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Champions League permutations: Are groups decided by head-to-head record or goal difference?


THE Champions League group stage matchday four was full of goals and incredible results – but supporters will now be starting to look at the different ways their team can make it through.

Manchester City look like they will breeze into the next round, while Liverpool, Chelsea and Tottenham all have a job on their hands to make it into the last 16.

 The Champions League group stage is in the second half

The Champions League group stage is in the second halfCredit: Getty – Contributor

How are teams that finish level on points sorted in the Champions League?

Teams that finish level on points in the Champions League group stage are sorted by the following criteria:

  1. Points in head-to-head matches among tied teams;
  2. Goal difference in head-to-head matches among tied teams;
  3. Goals scored in head-to-head matches among tied teams;
  4. Away goals scored in head-to-head matches among tied teams;
  5. Goal difference in all group matches;
  6. Goals scored in all group matches;
  7. Away goals scored in all group matches;
  8. Wins in all group matches;
  9. Away wins in all group matches;
  10. Disciplinary points (red card = 3 points, yellow card = 1 point, expulsion for two yellow cards in one match = 3 points);
  11. UEFA club coefficient.

How does that affect the Premier League teams still in the competition?

TOTTENHAM – Group B

Spurs secured their place in the next round in just the second match of Jose Mourinho’s reign at the North London club.

Victory over Olympiacos ensured their place in the Last 16 with a game to go, but will have to settle for second after Bayern Munich beat Red Star Belgrade 6-0.

FIXTURES AND RESULTS

Olympiacos 2-2 Tottenahm

Tottenham 2-7 Bayern Munich

Tottenham 5-0 Red Star Belgrade

Red Star Belgrade 0-4 Tottenham

Tottenham 4-2 Olympiacos

Bayern Munich vs Tottenham

 Tottenham were rocked 7-2 by Bayern Munich with ex-Arsenal starlet Serge Gnabry scoring a hat-trick

Tottenham were rocked 7-2 by Bayern Munich with ex-Arsenal starlet Serge Gnabry scoring a hat-trickCredit: Getty Images – Getty

MANCHESTER CITY – Group C

Qualification and top spot all wrapped up in one match as their draw against Shakhtar Donetsk was enough to send them through.

And Dinamo Zagreb’s surprise defeat to Atalanta ensured the Premier League champions went into the next round as group winners where they will now be handed a favourable draw.

FIXTURES AND RESULTS

Shakhtar Donetsk 0-3 Manchester City

Manchester City 2-0 Dinamo Zagreb

Manchester City 5-1 Atalanta

Atalanta 1-1 Manchester City

Manchester City 1-1 Shakhtar Donetsk

Dinamo Zagreb vs Manchester City

LIVERPOOL – Group E 

The reigning champions had suffered a setback on the opening matchday of this season’s competition, but they are still on the verge of qualifying.

Victory against Napoli in their next match will automatically secure their place in the next round and as table toppers.

Yet if they lose to the Italians, a draw to Red Bull Salzburg in their final match will still be enough.

FIXTURES AND RESULTS

Napoli 2-0 Liverpool

Liverpool 4-3 Red Bull Salzburg

Genk 1-4 Liverpool

Liverpool 2-1 Genk

Liverpool vs Napoli

Red Bull Salzburg vs Liverpool

 Reece James scored a late equaliser as Chelsea drew 4-4 with Ajax

Reece James scored a late equaliser as Chelsea drew 4-4 with AjaxCredit: Reuters

CHELSEA – Group H

Well, this one could get a bit close.

With two matches to go, Chelsea, Ajax and Valencia all sit on seven points – having shared the spoils in a massive eight-goal thriller with the Dutch side in their last outing.

The Blues face the Spaniards next, knowing a victory by two or more goals would ensure their place in the next round, after they lost in the first meeting between the two clubs.

FIXTURES AND RESULTS

Chelsea 0-1 Valencia

Lille 1-2 Chelsea

Ajax 0-1 Chelsea

Chelsea 4-4 Ajax

Valencia vs Chelsea

Chelsea vs Lille


Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk


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