The battle to pin down locations within the prime eight could possibly be enthralling, given how tightly packed the standings are.

Let’s begin with the straightforward bit. For Actual Madrid and Liverpool, each on 15 factors, and Tottenham, on 14, a victory on matchday eight would safe direct entry into the final 16.

Spurs face eradicated Eintracht Frankfurt in Germany, the place the north London outfit gained final 12 months on the best way to a Europa League triumph that secured them Champions League soccer this season.

Arne Slot’s Liverpool facet are at house to Qarabag, who’ve a slim probability of nonetheless making the highest eight.

“It is all all the way down to us once more. Let’s be sure that we’re within the prime eight,” mentioned Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk after final week’s win in Marseille.

“It is essential as you miss the play-offs, and it helps with the extreme programme that we’re having. We have put ourselves in an excellent place.”

Actual Madrid are away to their former supervisor Jose Mourinho’s Benfica.

Mourinho reached three Champions League semi-finals in a row with Actual earlier than leaving in 2013, however Benfica – with solely two wins of their first seven video games – might want to beat Actual to have an opportunity of sneaking into the play-offs.

Behind Spurs come the group of eight groups, beginning with holders Paris St-Germain in sixth all the way down to Atalanta in thirteenth, on 13 factors.

Newcastle, Chelsea and Manchester Metropolis are all in that group and on the lookout for a priceless win – and even then understanding their destiny might come all the way down to aim distinction.

Chelsea are additionally up towards a well-recognized face of their former head coach Antonio Conte, who gained Serie A with Napoli final season.

Conte welcomes the Blues to Naples along with his facet sitting outdoors the play-off spots on aim distinction and needing a optimistic consequence.