How does the Champions League table work and who is going through?
THE electric win-or-go-home final matchday scenario that the new Champions League table promised is taking place TONIGHT!
All final 18 league phase matches will kick off simultaneously, with permutations littered from top to bottom.
The new league phase – that replaced the traditional group stage format – has added a new sense of intrigue that wasn’t usually present in the final matchday stage.
It’s been four months since Matchday 1 of eight, so let’s offer a refresher on how the revamped first stage of Europe’s elite competition works.
Under the new system, the top eight automatically go through to the last 16 and are seeded with home advantage for the second leg, although there will be separate draws for home advantage for the following rounds.
Those finishing in ninth to 24th will play off next month to join the top eight in the last 16 in March.
The teams in ninth and 10th will be drawn against the sides in 23rd and 24th, with the sides finishing 11th and 12th, meeting teams ranked 21st and 22nd and so on.
The same applies to the two other European competitions – the Europa League, where Manchester United and Tottenham are battling for a top-eight finish – and the Conference League, with Chelsea already confirmed as top seed.
Who’s already through to the Champions League last 16?
With one game to go, there are already two sides who have confirmed their place in the last 16.
Table toppers Liverpool have won every single one of their seven games, whilst second-place Barcelona have only dropped points once.
A draw or better would confirm the places of Arsenal and Inter Milan.
Who has been eliminated from the Champions League?
As it stands, nine clubs, including RB Leipzig, Italy’s Bologna and Spanish outfit Girona, are already out of European football as a whole.
Three more will join by the end of the night.
What happens if teams end the Champions League league phase with the same amount of points?
Currently, there is a host of sides, including British representation in Manchester City, Celtic and Aston Villa, who go into Wednesday night showdown with their future yet to be decided.
There’s a likely situation where the trio fall into the play-off round, which would see a fair share of teams bundled in together.
If teams finish level on points, they will be ranked on goal difference, followed by goals scored, away goals scored, the number of wins and then the number of away wins.
Are there any changes to the knockout stages?
No, there are no changes to the original knockout stages.
The last 16 stage will continue on, with a series of two-legged knockout games culminating in the final on Saturday, 31 May, at Bayern Munich’s Allianz Arena.
The removal of away goals – implemented last season – will continue as well.