How many teams qualify for the Champions League knockouts and how many games are left?
Today at 07:53 AM
Fans are still getting used to the new Champions League format, with the group stage nearing an end and the knockout phase beginning next month.
36 teams have been playing in the group stage as they battle it out to be one of the 24 teams still alive when the knockouts begin.
Liverpool have been the standout side so far, with Arne Slot’s men the only team to boast seven wins from seven outings.
Their place in the last 16 of the competition is already secured, but there is still a serious scrap on between a lot of clubs to join them.
Arsenal are still on course to finish in the all important top eight places, while Aston Villa are in contention, but must finish with a win.
The top eight is where you ideally want to finish in the group stage as that books a spot in the last 16 of the competition, but 16 more clubs will still have hopes of surviving.
Here’s everything you need to know, including how many teams qualify and how many games are left in the league phase.
How many teams qualify for the Champions League knockouts?
The top eight teams at the end of the group stage go straight into the last 16.
The sides ranked 9-24 at the end of the group stage go into the knockout phase play-offs, with the eight winners progressing to the last 16 phase.
Which teams have already qualified and which have already been knocked out?
Liverpool and Barcelona have already secured their places in the last 16 of the Champions League with a game to spare.
Atalanta, Atletico Madrid, Arsenal, Bayer Leverkusen, Inter Milan, Aston Villa, Brest, Monaco and Lille are already guaranteed to make it to the play-offs at least, but will hope to finish in the top eight.
A handful of sides already have no chance of making the knockouts, with Red Star Belgrade, Sturm Graz, Red Bull Salzburg, RB Leipzig, Slovan Bratislava and Young Boys all out of contention.
How many games are left in the Champions League?
Each team in the group stage plays eight matches and will have all played seven after this week’s action.
The final round of group stage matches will all be played on Wednesday 29 January.
When is the Champions League play-off round?
The draw for the play-off round is on 31 January when the teams ranked 9-16 will be seeded against those ranked 17-24.
The first legs are played on 11-12 February, with the second legs on 18-19 February.
Are the Champions League knockouts seeded?
Yes. The top eight teams will be seeded against the eight that come through the play-offs.
The round of 16 will then follow a seeded draw bracket, so the teams that finish first and second in the group stage will be on opposite sides of the draw.
