Europe: Has the time come for British teams to step down?

After an almost fully catastrophic start to the group stages in both the Champions League and Europa League - the question has to be raised: Is the golden era of British success in Europe drawing to a close?
Here is my team-to-team guide on who could still do well, and for which teams the dream may already be over.

Manchester City:
City have encountered a very tough group, all the teams in their category have won their country's league title in recent years.

Despite giving Real Madrid a run for their money in their first game, they lost, and maybe that has hurt them. Without Joe Hart against Dortmund, they would be on 0 points, not the 1 that they are on.

Getting through is definitely going to be difficult, as an away trip to Germany beckons. They'll need to capitalise on the home game against Ajax. However, needing at least 6 more points to qualify from only 3 games, it seems that the Premier League champions may yet again be in the Europa League soon.

Verdict: 4th. Qualification unlikely. Check the Europa League schedule if you're a City fan!

Arsenal: With a loss against Schalke, the Gunners are unlikely to finish top of their group. However, it does seem like they might qualify. They have to be careful, though, as away trips to Germany and Greece beckon. But, if they do not lose any of the remaining games (a tall order, but do-able), they should feature in the knockout stages.

Verdict: 2nd. Should get through. Have to fight though, a loss and they might be in trouble.

Chelsea: The Blues are lucky that the other teams in their group have also faltered. However, Juventus are slowly creeping up on Chelsea, and it looks like neither of them will catch Shaktar Donetsk. The away trip to Juve may be the separator.

Verdict:2nd/3rd. Qualification a possibility, though they have to not lose any of the remaining games - that may prove tricky. Away against Juventus is what I think will separate 3rd and 2nd.

Celtic: The Scottish champions face a bumpy ride if they are to get through.

Like for Chelsea, they have a team just a point behind, Spartak Moscow. The difference is that the first placed team, Barcelona, is far ahead of everyone else.

Verdict. 3rd. Again, qualification is a possibility. They'll have to keep their heads (not literally!) if they are to survive.

Manchester United: the Red Devils are doing the best out of all the Brits, winning 3 out of 3. However, they have fallen behind in two of those games. They need to fix this.

Verdict: 1st. Qualification almost certain. However, they may struggle against better opposition if they do not fix this problem of early goals.

Tottenham: Spurs are looking increasingly likely to go out of the Europa League. The away game to Lazio may be difficult, so Tottenham have to beat Maribor and Panathinaikos at home. Succeeding this, they will do well.

Verdict: 2nd. Qualification likely but it's going to be hard. Have to capitalise on the home games.

Newcastle: the Magpies are topping their group, though Bordeaux and Club Bruges may catch them up. Carry on like this, however, and they will quite easily qualify.

Verdict: 1st. Qualification likely, though any big slip-ups and it will turn into a hard struggle.

Liverpool: With the win over Anzhi, the Reds have limbed to the top of their group. As the Young Boys have beaten Udinese, though, this group is getting very tight, with even last place a contender.

Verdict: 1st. They'll have to play their cards right though, and any losses and they will be going out.


So, the British teams face a tough job getting through. Keep checking here for updates!