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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
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Kieran Horn

Champions League permutations: Who can qualify for knockouts when as Man City chase top spot

Manchester City have already qualified for the next round of the Champions League along with Napoli, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Club Brugge. But, Pep Guardiola's side can ensure they play a second-placed qualifier in the round of 16 when they face Borussia Dortmund this evening.

Five teams are already in the draw for the knockout stages from five different groups, while three groups have two qualification places up for grabs and many of those spots are likely to be taken over the next two nights of European football.

Many teams, while ensuring their secure a positive result, will also be relying on results to go their way elsewhere, and with so many possible outcomes from the 16 fixtures over the next two days .

ALSO READ: Borussia Dortmund vs Man City LIVE early team news, predictions and goal updates from Champions League clash

Here are the possible permutations from matchday five:

Group A - Napoli (Q) Liverpool, Ajax, Rangers.

It has been a disappointing return to Europe's elite competition for Rangers who are on zero points but still can qualify for the Europa League round of 32 if they finish third. Meanwhile Liverpool need just a point against Ajax to secure their place in the knockout stages with Napoli already qualified.

Group B - Club Brugge (Q), Porto, Atletico Madrid, Bayer Leverkusen.

The surprise package of Group B, Club Brugge, are already through to the knockout stages and they can be joined by Porto if they beat Brugge and two-time Champions League finalists Atletico fail to beat Leverkusen.

Group C - Bayern Munich (Q), Inter, Barcelona, Viktoria Plzen.

2020 winners Bayern Munich are already through to the next round, with Barcelona facing the possibility of dropping into the Europa League for the second successive season if Inter beat Viktoria Plzen.

Group D - Tottenham Hotspur, Marseille, Sporting Lisbon, Eintracht Frankfurt.

After a challenging week, Spurs can confirm their place in the knockout stages with a win over Sporting Lisbon regardless of the result between Marseille and Frankfurt.

Group E - Chelsea, Red Bull Salzburg, Milan, Dinamo Zagreb.

With a victory, Chelsea can qualify for the last 16 but if they were to draw in Austria, Milan beating Zagreb would also see Graham Potter's side advance out of the group stage.

Group F - Real Madrid (Q), RB Leipzig, Shakhtar Donetsk, Celtic.

RB Leipzig would be into the last 16 if they beat already-qualified Real Madrid and Shakhtar Donetsk lose to Celtic.

Group G - Manchester City (Q), Borussia Dortmund, Sevilla, Copenhagen.

Already-qualified City can confirm top spot in group G if they beat Borussia Dortmund but a draw or Dortmund win would leave top spot up for grabs heading into the final matchday.

Dortmund themselves are yet to qualify but can secure next-round status with a victory over Man City or a draw if Copenhagen can't beat Sevilla. The Germans can also go through before they play if Sevilla and Copenhagen draw in the earlier kick off (5:45pm).

Group H - Paris Saint-Germain, Benfica, Juventus, Maccabi Haifa.

Benfica and PSG can qualify for the round of 16 if they beat Juventus and Maccabi Haifa respectively. While draws in both games would also see both teams extend their stay in Europe's elite competition.

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