Headline game of Matchday 6: Napoli vs Real Sociedad
Napoli and Real Sociedad were the favorites to progress to the next round. However, with the Italian and Spanish clubs set to lock horns on the sixth and final round, one of these clubs risk crashing out. The Serie A giants boast 10 points, having lost only one of their five group-stage fixtures so far, and thus top the table. However, their most recent game ended in a 1-1 draw at AZ Alkmaar.
On top of that, Real Sociedad played out a surprise 2-2 stalemate against Rejika, thus leaving the door open for their Eredivisie rivals to make the last 32. This is because AZ Alkmaar are level on points with the Spanish Primera Division outfit and only two behind the Italians.
Given that the Dutch side face Rejika, who have already been eliminated, in the final round, they are likely to win on Matchday 6. This means that ether the Partenopei and La Real could miss out, depending on the result. Gattuso's men simply need to avoid defeat while David Silva and Co. will need to match AZ's result.
Napoli head into this fixture on the back of an impressive run as they are unbeaten in their last four games, having not tasted defeat since the 3-1 loss to AC Milan. Real Sociedad, on the other hand, are winless in their last four outings and have thus let their lead in La Liga slip, dropping to second. Who will win this crucial game? Tune in to find out!
Key talking points
Who will win Group C: Leverkusen or Slavia Praha?
Group C will see Leverkusen and Slavia Praha lock horns on the final group stage round. One interesting aspect surrounding this game is that both of these clubs are fighting to win their group, with this match set to decide who will finish in first. Both clubs are tied on 12 points but the Czech side boast the advantage in the head-to-head record. This means while they simply need to draw, the Bundesliga outfit must win this fixture in order to leapfrog their opponents.
How are the other top clubs doing?
Group B: Arsenal are through as group winners but the team joining them in the knockout stage remains unknown. It's a toss between Molde and Rapid Wien, with the Norwegian outfit needing to avoid defeat and the Austrian club requiring a 1-0 win or a victory by a two-or-more-goal margin to join the Gunners.
Group D: Rangers and Benfica are both through to the next round, with the only unresolved issue being the group winner. Both teams are level on 11 points but the Eagles boast an inferior head-to-head record against the Scottish giants, meaning Jorge Jesus' side must better the result of Gerrard's side in order to grab the top spot.
Group G: Leicester and Braga are level on 10 points each but the Premier League side boast the advantage due to a superior head-to-head record. This means the Portuguese club need to better the Foxes' result in order to win the group.
Group H: Lille and AC Milan are both through, boasting 11 and 10 points respectively. The Rossoneri must beat Sparta Praha and require their Ligue 1 rivals to slip up in order to grab the top spot.
Group J: It is all about Antwerp and Tottenham, with the first and second-placed teams locking horns on the final group-stage round. The Belgian club boast a two-point advantage, meaning Mourinho's side must win in order to be seeded in the last 32.
Matchday 6 listings
Below are the fixtures set to take place on matchday 6:
