How the English teams can finish in the Champions League on matchday six.

As the Premier League enters the hectic December period, the Champions League group stage reaches its conclusion on matchday six. All four English teams have impressed at points, but what is every team playing for during the final round of group stage matches?

Manchester City – Group A – Top Spot Already Secured

Manchester City was given a tough draw in the group stages. Whilst Club Brugge appeared to be the whipping boys of Group A, both PSG and RB Leipzig set unique challenges for Pep Guardiola’s men. But the Citizens passed these tests with ease. After suffering defeat on matchday two in Paris, Manchester City rattled off three-straight victories – including a win in the reverse fixture against the Ligue 1 champions.

After the victory at the Etihad over Lionel Messi and co, Manchester City has confirmed their spot as Group A winners and a game against a second-placed team in the last 16. 

Liverpool – Group B – Top Spot Already Secured

Only Ajax and Bayern Munich can boast the group stage dominance that Liverpool can. The Merseyside team has come through Group B unscathed and currently has 15 points out of 15 in the Champions League group stage. Over their five fixtures so far, Liverpool has netted 15 goals, including a 5-1 win over FC Porto and a 3-2 victory over Atletico Madrid in the Estadia Wanda Metropolitano.

Jurgen Klopp’s side faces AC Milan at the San Siro on the final matchday knowing that they can’t be removed from the top spot in Group B.

Manchester United – Group F – Top Spot Already Secured

Manchester United is enduring a turbulent 2021 campaign. They began their Champions League campaign with a surprise loss to Young Boys, but Ralph Rangnick’s new side steered the ship to secure a place in the next round.

The Red Devils can thank the return of Cristiano Ronaldo for securing the top spot in Group F. The Portuguese forward has six goals through five games in the group stages – including a late winner against Villareal and a brace in Bergamo to gain a point against Atalanta.

United must defeat Young Boys on the final matchday to finish the group stages off with a victory. 

Chelsea – Group H – Top Spot or Second Place

The only English team that hasn’t confirmed the top spot in their group is the current European Champions. Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea fired themselves into first in the group after a crucial home victory over Juventus on matchday five. The 4-0 win at Stamford Bridge means the Blues’ fate lies in their own hands on the final matchday.

On matchday six, Chelsea has an away game in Russia against Zenit St. Petersburg. They defeated the Russian Champions by one at Stamford Bridge and if they can replicate that result – they top the group.

Unfortunately for Chelsea, if they fail to win and Juventus better their result, it is second-place for Tuchel’s side.