Champions league R16: All you need to know ahead today, tomorrow’s showdown
The Uefa Champions League returns tonight with fixtures sure to be full of fireworks considering that the stakes are indeed high.
Six teams have already sealed their place in the last 16 with two games to spare, and nine more clubs have the chance to join them in the draw over the coming days.
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Some of Europe’s biggest names still have work to do to ensure that they will be in the hat at the turn of the year, while even in the groups where the top two has already been confirmed, there are things to fight for such as top spot and third place.
Here are some of the permutaions ahead of tonight’s clashes as well as Wednesday fixtures.
GROUP A
Already through: Bayern Munich
Already eliminated: None
Permutations:
Bayern Munich have already qualified for the last 16 as Group A winners.
Manchester United will be eliminated from the Champions League if they lose to Galatasaray, or if they draw and Copenhagen beat Bayern Munich.
GROUP B
Already through: None
Already eliminated: None
Permutations:
Arsenal will qualify for the last 16 if they avoid defeat at home to Lens. The Gunners could even have qualification assured before they kick off, should Sevilla beat PSV in the early game.
A win will be enough to secure Arsenal top spot in the group.
PSV Eindhoven will qualify if they beat Sevilla and Lens lose to Arsenal, due to their superior head-to-head record over the Ligue 1 side.
Lens would therefore be eliminated if they lose against Arsenal and PSV beat Sevilla.
Sevilla will be out of contention for a place in the Champions League last 16 if they lose.
GROUP C
Already through: Real Madrid
Already eliminated: Union Berlin
Permutations:
Real Madrid have already sealed their progress to the last 16, and would wrap up top spot in Group C if they avoid defeat to Napoli.
Napoli would advance if they beat Real Madrid, or if they draw and Braga fail to beat Union Berlin. Even a defeat could be enough for Napoli if Braga also lose.
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Braga will therefore be eliminated if they fail to better Napoli’s result.
Union Berlin are already out of the Champions League running, but need at least a draw against Braga to remain in contention for third place and a spot in the Europa League.
GROUP D
Already through: Real Sociedad, Inter Milan
Already eliminated: Red Bull Salzburg, Benfica
Permutations:
Real Sociedad and Inter Milan have both already qualified for the last 16. First place in Group D will only be decided when they face each other on the final day.
Red Bull Salzburg will secure third place and a spot in the Europa League if they better Benfica’s result.
GROUP E
Already through: None
Already eliminated: None
Permutations:
Atletico Madrid will qualify for the last 16 if they beat Feyenoord.
Lazio will advance if they beat Celtic and Feyenoord lose to Atletico Madrid.
Feyenoord would therefore be knocked out if they lose and Lazio win.
Celtic will be eliminated if they fail to win, or if Feyenoord beat Atletico.
GROUP F
Already through: None
Already eliminated: None
Permutations:
Borussia Dortmund will progress with a win against AC Milan.
Paris Saint-Germain will qualify if they beat Newcastle and Dortmund avoid defeat against Milan.
AC Milan would therefore be eliminated if they lose to Dortmund and PSG beat Newcastle.
Newcastle will be out of contention if they lose to PSG.
GROUP G
Already through: Manchester City, RB Leipzig
Already eliminated: Red Star Belgrade, Young Boys
Permutations:
Manchester City and RB Leipzig have already sealed their places in the last 16.
Man City will go through as group winners if they avoid defeat against Leipzig.
The winner of Young Boys vs. Red Star Belgrade will finish third and qualify for the Europa League. If that match ends as a draw, third place will go down to the final day.
GROUP H
Already through: None
Already eliminated: Antwerp
Permutations:
Barcelona will advance if they beat Porto. A draw could also be enough if Shakhtar Donetsk fail to beat Antwerp.
Porto will qualify with a win over Barcelona if Shakhtar fail to beat Antwerp. A draw could also be enough if Shakhtar lose their match.
Antwerp must win to stay in contention for third place in Group H.