4 Mighty Premier League Clubs in the Champions League: Who Will Be The Champion?
The four representatives of England appeared convincing in the Champions League this season. After five matchday group stages, which means that there is still one more game to go, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United and Manchester City have already confirmed themselves to qualify for the Round of 16.
Even after going through five matchdays in the Champions League group stage, the four English clubs are now at the top of their respective group standings, although not all of them have confirmed that they will advance to the last 16 of the Champions League as group winners.
Manchester City are top of Champions League Group A with 12 points from five matches. The Citizens are certain to win the group because the number of points earned can no longer be pursued by the closest competitor, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) who collected eight points.
Likewise with Liverpool. Jurgen Klopp's team have already confirmed themselves as Champions League Group B winners after winning a perfect victory in the five matches they played. The Reds also collected 15 points, up to 10 points ahead of Porto who are in second place.
Switching to Group F, there are Manchester United and Chelsea who have also confirmed themselves to step into the last 16 of the Champions League. Manchester United are top of Group F with 10 points.
The Red Devils, who are three points ahead of Villarreal who are in second place, can still be matched by the Spanish rivals on the last matchday.
If Villarreal is able to beat Atalanta and Manchester United again lose to Young Boys as in the first matchday of the Champions League, Villarreal will have the same number of points as Manchester United, which is 10 points. It's just that if that happens, the Red Devils will still be group winners with a head to head advantage over Villarreal.
Meanwhile, Chelsea who are in Group H of the Champions League are also at the top of the standings. The Blues are top of the standings with the same number as Juventus who are in second place with 12 points.
If Chelsea lose to Zenit on the last matchday of Group H, then Juventus has the opportunity to shift the Blues from the top of the standings if they can beat Malmo FF. However, if Chelsea and Juventus both win, then the Blues will still qualify for the last 16 of the Champions League as group winners.
Liverpool perfection
Liverpool have really performed perfectly so far in the Champions League this season. The Reds managed to wipe out the five matches they have played with wins.
Not only that, Liverpool were able to score 15 goals in five matches and only conceded five goals in all five matches that have been undertaken.
Liverpool's biggest victory came when they traveled to the Estadio do Dragao, Porto's headquarters, on the second matchday of the Champions League this season. Liverpool won 5-1 over Porto in that match.
Now Liverpool only have to play an away match against AC Milan at the San Siro on December 7, 2021. Of course, the Reds are eyeing a win to complete their progress in the group phase of this season's Champions League.
Manchester City often wins by a landslide
If Liverpool hold the perfect title in the Champions League this season, Manchester City is the team with a number of landslide victories this season. Even The Citizens started Group A of the Champions League with a 6-3 win over German club RB Leipzig.
The landslide victory was indeed the highest number of goals in a single match made by Manchester City this season. However, The Citizens were able to achieve another big win.
On the third matchday of the Champions League this season, Manchester City, who traveled to Belgium to face Club Brugge, managed to win 5-1 in that match, which continued with a 4-1 victory over the Belgian club at the Etihad Stadium on the fourth matchday.
The only defeat for Pep Guardiola's side came when they traveled to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) on the second matchday, where Manchester City lost 0-2 to the French capital club.
Not Too Consistent, Manchester United Still Wins
You could say Manchester United have been inconsistent this season. Not only in the Premier League, this can also be seen in the Champions League.
Manchester United lost 1-2 to Swiss club, Young Boys, on the first matchday of the Champions League. Having taken the lead through Cristiano Ronaldo's goal, Manchester United finally returned from Switzerland with a 1-2 defeat.
However, Manchester United rose in the next two games. Manchester United won 2-1 over Villarreal and 3-2 over Atalanta, both of which were played at Old Trafford.
Unfortunately, in the fourth week, Manchester United had to settle for a 2-2 draw at home to Atalanta. However, Cristiano Ronaldo brought the Red Devils back in the fifth matchday, which was a 2-0 win over Villarreal.
Can Chelsea Qualify as Group Winners?
Meanwhile, Chelsea is a team that has actually performed well in the Champions League this season, but has been closely matched by rivals, Juventus, in Group H of the Champions League. Chelsea and Juventus both collected 12 points from four matches.
Chelsea can be at the top of the standings because of the head to head advantage of Juventus who are in second place with the same number of points. Even Juventus gave one defeat to Chelsea in the second week which was held in Turin.
However, in the end the Blues also gave a lesson to Juventus with a landslide victory 4-0 when playing at Stamford Bridge. The Bianconeri troops were rendered helpless on the fifth matchday of the Champions League.
It wasn't Chelsea's only big win this season. Previously, Chelsea also had a 4-0 win over Swedish club, Malmo FF. Even though they have the same points as Juventus, that doesn't mean Chelsea can't compete to be champions.