Groups A-D after four rounds of UEFA Champions League

Four games is too small a sample to draw conclusions about teams, but within the context of a six-game tournament, it’s enough to start mapping out scenarios. That’s what we’re left with after play in UEFA Champions League groups A, B, C, and D passed the half way mark on Tuesday: uncertainty about what teams can do, but clarity about what they need to.

For Real Madrid, leaders in Group A, the path to first is clear, with the teams’ toughest group stage games now behind them. For Manchester United, however, a one-point lead leaves an opening to not only lose Group C but fall all the way to Europa League.

Here’s how Groups A through D stack up after four rounds:

All tables courtesy UEFA.com.

Group A

Clubs	P	W	D	L	F	A	+/-	Pts
Real Madrid	4	3	1	0	7	0	7	10
Paris Saint-Germain	4	2	1	1	5	1	4	7
Shakhtar Donetsk	4	1	0	3	4	8	-4	3
Malmö	4	1	0	3	1	8	-7	3

Today: Real Madrid 1-0 PSG; Shakhtar 4-0 Malmo.

Where they stand: After three rounds practically deadlocked with Paris-Saint-Germain, Real Madrid get to reap the rewards of Nacho’s Tuesday goal at the Santiago Bernabeu. The score, the only one in the Merengues’ 1-0 win over PSG, gives the 10-time champions at three-point lead in the group, the tiebreaker over the Parisians and helps make this an easy quartet to predict. With the group’s big two facing each of Shakhtar and Malmo over the stage’s final rounds, Real Madrid looks destined for first, PSG for second, while Malmo will need an upset to take Shakhtar’s Europa League spot. Their next match will be their best shot.

Next up, Nov. 25: Malmo vs. PSG; Shakhar vs. Real Madrid

Group B

Clubs	P	W	D	L	F	A	+/-	Pts
Manchester United	4	2	1	1	5	4	1	7
PSV Eindhoven	4	2	0	2	6	6	0	6
Wolfsburg	4	2	0	2	4	4	0	6
CSKA Moscow	4	1	1	2	4	5	-1	4

Today: United 1-0 CSKA; PSV 2-0 Wolfsburg.

Where they stand: United’s breakthrough on the scoresheet takes the group’s headlines, but the more meaningful result was in Eindhoven, where last year’s Bundesliga runners up lost control of their knockout round destiny. Not only did they lose to PSV, who now have six points from six at home against United and Wolves, but their remaining matches aren’t forgiving: at CSKA, then home against United. While PSV still faces a trip to Old Trafford, a home match against CSKA to close out group play makes today’s win all the more valuable. With only three points separating first from last, this group is still wide open.

Next up, Nov. 25: Wolfsburg vs. United; PSV vs. CSKA.

Group C

Clubs	P	W	D	L	F	A	+/-	Pts
Benfica	4	3	0	1	7	4	3	9
Atlético Madrid	4	2	1	1	7	2	5	7
Galatasaray	4	1	1	2	5	7	-2	4
Astana	4	0	2	2	2	8	-6	2

Today: Benfica 2-1 Galatasaray; Astana 0-0 Atletico.

Where they stand: Atletico still controls their first-place destiny, but the most difficult match of the round is still ahead of them – a December trip to Lisbon. Given Atleti already lost to the Portuguese champs on the tournament’s second matchday, Group C is Benfica’s to lose. Galatasaray, meanwhile, still have a match against Astana at home and look like a near-lock to make Europa League.

Next up, Nov. 25: Astana vs. Benfica; Atletico vs. Galatasaray.

Group D

Clubs	P	W	D	L	F	A	+/-	Pts
Manchester City	4	3	0	1	8	5	3	9
Juventus	4	2	2	0	5	2	3	8
Sevilla	4	1	0	3	5	7	-2	3
Borussia Mönchengladbach	4	0	2	2	2	6	-4	2

Today: Gladbach 1-1 Juventus; Sevilla 1-3 Manchester City.

Where they stand: What looked like the most competitive group after the draw has brought the most certainty, with Manchester City clinching a knockout round spot on the same day Juve’s point put Sevilla’s Round of 16 hopes on life support. Gladbach, now unbeaten in eight in all competitions, may have taken two points in their home-and-home with Juve, but their Europa League hopes will likely come down to Sevilla’s upcoming visit to Borussia Park. City, for their part, have every incentive to play for a draw in Turin knowing they can still secure three points and first place on the final matchday against the Germans.

Next up, Nov. 25: Juventus vs. City; Gladbach vs. Sevilla.