Champions League permutations for Chelsea, Liverpool, Man City and Barcelona explained

Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City and Barcelona are among the clubs still with plenty to play for in the final gameweek of the Champions League league phase.

Arsenal are the only unbeaten team left in the competition, with their 3-1 win over Inter on Tuesday securing a top-two finish in the league phase for Mikel Arteta’s side.

But an intriguing set of results on Wednesday means there will be plenty to play for in the final round of league phase fixtures next week.

Moises Caicedo’s second-half header helped Chelsea squeak past Pafos with a 1-0 win, while fellow Premier League clubs Liverpool and Newcastle were also victorious against Marseille and PSV Eindhoven.

Elsewhere, Barcelona came through a topsy-turvy first half away at Slavia Prague to record a 4-2 win and move themselves within touching distance of a spot in the top eight.

Ahead of the final round of league phase fixtures, here is the state of play and permutations for the clubs looking to advance to the next stage of the competition.

How does the Champions League league phase format work?

Starting last season, the traditional 32-team group stage of the Champions League was replaced by a league phase featuring 36 clubs, which has been commonly referred to as a ‘Swiss model’.

Rather than playing three teams twice, each side was drawn against eight different opponents – two from each of the four seeding pots. Every team will play four games at home and four away.

The results will determine where all 36 teams finish in one large league table. Those that finish in positions one to eight secure direct qualification to the last 16.

Clubs ranked nine to 24 enter into a knockout play-off contest, where victory will secure a spot in the round of 16. Teams in positions 25 to 36 are eliminated from the competition.

What do Chelsea need to qualify for the Champions League knockout stages?

Chelsea were made to work at home to Pafos, but found a second-half winner to leave a top-eight finish in their hands ahead of the final week.

The Blues currently sit in eight place, but with a superior goal difference to a host of clubs – including Barcelona, City, and Athletico Madrid – who sit just below them in the table but on the same points.

Liam Rosenior’s side face a difficult trip to take on Napoli in their final league phase fixture and have already secured their place in the knockout stages.

But should they win and better the results of the teams below them, Chelsea will hold on to their top-eight spot and move automatically into the last-16.

What do Liverpool need to qualify for the Champions League knockout stages?

An impressive 3-0 away win at Marseille means Arne Slot’s side are in an advantageous position heading into the final gameweek.

The Reds currently sit fourth, and on 15 points, meaning a win at home to Qarabag next week will be enough to secure a top-eight spot for a second successive season.

In all likelihood, a draw should also be enough to secure a position in the top eight.

What do Man City need to qualify for the Champions League knockout stages?

A damaging 3-1 away defeat in Norway against Bodo/Glimt has hurt City’s chances of a top-eight finish.

Pep Guardiola’s side are already through to the knockout stages, but will need results to go their way on the final gameweek if they are to move into the top eight.

City, who host Galatasaray next Wednesday, are on the same number of points as Chelsea in eighth, but have an inferior goal difference to the Blues, as well as Barcelona and Sporting Lisbon, who sit in ninth and tenth respectively.

What do Barcelona need to qualify for the Champions League knockout stages?

A 4-2 win away against Slavia Prague ensured Barca’s spot in the knockout rounds, but the Catalan giants will be eager to move into the top eight.

Hansi Flick’s side currently sit ninth and host Copenhagen on the final gameweeek, but will need to win and to receive a favour from the teams above them if they to jump up into the top eight and qualify straight for the last-16.

Who else could qualify?

Tottenham and Newcastle United are both currently in the top eight positions, but face tricky away fixtures against Eintracht Frankfurt and Paris Saint-German respectively

Win those and they should secure a top eight spot, but a dropped points risked dragging themsleves into a knockout play-off match in late February.

Sporting and Atletico Madrid could also jump into the top eight, while a trio of Italian clubs – Atalanta, Inter and Juventus – could also spring a surprise.

Down towards the 24th spot, Qarabag will be looking to reach the knockouts for the first time, in the club’s history, while Napoli, who currently sit 25th, will need a positive result against Chelsea to avoid a disappointing league phase exit.

When are the Champions League knockout rounds

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