Where the Premier League Sides Stand Before the Champions League Final Matchweek

The final Champions League matchweek permutations explained as Premier League clubs fight for a top-eight finish and avoid the play-offs.

The Champions League league phase reaches its final matchweek with every Premier League side already guaranteed at least a play-off place.

English teams have largely delivered in Europe, even those who haven’t domestically. But finishing inside the top eight, and skipping the play-offs entirely, is still very much up in the air for most of them.

One club can relax. The rest cannot.

Here’s what each Premier League team needs on the final night to secure a top-eight finish.

Arsenal Champions League qualification scenario

Arsenal are already through to the last 16. Their work is done.

Mikel Arteta’s side have been flawless in Europe, winning every match and conceding just twice. They have beaten Bayern Munich, Atletico Madrid and Inter along the way and sit clear at the top.

The only thing still technically in play is first place overall.

For Arsenal to lose it, they would need to be beaten at home by Kairat while Bayern overturn a heavy goal difference gap away at PSV.

Given Kairat are bottom with one point, it feels unlikely, even if the Gunners are to heavily rotate.

Liverpool Champions League permutations

Liverpool sit fourth on 15 points after a convincing win away to Marseille.

If they beat Qarabag at Anfield on Wednesday, then Liverpool are in the top eight.

A draw should also be enough, but only if several results elsewhere go their way. Barcelona, Sporting, Atalanta, Manchester City and Atletico Madrid would all need to fail to win or fail to better Liverpool’s goal difference.

Defeat is where it gets uncomfortable. If Liverpool lose and results break against them, a drop into the play-offs is possible.

Tottenham Champions League top-eight chances

Interestingly, Tottenham’s Premier League form has not carried over into Europe.

They have won every home game and arrive in Frankfurt on 14 points, well placed but not secure.

Victory against Eintracht Frankfurt guarantees a top-eight finish. Anything less opens the door.

If Spurs draw or lose, wins for three of Manchester City, Atletico Madrid, Atalanta, Sporting or Barcelona could push them into the play-offs.

Inter and Juventus also remain threats if goal difference swings against them.

Newcastle Champions League qualification picture

Newcastle have quietly put together an impressive European campaign and sit on 13 points with a strong goal difference (+10).

The problem is the difficulty of their final fixture: Paris Saint-Germain away, with both sides needing points.

A Newcastle win would almost certainly put them into the top eight. Their goal difference gives them a nice cushion over most of the chasing pack.

A draw is risky. If two of Barcelona, Sporting, Manchester City, Atletico, Atalanta, Inter or Juventus win, both Newcastle and PSG would miss out on the top eight.

Defeat would still leave Newcastle safely in the play-offs, though they could slide as low as 14th if results go badly.

Chelsea Champions League top-eight scenario

Chelsea currently hold the final top-eight spot but face a familiar face in a tricky final game.

They travel to Antonio Conte’s Napoli, who are outside qualification places and need a win themselves to avoid being the Champions League’s biggest losers.

Chelsea sit on 13 points with a goal difference of six. Win, and they should be safe.

Drop points, and things could get messy for them.

A win for any one of Barcelona, Sporting, Manchester City, Atletico, Atalanta, Inter or Juventus would likely knock Chelsea into the play-offs. Borussia Dortmund could also factor in with a win.

Manchester City Champions League permutations

Manchester City have made life difficult for themselves.

A shock defeat by Bodo/Glimt leaves them outside the top eight on 13 points heading into their final game against Galatasaray.

Lose, and City are definitely heading into the play-offs.

A draw only benefits them if Chelsea, Barcelona and Sporting all lose, and several other contenders fail to win.

Victory gives City a chance, but even then it may come down to goal difference. They would need to outperform results from PSG, Newcastle, Chelsea, Barcelona or Sporting, and hope Atletico Madrid and Atalanta do not pull clear.

Champions League final matchweek fixtures

All matches kick off at 8pm UK time:

• Ajax vs Olympiacos
• Arsenal vs Kairat
• Athletic Club vs Sporting
• Atletico Madrid vs Bodo/Glimt
• Barcelona vs Copenhagen
• Bayer Leverkusen vs Villarreal
• Benfica vs Real Madrid
• Borussia Dortmund vs Inter Milan
• Club Brugge vs Marseille
• Eintracht Frankfurt vs Tottenham Hotspur
• Liverpool vs Qarabag
• Manchester City vs Galatasaray
• Monaco vs Juventus
• Napoli vs Chelsea
• Pafos vs Slavia Prague
• PSG vs Newcastle United
• PSV vs Bayern Munich
• Union Saint-Gilloise vs Atalanta