Champions League preview - Juve and Bayern on the brink

08 December 2009 12:24

The Champions League is as open this season as any in the recent past; Inter Milan, Juventus and Bayern Munich all stand on the verge of elimination.

Football.co.uk guides you through the final round of matches and the significance they hold for Europe's most prestigious club competition.

- Champions League fixtures

Group A

French side Bordeaux have surprised everyone by winning Group A with a game to spare. Second place, however, is open as giants Juventus and Bayern Munich fight it out at the Stadio Olimpico.

The Italians have the advantage, being one point ahead, meaning that a home draw would suffice. If there is a winner, they will progress while the loser will have to make do with the Europa Cup.

Group B

Manchester United, already qualified, need just a point in Wolfsburg to top the group but that will not be easy.

With United's defensive problems, a home win and CSKA Moscow loss to Besiktas would see the Germans top the group. The Russians need to win in Turkey and hope United do the same in Germany.

Group C

Real Madrid are all but through and a point will guarantee their progress. In order for the Spanish giants to be eliminated, AC Milan need to win in Switzerland and Marseille beat Real by three goals or more.

A Zurich win against AC, which is not such an indistinct possibility, will see Marseille needing any kind of win to qualify. Two draws will see Real and AC through, as will wins for both sides, if Real lose and AC win, the Italians go through first with Real second.

Group D

Chelsea and FC Porto have both qualified already, with first and second place sewn up, which means the real battle is for the Europa Cup spot.

Atletico Madrid are favourites for third place, APOEL Nicosia need to go to Stamford Bridge and win. If the Cypriot side can do that, Madrid need to beat Porto at home to claim third spot, a draw or Porto win will see Nicosia through.

Group E

All there is to play for in Group E is first and second place, unless you are Liverpool and playing for pride.

Fiorentina and Lyon are through and, while Viola have a two point advantage, Lyon have the easier final tie. A win for the French side and Liverpool beating Fiorentina will see Lyon top the group.

If Fiorentina draw, Lyon need to beat Debrecen by two goals or more while a win for the Italians at Anfield will see them top the group no matter what.

Group F

The most open group as everyone can qualify. Barcelona are the favourites to go through and will advance unless they lose 2-0 or by three goals or more away to Dynamo Kiev.

Rubin Kazan need to win at the San Siro to join the Catalans in the second knockout round and Dynamo can qualify with a win over Barca and a draw in the other tie.

Group G

Sevilla have qualified and will win the group with a draw or better at home to Rangers, who are out of European competition altogether.

Joining the Spanish side will be the winners of the tie between Stuttgart and Unirea Urziceni, a draw will see the Romanians shock everyone and progress. 

Group H

Arsenal have won the final group but can have an influence on the fight for second place.

Victory for Arsenal over Olympiacos tomorrow will mean that the Turkish side crash out if Standard Liege beat bottom side AZ Alkmaar in Belgium.

Victory for Olympiacos in Greece sees them through, as does a draw or an AZ victory.

Confused? So are we. Just sit back, enjoy and wait for someone else to work it out for you!

- by David Brenchley

Source: DSG