The final week of the league phase has arrived, and the stakes couldn’t be higher for several English clubs vying for a coveted spot in the Champions League knockout rounds. While some teams have already secured their place, others face a tense, uncertain finish, their fates hanging in the balance with every goal and every result.
Arsenal, remarkably, have already clinched qualification and a top-two finish, a testament to their dominant form throughout the campaign. Their perfect record has not only guaranteed a place in the round of 16 but also secured a home advantage in the second leg of each knockout tie – a significant boost for Mikel Arteta’s squad as they prepare for the challenges ahead. A single point against Kairat Almaty on Wednesday will cement their position at the league’s summit.
Liverpool find themselves in a slightly more precarious position, but still firmly in control of their destiny. Last week’s crucial away win at Marseille has given Arne Slot’s side a vital advantage. A victory against Qarabag at Anfield will guarantee a top-eight finish and direct entry into the round of 16. However, a draw might not be enough, with Barcelona, Sporting CP, and City breathing down their necks, potentially overtaking them on goal difference.
Tottenham’s European campaign has offered a rare bright spot in an otherwise challenging season under Thomas Frank. A win against Borussia Dortmund last week propelled Spurs into fifth place, but the margin is razor-thin. Their final match against Eintracht Frankfurt, already eliminated, presents a golden opportunity. A win secures their place, while a draw leaves them vulnerable to a late surge from the teams below. Another defeat could prove fatal.
Newcastle face arguably the toughest challenge of all, traveling to Paris to face the defending champions, PSG. Both teams are locked on 13 points, with Newcastle holding a slight advantage in goal difference. A win would almost certainly guarantee qualification, but a draw or loss would leave them reliant on results elsewhere, needing only two teams to falter. The pressure is immense.
Chelsea, under Liam Rosenior, are clinging to the final automatic qualification spot. Currently eighth, they possess a slender goal difference advantage over Barcelona, Sporting, and City. A win against Napoli, currently languishing in 25th place, should be enough, especially considering PSG and Newcastle face each other. However, a narrow victory could open the door for those below, while a draw or defeat would almost certainly consign them to the play-offs.
Manchester City’s aspirations have been severely dented by a shock defeat to Bodo/Glimt. Guardiola’s side now sit in 11th place and face an uphill battle to avoid the play-offs. They will likely need a high-scoring win against Galatasaray, coupled with dropped points from at least two teams above them, to salvage their campaign. The odds are stacked against them.
Looking ahead, the Champions League knockout phase is scheduled to begin with play-off matches on February 17th and 18th, followed by the 24th and 25th. The Round of 16 will then unfold on March 10th, 11th, 17th, and 18th, leading to the Quarter-finals in April, Semi-finals in May, and culminating in the Final on May 30th. The drama is far from over.
