The final games of the Champions League group stage in its current format are upon us.
While the subdued nature of the campaign – and plenty of group stages in years gone by – may not prompt many tears for its departure, the new bloated format littered with even more safety nets for the big clubs may prove to be even more unpopular.
Before endless talk about Swiss models commences next year, here’s what the Premier League clubs competing in this season’s competition need to qualify for the knockout stages.
|
Position |
Team |
Games played |
Wins |
Draws |
Losses |
Goal difference |
Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1. |
Arsenal |
4 |
3 |
0 |
1 |
+6 |
9 |
|
2. |
PSV |
4 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
-3 |
5 |
|
3. |
Lens |
4 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
5 |
|
4. |
Sevilla |
4 |
0 |
2 |
2 |
-3 |
2 |
Arsenal’s first season back in the Champions League since the days of Arsene Wenger has largely been successful. The club’s only group-stage defeat so far came on their trip to the coalfields of Lens in the second round of matches.
When the French side travel to the Emirates on Wednesday 29 November, Arsenal can not only exact some revenge but also have the opportunity to solidify their spot in the knockout stages. A point would be enough for the Gunners who can also advance in defeat if PSV Eindhoven lose to Sevilla on the same night.
Arsenal will guarantee top spot in Group B with a win, thereby ensuring that they come up against a second-placed side in the round of 16.
Arsenal’s remaining Champions League fixtures
|
Date / Kick-off time (GMT) |
Fixture |
|---|---|
|
29/11/23 – 20:00 |
Arsenal vs Lens |
|
12/12/23 – 17:45 |
PSV vs Arsenal |
|
Position |
Team |
Games played |
Wins |
Draws |
Losses |
Goal difference |
Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1. |
Man City |
4 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
+9 |
12 |
|
2. |
RB Leipzig |
4 |
3 |
0 |
1 |
+3 |
9 |
|
3. |
Red Star |
4 |
0 |
1 |
3 |
-5 |
1 |
|
4. |
Young Boys |
4 |
0 |
1 |
3 |
-7 |
1 |
Jack Grealish is billed as Manchester City’s 24-hour party person but it was Pep Guardiola demanding more celebrations after his side qualified for the knockout stages with two games to spare.
“People say: ‘Yeah, the group stage, it is easy,’ but you have to do it,” Guardiola pointed out.
City have made a faultless start to Group G. The reigning champions can cement first place by avoiding defeat to an RB Leipzig side that travel to the Etihad on Tuesday 28 November already assured of their participation in the knockout stages.
Guardiola’s side could even lose 1-0 to RB and still retain first place by virtue of a superior head-to-head record after swatting the Germans aside 3-1 in October.
Man City’s remaining Champions League fixtures
|
Date / Kick-off time (GMT) |
Fixture |
|---|---|
|
28/11/23 – 20:00 |
Man City vs RB Leipzig |
|
13/12/23 – 17:45 |
Red Star vs Man City |
|
Position |
Team |
Games played |
Wins |
Draws |
Losses |
Goal difference |
Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1. |
Bayern Munich |
4 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
+5 |
12 |
|
2. |
Copenhagen |
4 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
-1 |
4 |
|
3. |
Galatasaray |
4 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
-2 |
4 |
|
4. |
Man Utd |
4 |
1 |
0 |
3 |
-2 |
3 |
Manchester United have never lost four group games in the same Champions League campaign. After three defeats in four matches this term, United will be out of the competition if they set an unwanted club record.
Erik ten Hag’s side can still cling on to aspirations of a knockout spot with a draw from their trip to Galatasaray on Wednesday 29 November in the event that Copenhagen do not defeat Bayern Munich on the same night.
In one sense, that Galatasaray travel to Copenhagen on the final matchday helps United – one club is guaranteed to drop points. However, it also ensures that the Red Devils finish their group stage with a visit from already-qualified Bayern.
The perennial German champions have won their previous 17 Champions League group games, last losing at this stage of the competition six years ago. If United do not defeat Galatasary, they will have to end Bayern’s imperious group-phase run.
Man Utd’s remaining Champions League fixtures
|
Date / Kick-off time (GMT) |
Fixture |
|---|---|
|
29/11/23 – 17:45 |
Galatasaray vs Man Utd |
|
12/12/23 – 20:00 |
Man Utd vs Bayern Munich |
|
Position |
Team |
Games played |
Wins |
Draws |
Losses |
Goal difference |
Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1. |
Borussia Dortmund |
4 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
+1 |
7 |
|
2. |
PSG |
4 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
+1 |
6 |
|
3. |
Milan |
4 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
-2 |
5 |
|
4. |
Newcastle |
4 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
0 |
4 |
Newcastle United simply have to avoid defeat on their trip to Paris Saint-Germain’s formidable home ground this Tuesday 28 November. Eddie Howe implored his side to use “every ounce of energy to get a result” but the Magpies will need something left in the tank when AC Milan come to Tyneside in December.
If Newcastle earn a draw in the French capital, they could still qualify for the knockouts with a victory over Milan but would have to rely upon favourable results involving table-topping Borussia Dortmund, the only side with the head-to-head edge over Newcastle.
There is a fascinating sequence of events that could leave all four clubs locked on eight points. Overall goal difference would be the next tiebreaker in that unlikely scenario.
Newcastle’s remaining Champions League fixtures
|
Date / Kick-off time (GMT) |
Fixture |
|---|---|
|
28/11/23 – 20:00 |
PSG vs Newcastle |
|
13/12/23 – 20:00 |
Newcastle vs Milan |
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