Champions League predictions: Group stage matchday 6
- The 2023/24 Champions League group stage concludes this week
- There's something to play for in every group bar one
- Newcastle and Man Utd have outside shots of joining Man City and Arsenal in the round of 16
Here it is then, folks: the final round of Champions League group games before the Swiss Model arrives next season.
Matchday six is upon us, and it's bound to be a thrilling conclusion to the group stage as there's something at stake in every group bar one (Group G).
Premier League clubs Manchester City and Arsenal have already booked their places in the round of 16, while Newcastle United and Manchester United have outside chances of joining them. Those two need results to go their way in the final round of group games.
Here's how 90min sees the midweek action panning out.
Tuesday 12 December
Group B will be the first to conclude on Tuesday evening with Arsenal wrapping up their successful group stage by visiting Eindhoven. The Gunners battered PSV in the reverse fixture, but the Dutch side look like they'll join Mikel Arteta's men in the last 16.
Peter Bosz's side need just a point against a rotated Arsenal outfit to progress into the next round. A defeat for the hosts will open up the door for Lens, who are three points behind. Sevilla visit the Ligue 1 side knowing that a win will see them qualify for the Europa League.
Man Utd need plenty to go their way from them to progress into the knockout stages. First things first, they must beat a Bayern Munich side that haven't lost their previous 39 Champions League group stage games. Thomas Tuchel will also be hoping for a response from their 5-1 defeat at Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday.
Should they overcome Bayern at Old Trafford, only a draw in the group's other game between FC Copenhagen and Galatasaray will see United through. A victory for either side in the Danish capital and the Red Devils are out.
Kick-off Time (BST) | Fixture | Group | Prediction |
|---|---|---|---|
17:45 | PSV Eindhoven vs Arsenal | B | 3-1 |
17:45 | Lens vs Sevilla | B | 2-0 |
20:00 | FC Copenhagen vs Galatasaray | A | 1-1 |
20:00 | Man Utd vs Bayern Munich | A | 1-3 |
20:00 | Union Berlin vs Real Madrid | C | 2-1 |
20:00 | Napoli vs Braga | C | 2-1 |
20:00 | Salzburg vs Benfica | D | 1-1 |
20:00 | Inter vs Real Sociedad | D | 3-1 |
Real Madrid have sailed into the round of 16 having won all five of their group games so far. However, with Carlo Ancelotti set to rotate on Tuesday given their injury woes, Union Berlin, who won for the first time since August on Saturday, might fancy their chances of pulling off a memorable upset.
Should Union win and Braga lose to Napoli, the Bundesliga side will finish third in Group C and thus progress into the Europa League knockout playoffs. Braga could yet qualify alongside Madrid, but they need to win convincingly in Naples to give themselves a chance.
In Group D, Inter and Real Sociedad will battle it out for top spot as they clash at San Siro. With the reverse fixture ending all squad and Sociedad boasting a superior goal difference, Inter need a win at home to top the group.
Benfica are just about still alive for a place in the Europa League, but they must beat RB Salzburg by more than two goals to beat out the Austrian side to third place.
Wednesday 13 December
Group G was settled after matchday five with Man City overturning a two-goal deficit to beat RB Leipzig and Young Boys gaining the crucial head-to-head advantage over Red Star Belgrade. The Swiss side, who visit Leipzig on Wednesday evening, will finish third, while City, who travel to Serbia, have won the group.
Lazio have endured an indifferent Serie A season so far, but they will join Atletico Madrid in the round of 16 from Group E. Maurizio Sarri's side will top the group should they beat Atletico at the Wanda.
Celtic, meanwhile, are merely playing for pride as they host third-place Feyenoord.
Kick-off Time (BST) | Fixture | Group | Prediction |
|---|---|---|---|
17:45 | Red Star Belgrade vs Man City | G | 0-3 |
17:45 | RB Leipzig vs Young Boys | G | 1-1 |
20:00 | Atletico Madrid vs Lazio | E | 3-0 |
20:00 | Celtic vs Feyenoord | E | 1-2 |
20:00 | Newcastle vs Milan | F | 1-1 |
20:00 | Borussia Dortmund vs Paris Saint-Germain | F | 1-2 |
20:00 | Porto vs Shakhtar Donetsk | H | 2-0 |
20:00 | Royal Antwerp vs Barcelona | H | 0-1 |
Much of Wednesday's drama will take place in Group F as the best group on paper draws to a must-watch conclusion.
All four teams have a chance of qualifying, with current leaders Borussia Dortmund definitely through and one of Paris Saint-Germain, Newcastle and Milan joining them. PSG can end the conversation with a win in Germany - they will top the group if they do - while Newcastle and Milan must win and hope PSG can only draw at best.
Group H hasn't exactly been spellbinding with Barcelona topping the group, but Porto and Shakhtar Donetsk face off in a shootout for the right to join the Catalans in the knockouts. Both teams have nine points, so Shakhtar must win in Portugal given that Porto won the reverse fixture 3-1.
Barcelona finish the group away at bottom dwellers Royal Antwerp.
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