Champions League matchday five permutations

As we approach the sharp end of the UEFA Champions League group stage, UEFA.com discovers what could happen on Wednesday.

Group A
Bayer 04 Leverkusen (7 pts) v Manchester United FC (8)
FC Shakhtar Donetsk (5) v Real Sociedad de Fútbol (1)
After four matches, the only guarantee from this section is that United will be competing in Europe after Christmas. The English champions will secure first place if they defeat Leverkusen in Germany and Shakhtar fail to win at home to La Real. Sami Hyypiä's side can also wrap up qualification – though not top spot – if they win.

La Real have to take all three points at the Donbass Arena and hope for a United victory to keep their slender hopes of a last-16 place alive, whereas the Ukrainian title holders will remain in contention for the knockout phase unless they lose and Leverkusen-United finishes all square.

Group B
Juventus (3 pts) v FC København (4)
Real Madrid CF (10) v Galatasaray AŞ (4)
With a six-point lead, Madrid need only a draw at home to Galatasaray to clinch top spot – and even a defeat could suffice, depending on other results. Assuming Carlo Ancelotti's side do not lose, Juventus, without a win so far, will move into second place by overcoming København at home. Indeed six points from their final two matches, the second of them away to Galatasaray, will guarantee the Serie A champions a place in the last 16. Conversely, victory for the Danish title holders in Turin will eliminate Antonio Conte's team.

Group C
RSC Anderlecht (1 pt) v SL Benfica (4)
Paris Saint-Germain (10) v Olympiacos FC (7)
Paris are firmly in the driving seat and require only a draw at home to Olympiacos, the team they defeated 4-1 in Piraeus on matchday one, to qualify as group winners. A point would also be sufficient to see the Greek champions through as runners-up if Benfica fail to win at Anderlecht.

Jorge Jesus' men cannot improve their standing ahead of matchday six even with a win in Brussels but should Olympiacos win in Paris, only three points will keep them in the hunt. Anderlecht are all but out of contention, requiring two wins and other results to go their way if they are to survive.

Bayern are already through©AFP/Getty Images

Group D
PFC CSKA Moskva (3 pts) v FC Bayern München (12)
Manchester City FC (9) v FC Viktoria Plzeň (0)
Bayern and Manchester City have already booked their round of 16 berths with two matches to spare, leaving CSKA and Plzeň to contest the UEFA Europa League spot. Bayern will top the group if they better City's result.

Although all reasonable care has been taken that the information is accurate, no representation or guarantee is made as to its reliability or completeness.