LONDON: The Premier League is on the verge of having five teams in the knockout stage of the Champions League for the first time. It has been four years since four English teams made it that far, but the additional qualification spot earned by Manchester United’s Europa League triumph last season created the possibility of an English record.

United have four wins from four games in Group ‘A’ and a draw at FC Basel on Wednesday will be enough to secure qualification and top spot as Jose Mourinho’s team close in on a first appearance in the knockout phase since 2013-14.

Paul Pogba’s return from injury at the weekend inspired United to a 4-1 rout of Newcastle United, just their second win in five league outings, while Zlatan Ibrahimovic also made his comeback following a serious knee injury.

Also boasting a perfect record, and already through, are Manchester City. A win at home to Feyenoord on Tuesday will secure Pep Guardiola’s team top spot in Group ‘F’ if Shakhtar Donetsk fail to defeat Napoli.

Chelsea have rallied from a humbling 3-0 loss to AS Roma last time out with two impressive league wins and can now get their European campaign back on track at Qarabag on Wednesday in Group ‘C’. A win in Azerbaijan will guarantee the Blues a place in the round-of-16.

Liverpool scored 10 goals in their two games against Maribor to go top of Group ‘E’ and a win at Sevilla on Tuesday would guarantee Juergen Klopp’s side advances.

The two sides played out an entertaining 2-2 draw at Anfield on the opening matchday, and another point for five-time European champions Liverpool would still see them book a last-16 spot for the first time since 2008/09 if Spartak Moscow lose at home to Maribor.

Tottenham Hotspur are already through and a win at troubled Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday will see Spurs finish above holders Real Madrid at the top of Group ‘H’.

Real and Spanish rivals Barcelona can also secure a place in the last 16 this week. Juventus are also within reach of a spot in the knockout phase, but Atletico Madrid appear destined for an early exit, with Serie A high-flyers Napoli also in deep trouble.

Fixtures (kick-offs 1945GMT unless stated):

Tuesday:

Group ‘E’: Spartak Moscow v NK Maribor (1700); Sevilla v Liverpool.
Group ‘F’: Manchester City v Feyenoord; Napoli v Shakhtar Donetsk.
Group ‘G’: Besiktas v FC Porto (1700); AS Monaco v RB Leipzig.
Group ‘H’: APOEL Nicosia v Real Madrid; Borussia Dortmund v Tottenham Hotspur.

Wednesday:

Group ‘A’: CSKA Moscow v Benfica (1700); FC Basel v Manchester United.
Group ‘B’: Anderlecht v Bayern Munich; Paris St Germain v Celtic.
Group ‘C’: Qarabag FK v Chelsea (1700); Atletico Madrid v AS Roma.
Group ‘D’: Juventus v Barcelona; Sporting Lisbon v Olympiakos Piraeus.

Published in Dawn, November 21st, 2017