First four through to the UCL knockout stages

The UEFA Champions League group stage has passed its midway mark and we already have four teams certain to qualify for the knockout stages. The quartet is likely to be joined by a couple of more on the Wednesday round, as the likes of Bayern Munchen, Manchester City and Liverpool are looking to clinch their spot as soon as possible. After four games in the group stage, both groups E and G are settled and the only stake there is the 3^rd spot for the Europa League knockout stages.

In Group E, it came as no surprise that Chelsea and Sevilla took the top two spots with ease. The teams kicked-off the campaign in a head-to-head, which they drew 0-0 and then both went on to win three games to secure their qualification with 10 points each. Krasnodar and Rennes were left stranded at one point each and they are not battling for the third place in order to continue their continental campaign in the Europa League.

In Group G, it was even more clear which teams will qualify. Even if Juventus made it difficult at home against Ferencvaros, only scoring the winner on added time, the group has progressed exactly as expected. Barcelona, despite their domestic troubles, has taken the group by storm and collected four wins in four games, securing their qualification after four games. Juventus followed suit despite suffering the loss to Barca, by gathering nine points with three wins. There was no chance for Dynamo Kiev nor Ferencvaros, who did put up an admirable fight but were ultimately worlds apart from the quality of the top duo.

There is still plenty to play for in the other groups of the Champions League group stage. Group F sees Dortmund, Lazio and Club Brügge fight it off until the bitter end and Group H is even more open, with Manchester United, PSG and RB Leipzig all vying the top spots. Even the Turkish underdogs Basaksehir surprised Manchester United and still retain the chance to advance.

Champions League continues on the 1^st and 2^nd of December, with more qualification spots on the line.