Tuesday, December 8, 2015

Champions League group-by-group qualification guide

Thirteen into seven just won't go.

As the group stage of the Champions League comes to an end this week, 13 sides are in the running for the seven remaining spaces in the knockout rounds.
Manchester City are among the nine teams who have ensured their progress before Tuesday and Wednesday's final games, but fellow Premier League sides Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea all have work to do.
With the ranking of teams finishing level on points decided on their head-to-head records before goal difference, Soccer Hour News looks at the picture in each group.   

Group A - Real & PSG Through

 Already qualified: Real Madrid, Paris St-Germain

Out of contention: Shakhtar Donetsk, Malmo
This week's fixtures: Real Madrid v Malmo, Paris St-Germain v Shakhtar Donetsk (both Tuesday, 19:45 GMT) Live text commentary on BBC Sport website and app
European giants PSG and Real have secured their places in the knockout phase, with Real also wrapping up that all-important group winner's spot.
All that is left to play for in Group A is third place and a spot in the Europa League. Shakhtar lead Malmo on head-to-head record thanks to a 4-0 win in Lviv in November. The Ukrainian side will take third spot unless Malmo gain more points than them on Tuesday. At the Bernabeu.
The Swedes have finished bottom of their Uefa group on both previous occasions - in the Champions League last season and in the Europa League in 2011-12.
Group B - United need a win


 Already qualified: Nobody

Can still qualify: Wolfsburg, Manchester United , PSV Eindhoven
Out of contention: CSKA Moscow
This week's fixtures: PSV v CSKA Moscow, Wolfsburg v Manchester United (both Tuesday, 19:45 GMT) Live text commentary on BBC Sport website and app. Full match commentary on BBC Radio 5 live.
Manchester United have left themselves with a lot of work to do to qualify from a wide-open Group B.
United head to Germany needing a win to secure qualification, with a draw not enough if PSV Eindhoven beat CSKA Moscow in the night's other game. The only way a point will be enough for Louis van Gaal's side to progress is if PSV do not win at home to CSKA.
Wolfsburg will top the group if they beat United, but will also qualify with a draw regardless of results elsewhere. A United win could see the German side eliminated though.
PSV will be motivated by the knowledge that if they do win, they are definitely through. A PSV draw will be enough for them to finish second if Manchester United lose.

Whoever finishes third out of United, PSV or Wolfsburg will enter the Europa League.

Group C - Smooth sailing for Benfica and Atletico Madrid



Already qualified: Benfica, Atletico Madrid
Out of contention: Galatasaray, Astana
This week's fixtures: Benfica v Atletico Madrid, Galatasaray v Astana (both Tuesday, 19:45 GMT) Live text commentary on BBC Sport website and app
Benfica and 2014 runners-up Atletico Madrid are already through and a point from their showdown in Lisbon on Tuesday will be enough for the hosts to top the group.
Galatasaray - whose only win so far came against Benfica - will take third spot and a Europa League place unless they lose at home to Astana of Kazakhstan.

Group D - City hope to top the group






Tuesday, December 8, 2015

Champions League group-by-group guide

Manchester United

Thirteen into seven just won't go.

As the group stage of the Champions League comes to an end this week, 13 sides are in the running for the seven remaining spaces in the knockout rounds.
Manchester City are among the nine teams who have ensured their progress before Tuesday and Wednesday's final games, but fellow Premier League sides Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea all have work to do.
With the ranking of teams finishing level on points decided on their head-to-head records before goal difference, Soccer Hour News looks at the picture in each group


Group A - Real & PSG Through

Gareth Bale

Already qualified: Real Madrid, Paris St-Germain

Out of contention: Shakhtar Donetsk, Malmo
This week's fixtures: Real Madrid v Malmo, Paris St-Germain v Shakhtar Donetsk (both Tuesday, 19:45 GMT) Live text commentary on BBC Sport website and app
European giants PSG and Real have secured their places in the knockout phase, with Real also wrapping up that all-important group winner's spot.
All that is left to play for in Group A is third place and a spot in the Europa League. Shakhtar lead Malmo on head-to-head record thanks to a 4-0 win in Lviv in November. The Ukrainian side will take third spot unless Malmo gain more points than them on Tuesday. At the Bernabeu.
The Swedes have finished bottom of their Uefa group on both previous occasions - in the Champions League last season and in the Europa League in 2011-12.

Group B - United need a win

Morgan Schneiderlin of Manchester United

Already qualified: Nobody

Can still qualify: Wolfsburg, Manchester United , PSV Eindhoven
Out of contention: CSKA Moscow
This week's fixtures: PSV v CSKA Moscow, Wolfsburg v Manchester United (both Tuesday, 19:45 GMT) Live text commentary on BBC Sport website and app. Full match commentary on BBC Radio 5 live.
Manchester United have left themselves with a lot of work to do to qualify from a wide-open Group B.
United head to Germany needing a win to secure qualification, with a draw not enough if PSV Eindhoven beat CSKA Moscow in the night's other game. The only way a point will be enough for Louis van Gaal's side to progress is if PSV do not win at home to CSKA.
Wolfsburg will top the group if they beat United, but will also qualify with a draw regardless of results elsewhere. A United win could see the German side eliminated though.
PSV will be motivated by the knowledge that if they do win, they are definitely through. A PSV draw will be enough for them to finish second if Manchester United lose.

Whoever finishes third out of United, PSV or Wolfsburg will enter the Europa League.

Group C - Smooth sailing for Benfica and Atletico Madrid


Already qualified: Benfica, Atletico Madrid
Out of contention: Galatasaray, Astana
This week's fixtures: Benfica v Atletico Madrid, Galatasaray v Astana (both Tuesday, 19:45 GMT) Live text commentary on BBC Sport website and app
Benfica and 2014 runners-up Atletico Madrid are already through and a point from their showdown in Lisbon on Tuesday will be enough for the hosts to top the group.
Galatasaray - whose only win so far came against Benfica - will take third spot and a Europa League place unless they lose at home to Astana of Kazakhstan.

Group D - City hope to top the group

Sergio Aguero

Already qualified: Juventus, Manchester City

Out of contention: Borussia Monchengladbach, Sevilla
This week's fixtures: Manchester City v Borussia Monchengladbach, Sevilla v Juventus (both Tuesday, 19:45 GMT) Live text commentary on BBC Sport website and app
Despite losing home and away to Juventus, Manchester City have safely secured passage from Group D and will be hoping for a helping hand in a bid to finish top. After being knocked out by Barcelona in each of the last two seasons, Manuel Pellegrini will be keen to win the group and avoid another big hitter.
To finish top, City need to beat Borussia Monchengladbach at the Etihad and hope that Sevilla beat last year's finalists Juve in Spain. Any other combination of results will see the Italian side take top spot.
Sevilla have won the Europa League for each of the last two seasons and will be back in the competition if they win and Monchengladbach do not beat City.

Group E - Who will join Barca in last 16?





Already qualified: Barcelona

Can still qualify: Roma, Bayer Leverkusen, BATE Borisov
This week's fixtures: Bayer Leverkusen v Barcelona, Roma v BATE Borisov (both Wednesday, 19:45 GMT) Live text commentary on BBC Sport website and app
Even with an injury to talisman Lionel Messi, holders Barcelona have cruised through the group, sewing up top spot easily with Luis Suarez scoring five goals in five games. Opponents Leverkusen need to beat Barca and hope that Roma do not win at home to BATE Borisov to take second spot.
Conversely, Roma will definitely progress with a victory. BATE will go through if they win and Leverkusen drop points.

Group F - Like 1989, Gunners need a two-goal win...


Already qualified: Bayern Munich

Can still qualify: Olympiakos, Arsenal
Out of contention: Dinamo Zagreb
This week's fixtures: Olympiakos v Arsenal, Dinamo Zagreb v Bayern Munich (both Wednesday, 19:45 GMT) Live text commentary on BBC Sport website and app. Full match commentary on BBC Radio 5 live.
The only team capable of challenging El Clasico ? Bayern Munich shrugged off a 2-0 defeat at the Emirates to make it through to the last 16 easily and have won Group F.
The question is, can Arsenal join them? The Gunners can qualify in second place with a better head-to-head record than Olympiakos. They need a win in Athens that 'beats' Olympiakos' 3-2 win in London in September. For example 2-0, 4-2 - though as a 3-2 win would also be good enough for Arsenal to go through on overall goal difference, in practice they would go through with any win apart from 1-0 or 2-1
Michael Thomas

Already qualified: Bayern Munich

Can still qualify: Olympiakos, Arsenal
Out of contention: Dinamo Zagreb
This week's fixtures: Olympiakos v Arsenal, Dinamo Zagreb v Bayern Munich (both Wednesday, 19:45 GMT) Live text commentary on BBC Sport website and app. Full match commentary on BBC Radio 5 live.
The only team capable of challenging El Clasico ? Bayern Munich shrugged off a 2-0 defeat at the Emirates to make it through to the last 16 easily and have won Group F.
The question is, can Arsenal join them? The Gunners can qualify in second place with a better head-to-head record than Olympiakos. They need a win in Athens that 'beats' Olympiakos' 3-2 win in London in September. For example 2-0, 4-2 - though as a 3-2 win would also be good enough for Arsenal to go through on overall goal difference, in practice they would go through with any win apart from 1-0 or 2-1
Michael Thomas




Tuesday, December 8, 2015

Champions League group-by-group guide

Manchester United

Thirteen into seven just won't go.

As the group stage of the Champions League comes to an end this week, 13 sides are in the running for the seven remaining spaces in the knockout rounds.
Manchester City are among the nine teams who have ensured their progress before Tuesday and Wednesday's final games, but fellow Premier League sides Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea all have work to do.
With the ranking of teams finishing level on points decided on their head-to-head records before goal difference, Soccer Hour News looks at the picture in each group


Group A - Real & PSG Through

Gareth Bale

Already qualified: Real Madrid, Paris St-Germain

Out of contention: Shakhtar Donetsk, Malmo
This week's fixtures: Real Madrid v Malmo, Paris St-Germain v Shakhtar Donetsk (both Tuesday, 19:45 GMT) Live text commentary on BBC Sport website and app
European giants PSG and Real have secured their places in the knockout phase, with Real also wrapping up that all-important group winner's spot.
All that is left to play for in Group A is third place and a spot in the Europa League. Shakhtar lead Malmo on head-to-head record thanks to a 4-0 win in Lviv in November. The Ukrainian side will take third spot unless Malmo gain more points than them on Tuesday. At the Bernabeu.
The Swedes have finished bottom of their Uefa group on both previous occasions - in the Champions League last season and in the Europa League in 2011-12.

Group B - United need a win

Morgan Schneiderlin of Manchester United

Already qualified: Nobody

Can still qualify: Wolfsburg, Manchester United , PSV Eindhoven
Out of contention: CSKA Moscow
This week's fixtures: PSV v CSKA Moscow, Wolfsburg v Manchester United (both Tuesday, 19:45 GMT) Live text commentary on BBC Sport website and app. Full match commentary on BBC Radio 5 live.
Manchester United have left themselves with a lot of work to do to qualify from a wide-open Group B.
United head to Germany needing a win to secure qualification, with a draw not enough if PSV Eindhoven beat CSKA Moscow in the night's other game. The only way a point will be enough for Louis van Gaal's side to progress is if PSV do not win at home to CSKA.
Wolfsburg will top the group if they beat United, but will also qualify with a draw regardless of results elsewhere. A United win could see the German side eliminated though.
PSV will be motivated by the knowledge that if they do win, they are definitely through. A PSV draw will be enough for them to finish second if Manchester United lose.

Whoever finishes third out of United, PSV or Wolfsburg will enter the Europa League.

Group C - Smooth sailing for Benfica and Atletico Madrid


Already qualified: Benfica, Atletico Madrid
Out of contention: Galatasaray, Astana
This week's fixtures: Benfica v Atletico Madrid, Galatasaray v Astana (both Tuesday, 19:45 GMT) Live text commentary on BBC Sport website and app
Benfica and 2014 runners-up Atletico Madrid are already through and a point from their showdown in Lisbon on Tuesday will be enough for the hosts to top the group.
Galatasaray - whose only win so far came against Benfica - will take third spot and a Europa League place unless they lose at home to Astana of Kazakhstan.

Group D - City hope to top the group

Sergio Aguero

Already qualified: Juventus, Manchester City

Out of contention: Borussia Monchengladbach, Sevilla
This week's fixtures: Manchester City v Borussia Monchengladbach, Sevilla v Juventus (both Tuesday, 19:45 GMT) Live text commentary on BBC Sport website and app
Despite losing home and away to Juventus, Manchester City have safely secured passage from Group D and will be hoping for a helping hand in a bid to finish top. After being knocked out by Barcelona in each of the last two seasons, Manuel Pellegrini will be keen to win the group and avoid another big hitter.
To finish top, City need to beat Borussia Monchengladbach at the Etihad and hope that Sevilla beat last year's finalists Juve in Spain. Any other combination of results will see the Italian side take top spot.
Sevilla have won the Europa League for each of the last two seasons and will be back in the competition if they win and Monchengladbach do not beat City.

Group E - Who will join Barca in last 16?


Already qualified: Barcelona
Can still qualify: Roma, Bayer Leverkusen, BATE Borisov
This week's fixtures: Bayer Leverkusen v Barcelona, Roma v BATE Borisov (both Wednesday, 19:45 GMT) Live text commentary on BBC Sport website and app
Even with an injury to talisman Lionel Messi, holders Barcelona have cruised through the group, sewing up top spot easily with Luis Suarez scoring five goals in five games. Opponents Leverkusen need to beat Barca and hope that Roma do not win at home to BATE Borisov to take second spot.
Conversely, Roma will definitely progress with a victory. BATE will go through if they win and Leverkusen drop points.
Group F - Like 1989, Gunners need a two-goal win...

Already qualified: Bayern Munich
Can still qualify: Olympiakos, Arsenal
Out of contention: Dinamo Zagreb
This week's fixtures: Olympiakos v Arsenal, Dinamo Zagreb v Bayern Munich (both Wednesday, 19:45 GMT) Live text commentary on BBC Sport website and app. Full match commentary on BBC Radio 5 live.
The only team capable of challenging El Clasico ? Bayern Munich shrugged off a 2-0 defeat at the Emirates to make it through to the last 16 easily and have won Group F.
The question is, can Arsenal join them? The Gunners can qualify in second place with a better head-to-head record than Olympiakos. They need a win in Athens that 'beats' Olympiakos' 3-2 win in London in September. For example 2-0, 4-2 - though as a 3-2 win would also be good enough for Arsenal to go through on overall goal difference, in practice they would go through with any win apart from 1-0 or 2-1
Michael Thomas
Thomas! Right at the end!" - Michael Thomas wins the 1988-89 league title with an injury-time goal for Arsenal at Anfield
They have history of winning by a two-goal margin when it matters. "It's up for grabs nooowwww......
Group G - Blues need a point

Already qualified: Nobody
Can still qualify: Porto, Chelsea, Dynamo Kiev
Out of contention: Maccabi Tel Aviv
This week's fixtures: Chelsea v Porto, Dynamo Kiev v Maccabi Tel Aviv (both Wednesday 19:45 GMT) Live text commentary on BBC Sport website and app









Tuesday, December 8, 2015

Champions League group-by-group guide

Manchester United

Thirteen into seven just won't go.

As the group stage of the Champions League comes to an end this week, 13 sides are in the running for the seven remaining spaces in the knockout rounds.
Manchester City are among the nine teams who have ensured their progress before Tuesday and Wednesday's final games, but fellow Premier League sides Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea all have work to do.
With the ranking of teams finishing level on points decided on their head-to-head records before goal difference, Soccer Hour News looks at the picture in each group


Group A - Real & PSG Through

Gareth Bale

Already qualified: Real Madrid, Paris St-Germain

Out of contention: Shakhtar Donetsk, Malmo
This week's fixtures: Real Madrid v Malmo, Paris St-Germain v Shakhtar Donetsk (both Tuesday, 19:45 GMT) Live text commentary on BBC Sport website and app
European giants PSG and Real have secured their places in the knockout phase, with Real also wrapping up that all-important group winner's spot.
All that is left to play for in Group A is third place and a spot in the Europa League. Shakhtar lead Malmo on head-to-head record thanks to a 4-0 win in Lviv in November. The Ukrainian side will take third spot unless Malmo gain more points than them on Tuesday. At the Bernabeu.
The Swedes have finished bottom of their Uefa group on both previous occasions - in the Champions League last season and in the Europa League in 2011-12.

Group B - United need a win

Morgan Schneiderlin of Manchester United

Already qualified: Nobody

Can still qualify: Wolfsburg, Manchester United , PSV Eindhoven
Out of contention: CSKA Moscow
This week's fixtures: PSV v CSKA Moscow, Wolfsburg v Manchester United (both Tuesday, 19:45 GMT) Live text commentary on BBC Sport website and app. Full match commentary on BBC Radio 5 live.
Manchester United have left themselves with a lot of work to do to qualify from a wide-open Group B.
United head to Germany needing a win to secure qualification, with a draw not enough if PSV Eindhoven beat CSKA Moscow in the night's other game. The only way a point will be enough for Louis van Gaal's side to progress is if PSV do not win at home to CSKA.
Wolfsburg will top the group if they beat United, but will also qualify with a draw regardless of results elsewhere. A United win could see the German side eliminated though.
PSV will be motivated by the knowledge that if they do win, they are definitely through. A PSV draw will be enough for them to finish second if Manchester United lose.

Whoever finishes third out of United, PSV or Wolfsburg will enter the Europa League.

Group C - Smooth sailing for Benfica and Atletico Madrid


Already qualified: Benfica, Atletico Madrid
Out of contention: Galatasaray, Astana
This week's fixtures: Benfica v Atletico Madrid, Galatasaray v Astana (both Tuesday, 19:45 GMT) Live text commentary on BBC Sport website and app
Benfica and 2014 runners-up Atletico Madrid are already through and a point from their showdown in Lisbon on Tuesday will be enough for the hosts to top the group.
Galatasaray - whose only win so far came against Benfica - will take third spot and a Europa League place unless they lose at home to Astana of Kazakhstan.

Group D - City hope to top the group

Sergio Aguero

Already qualified: Juventus, Manchester City

Out of contention: Borussia Monchengladbach, Sevilla
This week's fixtures: Manchester City v Borussia Monchengladbach, Sevilla v Juventus (both Tuesday, 19:45 GMT) Live text commentary on BBC Sport website and app
Despite losing home and away to Juventus, Manchester City have safely secured passage from Group D and will be hoping for a helping hand in a bid to finish top. After being knocked out by Barcelona in each of the last two seasons, Manuel Pellegrini will be keen to win the group and avoid another big hitter.
To finish top, City need to beat Borussia Monchengladbach at the Etihad and hope that Sevilla beat last year's finalists Juve in Spain. Any other combination of results will see the Italian side take top spot.
Sevilla have won the Europa League for each of the last two seasons and will be back in the competition if they win and Monchengladbach do not beat City.

Group E - Who will join Barca in last 16?


Already qualified: Barcelona
Can still qualify: Roma, Bayer Leverkusen, BATE Borisov
This week's fixtures: Bayer Leverkusen v Barcelona, Roma v BATE Borisov (both Wednesday, 19:45 GMT) Live text commentary on BBC Sport website and app
Even with an injury to talisman Lionel Messi, holders Barcelona have cruised through the group, sewing up top spot easily with Luis Suarez scoring five goals in five games. Opponents Leverkusen need to beat Barca and hope that Roma do not win at home to BATE Borisov to take second spot.
Conversely, Roma will definitely progress with a victory. BATE will go through if they win and Leverkusen drop points.
Group F - Like 1989, Gunners need a two-goal win...

Already qualified: Bayern Munich
Can still qualify: Olympiakos, Arsenal
Out of contention: Dinamo Zagreb
This week's fixtures: Olympiakos v Arsenal, Dinamo Zagreb v Bayern Munich (both Wednesday, 19:45 GMT) Live text commentary on BBC Sport website and app. Full match commentary on BBC Radio 5 live.
The only team capable of challenging El Clasico ? Bayern Munich shrugged off a 2-0 defeat at the Emirates to make it through to the last 16 easily and have won Group F.
The question is, can Arsenal join them? The Gunners can qualify in second place with a better head-to-head record than Olympiakos. They need a win in Athens that 'beats' Olympiakos' 3-2 win in London in September. For example 2-0, 4-2 - though as a 3-2 win would also be good enough for Arsenal to go through on overall goal difference, in practice they would go through with any win apart from 1-0 or 2-1
Michael Thomas
Thomas! Right at the end!" - Michael Thomas wins the 1988-89 league title with an injury-time goal for Arsenal at Anfield
They have history of winning by a two-goal margin when it matters. "It's up for grabs noooowwwww...
Group G - Blues need a point

Already qualified: Nobody
Can still qualify: Porto, Chelsea, Dynamo Kiev
Out of contention: Maccabi Tel Aviv
This week's fixtures: Chelsea v Porto, Dynamo Kiev v Maccabi Tel Aviv (both Wednesday 19:45 GMT) Live text commentary on BBC Sport website and app

Willian
Willian has scored four free-kicks in the group already

Chelsea's fate in Group G is clear 
They need a point from their meeting with Porto at Stamford Bridge to secure a place in the last 16.
The winner of that match will top the group.
Dynamo Kiev - who face whipping boys Maccabi Tel Aviv - will be sure of a place in the last 16 with a win thanks to a superior head-to-head record against Porto.
If Kiev win and Chelsea and Porto draw, all three teams will finish on 11 points. Their fate would then be decided by their three-way head-to-head record - with their group results against each other converted into a mini-league - and it would be Porto who finish third and head into the Europa League.
Group H - Key managerial debut for Neville


Gary Neville made his entrance as Valencia head coach at a news conference last Thursday



Already qualified: Zenit St Petersburg
Can still qualify: Gent, Valencia
Out of contention: Lyon
This week's fixtures: Gent v Zenit, Valencia v Lyon (both Wednesday, 19:45 GMT) Live text commentary on BBC Sport website and app
Former Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas has dominated Group H, with his Zenit St Petersburg side holding the only 100% record in the competition. Zenit have long since sewn up top spot in the table - but can Gary Neville steer Valencia through?
Neville, 40, will become the first English manager to take part in the Champions League group stages since Harry Redknapp's Tottenham reached the quarter-finals in 2011 when he takes charge for the home match against Lyon on Wednesday.
The stakes could hardly be higher. Win, and Neville's new team will reach the last 16 - providing that Gent do not beat Zenit at home.
A draw is no good for Neville, even if Gent lose, as the Belgians hold the upper hand in their head-to-head record.

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