English groups have been on hearth within the Champions League this season, and solely Manchester Metropolis’s disastrous 3-1 away defeat to Norwegian minnows Bodo/Glimt denied a Premier League sweep within the final spherical of fixtures.
And on Wednesday, there will likely be SIX English sides competing in Europe’s premier membership competitors on the identical evening for the primary time, because the league part reaches its conclusion with each match kicking off at 8pm.
All of them know a spot within the prime eight will safe computerized passage to the final 16 however solely Arsenal – who’ve gained all seven of their video games and prime the desk – have that nailed down.
For the others, there stays work to do…
Arsenal
· Present place: 1st; Factors: 21; Aim distinction: 18; Closing fixture: Kairat (H)
A win would full an ideal file for Mikel Arteta’s crew within the league part with the table-toppers solely needing some extent towards backside of the desk Kairat to safe prime spot.
They’re already assured dwelling benefit within the second leg of their last-16 tie, however may but give up prime spot regardless of seven wins from seven to date.
Defeat to the Kazakh aspect would open the door to Harry Kane’s Bayern Munich who’re three factors behind the Gunners, however the German giants would want a sizeable objective distinction swing.
Possibilities of computerized qualification: 5/5
Arsenal have already secured their last-16 spot and are aiming to finish a clear sweep
Liverpool
· Present place: 4th; Factors: 15; Aim distinction: 6; Closing fixture: Qarabag (H)
Liverpool moved into the highest eight after their win in Marseille.
Three factors towards Qarabag seals the Reds a beneficial dwelling second leg within the final 16.
A draw leaves Liverpool weak with eight golf equipment sat on 13 factors, which means Slot’s aspect could also be compelled a play-off.
This might embrace a possible rematch towards PSV who picked up a 4-1 win at Anfield in November.
Possibilities of computerized qualification: 4.5/5
Liverpool’s Champions League kind has been a welcome break from their home struggles
Tottenham
Present place: fifth; Factors: 14; Aim distinction: 8; Closing fixture: Eintracht Frankfurt (A)
Tottenham secured a spot in final season’s Europa League semi-finals on their final go to to Frankfurt, earlier than happening to win the trophy.
This time they head to Germany figuring out a win books them a spot within the final 16 of the Champions League, a serious incentive for an under-pressure Thomas Frank.
A degree will not be sufficient to safe computerized qualification with 11 sides who may nonetheless overtake them.
Failure to qualify may in a tough two-legged sport towards the likes of current German champions Bayer Leverkusen or seasoned European outfit Athletic Membership.
Possibilities of computerized qualification: 4/5
Thomas Frank will likely be underneath even larger strain if Tottenham fail to remain within the prime eight
Newcastle
· Present place: seventh; Factors: 13; Aim distinction: 10; Closing fixture: PSG (A)
Eddie Howe’s males boosted their probabilities of an computerized spot after a convincing 3-0 dwelling win towards PSV final week.
They face a tricky journey to face holders Paris Saint-Germain on the Parc des Princes within the last spherical of fixtures.
A win all however secures their passage to the final 16 and some extent could do it with Newcastle sitting on a robust objective distinction. Their objective distinction is the same as PSG however 4 higher than Chelsea, who’re subsequent highest ranked of the edges on 13 factors.
A draw would doubtless depart Newcastle within the play-offs, as solely two of eight groups behind them must win to knock Howe’s aspect out of the highest eight.
A play-off could pressure a return to Roberto De Zerbi’s Marseille, who beat the Toon 2-1 within the league part. Newcastle would profit from having the second leg at dwelling ought to they drop out of the highest eight.
Possibilities of computerized qualification: 3/5
Newcastle may simply drop out of the highest eight as they journey to Paris Saint-Germain
Chelsea
· Present place: eighth; Factors: 13; Aim distinction: 6; Closing fixture: Napoli (A)
Chelsea face former supervisor Antonio Conte of their last match needing a win to spice up their hopes of qualifying for the last-16, however a victory alone will not be sufficient.
A draw towards the Italian giants provides an opportunity to the edges circling beneath with rivals Barcelona and Atletico Madrid in simple wanting dwelling fixtures.
Opponents Napoli have been inconsistent within the competitors to date however a fiery Italian environment will make it onerous for Liam Rosenior’s aspect.
With a League Cup semi-final already to deal with, the Chelsea boss will likely be eager to keep away from an pointless play-off.
Chelsea are just one objective forward of Barcelona and Sporting heading into the ultimate spherical of matches, so must have an eye fixed on developments elsewhere even when they’re main in Naples.
The Blues may benefit from PSG and Newcastle going through one another, with a draw an excellent final result to boosting their prime eight hopes.
Chelsea can be assured of climbing above each in that state of affairs, ought to they win themselves, which might probably considerations over objective distinction.
Possibilities of computerized qualification: 3.5/5
Liam Rosenior will hope to rubberstamp his regime with Champions League development
Manchester Metropolis have a job to do towards Galatasaray after dropping away to Bodo/Glimt
Manchester Metropolis
· Present place: 11; Factors: 13; Aim distinction: 4; Closing fixture: Galatasaray (H)
Metropolis’s hopes of computerized qualification suffered a blow after a shock 3-1 away defeat to Bodo/Glimt.
Pep Guardiola’s aspect want a win at dwelling to Galatasaray to face any sensible likelihood of direct development to the last-16, with a draw just isn’t prone to be sufficient with eight groups stage on factors.
5 groups are presently forward of Man Metropolis on objective distinction within the desk, however there may be trigger for optimism.
Victory over Galatasaray would carry Man Metropolis over at the very least one in all PSG or Newcastle within the desk – regardless of their objective distinction benefit of 5. A attract Paris mixed with a Metropolis win would elevate Man Metropolis above each.
Chelsea are two targets clear however face a tough journey to Napoli, whereas Barcelona and Sporting Lisbon are a objective forward and have dwelling matches towards Copenhagen and Athletic Membership respectively.
Man Metropolis may nicely discover themselves in a state of affairs the place they should outscore a number of of those groups on the evening to safe a prime eight berth.
Possibilities of computerized qualification: 3.5/5
Who’re the most important threats to the English groups?
Barcelona will start the evening outdoors the highest eight on objective distinction, one behind eighth positioned Chelsea and 4 behind PSG and Newcastle.
The Spanish giants have a beneficial last match at dwelling towards Copenhagen, who’ve misplaced three of their seven league part matches.
Opta Analyst give Barcelona a 76.57 per cent likelihood of ending the evening within the prime eight, with their supercomputer anticipating the Catalan giants to finish the evening in sixth.
The stats gurus additionally predict Atletico Madrid will safe a prime eight berth. Diego Simeone’s aspect are presently twelfth within the standings on 13 factors.
Atletico host Bodo/Glimt on the ultimate matchday, with the Norwegians having misplaced one and drawn two of their away fixtures within the league part so far.
Their hopes are on a knife-edge nevertheless, with Atletico given a 50.56 per cent likelihood of creating the highest eight.
Sporting Lisbon will fancy their possibilities with the Portuguese aspect – presently tenth within the standings – travelling away to Athletic Membership. It may show an important fixture on the evening, with Athletic Membership hoping to carry onto a play-off spot, whereas Sporting will search to maneuver into the highest eight.
