Champions League football will return today and tomorrow. While some groups might not be too exciting to follow due to the teams’ already known positions, other groups will be entertaining until the final whistle as their positions are yet to be settled and many are anxious to see who will be seeded for next Monday’s draw in Nyon.
Group A
In this group, Atletico Madrid have already passed to the final 16 and are expected to win this group, but if they lose against Juventus with a margin of two goals or more, we shall be seeing last year’s runners up in the second place. Meanwhile, a draw is enough to see The Old Lady through to the next round, but if Atletico Madrid defeats Juventus and Olympiakos earn all three points against Malmo, the Greeks will go through while Juventus will be playing on Thursdays.
Group B
Getting maximum points from the previous five matches, here, Real Madrid are already the group-winners, but things are slightly more complicated for the second place. If Liverpool fail to accomplish a victory at Anfield, it would cost them their next round, whereas if the unthinkable were to happen at the Santiago Bernabéu, it might be PFC Ludogrets Razgrad playing in the Europa League.
Group C
In this group, Bayern Leverkusen, Monaco and Zenit St. Petersburg are fighting for two places as they stand to have "nine’, "eight’ and "seven’ points respectively. Benfica will be hosting Bayern Leverkusen, who have already mathematically passed through to the next round, whereas Monaco and Zenit will be battling it out at Stade Louis II, with the hope of achieving their target. While a draw will be enough for Monaco, anything less than 3 points will result in Europa League for Zenit.
Group D
This group is already settled, as Borussia Dortmund and Arsenal mathematically have enough points to progress to the next round and Anderlecht lay comfortably at five points, with no fear of being caught up with by Galatasaray, who are at the bottom of the group with just one point. The remaining question is about the group winner. The Gunners can only win the group if Borussia Dortmund loses against Anderlecht or else earn a draw and Arsenal win by a margin of six goals or more.
Group E
From the very beginning, many expected this group to be the most entertaining and complicated, and they have been proved right. While Bayern Munich are leading the group with twelve points, Roma, Manchester City and CSKA Moscow are hanging below them with five points each. Beating Manchester City would send Roma through, and if Bayern gets the best out of CSKA Moscow or they finish in a goalless draw, this result will send Roma through instead of The Citizens. Meanwhile, Manchester City need to beat Roma, while hoping that CSKA Moscow do not produce a surprise at the Allianz arena. A draw would also be a positive result for The Citizens.
Group F
Group F seems to be divided in two, as FC Barcelona and Paris Saint German will be battling each other out at the Camp Nou for the number 1 spot. On the other hand, Ajax Amsterdam and APOEL Niicosia will be striving to earn the 3rd place together with a place in the Europa League. Both Paris Saint German and Ajax Amsterdam will be reaching their aims if they manage to obtain a draw, but FC Barcelona and APOEL Nicosia will need more than that.
Group G
Chelsea have already secured a place in the next round, but it is yet to be decided whether it will be Sporting CP or Shalke 04 who will be the joining them. While Sporting CP’s task appears to be more difficult, considering they must beat Chelsea, they have the advantage that Chelsea have already passed the group stages. A draw will also do for Sporting CP,ss as a loss for Shalke 04 against Maribor would see the Germans out of any European action this season.
Group H
While the match between FC Porto and Shaktar Donetsk will not bear any fruits since they have sealed a 1st and 2nd place respectively, the match between Athletico Bilbao and BATE Borisov, will decide who will be playing in Europa League.
