Champions League: How teams can qualify for round of 16
Steve Nicol praises Thiago Silva's impact on Chelsea's defense, and calls out Timo Werner's miss vs. Rennes. (1:18)
Four rounds of matches have now been played, and the Champions League group stage is falling into shape. Here's how all teams are positioned with two matches still to go.
Groups A-D will be added after matchday four on Wednesday.
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Remaining games
Dec. 2: Krasnodar vs. Rennes, Sevilla vs. Chelsea
Dec. 8: Chelsea vs. Krasnodar, Rennes vs. Sevilla
How is the group shaping up?
Chelsea and Sevilla have run away with this group and both are already guaranteed of being in the round of 16. The key thing now is which team takes top spot, which should earn a more favourable draw against the runners-up from another group, and that will be decided if there is a winner in Spain on Dec. 2.
It's a similar scenario for Krasnodar vs. Rennes, the only difference being that the place in the Europa League is at stake. A winner in that head-to-head on matchday 5 settles it.
Remaining games
Dec. 2: Borussia Dortmund vs. Lazio, Club Brugge vs. Zenit
Dec. 8: Lazio vs. Club Brugge, Zenit vs. Borussia Dortmund
How is the group shaping up?
Borussia Dortmund top the group and need a point to go through, and they can win it with a game to spare with victory at home to Lazio on Dec. 2.
Lazio are also in a strong position and would seal qualification by beating Dortmund, or if Club Brugge lose at home to Zenit. A point would also be enough for Lazio if Club Brugge draw.
It's last chance saloon for Zenit Saint Petersburg, who are out of the running in the Champions League and must win in Belgium to keep alive their hopes of dropping into the Europa League.
Remaining games
Dec. 2: Ferencvaros vs. Barcelona, Juventus vs. Dynamo Kiev
Dec. 8: Barcelona vs. Juventus, Dynamo Kiev vs. Ferencvaros
How is the group shaping up?
Another group with very little to play for, with both Barcelona and Juventus having already booked safe passage to the round of 16. It is likely top spot will be decided when the two teams meet at the Camp Nou in the final match, when Juve will probably have to win to have a chance of finishing top.
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.
Remaining games
Dec. 2: Istanbul Basaksehir vs. RB Leipzig, Man United vs. PSG
Dec. 8: PSG vs. Istanbul Basaksehir, RB Leipzig vs. Man United
How is the group shaping up?
Manchester United are in control of the group and need one point to go through, while victory at home to Paris Saint-Germain would all but secure top spot. However, they have the two hardest opponents yet to come so cannot be complacent. Defeat to PSG, together with a win for RB Leipzig in Istanbul, would leave three teams on nine points going into the final matchday.
A win for PSG in Manchester would put the French champions in a strong position, with Istanbul Basaksehir to visit Paris on the final day.
For RB Leipzig, they know that victory in Istanbul is a must to put themselves in the strongest position, and any positive result for United over PSG would be a huge help. If Leipzig and PSG were to finish level on points, PSG would finish higher on head-to-head away goals.
Despite having only one win to their name, Istanbul Basaksehir remain alive in the group. But they must win against Leipzig otherwise they hopes will be over.
