That is the place issues get fascinating.
Let’s begin with the straightforward bit. For Actual Madrid and Liverpool, each on 15 factors, and Tottenham, on 14 factors, a victory on matchday eight will safe direct entry into the last-16 draw.
Whereas Spurs face already eradicated Eintracht Frankfurt in Germany, Arne Slot’s facet are at house to Qarabag, who can nonetheless make the highest eight.
“It is essential as you miss the play-offs, and it helps with the extreme programme that we’re having,” Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk instructed Uefa.
“It is all all the way down to us once more subsequent week, at house. Let’s be certain we’re within the prime eight. We have put ourselves in an excellent place, however that is for subsequent week.”
Madrid are away to Joe Mourinho’s Benfica, who want a win to have an opportunity of sneaking into the play-offs.
Behind Spurs come a bunch 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 needing a win – and even then understanding their destiny might come all the way down to objective distinction.
Eddie Howe’s facet face the daunting activity of travelling to PSG, whereas Chelsea are away to Napoli and Metropolis host Galatasaray.
Everybody all the way down to Qarabag in 18th nonetheless have a mathematical probability of robotically advancing.
That’s partially as a result of, remarkably, regardless of 16 groups nonetheless being in rivalry for the six remaining top-eight spots, solely two of the 18 matches subsequent Wednesday have these sides going through one another.
Newcastle’s journey to Paris is one, Borussia Dortmund at house to Inter Milan is the opposite.
