Tonight is the first half of the final round of group matches in the 2016/17 UEFA Champions League and with both Arsenal and Manchester City safely through to the Round of 16, it is worth taking an advanced look at who they might get in the draw next Monday lunchtime.
With City guaranteed to be second in their group and Arsenal looking massively likely to be Group A runners up, the options facing both teams are very similar. Taking the exception to the rule first, Arsenal could get Barcelona (again), whilst City could face PSG (again, again). So who is left:
The potential Group winning opponents are:
Group B: Benfica/Napoli/Besiktas
Group D: Atletico Madrid
Group E: Monaco
Group F: Real Madrid/Dortmund
Group H Juventus/Sevilla
It is pretty clear that despite having three potential opponents Group B offers the simplest route to the quarter finals for both teams. After that and despite comfortably disposing of Spurs home and away en route to topping their group, Monaco would seem like the next best option. The it's pretty much even with Real and Juventus likely to join Atletico as a trio to be avoided.
This could all change for Arsenal in Basel tonight if they better PSG's result against Ludogorets respectively, but the way it stands, for the club or clubs that don't get the Group B winner, it could be Monte Carlo or bust.
Source: DSG