Champions League League Phase Heats Up as 21 Teams Vie for Top Eight

LONDON, England — The revamped UEFA Champions League league phase has reached a critical juncture, with 21 teams still in contention for the coveted top eight spots that guarantee automatic progression to the round of 16. As matchday seven approaches, the competition remains wide open, with Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid among the high-profile clubs fighting to avoid elimination.

The new league format, introduced in 2024, has replaced the traditional group stage with a single 36-team league. Each club plays eight matches, with the top eight teams advancing directly to the knockout stage. Teams finishing ninth to 24th will enter a playoff round, while those below face elimination.

Liverpool, currently leading the league table, are the only team assured of their place in the top eight. Clubs like Bayern Munich, Atletico Madrid, and Arsenal are among those battling to break into the automatic qualification spots. Lille, sitting in eighth place with 13 points, face a crucial clash against Liverpool on Tuesday. A loss could open the door for teams like Bayern, who have a 65% chance of securing a top-eight finish, according to The Athletic‘s projection model.

Paris Saint-Germain, despite their star-studded squad, are in danger of missing out on the knockout phase. Sitting in the elimination zone with nine points, they must win their remaining matches against Manchester City and Club Brugge to have any hope of advancing. Real Madrid, the reigning champions, are also in a precarious position, with their chances of finishing in the top eight rated at less than 1%.

At the bottom of the table, Bologna, Salzburg, and Girona are among the teams facing elimination. Bologna, with just two points, must win both of their remaining matches to stay alive, but their chances are slim, according to projections. Crvena Zvezda, on three points, have a slightly better outlook due to their favorable remaining fixtures.

The league phase has introduced a new level of unpredictability to the Champions League, with 33 clubs still in contention for either automatic qualification or a playoff spot. As the competition enters its penultimate week, the stakes have never been higher.