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Chelsea, the current defending champion of the UEFA Champions League is striving hard to ensure they retain the title.
The Blues are currently Top in their group (H). The battle is fierce and all hands are on the desk to see the outcome of the remaining competition.
However, Chelsea secured their place in the round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League last month as they emphatically beat Juventus 4-0 at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues cruised past the Italian giants in west London and confirmed their place in the next round of the European competition as Thomas Tuchel’s side look to retain their trophy.
Chelsea are currently top of Group H, but are level on points with Juventus going into their final game tomorrow.
That means either one of the two sides can finish at the summit, depending on the results of the final round of fixtures.
The Blues face a trip to Zenit Saint Petersburg whilst the Old Lady host Malmo in Turin. Both are expected to come away with victory, but as we so often know with European football, anything can happen.
With all this being said, football.london takes a close look at who the Blues could be up against in the round of 16.
What happens if Chelsea finish First?
If Chelsea qualify as group winners, then they can face any team that has finished second in another group.
Manchester City and Liverpool have already secured top spots in Group A and B, meaning Chelsea will not be able to play their Premier League rivals in the next round.
Paris Saint-Germain, though, is a team the Blues can be drawn against, with the French club finishing second in Group A.
In Group B, the second place is still very much up for grabs, with Porto, AC Milan and Atletico Madrid still able to qualify for the last 16.
Ajax have won Group C, meaning Chelsea would not be facing the Dutch giants. Sporting Lisbon are currently in second, three points ahead of Borussia Dortmund, who would need a 10-goal swing in order to be level with the Portuguese outfit.
In Group D, Real Madrid are currently sitting pretty at the top on 12 points, while Inter Milan, who have also qualified, are on 10 points.
The two square off on Tuesday night at the Bernabeu Stadium. Carlo Ancelotti’s side only need a draw to guarantee first place, but Inter will be confident that they can come away with all three points.
Group E is more up for grabs. Bayern Munich have won every single game and have secured top spot, but Barcelona are in second on seven points, level with Benfica.
Barca face Bayern on the final matchday, while Benfica take on Dynamo Kyiv.
Chelsea could possibly face Barca if they shock the world and pick up a positive result against Bayern, or alternatively, a clash with Benfica could be on the cards for the Blues.
Manchester United look set to top Group F, but there is a chance that Villarreal could clinch the spot ahead of them, should they win and the Premier League side lose.
Atalanta and Young Boys could still qualify as well, but the latter would need a massive goal swing in order to do so.
Group G is extremely tight. Just three points separate fourth and top. Lille are currently leading with eight points, but RB Salzburg, Sevilla and Wolfsburg could all still qualify, meaning a game against any of those four outfits could be up next for Chelsea.
Here are the teams that are out and will not be progressing into the round of 16: RB Leipzig, Club Brugge, Besiktas, Sheriff, Shakhtar Donetsk, Dynamo Kyiv, Zenit and Malmo.
Meanwhile, these are the teams that could still face Chelsea in the round of 16 if the Blues top their group: PSG; Porto/Milan/Atletico; Sporting/Dortmund; Inter/Real Madrid; Barcelona/Benfica; Villarreal/Atalanta/Young Boys; Lille/RB Salzburg/Sevilla/Wolfsburg.
What happens if Chelsea finish second?
If Chelsea finish second, though, they will face a team that has finished top elsewhere.
Here is the list of sides Chelsea could come up against should Juve finish top and the Blues come second: Ajax; Real Madrid/Inter; Bayern Munich; Villarreal; Lille/RB Salzburg/Sevilla/Wolfsburg.
Source: football.london
