Holders Paris Saint-Germain, along with Real Madrid and Liverpool, are among the heavyweight clubs fighting for direct qualification to the Champions League last 16 as the league phase reaches a dramatic conclusion this week.
Fifteen teams have already secured progression to the knockout rounds, but 17 others will contest the remaining places when all 18 matches kick off simultaneously on Wednesday.
Under the new format, the top eight teams advance straight to the last 16, while those finishing ninth to 24th enter Friday’s play-off draw. PSG showed last season that taking the longer route need not prevent lifting the trophy.
AFP Sport looks at what is at stake on matchday eight:
Qualified for last 16
Arsenal and Bayern Munich are the only two clubs already guaranteed a place in the last 16. Arsenal, who have won all seven of their matches so far, could become the first team to claim a perfect eight-game league phase since the format was introduced last season. The Gunners host bottom side Kairat Almaty, who have just one point.
Bayern’s only European defeat came away to Arsenal in November. Vincent Kompany’s side travel to PSV Eindhoven in their final fixture.
Knockout place guaranteed
Real Madrid, the competition’s record 15-time winners, will secure a last-16 spot with victory away to Benfica, coached by former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho. Liverpool will also seal direct qualification if they beat Qarabag at Anfield, while Tottenham can bypass the play-offs with a win at Eintracht Frankfurt despite their domestic inconsistency.
Eight teams currently sit between sixth and 13th on 13 points, including reigning champions PSG, who host Newcastle at the Parc des Princes. Chelsea occupy the final top-eight position but face a tough away test at Napoli under former Blues manager Antonio Conte.
Barcelona and Manchester City, placed ninth and 11th respectively, are poised to capitalise on any slip-ups above them. At least one of PSG or Newcastle is guaranteed to drop points.
Sporting Lisbon, Atletico Madrid and Atalanta remain firmly in contention, while Inter and Juventus—both on 12 points—are already assured of reaching the knockout phase regardless of Wednesday’s results.
On course for knockouts
Borussia Dortmund are all but certain to progress alongside Galatasaray. Qarabag are closing in on a historic first knockout appearance after a dramatic late win over Eintracht Frankfurt last week.
Marseille, Bayer Leverkusen, Monaco, PSV Eindhoven, Athletic Bilbao and Olympiacos currently complete the top 24, though seven teams below them still have a chance to force their way into qualification.
Outside looking in
Italian champions Napoli are the most high-profile side in danger of elimination, sitting 25th behind Olympiacos on goal difference. FC Copenhagen, also on eight points, face a daunting trip to Barcelona.
Former champions Benfica and Ajax must win to keep their hopes alive, as do Club Brugge, Bodo/Glimt, Pafos and Union Saint-Gilloise.
Eliminated
Debutants Kairat Almaty and Villarreal have lost six of their seven matches and are out of contention. Slavia Prague remain winless, while Eintracht Frankfurt recently dismissed coach Dino Toppmoeller following a poor run of results in both domestic and European competitions.
