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UEFA Champions League group stage: all the possible final day permutations

Speed News Desk | Updated on: 14 February 2017, 12:13 IST

The last matches of the UEFA Champions League group stages are set to take place this midweek, on 8 and 9 December, with seven places in the knockout stages of the tournament still up for grabs. While nine clubs have already booked their places in Round of 16, a total of 13 clubs are in contention for the remaining seven spots.

Real Madrid, PSG, Benfica, Atletico Madrid, Juventus, Manchester City, Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Zenit St. Petersburg have been assured of a place in the next round, while the likes of Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea will be involved in crucial encounters this midweek to decide their fate in Europe this season.

Ahead of the final round of group games, here are all the permutations concerning the remaining seven spots for the round of 16 places:

Group A

Already qualified: Real Madrid and PSG

Can qualify: None

The permutations: Both Real and PSG are guaranteed of places in the round of 16, while Real are assured of the top spot, courtesy of their better head-to-head record with PSG in their two meetings this season.

Group B

Already qualified: None

Can qualify: Wolfsburg, Manchester United and PSV

The permutations: Wolfsburg, Manchester United and PSV are all in the reckoning for a spot in the knockout stages. Wolfsburg, who play United, need a draw to progress to the next round, while a win will guarantee them top spot.

On the other hand, United will need a win to move into the round of 16. A draw could knock them out if PSV win at home against CSKA Moscow. For PSV, anything less than a win will not be enough to make it to the last 16.

Group C

Already qualified: Benfica and Atletico Madrid

Can qualify: None

The permutations: Both Benfica and Atletico have already qualified for the next round, but the top spot is yet to be decided. With both sides facing each other in Lisbon, Benfica will need just a draw to finish first, while Atletico will need to beat the hosts to grab the top spot.

Group D

Already qualified: Juventus and Manchester City

Can qualify: None

The permutations: With both Juventus and City already assured of places in the next round, only the position of group topper is left to be decided. Juventus, who travel to Seville on Tuesday, will finish top if they get a draw against Sevilla. City will need a win, as well as Juventus to lose, to grab the top place.

Group E

Already qualified: Barcelona

Can qualify: AS Roma, Bayer Leverkusen and BATE Borisov

The permutations: Barcelona have qualified for the next round, and are also guaranteed the top spot. All the three remaining teams, however, are in contention for the remaining spot.

AS Roma, who play BATE Borisov, will take the second place if they win their game. A draw could take them to the next round as well, in case Leverkusen fail to beat Barcelona. For the German club, a win and a AS Roma slip-up is necessary for progression to the next round.

On the other hand, BATE Borisov will need a win in Rome, and hope for a Barcelona win against Leverkusen, or a draw, to qualify for the round of 16.

Group F

Already qualified: Bayern Munich

Can qualify: Olympiacos and Arsenal

The permutations: With Bayern Munich already in the next round, and assured of the top spot, their game against eliminated Dinamo Zagreb is essentially a dead rubber. The spotlight will be in the Olympiacos vs Arsenal game, which will decide the remaining spot in the group.

A draw or a win will take Olympiacos to the round of 16, while Arsenal will have to beat Olympiacos by at least a two-goal margin to progress.

Group G

Already qualified: None

Can qualify: Porto, Chelsea and Dynamo Kyiv

The permutations: Chelsea host Porto, while Dynamo host Maccavi Tel Aviv in the last group games. Porto need a draw to qualify, while a win will guarantee them the top spot. For Chelsea, a win will assure them of progression to the next round, as well as the top spot in the group. A draw, however, might not be enough for them.

Dynamo, meanwhile, will need a win to qualify for the round of 16.

Group H

Already qualified: Zenit St. Petersburg

Can qualify: Gent and Valencia

The permutations: Gent host Zenit in their last home game. A win will take them to the next round, while a draw could be enough too, provided Valencia fail to beat Lyon at home.

For Valencia, a win is a must, but the Gary Neville-managed side will need Zenit to win or draw against Gent to book their place in the round of 16. In case both Gent and Valencia lose, Gent will qualify.

First published: 7 December 2015, 9:32 IST