Is the Champions League group stage decided on goal difference or head-to-head? Barcelona’s qualifying chances explained

THE Champions League group stage continues tonight with all eyes on Europe’s elite competition.

For the English teams, Chelsea head to Austria to face RB Salzburg, with everything to play for in Group E, while Manchester City have sealed qualification in Group G as they face Erling Haaland’s old club Borussia Dortmund.

Tottenham are in a tight Group D also, with the four teams separated by three points with two games to go, but all eyes will be on Inter Milan and Barcelona.

The Catalan giants face Bayern Munich in Bavaria, as Robert Lewandowski returns to the site of his former goalscoring exploits.

Groups are expected to finish in typically tight fashion, but only 16 teams can reach the knockout stages of the competition.

So what happens if teams finish on the same number of points in the group?

We’ve got all the answers for you.

How are teams that finish level on points sorted in the Champions League?

Teams that finish level on points in the Champions League group stage are sorted by the following criteria.

Unlike the Premier League – which uses goal difference when teams are tied on points – the Champions League separates the teams on head-to-head points among the two fixtures between the sides.

1. Points in head-to-head matches among tied teams;
2. Goal difference in head-to-head matches among tied teams;
3. Goals scored in head-to-head matches among tied teams;
4. Away goals scored in head-to-head matches among tied teams;
5. Goal difference in all group matches;
6. Goals scored in all group matches;
7. Away goals scored in all group matches;
8. Wins in all group matches;
9. Away wins in all group matches;
10. Disciplinary points (red card = 3 points, yellow card = 1 point, expulsion for two yellow cards in one match = 3 points);
11. UEFA club coefficient.