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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
JOE KRISHNAN

What Chelsea need to qualify for Uefa Champions League knockout stages

Chelsea will go into the final Champions League matchday hoping to seal qualification to the knockout stages for the fourth time in five seasons.

Frank Lampard's side were held to a 2-2 draw by Valencia in a thrilling game at the Mestalla, with the Blues coming from behind after Carlos Soler's strike with goals from Mateo Kovacic and Christian Pulisic.

But Daniel Wass' bizarre late goal denied the west London side the chance to seal their progress with a game to spare.

It's been a rollercoaster ride for the Blues in Group H so far. They began with a home defeat to Valencia before away wins in Lille and at Ajax, and then fought back impressively from 4-1 down to snatch a point against nine-man Ajax on matchday four.

The draw in Spain means the 2012 winners can still qualify - and here's what they need to seal their place in the next stage of the competition.

Current standings in Group H

Champions League | Group H

Pos Team P W D L GD Pts
1 Ajax 5 3 1 1 7 10
2 Chelsea 5 2 2 1 1 8
3 Valencia 5 2 2 1 1 8
4 Lille 5 0 1 4 -9 1

17/09/2019

  • Ajax 3-0 Lille
  • Chelsea 0-1 Valencia​

02/10/2019

  • Valencia 0-3 Ajax
  • Lille 1-2 Chelsea

23/10/2019

  • Ajax 0-1 Chelsea
  • Lille 1-1 Valencia

05/11/2019

  • Chelsea 4-4 Ajax
  • Valencia 4-1 Lille

27/11/2019

  • Valencia 2-2 Chelsea
  • Lille 0-2 Ajax

What Chelsea need to qualify

The draw means Chelsea and Valencia go into the final game both on eight points.

However, the LaLiga outfit have the better head-to-head which could be crucial come the final matchday after Ajax beat Lille.

Chelsea earned a 2-2 draw in Valencia Photo: AFP via Getty Images

But if Chelsea beat Lille at home on December 10, they will qualify for the knockout stages regardless of what happens in Amsterdam.

If the Blues draw, they will need to hope Ajax beat Valencia, allowing them to qualify in second place.

They will top the group with a win over the French side and if Ajax draw with Valencia due to their superior head-to-head record with the Eredivisie outfit.

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