MX23RW : Tuesday, March 19 02:55:45| >> :60:2500:2500:

Champions League: Tonight's permutations

As the Champions League group stage draws to a close, we take a look at which clubs still have something to play for tonight.

This season's Champions League has reached the final round of group fixtures.

While there are a number of teams who have already booked their places in the last 16 of the competition, other clubs still have plenty to play for, including who will claim top spot.

Four groups will be concluded tonight and below Sports Mole has analysed the permutations for each of them.

GROUP A

They may have stuttered in the Premier League, but David Moyes's Manchester United have already sealed their spot in the knockout stages. There is still plenty riding on the clash against Shakhtar Donetsk, though, with the summit up for grabs.

A victory or a draw will secure it for the English champions, but a win for Shakhtar at Old Trafford will see them leapfrog their hosts.

Sami Hyypia's Bayer Leverkusen are not out of the equation, either. While they cannot win the group, they will finish second with a victory over Real Sociedad, but Shakhtar must also fail to beat United.

As for Sociedad, they will finish bottom regardless of the outcome in San Sebastian.

FIXTURES: Man United vs. Shakhtar Donetsk, Real Sociedad vs. Bayer Leverkusen

Man United striker Wayne Rooney celebrates scoring his second goal against Bayer Leverkusen on September 17, 2013© Getty Images

GROUP B

Real Madrid are over the hill and far away in this group. Having won four and drawn one of their five fixtures, they are seven points clear at the top.

The Spanish giants travel to FC Copenhagen, who even with a victory cannot qualify for the next round because Juventus and Galatasaray have a better head-to-head record. Nevertheless, the Danes could nail down a place in the Europa League with a win.

As for Juve and Gala, it's a straight shootout. They meet in Istanbul, where the winner will secure the runners-up spot. The draw favours the Italian side, who currently occupy second place.

FIXTURES: Copenhagen vs. Real Madrid, Galatasaray vs. Juventus

Galatasaray's forward Didier Drogba celebrates after scoring during the group B Champions League football match Juventus vs Galatasaray, on October 2, 2013© Getty Images

GROUP C

Like Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain are comfortable at the top of the standings, having collected 13 points from a possible 15.

Laurent Blanc's side make the trip to Benfica with the Portuguese outfit still in contention for second spot. For that to happen, they would need to better the result that Olympiacos achieve at home against Anderlecht.

As for the Belgian club, they have already been eliminated and cannot even qualify for the Europa League.

FIXTURES: Benfica vs. PSG, Olympiacos vs. Anderlecht

Paris Saint-Germain's Zlatan Ibrahimovic celebrates after scoring the opening goal against Olympiakos during their Champions League group match on November 27, 2013© AFP

GROUP D

In terms of qualification, this group is settled. Bayern Munich and Manchester City both know that they will remain in the tournament after Christmas, but who finish top is still to be decided.

The two sides will meet at the Allianz Arena, with the odds stacked firmly in Bayern's favour. City need to win by at least two goals to topple Pep Guardiola's side.

In the other fixture, Viktoria Plzen must beat CSKA Moscow 1-0, 2-1 or by two goals or more to secure their place in the Europa League.

FIXTURES: Bayern vs. Man City, Plzen vs. CSKA

Franck Ribery celebrates after scoring against Manchester City during the Champions League match on October 2, 2013© Getty Images

ID:123348: cacheID:123348:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:9216:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Peter Crouch of Stoke celebrates after scoring a goal to level the scores at 1-1 during the Barclays Premier League match between Stoke City and Chelsea at Britannia Stadium on December 7, 2013
Read Next:
Premier League in numbers: Week 15
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal28204470244664
2Liverpool28197265263964
3Manchester CityMan City28196363283563
4Aston Villa29175760421856
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs28165759421753
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd28152113939047
7West Ham UnitedWest Ham2912894650-444
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2811985044642
9Wolverhampton WanderersWolves28125114244-241
10Newcastle UnitedNewcastle281241259481140
11Chelsea27116104745239
12Fulham29115134344-138
13Bournemouth2898114152-1135
14Crystal Palace2878133348-1529
15Brentford2975174154-1326
16Everton2887132939-1025
17Luton TownLuton2957174260-1822
18Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest2967163551-1621
19Burnley2945202963-3417
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd2835202474-5014

Subscribe to our newsletter


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!