We're midway through Matchday 5, and the Champions League group stage is falling into shape. Nine teams have booked their places in the round of 16. Here's how all teams are positioned to reach the knockouts.
- Stream ESPN FC Daily on ESPN+ (U.S. only)
GROUP TIEBREAKERS
If two or more teams are level on points, they will be separated in the following order:
1) Points in games between the sides, AKA head-to-head
2) Goal difference in head-to-head
3) Goals scored in head-to-head
4) Away goals in head to head
5) Goal difference
6) Goals scored
Already qualified: Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, Chelsea, FC Porto, Juventus, Liverpool, Manchester City, Sevilla
GROUP A
Remaining games
Dec. 9: Bayern vs. Lokomotiv, FC Salzburg vs. Atletico
How is the group shaping up?
Bayern Munich eased through as group winners with two matches in hand.
Second place will be between Atletico Madrid and FC Salzburg, and it comes down to a head-to-head meeting in Austria. Salzburg must win to oust Atletico from second place.
Lokomotiv Moscow cannot go through in the Champions League, but can qualify for the Europa League if they win away to Bayern and Salzburg lose or draw.
GROUP B
Remaining games
Dec. 9: Real Madrid vs. Gladbach, Inter vs. Shakhtar
How is the group shaping up?
Gladbach are top of the table, and will be through if they avoid defeat away to Real Madrid. If they lose, they can only go through if Inter vs. Shakhtar is a draw.
Shakhtar started the group in fine form with a win at the Bernabeu, and followed that up with victory at home against Zinedine Zidane's men. They now know they will be through if they can win at Inter on Dec. 9. A draw will also put them through as long as Madrid do not beat Gladbach. Shakhtar cannot go through with a defeat.
Real Madrid still have their fate in their own hands, aware that a win at home to Gladbach will secure safe passage. A draw is also enough if Inter beat Shakhtar.
Inter must win at home to Shakhtar and hope there is a winner between Gladbach and Real Madrid. A draw in the other game would see them miss out on the head-to-head with Real Madrid.
Real Madrid 'not a threat to anybody' at this point
ESPN FC's Alejandro Moreno blasts Real Madrid and their latest run of poor results.
GROUP C
Remaining games
Dec. 9: Man City vs. Marseille, Olympiakos vs. FC Porto
How is the group shaping up?
Manchester City won the group by drawing 0-0 at FC Porto, and while the Portuguese are also through they can only finish second due to the head-to-head rule.
Olympiakos are third, ahead of Marseille in the battle for a place in the Europa League. Marseille, who go to Man City, must better Olympiakos' result to avoid being eliminated from Europe altogether.
GROUP D
Remaining games
Dec. 9: FC Midtjylland vs. Liverpool, Ajax vs. Atalanta
How is the group shaping up?
Liverpool have won the group with a game to spare, while Midtjylland have been eliminated
That means second place is a direct shootout between Ajax and Atalanta.
The teams will meet in Amsterdam on Dec. 9 with Atalanta knowing they will advance to the knockout rounds if they avoid defeat, while Ajax must win to go through.
Marcotti: Inter are not in control of anything right now
Gab Marcotti sounds the alarm after Inter Milan eke out a narrow win against Gladbach in the Champions League.
GROUP E
Remaining games
Dec. 8: Chelsea vs. Krasnodar, Rennes vs. Sevilla
How is the group shaping up?
This group is the only one with nothing to play for going into the final matchday.
Chelsea made sure of top spot in the group with a superb 4-0 win away to Sevilla, meaning they cannot be overtaken at the summit on head to head.
Krasnodar won at home to Rennes on matchday five to secure third and a place in the Europa League round of 32.
GROUP F
Remaining games
Dec. 8: Lazio vs. Club Brugge, Zenit vs. Dortmund
How is the group shaping up?
Borussia Dortmund have qualified, but must win at Zenit to be sure of top spot.
Lazio are also in a strong position and only need to avoid defeat at home to Club Brugge to go through, and avoid the Europa League.
Zenit Saint Petersburg have been eliminated.
GROUP G
Remaining games
Dec. 8: Barcelona vs. Juventus, Dynamo Kiev vs. Ferencvaros
How is the group shaping up?
Both Barcelona and Juventus have already booked safe passage to the round of 16. Top spot will be decided when the two teams meet at the Camp Nou in the final match, when Juve will have to win by three goals or by a two goal margin of 3-1 or higher scoring to finish first on head to head.
Dynamo Kiev and Ferencvaros are out of it, both on one point. The two teams meet in Hungary on Dec. 8 which will decide who goes through to the Europa League. Ferencvaros must win to go into the Europa League unless it is a 3-3 draw or higher scoring to put them third on away goals.
GROUP H
Remaining games
Dec. 8: PSG vs. Istanbul Basaksehir, RB Leipzig vs. Man United
How is the group shaping up?
Three teams are level on 9 points, meaning there are many permutations open.
Manchester United are top of the group and while it could be argued that they are in the weakest position, having to play away to RB Leipzig, a point will see them through. They cannot go through if they lose.
PSG are in the strongest position, and will top the group if they win at home to Istanbul Basaksehir because they hold the direct head to head over both United and Leipzig. A draw would see them through too.
RB Leipzig almost certainly need to win against Man United, as they would only be through with a draw if PSG lose to Istanbul Basaksehir.
If all three teams finish level on 10 points, which requires both games to be draws, Man United would win the group on the three-team head to head, PSG would be second and Leipzig in third.
Istanbul Basaksehir have been eliminated.