The latest UEFA Champions League 2024/25 league format has already delivered plenty of drama, but the best is yet to come, with so much still to play for. It’s a big one.
This season marks the debut of the Champions League’s league phase format. The top eight teams automatically advance to the Round of 16, while those finishing between ninth and 24th will contest the knockout-phase playoffs, with the winners progressing to the last 16.
The eighth and final league-phase matchday is almost upon us, and it could be one of the most thrilling nights in the competition’s history. With 25 of the 36 teams still awaiting their fate, heavyweight heartbreak and surprise stories are likely on the menu. All 18 games will be played at the same time – at 20:00 GMT on Wednesday, 29 January, with 16 matches having something on the line.
The ‘as it stands’ table will be constantly updating, with teams’ hopes potentially hinging on other results.
Ahead of Wednesday’s matches, here’s the state of play: who is through, who is battling for automatic and play-off qualification, and who is on their way out…
Which Teams have Qualified – and Who is Out?
Already Through
- Liverpool
- Barcelona
Virtually Through
- Arsenal
- Inter
- Atletico Madrid
- AC Milan
Battling for Top 8
- Atalanta
- Bayer Leverkusen
- Aston Villa
- Monaco
- Feyenoord
- Lille
- Brest
- Dortmund
- Bayern Munich
- Real Madrid
- Juventus
- Celtic
Trying to Hold Onto a Playoff Spot
- PSV
- Club Brugge
- Benfica
- PSG
- Sporting
- VfB Stuttgart
Currently Eliminated but with a Playoff Chance
- Man City
- Dinamo Zagreb
- Shakhtar Donetsk
Already Eliminated
- Bologna
- Sparta Praha
- RB Leipzig
- Girona
- Crvena zvezda
- Sturm Graz
- RB Salzburg
- Slovan Bratislava
- Young Boys
UEFA Champions League Current Table Standings
In the 36-team league phase, those finishing in the top eight automatically progress to the last 16.
They will await the winners of eight two-legged knockout play-off ties featuring the clubs ranked from ninth to 24th.
Teams finishing between ninth and 16th will be seeded and will face teams placed 17th to 24th, with the advantage of playing the second leg at home.
Clubs finishing 25th or lower are eliminated and do not qualify for the Europa League.
The play-off ties take place mid-February, with the last-16 matches in the first two weeks of March.
Matchday 8 Fixtures
Wednesday, January 29 – all 8pm UK time
- Dinamo Zagreb v AC Milan
- Inter v Monaco
- Barcelona v Atalanta
- Bayer Leverkusen v Sparta Prague
- Sturm Graz v RB Leipzig
- Red Bull Salzburg v Atletico Madrid
- Lille v Feyenoord
- Young Boys v Crvenz Zvezda
- Aston Villa v Celtic
- Bayern Munich v Slovan Bratislava
- Sporting v Bologna
- Borussia Dortmund v Shakhtar Donetsk
- PSV v Liverpool
- Stuttgart v Paris Saint-Germain
- Girona v Arsenal
- Brest v Real Madrid
- Juventus v Benfica
- Man City v Club Brugge
What’s at Stake?
Top 8 Qualification
The top eight teams will automatically progress to the round of 16. Heavyweights like as Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, and Juventus are in the running, but they will face difficult team from developing forces such as Atalanta, Aston Villa, and Brest. Every point will count, with head-to-head records and goal differentials likely to come into play.
Playoff Spots
Teams finishing ninth through 24th will compete in the knockout phase playoffs. Holding on to playoff slots is critical for clubs such as PSV, Benfica, and PSG in order to keep their Champions League hopes alive. Meanwhile, Manchester City, Dinamo Zagreb, and Shakhtar Donetsk must win and hope that other results go their way in order to qualify for the playoffs.
Elimination
Clubs that finish 25th or lower will leave Europe’s premier league. For some, such as RB Leipzig and Girona, the voyage has already ended. Others, like as Manchester City and Shakhtar Donetsk, have slender hopes of a late comeback.
Leave a Reply