THE Champions League group stage is into matchday four and supporters are 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.
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
Spurs may be second in the table, but they are by no means comfortable.
A tricky trip to Serbia is next up, before Greek giants Olympiacos have already proved a handle for Mauricio Pochettino’s men.
And then it is a clash in Munich, where Tottenham will be huge underdogs.
FIXTURES AND RESULTS
Olympiacos 2-2 Tottenahm
Tottenham 2-7 Bayern Munich
Tottenham 5-0 Red Star Belgrade
Red Star Belgrade vs Tottenham
Tottenham vs Olympiacos
Bayern Munich vs Tottenham
MANCHESTER CITY – Group C
As expected, the Premier League champions are making light work of this group that features teams from Croatia, Ukraine and Italy.
Victory against Atalanta on matchday four and Pep Guardiola’s men will have secured their progression.
FIXTURES AND RESULTS
Shakhtar Donetsk 0-3 Manchester City
Manchester City 2-0 Dinamo Zagreb
Manchester City 5-1 Atalanta
Atalanta vs Manchester City
Manchester City vs 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
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
