The league phase of the Champions League reached its halfway point this week with the table taking shape as Europe’s elite clubs battle to reach the knock-out stages of the competition.
Bayern Munich, Arsenal and Inter Milan currently boast 100 per cent records so far, with their four straight victories putting them well on the way to sealing a top eight finish.
Manchester City occupy fourth place on 10 points, while reigning champions PSG, Newcastle, Real Madrid and Liverpool have nine points to lie in the final direct qualification positions for the last-16.
Statisticians Opta have predicted that the eight teams will remain in the qualifying positions when the league phase draws to a close in January.
It will leave the likes of Barcelona, Chelsea and Tottenham among the teams looking likely to have to negotiate an additional play-off round to advance to the last-16.
According to the predicted final table, Newcastle are expected to edge out Barcelona to finish eighth, with the Catalan giants taking the highest seeding in the play-off round.
Tottenham are projected to finish in 10th position, with London rivals Chelsea ending one place behind the reigning Europa League champions.
Barcelona and Tottenham would be paired together in the play-off round draw and would face the teams who finish 23rd and 24th.
Opta project would currently pit them against either tournament surprise package Pafos of Cyprus or German outfit Eintracht Frankfurt.
Tottenham are already due to face Frankfurt later in the league phase, while they also met the German side in the Europa League quarter-finals last season.
Chelsea could face a more daunting play-off tie against Italian giants Juventus, with the two-time winners currently predicted to finish down in 22nd.
The Blues or Galatasaray - who are on course to place 12th - would also be in line to draw Club Brugge.
Other ties could potentially see Italian champions Napoli or another surprise package Qarabag from Azerbaijan meet either Atletico Madrid or Sporting Lisbon.
Bayer Leverkusen and Monaco would be in line to play either Borussia Dortmund or Atalanta.
It would open up the prospect of an all-German last-16 clash.
The draw for the knock-out phase play-offs will take place on January 30.
The first legs will take place on February 17 and 18, followed by the second legs on February 24 and 25.
Teams will already have an insight into their possible paths through the competition at the conclusion of the league phase.
Arsenal and Bayern Munich would earn the top seeding under Opta's predicted table.
This would see the two clubs in line to meet the winners of the ties involving Qarabag, Napoli, Atletico Madrid or Sporting Lisbon in the last-16.
Man City and Liverpool would be the third and fourth seeds in the knock-out stages.
This would put the Premier League giants on course to face Bayer Leverkusen Monaco, Borussia Dortmund or Atalanta.
Holders PSG and last year's beaten finalists Inter Milan would be the fifth and sixth seeds.
This could lead them to face Chelsea, Galatasaray, Club Brugge or Juventus.
Current projections would see Real Madrid and Newcastle face either Tottenham, Barcelona, Frankfurt or Pafos.
It would open up the prospect of a Clasico between Barcelona and Real Madrid in the last-16.
A potential all-Premier League tie between Tottenham and Newcastle would be another possibility under the current projections.
The first legs of the last-16 ties would be held on March 10 and 11, with the return matches held on March 17 and 18.
The league phase rankings will be relevant for seeding for the quarter-final and semi-finals, in addition to determining the seeding for the knock-out phase play-offs and round of 16.
Seeded teams for the quarter-finals will have the advantage of playing the second leg of their quarter-final tie at home if they make it that far.
jeyablmnty
0
people are criticizing Maresca for not winning yesterday. did you actually know the club he played against, they have not lost home match for some time now. you may use one tactic and it may not favor you the next time. the same people that praised Maresca for winning Tottenham last week changed their mind this week. people should be patient for once. the board is happy Maresca. see how PSg suffered in the hands of Bayern. Bayern would have scored 4 goals if not for the card.
fcbarcelona _$^ rilbr
Jikalnruy
3
akpchoichinho001
2
see the reason why Enzo maresca should not be taking this competition as a joke
nuzbeikl
4
people are criticizing Maresca for not winning yesterday. did you actually know the club he played against, they have not lost home match for some time now. you may use one tactic and it may not favor you the next time. the same people that praised Maresca for winning Tottenham last week changed their mind this week. people should be patient for once. the board is happy Maresca. see how PSg suffered in the hands of Bayern. Bayern would have scored 4 goals if not for the card.
tahbdklsyz
4
maresca is very stupid he need to win first those simple team in order to have better points now...before playing with big team to matain his position...
Wasbcmprsz
2
so maresca knows all these yet he choose to make a bad selection to the Qarabag match. hmm
wenbimnpt
0
Maresca is doing a good job..CWC means if you continue to play same 11, they will all break down mid season..if we have to play knockout round to reach quarter final, no problem so long as all our key players becomes available..we enjoy Knockout football more..
Nahdeinors
0
Is Maresca crazy?. Who needs rotation?. We need winning games and not rotating players. Nobody will praise you by rotating players. You’re praised by winning games only and securing your position.