What teams need to qualify from Champions League groups - ESPN

The UEFA Champions League has reached the halfway stage, with all eight groups starting to take shape.

This is the final season of the multi-group format, before it becomes a 36-team competition with all clubs in one league table.

We take a look at who can seal their places on Matchday 4, and how the qualification picture looks.

The top two teams in each group qualify for the round of 16, the third placed clubs drop into the Europa League knockout playoff round, and those who finish bottom are eliminated.

Tiebreakers: 1) Points 2) Head-to-head points in games involving the tied teams 3) Goal difference in head-to-head matches involving the tied teams 4) Goals scored in head-to-head matches involving the tied teams -- If the above tiebreaker initially involves 3 or 4 teams, it is reapplied to resolve any remaining tiebreaker among fewer clubs 5) Goal difference in all group matches 6) Goals scored in all group matches 7) Away goals scored in all group matches 8) Wins in all group matches 9) Away wins in all group matches 10) Disciplinary points 11) UEFA club coefficient.

This page will be updated throughout the final rounds of the group stage.

Remaining fixtures Nov. 8: Bayern Munich vs. Galatasaray, FC Copenhagen vs. Manchester United Nov. 29: Galatasaray vs. Manchester United, Bayern Munich vs. FC Copenhagen Dec. 12: Manchester United vs. Bayern Munich, FC Copenhagen vs. Galatasaray

Bayern have a 100% record after the first three group games and will qualify with a win or draw at home to Galatasaray on Matchday 4.

The other three teams in the group are separated by just three points. The results of the three games involving these teams will decide the final placings.

FC Copenhagen are bottom, but are the only one of the three with two home games left to play. Man United's only remaining home fixture is against Bayern.

Remaining fixtures Nov. 8: Arsenal vs. Sevilla, PSV Eindhoven vs. Lens Nov. 29: Sevilla vs. PSV Eindhoven, Arsenal vs. Lens Dec. 12: PSV Eindhoven vs. Arsenal, Lens vs. Sevilla

A very tight group with Arsenal and Lens in the top two places as it stands, but with no club pulling away to dominate.

Arsenal have two home games to play, so will be clear favourites to rubber-stamp their place in the round of 16.

Lens, however, have two away games up next, at PSV and Arsenal, with the final group game against Sevilla in France shaping up to be crucial.

Remaining fixtures Nov. 8: Napoli vs. Union Berlin, Real Madrid vs. Braga Nov. 29: Braga vs. Union Berlin, Real Madrid vs. Napoli Dec. 12: Union Berlin vs. Real Madrid, Napoli vs. Braga

Real Madrid have one foot in the round of 16 after winning all three group games so far. They will secure their place on Matchday 4 with a win or draw at home to Braga.

Napoli are in second, and can take a huge step to the knockout rounds with a victory at home to Union Berlin. That, coupled with a defeat for Braga in Madrid, would leave Napoli requiring one point from their final two fixtures.

Braga's hopes do look slim. If the Portuguese team lose at Real Madrid, and Napoli beat Union Berlin, they would need to win both their remaining games to have any chance of going through.

Union Berlin will be out if they draw or lose in Napoli.

Remaining fixtures Nov. 8: Real Sociedad vs. Benfica, FC Salzburg vs. Internazionale Nov. 29: Benfica vs. Internazionale, Real Sociedad vs. FC Salzburg Dec. 12: Internazionale vs. Real Sociedad, FC Salzburg vs. Benfica

Real Sociedad and Inter Milan are in a strong position at the halfway stage on seven points. If both teams win on Matchday 4 they will be through to the round of 16.

Realistically, FC Salzburg must avoid defeat to Inter to stay in contention (indeed, they will be out if both Inter and Real Sociedad win.) They do have two home games still to play, and victory over the Serie A side in Austria would put them right back in contention.

Benfica are bottom of the table and while they will still be in contention mathematically with a draw if Inter lose on Matchday 4, realistically they must beat Real Sociedad to stand any chance. They will be eliminated with a defeat.

Groups E to H will be added after the third round of fixtures on Wednesday.