Which teams can qualify for the 2023-24 Champions League round of 16 on matchday four? Real Madrid, Barcelona…

The 2023-24 UEFA Champions League group stage will pass its halfway point on Tuesday and Wednesday, after which we should have a fair idea of how the round of 16 is starting to shape up. Four of European soccer’s biggest hitters - Real Madrid, Barcelona, Manchester City and Bayern Munich - have made perfect starts in this year’s competition and, barring some major surprises, will surely book their place in the knockout rounds on matchday four (with two to spare).

Three others teams have the opportunity to join them this week; we take a look at who needs to do what to be able to put their feet up slightly on matchdays five and six.

Group A: what do Bayern Munich need to qualify for the round of 16?

A win for Bayern Munich at home to Galatasaray on Wednesday will ensure qualification. A draw would not technically be enough as three teams could then finish on 10 points, with the top two depending on which three were tied and results on matchdays five and six.

Group B: what do Arsenal need to qualify for the round of 16

In their first Champions League campaign since 2016-17, The Gunners are on the brink of reaching the last 16. They can achieve that this week if they defeat Sevilla at the Emirates and Lens win away to PSV Eindhoven.

Group C: what do Real Madrid need to qualify for the round of 16?

Real Madrid have literally never failed to qualify for the knockout stages of the Champions League. There is no chance of that happening this year, with either a win or a draw at home to Braga enough for them to go through on matchday four.

Group D: what do Real Sociedad and Inter need to qualify for the round of 16?

Incredibly enough, Group D could be done and dusted by Wednesday. Real Sociedad and Inter both have seven points from their opening three games, with RB Salzburg next on three and poor Benfica on zero. Wins for the Spaniards at home to the Portuguese and for the Italians in Austria will decide the top two with two games left to play.

Group G: what do Manchester City need to qualify for the round of 16?

Manchester City won the tournament for the first time in their history last season and couldn’t have started their title defence in better fashion. A win at home to Swiss side Young Boys will send them into the last 16, while a draw would also be enough if Red Star Belgrade don’t beat RB Leipzig.

Group H: what do Barcelona need to qualify for the round of 16?

Barcelona are hoping their nightmare Champions League run is over after their lightning start to the 2023-24 group stage. Xavi Hernández’s side will make it though to the knockout rounds for the first time since 2020-21 with a fourth successive victory away to Shakhtar Donetsk on Tuesday. Like Bayern, a draw would not quite be enough as their could still be a three-team tie at the top, which would be broken by the results on the final two matchdays.