Real Madrid set to advance
Holders Real Madrid, Liverpool and Besiktas are on the verge of securing places in the last 16 of the Champions League today.
But Borussia Dortmund and Monaco appear destined for an early exit, while Serie A leaders Napoli are also in deep trouble.
AFP Sport looks at who can qualify from each group going into the fifth round of matches today.
GROUP E
Spartak Moscow v Maribor, Sevilla v Liverpool
The winners of Liverpool’s match at Sevilla will qualify. The two sides played out an entertaining 2-2 draw at Anfield on the opening matchday, and another point for five-time European champions Liverpool would still see them book a last16 spot for the first time since 2008/09 if Spartak lose at home to Maribor. Russian champions Spartak cannot be eliminated today and would secure at least third place with a draw. Slovenian outfit Maribor have to win and hope Sevilla lose to Liverpool to stay in knockout round contention.
GROUP F
Manchester City v Feyenoord, Napoli v Shakhtar Donetsk
Serie A leaders Napoli host Shakhtar needing to win and score at least two goals to keep their hopes alive. The Italian side lost 2-1 in Ukraine in the away fixture, so need to level their head-to-head record with Shakhtar to take the group to the final matchday. Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City will wrap up top spot in the group with a home win over pointless Feyenoord, or with a draw if Shakhtar lose in Naples.
GROUP G
Besiktas v Porto, Monaco v RB Leipzig
Turkish champions Besiktas are on the cusp of the last 16 and will secure top spot with a draw. If Leipzig fail to beat Monaco, then they will finish in the top two regardless. Two-time champions Porto will book their ticket to the knockout stage with a victory in Istanbul if Leipzig do not win in the principality. Last season’s semi-finalists Monaco have to win and hope Porto do not to have any chance of replicating their feats from last term.
GROUP H
Dortmund v Spurs, APOEL v Real Madrid
After their famous 3-1 win over the holders at Wembley last time out, Spurs just have to match Real’s result today to secure first place. Zinedine Zidane’s Spanish champions will qualify with a win over Cypriots APOEL. Real should have be able to see off APOEL although the Spaniards are struggling at home with forwards Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema finding it hard to score. Real can also qualify with a point if Dortmund fail to beat Tottenham. A pair of draws against the Germans have kept APOEL’s slim chances alive, but they will be out if they do not pull off a shock win over Real.