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This week's UEFA Champions League matches represent the midway point of the group stage, but already the competition is starting to take a familiar shape.

By Thursday morning, many of the eight groups could be some way towards being decided, with few exceptions, along predictable lines.

Some of the biggest clubs in world soccer can effectively book their place in the last 16 if they win on Tuesday or Wednesday. Chelsea, Barcelona, Manchester United, Arsenal, Inter Milan, Atletico Madrid, Liverpool, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid are all in strong shape to take a big step towards the knockout phase.

Most confident of all should be Chelsea, Manchester United and Inter Milan, after they scored a combined 13 goals to nil in domestic action last weekend. Chelsea takes on an AS Roma side in the midst of a miserable run, United hosts Scottish champions Celtic, and Inter welcomes Anorthosis Famagusta, the surprise from Cyprus that has done a magnificent job so far but will surely be outgunned in Milan.

There is still room for outsiders such as Cluj (from Romania) and Anorthosis to break into the last 16, but in the main part, expect the established order to reign in this season's Champions League.

Here are some Related Links:

Scouting Champions League Group B

Champions League update: Oct. 10

Champions League draw revealed