Champions League permutations - the results Man Utd and Arsenal need to qualify

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Champions League permutations - the results Man Utd and Arsenal need to qualify
Champions League permutations - the results Man Utd and Arsenal need to qualify

The Champions League group stage is entering its business end with just two matches left to secure a spot in the last 16.

Holders Manchester City are among a number of sides to have already ensured that they'll be in the competition come the new year, but several others have plenty of work to do. Manchester United and Newcastle are among them, with the Premier League rivals sitting bottom of their respective groups ahead of this week's penultimate fixtures.

Erik ten Hag's side face a daunting trip to Turkey to take on Galatasaray while Newcastle will face off against PSG, having thrashed the French champions 4-1 at St James' Park earlier in the group stage. Fellow Premier League side Arsenal, on the other hand, are much more likely to be in the draw for the knockout phase on December 18.

Here are the permutations in all eight groups ahead of the final two rounds of matches.

Group A

Harry Kane's goals have secured Bayern Munich's place in the last 16 but all eyes are now on who'll join them. Manchester United's shock late defeat to Copenhagen last time out leaves them with plenty to do and they sit bottom on three points.

Marcel Sabitzer completes Man Utd transfer after last-minute deadline day dash qhiqhhiuuiqhtinvMarcel Sabitzer completes Man Utd transfer after last-minute deadline day dash

United simply have to pick up something against Galatasaray and will be out if they suffer defeat. A win in Turkey coupled with Bayern beating Copenhagen would give the group an entire different outlook. It would also mean a draw against Bayern in the final group match would likely be enough for United to go through thanks to their head-to-head record.

Copenhagen and Galatasaray both have four points, with the latter in a strong position to go through. They have already played Bayern twice and a point against United will put their destiny firmly in their own hands.

Remaining fixtures

November 29 - Galatasaray vs Manchester United; Bayern Munich vs Copenhagen

December 12 - Manchester United vs Bayern Munich; Copenhagen vs Galatasaray

Champions League permutations - the results Man Utd and Arsenal need to qualifyManchester United's 4-3 defeat to Copenhagen rendered their chances of qualifying slim (Getty Images)

Get involved! Will Manchester United reach the knockout phase? Give us your prediction in the comments section.

Group B

While Arsenal are four points clear at the top of Group B, Mikel Arteta's men are yet to confirm their place in the knockouts. A draw at home to Lens this Wednesday would seal the Gunners' safe passage through to the last 16, as would a defeat for PSV regardless of what happens at the Emirates.

Sevilla look destined to drop down into the Europa League once more, as the Spanish outfit must win their final two games and hope for other results to go their way. It's likely a battle for second between PSV and Lens, with their clash tomorrow being crucial if they end up finishing on the same points, as their head-to-head records will come into play. PSV won the first meeting 1-0.

Remaining fixtures

November 29 - Sevilla vs PSV Eindhoven; Arsenal vs Lens

Man Utd deadline day live updates as Sabitzer completes loan moveMan Utd deadline day live updates as Sabitzer completes loan move

December 12 - PSV Eindhoven vs Arsenal; Lens vs Sevilla

Champions League permutations - the results Man Utd and Arsenal need to qualifyArsenal are on the verge of sealing their place in the last 16 (Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Group C

Real Madrid need just a single point from their final two fixtures to confirm their place as group winners, having already qualified last time out much thanks to thanks to the brilliance of Jude Bellingham throughout the campaign. Five points behind them are Napoli, whose form in Europe constrasts their bleak results in Serie A.

The Italian champions will be through if they record a famous win at the Bernabeu but should they lose and Braga beat Union Berlin on home soil, the Portuguese side would give themselves a chance of going through on matchday six when they make the journey to Naples. Unfortunately for Union, they can't reach the knockout stages, although they do have a slim chance of clinching third place which would result in them dropping down into the Europa League under new manager Nenad Bjelica.

Remaining fixtures

November 29 - Braga vs Union Berlin; Real Madrid vs Napoli

December 12 - Union Berlin vs Real Madrid, Napoli vs Braga

Group D

Put simply, this group isn't very exciting. Real Sociedad and Inter have already booked their place in the knockout draw, with the sides set to battle it out for top spot when they meet at San Siro in a fortnight's time. Red Bull Salzburg have the upper hand in the battle to secure third and they'd confirm that by bettering Benfica's result on Wednesday.

Remaining fixtures

November 29 - Benfica vs Inter; Real Sociedad vs Red Bull Salzburg

December 12 - Inter vs Real Sociedad; Red Bull Salzburg vs Benfica

Champions League permutations - the results Man Utd and Arsenal need to qualifyJude Bellingham has powered Real Madrid through to the knockout stages (Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)

Group E

Leaders Atletico Madrid can seal their spot in the last 16 by beating Feyenoord away from home on Tuesday, but that's about as simple as it gets in this group. Two draws could even be enough to finish up as group winners, although that'd only happen if Lazio failed to beat bottom side Celtic at home.

Should Maurizio Sarri's team take all three points and Atletico also win, that'd be the top two decided. Celtic, meanwhile, must claim a victory if they're to stand a chance of reaching the knockouts, and that result would in turn give Feyenoord the chance to qualify.

Remaining fixtures

November 28 - Lazio vs Celtic; Feyenoord vs Atletico Madrid

December 13 - Atletico Madrid vs Lazio; Celtic vs Feyenoord

Group F

Not only are all four teams still able to qualify from Group F, but there's a decent chance for each. Borussia Dortmund will confirm their place if they manage a win away to AC Milan on Tuesday, and that result would allow PSG through alongside them should Kylian Mbappe and co beat Newcastle.

For the Magpies, they need to get something in Paris to set up a huge tie against AC Milan at St James' Park. Milan, however, could also need all three points on the final matchday, all while Dortmund and PSG face off in Germany.

Remaining fixtures

November 28 - AC Milan vs Borussia Dortmund; PSG vs Newcastle

December 13 - Borussia Dortmund vs PSG; Newcastle vs AC Milan

Champions League permutations - the results Man Utd and Arsenal need to qualifyNewcastle need something against PSG to keep their hopes alive (Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images)

Group G

Similarly to Group E, the two teams through are already decided - Manchester City and RB Leipzig. They face each other in Manchester on Tuesday and for City a win would confirm their place as group winners. Young Boys and Red Star Belgrade both only have one point and are separated by two just goals, meaning that their clash on Tuesday could well be decider given they're each unlikely to get anything from their final game.

Remaining fixtures

November 28 - Man City vs RB Leipzig; Young Boys vs Red Star Belgrade

December 13 - Red Star Belgrade vs Man City; RB Leipzig vs Young Boys

Group H

Everyone barring bottom-dwellers Royal Antwerp can qualify from this group and Barcelona are stuttering at a bad time in the season. Boasting an identical record to Porto, Xavi's side welcome them to Montjuic on Tuesday knowing that a win will not only seal qualification but also mean first place is wrapped up if Shakhtar Donetsk don't win.

The Ukrainians surprisingly beat Barca last time out and know that destiny is in their own hands, as do Porto. Royal Antwerp can still clinch third if they somehow win their final two games, including beating Shakhtar by two or more goals.

Remaining fixtures

November 28 - Shakhtar Donetsk vs Royal Antwerp; Barcelona vs Porto

December 13 - Porto vs Shakhtar Donetsk; Royal Antwerp vs Barcelona

Liam Prenderville

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