UCL permutations before final fixtures with THIRTY teams unsure of fate

There’s just one matchday to go in the Champions League league phase with a number of clubs seeing their fate resting on their final fixtures which will take place next week

The Champions League roared back into life this week with the penultimate round of fixtures in the opening stage. In just its second season since its reformation, the league stage has kept clubs and fans guessing all year long.

And that remains the same as attention turns to the final round of fixtures next week. All of the 36 teams who qualified for the competition proper will be in action next week as the league stage concludes.

While in its previous guise, there will have been a fair few dead rubbers, that’s not quite the case this time around, with plenty still to play for.

With that being said, Mirror Football takes a look at ALL of the permutations that could occur including for the Premier League sides in the competition:

JOIN US ON FACEBOOK! Latest news, analysis and much more on Mirror Football's Facebook page

As it stands, there are just two sides who have booked their spots in the last 16 already. Premier League leaders Arsenal will join Bayern Munich in the knockout rounds, having enjoyed a brilliant campaign so far.

But the Gunners still have something to play for. Teams who finish in the top four in the table will be given home second legs for both the last 16 and quarter-finals, while the top two will also be given second-leg home games in the semi-finals.

Arsenal need just a point against Kairat Almaty in their final game to secure top spot. When it comes to the others, it’s slightly more complicated.

Bayern are of course already through and will be joined by Real Madrid and Paris-Saint Germain should they win their final games. In the meantime, Liverpool and Tottenham will be guaranteed spots in the last 16 with wins against Qarabag and Eintracht Frankfurt respectively, while the Reds will likely qualify should they avoid defeat.

Chelsea and Newcastle occupy the final spots in the top eight, with wins against Napoli and PSG booking their spots in the next round. Draws could be enough for all of the sides in the top eight but that would depend on those currently in the playoff positions, while defeats would leave them vulnerable.

Who will win the Champions League? Share your thoughts in the comments below

The good news for all of the sides in the top eight is that they have all guaranteed themselves at least a playoff position. There are currently 16 sides all in the playoffs, with 10 of them still hopeful of securing a last-16 spot.

Barcelona, Sporting Lisbon, Atletico Madrid and Atalanta are all level on 13 points so will be hopeful of doing enough - a win or potentially a draw seeing them through - the latter only being true should any of Spurs, Chelsea, Newcastle or PSG drop points.

Manchester City are also among that group of clubs, with a win or even a draw against Galatasaray being enough to see them automatically qualify but only if results go for them. Every side from 16th up has already been assured of a playoff spot.

Inter Milan, Juventus, Borussia Dortmund, Galatasaray and Qarabag all realistically need wins in their final league stage games to stand any chance of an automatic last-16 spot but even then, that might not be enough. Draws for Galatasaray and Qarabag might however be enough for at least a playoff position.

When it comes to those nervously looking over their shoulders, Marseille, Leverkusen and Monaco only hold a one-point advantage over the chasing pack, while PSV, Athletic Bilbao and Olympiacos need wins to guarantee their spots. Anything else leaves them all vulnerable.

As it stands, four sides have already been eliminated from the competition ahead of their final league fixture. They are Eintracht Frankfurt, Slavia Prague, Villarreal and Kairat.

That quartet are set to be joined by a further eight come the completion of the final group fixtures. Let’s start with the simple ones.

Ajax, Union Saint-Gilloise, Pafos, Benfica and Bodo/Glimt all must win to secure a playoff position. Anything else would see them eliminated.

When it comes to the other sides, a win isn’t crucial but it sure would be useful. Club Brugge are just outside of the playoffs by a point, while FC Copenhagen and Napoli are level on points with the last couple of playoff sides.

Athletic Bilbao vs Sporting Lisbon

Liverpool vs Qarabag

Barcelona vs Copenhagen

Monaco vs Juventus

Ajax vs Olympiacos

PSG vs Newcastle

Dortmund vs Inter Milan

Napoli vs Chelsea

Eintracht Frankfurt vs Tottenham

Atletico Madrid vs Bodo/Glimt

Leverkusen vs Villarreal

Arsenal vs Kairat

Pafos vs Slavia Prague

Manchester City vs Galatasaray

Club Brugge vs Marseille

Benfica vs Real Madrid

Union Saint-Gilloise vs Atalanta

PSV vs Bayern Munich