After an exciting inaugural group stage in the UEFA Women's Champions League, Arsenal and Chelsea could book their spot in the final eight in their last group stage match.
Ellie Carpenter's Lyon has already secured their spot in the quarter-finals, however, three spots are still up for grabs with Arsenal and Chelsea in prime position to book their tickets to the next phase of the competition.
The winners of Group A and D are yet to be confirmed, with the top team in each group seeded in the quarter-finals draw. Group A is the only group that does not have a single team that has already qualified for the quarter-finals, with it all to play for on the final group stage matchday.
Group A
Sam Kerr’s Chelsea missed the opportunity to qualify for the quarter-finals, held to a 0-0 all draw with Juventus at Kingsmeadow Park.
Chelsea now must avoid defeat against Wolfsburg in order to qualify for the final eight. Their last encounter ended in a 3-3 all thriller, with Chelsea's former Wolfsburg striker Pernille Harder snatching an equaliser in added time to ensure a draw against the former UWCL champions.
Wolfsburg has had a turbulent run in the UWCL since their last meeting with the Blues, defeated 2-0 by Italian side Juventus. Chelsea leads Juventus and Wolfsburg by three points in Group A, with Juventus able to book their first appearance in the quarter-finals with a win over last-place Servette.
A point against Wolfsburg will ensure a first-place finish for the Blues, but it is win or bust for the German side. After dropping a 3-1 lead in their last meeting both sides will be eager to prove themselves.
Kerr opened the scoring in the last fixture between Chelsea and Wolfsburg, the two sides met previously in the UWCL 2020-21 quarter-finals with Kerr scoring in both games to knock Wolfsburg out of the competition. The Blues will be hoping for the same result on Friday morning.
Wolfsburg v Chelsea
Date: Friday, December 17
Kick-off: 7:00 am AEDT
Group C
Arsenal was unable to get a result against the reigning UWCL champions FC Barcelona last week in order to extend their record of 13 quarter-final appearances and will now look to qualify against Hoffenheim in their final group stage game.
The Gunners sit three points clear of their hosts, with Hoffenheim having to beat Arsenal by five goals in order to overtake them in second place.
Caitlin Foord and Steph Catley made the start in Arsenal last UWCL outing against Barcelona, where the reigning champions showed their dominance with a 4-0 win.
The last encounter between the Hoffenheim and Arsenal saw the latter win 4-0, however, two goalscorers for the Gunners in that win, Tobin Heath and Leah Williamson have been ruled out injured for Arsenal's last group stage game.
If the Gunners were to qualify for the quarter-finals against Hoffenheim they will extend their quarter-final appearance record to 14, one ahead of Lyon.
Hoffenheim v Arsenal
Date: Thursday, December 16
Kick-off: 7:00 am AEDT
Group D
Ellie Carpenter's Lyon was able to book their spot in the quarter-finals with a 5-0 win over Benfica last week, however, Lyon and Bayern are still yet to determine which team will top Group D and thus be seeded for the quarter-finals draw.
At the moment Lyon sits at the top of Group D only two points clear of Bayern and have the chance to clinch first place as they host BK Häcken.
The two sides met on matchday 1 of the group stage, where Lyon won 3-0. Häcken goes into the game knowing it will be their last for the UWCL this season after only winning one game in the group stage, however, the side from Sweden showed promise throughout the tournament.
Lyon will win the group if they beat Häcken, or if Bayern Munich fails to beat Benfica.
Lyon v BK Häcken
Date: Thursday, December 16
Kick-off: 4:45 am AEDT