Europe's top teams vie for direct entry into Champions League knockout stage

Defending champions Paris Saint-Germain along with Real Madrid and Liverpool feature among the teams vying for straight qualification to the Champions League last 16 ahead of the concluding league phase matches this week.

A total of fifteen clubs have secured their spot in the knockout stages, yet another seventeen outfits remain in the race for the leftover positions as all eighteen fixtures commence simultaneously on Wednesday.

The leading eight sides earn a direct pass to the last 16, whereas the subsequent sixteen participants will enter the Friday play-off draw, though PSG proved last year that such a route poses no barrier to claiming the title.

AFP Sport examines the key implications for matchday eight:

Secured last 16 berths

Arsenal, boasting seven victories in seven outings, and Bayern Munich stand as the sole two teams already confirmed for the last 16. The Gunners might achieve the unprecedented feat of winning every one of the eight league phase games since its inception last season. They welcome bottom-placed Kairat Almaty, who hold only a solitary point, at home.

Bayern's single European loss this term occurred against Arsenal in November. Vincent Kompany's team travels to PSV Eindhoven for their closing encounter.

Knockout progression assured

Real Madrid, the competition's most successful club with fifteen triumphs, can clinch a last-16 place by defeating Jose Mourinho's Benfica on the road. Liverpool will accompany them upon victory over Qarabag at Anfield, and Tottenham can skip the play-offs too with a win at Eintracht Frankfurt, regardless of their league woes.

Eight clubs, occupying sixth through thirteenth positions, share thirteen points, including current title holders PSG who entertain Newcastle at Parc des Princes. Chelsea hold the last top-eight slot but confront a challenging trip to Napoli under ex-Blues manager Antonio Conte.

Barcelona and Manchester City sit in ninth and eleventh spots. Both lurk ready to climb into the top eight should higher-ranked teams falter. Certainly PSG or Newcastle, or possibly both, will forfeit points.

Sporting Lisbon, Atletico Madrid, and Atalanta also contend in this group, while Inter, on a three-match losing streak, and Juventus linger with twelve points. Every one of these teams will advance beyond the league phase irrespective of Wednesday's outcomes.

Primed for knockout qualification

Borussia Dortmund appear virtually guaranteed to proceed with Galatasaray. Azerbaijan's Qarabag edge towards their inaugural knockout appearance following a dramatic late victory against Eintracht last week.

Marseille, Bayer Leverkusen, Monaco, PSV, Athletic Bilbao, and Olympiacos complete the current top 24, although seven trailing clubs might surge back into the fray.

On the fringes

Napoli, Italy's title holders, represent the standout side facing potential exclusion from the knockouts. They rank 25th, trailing Olympiacos due to inferior goal tally.

FC Copenhagen also possess eight points yet travel to Barcelona for their finale. Benfica and Ajax, both past European conquerors, require wins for any qualification hopes. Club Brugge, Bodo/Glimt, Pafos, and Union Saint-Gilloise share this necessity.

Out of contention

Newcomers Kairat and Villarreal have suffered defeats in six of seven games. Slavia Prague remain winless, and Eintracht dismissed coach Dino Toppmoeller earlier this month amid dismal form in Germany and on the continental stage.