The league phase of the Champions League draws to a close on Wednesday evening, with a whole host of Premier League teams in line to qualify for the knockout stages of the tournament
Matthew Abbott and Aaron Morris Senior Sports Reporter
07:00, 28 Jan 2026
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The Champions League is heating up(Image: Armando Oliveira via Getty Images)
Premier League clubs have everything to play for as the league phase of the Champions League reaches its conclusion.
All except Arsenal have plenty to battle for on the final matchday come Wednesday, with the Gunners assured of a top-two finish after winning in all seven of their European fixtures so far. First place clashes with rock bottom as Kairat travel to the Emirates Stadium with neither team competing for anything.
However, that represents the exception rather than the norm. Liverpool welcome Qarabag while Manchester City entertain Galatasaray in the north west with qualification still hanging in the balance.
Chelsea, Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur are all travelling, facing Napoli, Paris Saint-Germain and Eintracht Frankfurt, respectively.
Where the Premier League clubs stand going into final matchday
Arsenal, as in the Premier League, sit atop the table, three points ahead of Bayern Munich. Liverpool aren't far behind in fourth, trailing Real Madrid only on goal difference, with both sides three points behind the Bundesliga champions, reports the Mirror.
Tottenham Hotspur are merely a point behind the Reds with superior goal difference. Newcastle United occupy seventh, one place above Chelsea and three ahead of Manchester City in 11th, though all three find themselves amongst a cluster of teams on 13 points.
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The lowest and highest places they can each finish in the league standings
Arsenal will remain at the summit unless Bayern Munich can overturn a five-goal deficit this week. However, they cannot be overtaken by any other side, guaranteeing them at least second place.
Liverpool could climb as high as second with victory and a Bayern defeat to PSV, plus a seven-goal swing - provided there's also a five-goal turnaround with Real Madrid should the 15-time European champions overcome Benfica. Yet defeat to Qarabag could see them plummet as low as 14th if up to ten results conspire against them.
Tottenham Hotspur might secure third place with victory, providing Liverpool and Madrid drop points. Spurs, though, could tumble as far as 16th with defeat and 12 results working against them.
Chelsea, Man City and Newcastle could all claim third with wins, assuming Liverpool, Madrid and Tottenham falter, whilst making up a goal difference shortfall. They might also sink as low as 17th or 18th with defeat and a dozen matches going against them.
What each position they can finish in would mean
The precise positions clubs secure in the top 24 will determine their next fixture list. Finishing amongst the leading pair, which Arsenal are assured of achieving, means they will host all second legs of their knockout round clashes at the Emirates Stadium.
Liverpool will also be keen to remain in the top four, as it would guarantee the second legs of any last-16 and quarter-final clashes take place at Anfield. All of the leading eight will enjoy home advantage in the second leg against sides progressing through the play-off round.
Play-off matchups are decided based on teams' league-phase standings. Ninth will face 24th, whilst 10th will take on 23rd, with this pattern continuing through to 16th playing 17th.
When are the next rounds
Play-off draw: January 30
Knockout play-offs: February 17-18 and 24-25
Round of 16: March 10-11 and 17-18
Quarter-finals: April 7-8 and 14-15
Semi-finals: April 28-29 and May 5-6
Final: Saturday, May 30 at Puskas Arena in Budapest, Hungary
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