5 video games deep within the UEFA Champions League, the image is changing into clearer within the league section as we come into the sixth spherical of play. Liverpool are the one staff to have received all 5 of their video games for a complete of 15 factors which locations them two away from unbeaten Inter. Though 10 factors is predicted to be sufficient for a high 24 end and subsequently a UCL knockout berth, there is no such thing as a assure as a result of it is a model new format which is taking part in out for the very first time proper now. Arne Slot’s males have booked at the very least that and must be joined by the Nerazzurri, Barcelona, Borussia Dortmund and undefeated Atalanta BC. Bayer Leverkusen, Arsenal, AS Monaco, Aston Villa, Sporting CP, Stade Brestois 29 and Lille OSC are additionally nicely positioned to advance past the league section. Nonetheless, some massive names occupy the incorrect finish of the desk with Paris Saint-Germain at the moment in an elimination berth whereas Actual Madrid are barely within the high 24 with each having suffered three losses. Pink Bull pair Leipzig and Salzburg are additionally surprisingly low whereas VfB Stuttgart, Bologna and Shakhtar Donetsk would possibly shock some.
We take a more in-depth look because the three remaining video games edge nearer.
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Certified groups
Liverpool: To this point, the Premier League-leading Merseysiders are the one staff to be assured of at the very least a playoff spot though they could but — and nearly definitely will — e book an computerized round-of-16 berth by a top-eight end. With Girona (away), Lille (residence) and PSV Eindhoven (away) to come back, it’s arduous to see Slot’s aspect not marching on robotically and the extra pertinent query may be whether or not or not the Reds find yourself successful all of their video games or at the very least remaining unbeaten.
Shock performers
Liverpool main the best way is just not actually an enormous shock however their mixed Premier League and Champions League type does advantage additional point out given Slot’s seemingly seamless transition into life at Anfield. Of the highest eight, few would have wager on Monaco of Ligue 1 being up there whereas Atalanta forming a part of an unbeaten Serie A pairing with Inter additionally warrants reward. From ninth downwards, Aston Villa are nonetheless inside touching distance of the highest eight together with Sporting CP, Brest and Lille which is arguably the place many of the shock lies when it comes to groups punching above their weight. Bayern Munich, Atletico Madrid and Milan are additionally upwardly cell and correcting sudden sluggishness after latest upticks in continental outcomes.
Shock strugglers
There isn’t any getting away from the truth that PSG are the standout title right here with Luis Enrique’s males crushed by Arsenal, Atleti and now Bayern in addition to being held at residence by PSV Eindhoven. With video games in opposition to Salzburg, an unexpectedly susceptible Manchester Metropolis and Stuttgart, there’s a main risk that the French giants don’t even advance to the knockouts. Ligue 1 is at the moment being buoyed by Monaco, Brest and Lille and Paris dropping out so prematurely could be an infinite blow to France’s UEFA coefficient efficiency which had been respectable up till very lately. Actual occupying the ultimate of the highest 24 locations was in no way anticipated however they’re two factors higher off than PSG whereas Metropolis and Juventus are inside two factors of the defending UCL titleholders. The early proof is that UEFA’s format shakeup is definitely making issues attention-grabbing and the ultimate three video games might be extraordinarily excessive stakes for the likes of Les Parisiens.
Coefficient storylines to date
How the league section is impacting that UEFA coefficient system has develop into one thing of a three-horse race of late with England romping away in high spot when it comes to a possible further Champions League spot adopted by Portugal and Italy. The seven EPL sides have a bonus over their 5 Portuguese rivals however the eight Italian representatives might nicely flip that tide despite the fact that Bologna look prone to drop that quantity to seven. Germany’s Bundesliga, Spain’s La Liga and France’s Ligue 1 are scrapping away at pretty even standings to Belgium and Czechia within the chasing pack however will probably be powerful to reel in all three of the leaders even at this early stage — particularly the English — with even the Germans a good means again in fourth from second and even third.
Key sixth spherical video games
All 3 p.m. ET
- Tuesday, Dec. 10: Atalanta vs. Actual Madrid, Bayer Leverkusen vs. Inter and RB Salzburg vs. PSG.
- Wednesday, Dec. 11: Arsenal vs. Monaco, Borussia Dortmund vs. Barcelona and Juventus vs. Manchester Metropolis.
The sixth spherical of video games guarantees some absolute crackers with unbeaten Atalanta a extremely powerful job for struggling Actual on Tuesday whereas Leverkusen tackling Inter might have ramifications within the high eight and PSG play for his or her UCL lives away at lowly Salzburg in Austria. On Wednesday, a few of the most in-form sides go up in opposition to one another with Arsenal internet hosting Monaco and Dortmund being visited by Barca is of significance to the highest eight whereas Juve vs. Metropolis is surprisingly a mid-table contest coming into this one.
Standings
Key: Positions 1-8 qualify for Spherical of 16 whereas positions 9-24 qualify for Knockout Part Play-Offs and positions 25-36 are eradicated.
| Pos | Group | GP | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Liverpool | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 1 | +11 | 15 |
| 2 | Inter | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 0 | +7 | 13 |
| 3 | Barcelona | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 18 | 5 | +13 | 12 |
| 4 | Borussia Dortmund | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 16 | 6 | +10 | 12 |
| 5 | Atalanta | 5 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 11 | 1 | +10 | 11 |
| 6 | Bayer Leverkusen | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 11 | 5 | +6 | 10 |
| 7 | Arsenal | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 2 | +6 | 10 |
| 8 | Monaco | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 12 | 7 | +5 | 10 |
| 9 | Aston Villa | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 1 | +5 | 10 |
| 10 | Sporting CP | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 10 | 7 | +3 | 10 |
| 11 | Brest | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 9 | 6 | +3 | 10 |
| 12 | Lille | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 5 | +2 | 10 |
| 13 | Bayern Munich | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 12 | 7 | +5 | 9 |
| 14 | Benfica | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 10 | 7 | +3 | 9 |
| 15 | Atletico Madrid | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 11 | 9 | +2 | 9 |
| 16 | AC Milan | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 10 | 8 | +2 | 9 |
| 17 | Manchester Metropolis | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 13 | 7 | +6 | 8 |
| 18 | PSV | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 10 | 7 | +3 | 8 |
| 19 | Juventus | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 5 | +2 | 8 |
| 20 | Celtic | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 10 | 10 | 0 | 8 |
| 21 | Feyenoord | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 10 | 13 | -3 | 7 |
| 22 | Membership Brugge | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 7 | -3 | 7 |
| 23 | Dinamo Zagreb | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 10 | 15 | -5 | 7 |
| 24 | Actual Madrid | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 9 | 9 | 0 | 6 |
| 25 | PSG | 5 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 6 | -3 | 4 |
| 26 | Shakhtar Donetsk | 5 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 8 | -4 | 4 |
| 27 | Stuttgart | 5 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 11 | -7 | 4 |
| 28 | Sparta Praha | 5 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 14 | -9 | 4 |
| 29 | SK Sturm Graz | 5 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 6 | -4 | 3 |
| 30 | Girona | 5 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 9 | -5 | 3 |
| 31 | Pink Star Belgrade | 5 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 9 | 17 | -8 | 3 |
| 32 | RB Salzburg | 5 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 15 | -12 | 3 |
| 33 | Bologna | 5 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 7 | -6 | 1 |
| 34 | RB Leipzig | 5 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 4 | 10 | -6 | 0 |
| 35 | Slovan Bratislava | 5 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 4 | 18 | -14 | 0 |
| 36 | Younger Boys | 5 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 17 | -15 | 0 |
