Europe's top clubs are desperately scrambling to nail down their spots in the next phase of the Champions League as the competition's initial stage reaches its finale. The leading eight teams in the table will advance directly to the last 16, while those placed ninth to 24th will endure an extra round of knockout play-off encounters.
After a strong first half of the campaign, the Premier League looks poised to boast excellent representation in the coming rounds. A full six English teams are presently involved in this season's Champions League: Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester City, Tottenham and Newcastle.
Five of these sides enter the final set of league phase fixtures on Wednesday occupying top-eight spots. City are the outliers languishing outside that privileged bracket right now following their stumble against Bodo/Glimt last week.
Clinching a direct route into the last 16 carries substantial benefits, as these teams will sidestep having to navigate another two-legged encounter in the knockout play-offs. However, this means fans will have to endure a bit more of a wait before learning which qualified sides will appear in the last-16 draw.
**_[You can read more here.](https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/champions-league-round-draw-playoffs-36621603)_**
(Kristian Skeie - UEFA, UEFA via Getty Images)