UEFA Champions League matchday 5 preview: Manchester United faces judgment day in Group A showdown

Three teams battle for second in Group A, with Man United facing Galatasaray. Bayern, Arsenal, and Real Madrid also seek victories.

Three teams are currently in a heated battle for the second spot in Group A of the Champions League, and two of them will face off when Manchester United travels to face Galatasaray at the Rams Global Stadium.

The Red Devils have only managed to secure one win out of their four games this season, and their last match was a controversial 4-3 loss to Copenhagen in Denmark. As a result, they currently sit at the bottom of the log with just three points, trailing their opponents by just one point.

However, Manchester United is coming into this match on the back of a resounding 3-0 win over Everton. They are well aware that a defeat against the Turkish side will send them packing. Their first encounter at Old Trafford ended in a 3-2 victory for Galatasaray, so avenging that defeat will be a top priority for the Red Devils.

On the other hand, Galatasaray is level on points with second-placed Copenhagen and knows that a win, coupled with a Copenhagen loss, will put them in firm control of their destiny.

Meanwhile, Group winners Bayern Munich will take on FC Copenhagen at the Allianz Arena. The German champions have a perfect record in the group, winning all four of their matches to sit comfortably on top with 12 points, a staggering 8 points ahead of their second-placed opponents.

Although Bayern Munich has nothing to play for, victory will still be a top priority for a club of their stature. Copenhagen, on the other hand, is winless in their last two league games and is coming off a shocking 2-1 defeat to Viborg in the league.

Arsenal, currently leading Group B with nine points, will secure progression to the round of 16 if they pick up at least a point against Lens at the Emirates. Lens' 1-0 loss to PSV Eindhoven on matchday four is their only defeat in the last 12 games, and they have won their last two games, scoring four goals and conceding none.

In Group C, bottom-placed Sevilla will host PSV Eindhoven at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan. Sevilla has only managed to pick up two points from their four matches and is coming off a 2-1 loss to Real Sociedad. PSV Eindhoven, on the other hand, will fancy their chances at an upset, despite not winning any of their last 15 away games in the Champions League.

Real Madrid will take on Napoli at the Santiago Bernabeu, needing just a point to win Group C. Napoli will join Real in the last 16 if they can secure a shock win, and they have also won seven out of nine matches away from home this season.

In Group D, Inter Milan will travel to the Estadio Da Luz to take on Benfica. Last season's finalists have picked up 10 points from four games to lie second, level on points with Real Sociedad. Benfica, on the other hand, has lost all four of their games played and qualification is well beyond their reach.

Real Sociedad will entertain RB Salzburg at the Anoeta Stadium. Real sit top of Group D, level on points with Inter Milan, and will take a significant step towards winning the group should they emerge victorious here. Salzburg, however, has lost their following three games after beating Benfica on matchday one. Third spot and the Europa League is up for grabs, but beating the Spanish side on the road will be a monumental task.

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