Champions League: which teams can qualify for the last 16?

Tonight is the final round of matches in the Champions League group stage

Uefa Champions League trophy
The Uefa Champions League last 16 draw will be held on 11 December 
(Image credit: Valery Hache/AFP/Getty Images)

After last night’s group matches 12 teams have now qualified for the last 16 of the Uefa Champions League and the four remaining spots will be decided tonight.

With Manchester United joining the likes of Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid in the knockout stages, there will be plenty of interest when the last 16 draw is made on 11 December.

For teams that fail to finish in the top two of each group, there is still a chance to remain in European competition. The eight teams that finish in third place in each group will go into the Europa League round of 32.

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Which teams have qualified for the last 16?

Barcelona, Basel, Bayern Munich, Besiktas, Chelsea, Juventus, Manchester City, Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid, Roma, Tottenham Hotspur

Who can still qualify tonight?

Leipzig, Liverpool, Napoli, Porto, Sevilla, Shakhtar Donetsk, Spartak Moscow

Who won’t finish in the top two?

APOEL, Borussia Dortmund

Who will finish fourth in their group?

Benfica, Anderlecht, Feyenoord, Maribor, Monaco, Olympiakos, Qarabag

UEFA.com explains the permutations of the four Champions League groups to be decided tonight:

Champions League Group E

Tonight’s fixtures (7.45pm): Liverpool vs. Spartak Moscow; NK Maribor vs. Sevilla

How it stands

  • If Liverpool get a draw against Spartak they will qualify. To qualify in first place, Liverpool need a win or a draw if Sevilla fail to win at NK Maribor.
  • If Liverpool lose they are out unless Sevilla are also beaten.
  • Sevilla will qualify with a point, or if Spartak fail to win at Anfield. Sevilla can secure first place with a victory and Liverpool do not win.
  • With a victory Spartak would be through – anything else would see them finish third. If Spartak win they will finish top unless Sevilla also win.
  • NK Maribor will finish fourth in Group E.

Champions League Group F

Tonight’s fixtures (7.45pm): Feyenoord vs. Napoli; Shakhtar Donetsk vs. Manchester City

How it stands

  • Man City have qualified as winners of Group F.
  • Shakhtar can also qualify if they avoid defeat or if Napoli fail to win.
  • Napoli must win against Feyenoord and hope Shakhtar lose.
  • Feyenoord will finish fourth in Group F.

Champions League Group G

Tonight’s fixtures (7.45pm): FC Porto vs. Monaco; RB Leipzig vs. Besiktas

How it stands

  • Besiktas have qualified as winners of Group G.
  • Porto will qualify if they beat Monaco. If Porto finish level on points with Leipzig, the Portuguese side will qualify because of their better head-to-head record.
  • For Leipzig to finish second they must get more points than Porto.
  • Monaco will finish fourth of Group G.

Champions League Group H

Tonight’s fixtures (7.45pm): Real Madrid vs. Borussia Dortmund; Tottenham Hotspur vs. Apoel Nicosia

How it stands

  • Because of their superior head-to-head record against Real Madrid, Tottenham will qualify as winners of Group H.
  • Real qualify as runners-up.
  • Dortmund and APOEL are contesting third place. If both teams draw, Dortmund will finish third because of their superior goal difference.
  • Whether both teams win or lose the final ranking will depend on the number of goals scored and conceded in the last two matches.

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