English teams have been on fire in the Champions League this season, and only Manchester City’s disastrous 3-1 away defeat to Norwegian minnows Bodo/Glimt denied a Premier League sweep in the last round of fixtures.
And on Wednesday, there will be SIX English sides competing in Europe’s premier club competition on the same night for the first time, as the league phase reaches its conclusion with every match kicking off at 8pm.
They all know a spot in the top eight will secure automatic passage to the last 16 but only Arsenal – who have won all seven of their games and top the table – have that nailed down.
For the others, there remains work to do…
Arsenal
· Current position: 1st; Points: 21; Goal difference: 18; Final fixture: Kairat (H)
A win would complete a perfect record for Mikel Arteta’s team in the league phase with the table-toppers only needing a point against bottom of the table Kairat to secure top spot.
They are already guaranteed home advantage in the second leg of their last-16 tie, but could yet surrender top spot despite seven wins from seven so far.
Defeat to the Kazakh side would open the door to Harry Kane’s Bayern Munich who are three points behind the Gunners, but the German giants would need a sizeable goal difference swing.
Chances of automatic qualification: 5/5
Arsenal have already secured their last-16 spot and are aiming to complete a clean sweep
Liverpool
· Current position: 4th; Points: 15; Goal difference: 6; Final fixture: Qarabag (H)
Liverpool moved into the top eight after their win in Marseille.
Three points against Qarabag seals the Reds a favourable home second leg in the last 16.
A draw leaves Liverpool vulnerable with eight clubs sat on 13 points, meaning Slot’s side may be forced a play-off.
This could include a potential rematch against PSV who picked up a 4-1 win at Anfield in November.
Chances of automatic qualification: 4.5/5
Liverpool’s Champions League form has been a welcome break from their domestic struggles
Tottenham
Current position: 5th; Points: 14; Goal difference: 8; Final fixture: Eintracht Frankfurt (A)
Tottenham secured a spot in last season’s Europa League semi-finals on their last visit to Frankfurt, before going on to win the trophy.
This time they head to Germany knowing a win books them a place in the last 16 of the Champions League, a major incentive for an under-pressure Thomas Frank.
A point may not be enough to secure automatic qualification with 11 sides who could still overtake them.
Failure to qualify could in a tricky two-legged game against the likes of recent German champions Bayer Leverkusen or seasoned European outfit Athletic Club.
Chances of automatic qualification: 4/5
Thomas Frank will be under even greater pressure if Tottenham fail to stay in the top eight
Newcastle
· Current position: 7th; Points: 13; Goal difference: 10; Final fixture: PSG (A)
Eddie Howe’s men boosted their chances of an automatic spot after a convincing 3-0 home win against PSV last week.
They face a tough trip to face holders Paris Saint-Germain at the Parc des Princes in the final round of fixtures.
A win all but secures their passage to the last 16 and a point may do it with Newcastle sitting on a strong goal difference. Their goal difference is equal to PSG but four better than Chelsea, who are next highest ranked of the sides on 13 points.
A draw would likely leave Newcastle in the play-offs, as only two of eight teams behind them would have to win to knock Howe’s side out of the top eight.
A play-off may force a return to Roberto De Zerbi’s Marseille, who beat the Toon 2-1 in the league phase. Newcastle would benefit from having the second leg at home should they drop out of the top eight.
Chances of automatic qualification: 3/5
Newcastle could easily drop out of the top eight as they travel to Paris Saint-Germain
Chelsea
· Current position: 8th; Points: 13; Goal difference: 6; Final fixture: Napoli (A)
Chelsea face former manager Antonio Conte in their final match needing a win to boost their hopes of qualifying for the last-16, but a victory alone may not be enough.
A draw against the Italian giants gives a chance to the sides circling below with rivals Barcelona and Atletico Madrid in straightforward looking home fixtures.
Opponents Napoli have been inconsistent in the competition so far but a fiery Italian atmosphere will make it hard for Liam Rosenior’s side.
With a League Cup semi-final already to contend with, the Chelsea boss will be keen to avoid an unnecessary play-off.
Chelsea are only one goal ahead of Barcelona and Sporting heading into the final round of matches, so would have to have an eye on developments elsewhere even if they are leading in Naples.
The Blues could benefit from PSG and Newcastle facing each other, with a draw an ideal outcome to boosting their top eight hopes.
Chelsea would be assured of climbing above both in that scenario, should they win themselves, which would potentially concerns over goal difference.
Chances of automatic qualification: 3.5/5
Liam Rosenior will hope to rubberstamp his regime with Champions League progression
Manchester City have a job to do against Galatasaray after losing away to Bodo/Glimt
Manchester City
· Current position: 11; Points: 13; Goal difference: 4; Final fixture: Galatasaray (H)
City’s hopes of automatic qualification suffered a blow after a surprise 3-1 away defeat to Bodo/Glimt.
Pep Guardiola’s side need a win at home to Galatasaray to stand any realistic chance of direct progression to the last-16, with a draw is not likely to be enough with eight teams level on points.
Five teams are currently ahead of Man City on goal difference in the table, but there is cause for optimism.
Victory over Galatasaray would lift Man City over at least one of PSG or Newcastle in the table – despite their goal difference advantage of five. A draw in Paris combined with a City win would elevate Man City above both.
Chelsea are two goals clear but face a tricky trip to Napoli, while Barcelona and Sporting Lisbon are a goal ahead and have home matches against Copenhagen and Athletic Club respectively.
Man City could well find themselves in a situation where they need to outscore several of these teams on the night to secure a top eight berth.
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Chances of automatic qualification: 3.5/5
Who are the biggest threats to the English teams?
Barcelona will begin the night outside the top eight on goal difference, one behind eighth placed Chelsea and four behind PSG and Newcastle.
The Spanish giants have a favourable final match at home against Copenhagen, who have lost three of their seven league phase matches.
Opta Analyst give Barcelona a 76.57 per cent chance of finishing the night in the top eight, with their supercomputer expecting the Catalan giants to end the night in sixth.
The stats gurus also predict Atletico Madrid will secure a top eight berth. Diego Simeone’s side are currently 12th in the standings on 13 points.
Atletico host Bodo/Glimt on the final matchday, with the Norwegians having lost one and drawn two of their away fixtures in the league phase to date.
Their hopes are on a knife-edge however, with Atletico given a 50.56 per cent chance of making the top eight.
Sporting Lisbon will fancy their chances with the Portuguese side – currently 10th in the standings – travelling away to Athletic Club. It could prove a vital fixture on the night, with Athletic Club hoping to hold onto a play-off spot, while Sporting will seek to move into the top eight.
