Arsenal, Liverpool, Newcastle, Tottenham, Chelsea and Manchester City remain in contention to finish inside the top eight of this season’s Champions League group stage, although doing so would not necessarily result in a smoother path to the final.
The top eight teams advance straight to the round of 16, while those finishing between ninth and 24th must navigate a play-off round to claim the remaining eight places.
Arsenal currently sit at the summit of the table and require just a single point from their final group match against Kairat Almaty on Wednesday to secure top spot.
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The scenario is more complicated for Liverpool, Tottenham and Chelsea.
Arne Slot’s side occupy fourth place and would seal automatic qualification for the last 16 with a victory. However, a draw could also be sufficient, depending on results elsewhere.
Tottenham, who are fifth, may also progress with a point, though they could still be forced to claim all three points away to Frankfurt.
Spurs eliminated the German outfit 2-1 on aggregate last season under Ange Postecoglou to reach the Europa League semi-finals, but they have struggled for consistency under Thomas Frank, making a repeat of their 1-0 away win in April a difficult task.
Chelsea, currently eighth and one of eight sides tied on 13 points, are likely to need a win away at Napoli if they are to avoid the play-off round.
Manchester City find themselves in 11th place and must defeat Galatasaray at the Etihad Stadium, while also hoping that three of the six teams above them fail to pick up wins.
They may also need to secure victory by a larger margin than Atletico Madrid and Atalanta below them, if goal difference comes into play.
Newcastle face a situation similar to Chelsea’s in seventh position, but with the added challenge of needing to overcome reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain at the Parc des Princes.
Twitter account Football Rankings (@FootRankings) has used projected finishing positions to outline possible knockout brackets for each side, including all five English clubs.
Arsenal’s potential last 16 opponents
Arsenal are assured of finishing inside the top two, with only Bayern Munich still capable of overtaking them.
Based on projected final standings, Mikel Arteta’s men could be drawn against Bayer Leverkusen, Galatasaray, Inter Milan or Borussia Dortmund.
If they progress, a quarter-final showdown could pit them against either fierce rivals Tottenham or Manchester City, both of whom are projected to enter via the play-offs, setting up a potential all-English encounter.
Chelsea’s potential last 16 opponents
They would then face fellow Premier League side Newcastle United in the play-offs, with UEFA rules allowing clubs from the same country to meet at this stage.
Victory in that tie would earn Chelsea a place in the last 16 against either Barcelona or holders Paris Saint-Germain.
Liverpool’s potential last 16 opponents
Arne Slot’s team are projected to finish third, with Liverpool tipped to defeat Azeri side Qarabag at Anfield.
This could result in another meeting with Qarabag in the round of 16, while Marseille — whom they also faced in the group stage — Juventus or Atalanta are the other possible opponents.
Should the Reds advance further, a quarter-final clash against one of Barcelona, PSG, Chelsea or Newcastle would likely await them.
