule on the teams who are likely to qualify in this round of matches with two games to spare. Is your club among them? Check here…
Group A: Leipzig (0 points) vs PSG (7); Manchester City (6) vs. Club Brugge (4)
Dubbed the group of two heavyweights, PSG have the brighter chance of going through ahead of City who sit just two points above their opponents for tomorrow’s game.
Permutations:
• If Leipzig loses to Paris or draws and City beats Club Brugge, they will not be able to finish in the top two, but they will still be able to qualify for the UEFA Europa League.
Group B: AC Milan (0 points) vs Porto (4); Liverpool (9) vs Atlético Madrid (4)
Ultimately, the fight for second spot will be between Atletico Madrid and Porto but Liverpool can go through tomorrow with a solitary point at Anfield.
Permutations:
• If Liverpool defeats Atlético, or if they draw and Porto defeats Milan, they will advance to the round of 16. If Liverpool wins and Porto loses, they will clinch first place.
• If Milan loses against Porto or draws and Atlético Madrid beats Liverpool, they will not be able to finish in the top two. If Milan loses and Atlético wins, they will be relegated to fourth place and out of contention for a UEFA Europa League participation.
Group C: Dortmund (6 points) vs. Ajax (9); Sporting (3) vs. Beşiktaş (0)
Ajax are in pole position to qualify if they get the better of Dortmund.
Permutations:
• If Ajax win at Dortmund, or if they draw and Sporting do not beat Beşiktaş, they will advance to the round of 16. If Ajax wins and Sporting loses, Ajax will be crowned champions.
Group D: Sheriff (6 points) vs Inter (4); Real Madrid (6) vs. Shakhtar Donetsk (1)
No team will be able to qualify for the next round on Matchday 4 given the current standings.
Permutations:
• If Shakhtar loses to Madrid and Sheriff beats Inter, they will not be able to finish in the top two, but they will still be able to qualify for the UEFA Europa League.
Group E: Bayern (9 points) vs Benfica (4); Dynamo Kyiv (1) vs Barcelona (3)
Expectedly Bayern Munich are setting the pace in this group with a perfect nine points and are all but through to the next round. Barcelona, on the other hand, reel from one trouble to the other and may put their qualification hopes in doubt if they fail to win today.
Permutations:
• If Bayern does not lose to Benfica, they will advance to the round of 16. If Bayern wins and Barcelona loses, they will be confirmed in first position.
• If Dynamo loses against Barcelona and Benfica does not lose to Bayern, they will not be able to finish in the top two, but they will still be able to qualify for the UEFA Europa League.
Group F: Villarreal (4 points) vs Young Boys (3); Atalanta (4) Manchester United (6)
With just two points separating leaders Manchester United from the teams in second and third place and with the fourth-placed team a further point behind, the group is deadlocked and likely to go down to the wire before the qualifiers are known.
Permutations:
• On Matchday 4, nothing can be decided.
Group G: Sevilla (3points) vs. LOSC Lille (2); Wolfsburg (2) vs. Salzburg (7)
Surprise leaders Salzburg are on the cusp of qualifying for the next round while the other three must wait a bit to know their fate.
Permutations:
• If Salzburg defeats Wolfsburg, they will advance to the round of 16.
Group H: Juventus (9 points) vs Zenit (3), Malmö (0) vs Chelsea (6)
Dodgy at home but perfect in Europe, Juventus are within touching distance of the next stage while reigning champions Chelsea could also scale through with a win in Sweden.
Permutations:
• If Juventus avoids defeat against Zenit, they will advance to the round of 16.
• If Malmö does not beat Chelsea, they will not be able to finish in the top two, but they will still be able to qualify for the UEFA Europa League.
