How the English teams can join Man City in CL knockouts
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Much has been made about the decline of English teams in European competition, but as the last round of Champions League group games approaches Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea all stand a chance of joining Manchester City in the next round.
Here’s what all three teams require to reach the knockout stage of the competition, complete with the latest odds from Ladbrokes.
Manchester United
Louis van Gaal’s side must win to be assured of a spot in the round of 16 and will do so as group winners should they defeat Wolfsburg in the Volkswagen Arena.
The odds suggest they aren’t favoured to get that victory, with Ladbrokes making them 2/1 outsiders and should they fail in their quest for three points, will rely on the other result in their group going their way.
If United lose, they must hope CSKA Moscow beat PSV Eindhoven in Holland to spare their blushes. The Dutch side would progress with a win or draw if Van Gaal’s side lose in Germany.
Arsenal
It would be a remarkable turnaround, given the start they had in Group F, should Arsenal clinch qualification.
With Bayern Munich certain table toppers and Dinamo Zagreb out of Europe altogether, it’s left to a straight shootout between the Gunners and Olympiacos for second and third spot.
Arsene Wenger’s men need to match or better the 3-2 victory their Greek rivals gained in north London in order to sneak into the last 16.
Essentially any win that isn’t 1-0 or 2-1 would see the Gunners through, while those results, a draw or defeat would relegate them to the Europa League.
Chelsea
Victory at Stamford Bridge over Porto would ensure Jose Mourinho’s strugglers qualify for the knockout stages as Group G winners. Ladbrokes make that a 1/1 possibility.
Should the Blues’ poor form continue and they lose, they will be entered into the Europa League with a Dynamo Kiev win over Maccabi Tel Aviv.
A draw between the Londoners and Porto, rated at 23/10, will be good enough to send Chelsea through too, although it would be as second-place finishers should Kiev win.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
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