Hello, and welcome to Sports Mole's coverage of the match between Real Sociedad and Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League.

After five weeks of fixtures with many surprise results, we finally reach the last games of the group stages, and many teams are still awaiting to discover whether they will be active in the competition after Christmas.

It's no different in Group A, with several different scenarios still possible on Tuesday night. Manchester United have already qualified for the last 16, but they are yet to secure first position. They could be replaced by Shakhtar Donetsk if the Ukrainian side can win at Old Trafford, while in this fixture, Bayer Leverkusen must gain a positive result to retain a chance of featuring in the knockout rounds, but they would only do so if Shakhtar do not beat United.

Fancy some team news? The two starting lineups have been revealed in Spain. Details to follow shortly.

REAL SOCIEDAD XI: Zubikarai; Martinez, Ansotegi, Gonzalez, Jose Angel; Bergara, Elustondo, Pardo, Griezmann; Vela, Agirretxe

BAYER LEVERKUSEN XI: Leno; Donati, Toprak, Spahic, Can; Rolfes, Bender, Castro; Hegeler, Kiessling, Son

The most notable absentees for Real Sociedad are their captain and vice-captain. Midfielder Xabi Prieto must make do with a place on the substitutes' bench, while goalkeeper Claudio Bravo does not feature in the 18-man squad.

As for Leverkusen, Sidney Sam has failed to recover from a knee problem, but striker Stefan Kiessling is fit to take his place in the starting lineup. Details of the substitute benches to follow.

REAL SOCIEDAD SUBSTITUTES: Royo, Gaztanaga, Zaldua, Ros, Xabi Prieto, Seferovic, Sangalli

BAYER LEVERKUSEN SUBSTITUTES: Lomb, Stafylidis, Wollscheid, Derdiyok, Oztunali, Kruse, Kohr

Despite Prieto and Bravo being regarded as an integral part of Real Sociedad's side, it should come as no surprise that they have been rested this evening. Apart from pride, the La Liga outfit have nothing to play for this evening after a dismal campaign that has seen them record just one point from five games, which came in a goalless draw with Manchester United. However, I'm sure that coach Jagoba Arrasate will be eager to bow out of the competition on a positive note.

The reverse fixture between these two sides came all the way back at the start of October. The match appeared destined to finish level as the game entered the final stages, before Jens Hegeler struck in added-on time to earn a crucial 2-1 win for the German team.

On the domestic front, Sociedad hold an impressive record at the Estadio Anoeta. They have suffered just one defeat in seven La Liga fixtures, which came in a 2-1 defeat to Atletico Madrid in September. The Txuri-urdin are sitting in sixth place in the league table.

As for Leverkusen, they are currently riding high in second position in the Bundesliga, and their away record is only bettered by Bayern Munich. Sami Hyppia's outfit have won five out of seven encounters on road, conceding just five goals along the way. The statistics suggest that this game could be competitive tonight.

PREDICTION! While the stats suggest for little goals and the possibility of a stalemate, the result of the match could depend on the desire of either team. The Spaniards have nothing to play for, while the German side have everything at stake. It will probably be close, but the Bundesliga outfit could nick it 2-1 in the closing stages, leaving their fate resting on the result at Old Trafford.

If you would like to keep informed with the developments in Manchester, you can do so by clicking here.

Given that their side can't qualify, it's a decent turnout from Sociedad's supporters. Maybe that will help their players fight for respectability in Group A.

The two teams are awaiting permission to make their way down the tunnel. The Leverkusen players look a little bit nervous than their opponents...

'Madiba, the world will never forget' - that's the message that is being displayed across Europe as UEFA take the opportunity to pay their respects to Nelson Mandela.

The home side get us underway in Spain.

It's been a slow start at the Estadio Anoeta, with all of the action taking place down Leverkusen's left-hand side, but they can't get the ball into the Sociedad penalty area.

SHOT! Sociedad enjoy a promising 60 seconds. After earning the first corner of the match, the ball is played short before Ruben Pardo curls in a shot, that could have potentially have been a cross, forcing Bernd Leno in to a flamboyant save.

Leverkusen respond with a spell of possession, before Simon Rolfes tries to add to his Champions League tally with an ambitious effort from 30 yards, but he doesn't score his fourth of the campaign on this occasion and his shot trickles wide.

SHOT! A stunning pass releases Antoine Griezmann, who is left one-on-one with a defender. He opts against attempting to dribble past the Leverkusen player to shoot from 30 yards, but his effort flies into the stands.

WOODWORK! What an effort! Leverkusen earn a free kick around 25 yards from goal, and Gonzalo Castro steps up to whip the set piece against the post with Enaut Zubikarai beaten.

BOOKING! This has been an incredibly fast start in Spain. Lars Bender is the first man into the referee's book after a challenge from behind on Carlos Vela sees the Mexican hit the floor.

Leverkusen earn a free kick on the right, and even though it is a poor delivery into the box, Rolfes manages to hook a volley towards goal, but it was never troubling Zubikarai.

It's still goalless in the match at Old Trafford between Manchester United and Shakhtar Donetsk, but there have been opportunities for both sides.

CHANCE! Emre Can is fouled down by the corner flag on the left-hand side. Castro swung in the perfect free kick for Rolfes at the back post, but somehow, the midfielder headed over from inside the six-yard box. It should be 1-0.

Sociedad striker Carlos Vela, who was previously at Arsenal, has been very quiet so far, and his first contribution to the match is a 25-yard attempt that goes about 25 yards over the crossbar.

Leverkusen have been the better of the two sides, and they continue to press through the impressive Son, who is at the forefront of many of their attacks. After driving towards the Sociedad defence, he plays the ball through to Kiessling, but the German striker fires wide from an acute angle.

SHOT! Griezmann, who is beginning to forge a reputation for himself at Sociedad, cuts inside onto his left foot before driving the ball towards goal from 20 yards, but his low strike is well saved by Leno.

BOOKING! Another yellow card for Leverkusen - this time for Rolfes for a studs-up challenge. He accepts his punishment with little argument.

We are still in the first half, but this game is developing into an end-to-end contest now. This has really been a terrific game.

There's still no goals at Old Trafford, but it sounds as though Manchester United are struggling against Shakhtar. The United supporters could heap the pressure on David Moyes if he doesn't secure the point that they require for top spot.

SHOT! Son gets a shot away from 25 yards, but Zubikarai parries the ball just out of the reach of the waiting Kiessling.

Leverkusen are continuing to show some of the play that has helped them to second position in the Bundesliga, but they can't find the killer touch in the final third. They are peppering Zubikarai's goal, but they can't convert the ball into the net.

BOOKING! Markel Bergara goes into the book for a cynical tug to prevent a Bayer Leverkusen breakaway, and that's the final action of the first half.

As goalless 45 minutes go, they don't get much more entertaining than that. It has been a real attractive advert for European football, but as far as Leverkisen are concerned, they will be frustrated that they haven't netted the goal that their play probably deserves.

The Bundesliga outfit are dominating the stats at the break. They have had 10 attempts on goal compared to Real Sociedad's six, while they have had 58% of possession.

It's as you were in terms of the situation in the group, with Manchester United still being held by Shakthar Donetsk. You'd expect Leverkusen to throw further men forward if the scorelines remain the same in each match.

SUBSTITUTION! Leverkusen have made a change at the break. Robbie Kruse has replaced Jens Hegeler.

We are back underway.

Leverkusen are all over Sociedad at the start of the second half. They have definitely been told by Sami Hyppia to try to strike early.

Moments after Kiessling forced a super save from Zubikarai, Leverkusen take the lead. From the resulting corner, the ball wasn't cleared and Omer Toprak reacted fastest to bundle the ball into the corner from six yards.

Well that makes things very interesting. Toprak's goal has thrown the emphasis back onto Shakhtar at Old Trafford. If the scorelines stay the same, Leverkusen are through!

In other news, the match between Galatasaray and Juventus appears to have been abandoned! A hail storm came down in Turkey, which completely covered the pitch. The referee took the players off, and despite efforts to clear the pitch, it has been called off.

WOODWORK! Leverkusen really should have this match in the bag by now. Another cross comes in from the right for Kiessling, but the German forward headed against the post from eight yards.

BOOKING! Leverkusen pick up their third caution of the match, with Emre Can entering the book for a late challenge. He will now miss the club's next European game, whenever that may be...

CHANCE! How has Kiessling not scored in this game?! Kruse, who has been influential since his arrival at half time, whips in another delivery from the right but Kiessling's six-yard header was clawed away by Zubikarai.

SUBSTITUTION! Xabi Prieto has been thrown on in an attempt to inspire his team into a fightback, and he immediately sets about sending a couple of crosses into the box, which come to nothing.

CHANCE! The action is relentless! The ball is fizzed into the box for Griezmann, but after a brilliant first touch, he hooked his shot wide of the far post.

Huge news coming in from Old Trafford - Manchester United have taken the lead! Bayer Leverkusen will be delighted with that news. If they can win here, Shakhtar need two to prevent the German side from going through.

CHANCE! Yet another chance for Leverkusen! The ball was floated to the back post for Son, who expertly brought down the ball with his chest to deceive the defender, but despite having plenty of time, he sliced the half-volley over.

CHANCE! If you ever wondered whether providing updates for a football match can get tiring, I can reveal that it does. The action continues to go end-to-end, and Sociedad should really be level. Griezmann got ahead of his marker, but his diving header was too close to Leno.

BOOKING! That's a shocking challenge from Ansotegi. Emre Can accelerates forward, leaving the Sociedad defenders in his wake, before Ansotegi slides in, knee high, on the midfielder. He needed two minutes treatment after that, and I'm not surprised.

10 minutes remaining in Spain. Can Leverkusen hold on? They should, but it only takes one moment of brilliance or a lapse in concentration to change the course of the group.

There have been 35 attempts on goal in this match. Like I have already implied, it has been breathless.

SHOT! Whether it's deliberate or not, I don't know, but Leverkusen have definitely dropped deeper with the game approaching a conclusion. It nearly comes back to hurt them when a ball is played into Griezmann on the edge of the box, but despite a sharp turn, he drilled his shot straight at Leno.

Sociedad win a free kick on the right touchline, and they will surely send the ball into the box. Vela curls the ball in with plenty of pace, but it goes behind for a corner, which comes to nothing.

CHANCE! Son - what are you doing! The South Korean bursts clear of the Sociedad defence, but after delaying his shot, Vela, of all people, races back to save the day for his side.

We are into added-on time. Can Sociedad create one last chance...?

CHANCE! So close! Vela curls the ball into the box for Ion Ansotegi, who sees his header go less than a yard wide of the near post.

Jon Gaztanaga is booked for a crude tackle in the corner. And it's all kicking off. Gonzalo Castro has been booked too for a fierce challenge.

The full-time whistle has gone in Spain, and Leverkusen have held on to secure a huge victory over Real Sociedad to ensure that they qualify for the Champions League knockout stages.

As it turned out, Shakhtar would have needed to defeat Manchester United in order to make the last 16, but their loss at Old Trafford sees them relegated into the Europa League.

There were 37 shots in that match. It's remarkable that only one goal was scored!

That will be all from Sports Mole this evening. Thank you for joining us, and we hope to see you again tomorrow. Goodbye for now.