IT’S the final round of group games in the Champions League this season with Chelsea and Liverpool both still needing to qualify for the knockout stages.
Jurgen Klopp’s reigning champions travel to Austria, while the Blues host French outfit Lille in their bid to avoid demotion to the Europa League.
The Champions League group stage is in its final weekCredit: Getty – Contributor
Tottenham and Manchester City are also flying the flag for England in the continent’s top competition, and will already have one eye on who they could face in the next round.
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:
- Points in head-to-head matches among tied teams;
- Goal difference in head-to-head matches among tied teams;
- Goals scored in head-to-head matches among tied teams;
- Away goals scored in head-to-head matches among tied teams;
- Goal difference in all group matches;
- Goals scored in all group matches;
- Away goals scored in all group matches;
- Wins in all group matches;
- Away wins in all group matches;
- Disciplinary points (red card = 3 points, yellow card = 1 point, expulsion for two yellow cards in one match = 3 points);
- UEFA club coefficient.
How does that affect the Premier League teams still in the competition?
TOTTENHAM – Group B – QUALIFIED
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-trickCredit: Getty Images – Getty
MANCHESTER CITY – Group C – QUALIFIED
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 would have automatically secure their place in the next round and as table toppers.
But they will now have to wait until the final day to secure qualification after a 1-1 draw and Salzburg’s emphatic win over Genk.
Liverpool will need to avoid defeat against the Austrians to ensure they go through – but their result will not matter if Napoli lose to Genk.
Should Liverpool lose and Napoli pick up a point, all three teams will have ten points.
But the Italians will go through with Salzburg by virtue of superior head-to-head record between the teams.
FIXTURES AND RESULTS
Napoli 2-0 Liverpool
Liverpool 4-3 Red Bull Salzburg
Genk 1-4 Liverpool
Liverpool 2-1 Genk
Liverpool 1-1 Napoli
Red Bull Salzburg vs Liverpool
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 one match to go, Chelsea and Valencia both sit on eight points after their 2-2 draw at the Mestalla.
The Blues face bottom side Lille in their final game and know that a victory will see them through to the knockout stages.
A draw will also be enough if Valencia lose to table toppers Ajax – who need a point to safely go through.
FIXTURES AND RESULTS
Chelsea 0-1 Valencia
Lille 1-2 Chelsea
Ajax 0-1 Chelsea
Chelsea 4-4 Ajax
Valencia 2-2 Chelsea
Chelsea vs Lille
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
