Supporters have been greeted with some rare Champions League action in January as the revamped competition nears the conclusion of its league phase.
In the penultimate round of the luminaries, Matchday 8, in which all 18 games take place simultaneously next Wednesday – fine, as European heavyweights fight for their place in the knockout phase.
For some, their place in the last 16 is assured, while others are looking for a top-eight finish that would see them avoid a nail-biting play-off in February. Beggars can’t be selections, however, with some of the continent’s elite still being scrapped into the Knockout rounds for each route.
A lot remains up in the air, but stat experts Opta have predicted what the final Champions League table could look like.
Liverpool And Barcelona are the only two teams guaranteed to finish in the top eight and automatically make the last 16, but however arsenal are almost certain to join them in staving off a bloody implosion against Girona. The Premier League leaders are also given an 89.1% chance of finishing first at the end of Matchday 8, with Barca the only other side capable of stealing top spot.
Inter are similarly likely to finish in the top eight and have a 97.7% chance of avoiding the play-offs. Atlético MadridPresent Bayer Leverkusen And Milan all favorites are also the last 16 Aston Villa Eight were predicted and are expected to leapfrog the Europa League champions Atalanta.
The Bergamo side and Lille are both about a one in three chance of making the top eight, with Feyenoord And Borussia Dortmund Outside shots that dragged straight into the final 16.
Things are looking less optimistic for European giants Bayern Munich And real MadridBoth are guaranteed in the play-offs but look increasingly unlikely to make the top eight. The German side are given just a 7.9% chance of finishing eighth or higher – just 0.6% higher than impressive debutants Brest – While the reigning champions only have a 2.9% chance of avoiding an unwanted play-off.
Celtic have guaranteed their play-off berth, although it is unlikely Paris Saint Germain And Manchester City. The French giants reside in the top 24 after their 4-2 win over the CityZens on Wednesday, but still have a 14% chance of elimination. They visit Stuttgart on their last trip.
Man City are in real danger after an immensely disappointing campaign. They host Club Brugge on Day 8 and will be favorites to taste victory in this encounter. A win would guarantee qualification for the play-offs Opta Give them a 36.2% chance of missing out. Nervous times for Pep Guardiola and his players.
Predicted the Champions League table after Day 8
position | Association |
|---|---|
1. | Liverpool |
2. | Barcelona |
3. | arsenal |
4. | Inter |
5. | Atlético Madrid |
6. | Bayer Leverkusen |
7. | Milan |
8. | Aston Villa |
9. | Atalanta |
10. | Lille |
11. | Feyenoord |
12. | Borussia Dortmund |
13. | Bayern Munich |
14. | Brest |
15. | Monaco |
16. | real Madrid |
17. | Juventus |
18. | PSV Eindhoven |
19. | Celtic |
20. | Club Brugge |
21. | Sporting CP |
22. | Paris Saint Germain |
23. | Benfica |
24. | Stuttgart |
25. | Manchester City |
26. | Dinamo Zagreb |
27. | Shakhtar Donetsk |
28. | Bologna |
29. | Red Star Belgrade |
30. | RB Leipzig |
31. | Sparta Prague |
32. | Storm Graz |
33. | Girona |
34. | Salzburg |
35. | Young boys |
36. | Slovan Bratislava |