UCL: Requirements for Arsenal and Man Utd to Qualify for Knockout Rounds

The penultimate fixtures in the Champions League group stage will be played this week.

All the teams have two games left to secure a spot in the last 16.

Manchester City are the only Premier League team that has confirmed their qualification so far.

Manchester United and Newcastle are both at the bottom of their respective groups.

Erik ten Hag’s side faces 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 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.

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

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

December 12 – PSV Eindhoven vs Arsenal; Lens vs Sevilla