The final matchday in the new UEFA Champions League format is all set for Wednesday night with all 36 teams in action.
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Arsenal remain the only perfect team in this season’s competition, leading the standings with 21 points from their opening seven games. Bayern Munich (18) and Real Madrid (15) complete the top three spots.
In this new league format, the top eight teams will qualify automatically for the round of 16, while the teams finishing in 9th to 24th place will compete in a two-legged knock-out phase play-off to secure their path to the last 16.
The race to finish inside the top eight remains closely contested between some of Europes top clubs. From sixth place PSG all the way to 13th place Atalanta, all clubs are level with 13 points.
The four bottom clubs; Eintracht Frankfurt, Slavia Prague, Villarreal and Kairat Almaty have no hopes of qualification. However the results of their scheduled games have a huge and direct impact to many round of 16 hopefuls.
With 18 games lined up in a blockbuster evening of Champions League football, we have a look at some of the top games and offer our predicted outcomes.
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All matches are scheduled to kick off at 11PM E.A.T
Dortmund vs Inter Milan
Only one point separates these two sides ahead of the final league match day. Dortmund are in 14th place, two behind their opponents.
Both teams are desperate to bounce back from defeats in their last European games, to secure a place in the round of 16.
Dortmund lost 2-0 to Tottenham, while Inter suffered a humiliating 3-1 home defeat to leaders Arsenal. Despite the defeat, Inter are joint third with the best defense in the Champions League this season.
They both returned to winning ways in their domestic leagues over the weekend and both are expected to find the back of the net here. They have faced each other four times in the competition before, each winning twice.
PSG vs Newcastle United
There is nothing between these two sides as they come into the game level on points, placed fifth and sixth on the log. PSG are joint top scorers this season, scoring 20 goals in their opening seven games.
After a shock 2-1 loss to Sporting last week, the French giants lost grip and will have to win if they are to qualify automatically for the round of 16.
Newcastle were convincing 3-0 winners against PSV in the last match day. They however followed this up with an embarrassing 2-0 home defeat to Aston Villa in the Premier League over the weekend.
The Magpies are confident they can get a result here having never lost to PSG. They met twice in the 2023/24 edition of the competition with Newcastle winning 4-1 at home before playing out to a 1-1 draw in the return leg in France.
Benfica vs Real Madrid
Third place Real Madrid have 15 points and are looking to build on their 6-1 demolition of Monaco in matchday seven. They travel to battle a familiar foe in Jose Mourinho’s Benfica.
The Portuguese side lost 2-0 to Juventus last week, leaving them in 29th with six points. Only a win here will give Mourinho’s side any shot at qualification, depending on other results on the night.
The last time these two sides met was in a friendly match in 2012. Benfica were 5-2 winners on the day.
Both teams are coming off convincing wins over the weekend, setting this up to be a potentially explosive match filled with goals. Madrid have scored a whopping 19 goals so far, compared to Benfica’s lowly six.
Kylian Mbappe is the Champions League’s top scorer this season with 11 goals. The 27-year old forward is tipped to add to his tally here.
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Manchester City vs Galatasaray
Pep Guardiola’s City are one of the eight teams with 13 points, needing a win to guarantee automatic qualification. They faltered last week, losing 3-1 to minnows Bodo Glimt.
They face a 17th place Galatasaray who were held to a 1-1 draw by Atletico Madrid last time out. This will be the first ever competitive fixture between these two teams.
City snapped a two-game losing streak to beat Wolves over the weekend, while Galatasaray are unbeaten in their last four games in all competitions.
Erling Haaland came off the bench at the weekend and is primed to start here. The Norwegian forward has not scored in his last seven games but has found the back of the net six times in the Champions League this season.
PSV vs Bayern Munich
With Bayern already confirming their place in the knockout stages, PSV will believe they can avoid defeat here to book their spot as well.
Bayern beat Belgian outfit Royale Union SG 2-0 in their last outing, while PSV lost 3-0 to Newcastle. The loss left them in 22nd place with eight points.
Both teams have lost just once in their last five games in all competitions. However, Bayern have won four of the last five games they have played against PSV.
The Germans boast a better squad on paper and still have just lost one game in this seasons competition, a 3-1 defeat to leaders Arsenal. They have also scored 19 goals in their last five games, hinting this game could have a couple as well.
Liverpool vs Qarabag
The Premier League champions 13-game unbeaten run was halted by a 3-2 loss to Bournemouth over the weekend. They are hoping to return to winning ways to better their fourth place standing on the log.
Qarabag made clearer their intention of a spot in the knockout stages with an impressive 3-2 win against Eintracht Frankfurt in their last CL match. The win moved them up to 18th place with 10 points.
With a respectable 2-2 draw against Chelsea already under their belt this season, Qarabag can hope for another impressive performance against English opposition. This is the first time these two sides will play against each other.
Napoli vs Chelsea
Chelsea have already secured a spot in the knockout stages but need a win if they are to qualify as part of the top eight. They visit a Napoli side who are looking to break into the top 24.
The hosts are in 25th with eight points after a 1-1 draw against Copenhagen in the last round of matches. Scott McTominay got the goal, his fourth of the season and the most by any Napoli player.
Chelsea on the other hand were unconvincing in their 1-0 victory against Greek side Pafos. Moises Caicedo scoring late to guarantee the win, lifting Chelsea into eighth with 13 points.
These sides have met once before in 2012 and Chelsea were 5-4 aggregate winners in the quarterfinals. The Blues went on to win the Champions League that season.
Both sides have lost just one of their last five games in all competitions. Goals can be expected in this encounter and despite having home advantage, Napoli will not have it easy against a resurgent Chelsea.
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