23-24 UCL group stage matchday five: fixtures, dates, kick-off times, standings…

Real Madrid, Manchester City and Bayern Munich are among six teams who have already qualified for the round of 16.

The group stage of the 2023-24 UEFA Champions League is nearing its conclusion, with six teams already assured of their places in the round of 16. Real Madrid, Manchester City and Bayern Munich were among those who booked their spot in the knockout stage with two matches to spare, with Harry Kane and Co certain to finish top of their section no matter what happens on matchdays five and six.

Groups D and G, meanwhile, have proved to be something of an anti-climax, with Real Sociedad and Inter already through from the former while City and RB Leipzig are sure of progressing from the latter.

Barcelona and “Group of Death” take centre stage on Group H

Barcelona had the chance to book their place in the last 16 on matchday four but lost to Shakhtar Donetsk, a result which has opened Group H right up. Even a win over Porto on Tuesday might still leave them with work to do in their final fixture, although Xavi Hernández’s side will secure a top-two finish should they take all three points against the Portuguese and the Ukrainians slip up against Antwerp.

It’s anyone’s guess as to who will qualify from Group F, the so-called “Group of Death”, but victories for Borussia Dortmund and Paris Saint-Germain over AC Milan and Newcastle United respectively will send them through.

Manchester United out to avoid UCL disaster on Wednesday

Manchester United have, with the help of a kind run of fixtures, become the Premier League’s form team in recent weeks. They could really do with transferring that to the Champions League as a defeat to Galatasaray in Wednesday’s early kick off will see them eliminated from the competition.

Elsewhere, Real Madrid will seal top spot in Group B if they avoid defeat against Napoli, while Arsenal need just a point at home to Lens to progress to the round of 16.