The final matchday of the UEFA Champions League league phase is here—and in this new 36-team format, all matches kick off simultaneously. With the table shifting on every goal, keeping track of permutations can be overwhelming.
So far, only two teams have mathematically secured a Top-8 finish: Arsenal and Bayern Munich.
Meanwhile, just four clubs have been eliminated before this 18-matchday roulette concludes: Kairat Almaty, Villarreal, Slavia Prague, and Eintracht Frankfurt.
Everyone else still has something to play for.
If you’re confused about which match deserves your attention, here’s a ranked list of all 18 fixtures based on relevance, stakes, and entertainment value.
18. Arsenal vs Kairat Almaty
Dead rubber, Arsenal have already qualified & Almaty is also out of the race for European knockouts. Even die-hard Arsenal fans will tend to watch another fixture.
17. Pafos vs Slavia Prague
The Cyprus-based home side has the chance to create something special today, as a win might see them get into the knockout phase. The visitors have nothing to play for as they are already out.
16. Ajax vs Olympiacos
The dutch powerhouse have a very bleak chance of qualifying but they would fancy a win that might open up that poosiblity whereas the Greek powerhouse are hanging on the cliff & would be willing to win this one, for sure shot qualifacation.
15. Bayer Leverkusen vs Villarreal
Leverkusen sit 20th with 9 points and must win—a draw could be dangerous. Villarreal’s campaign has been disastrous, with no chance of qualification.
14. Union St. Gillose vs Atalanta
Atalanta had a wonderful chance to qualify for the Round of 16 last week but they spurned it, now they have tough away game against Belgian champions who would want nothing less than a win. Atalanta should also fancy a win as a draw might leave them in knockout phase.
13. Frankfurt vs Spurs
Spurs despite their poor run in the PL, sit 5th in the CL. Spurs would be aware that a draw at the Deutsche Park can lead to a slip up from Round of 16 to knockouts phase. Frankfurt have nothing to play for & would be just there to spoil Spurs day.
12. Club Brugge vs Marseille
The French side are currently inside the top 24 but it might change pretty quickly as the games begin & the team capable of replacing them is their opponent Club Brugge. For Club Brugge its pretty simple beat Marseille & go to the next phase.
11. Athletic Club vs Sporting
Athletic Club are in top 24 as they did a great job last week a the Bergamo stadium beating Atalanta. A win is what is required at the San Mames but the same rules apply for Sporting but the stakes are much higher. Sporting win means they would reach the top 8 without any hassle. A big game where the stakes are high but I listed it much lowerr due to the lack of stars in this fixture.
Sporting are on 10th position with 13 points (7 teams are on 13 points, from 6th to 13th in the table).
10. Liverpool vs Qarabag
Liverpool sit 4th on the table knowing a win would be enough for their qualification, Qarabag knows a loss would perhaps means they would slip out of the knockout phase. I would have rated this game much lower but given the form of the Reds I think we might have something special today.
9. Real Madrid vs Benfica
Jose Mourinho weeks after his comments face Arebelola in a crucial game of CL. Benfica with 6 points would need a win & some luck to qualify whereas the Los Blancos wouldnt like to disappoint their demanding fans with a draw. A lot to play for in ths clash of ego at the Santiago Bernabeu.
8. PSV vs Bayern
Bayern have already qaulifeid but they travel to the Dutch side that would be looking for a win which would secure them a next round finish. The German giants would be looking to continue ther dominance in the league & would be an interesting game for the neutrals.
7. At. Madrid vs Bodo/Glimt
Few would have ranked this highly—until Bodø/Glimt’s shock result against Manchester City. Atlético, tied on 13 points with six others, must win. Bodø’s fairy tale continues only with victory and favourable results elsewhere.
6. Barca vs Copahagen
Looks like a pretty straight forward match, with Barca favourites to win against the Danish side but Cophagen is capable of pulling a miracle & Barca on the other hand would only fancy a win. Could a interesting one if Copahagen hold Barca in the 1st half.
5. Monaco vs Juventus
A perfect delight for the neutrals as the French club is facing the Old Lady in a game that means equally important to both the side. Juve would want a win as that would led them to a top 8 finish, Monaco would be eagerly looking not to drop points & perhaps win it to qualify the next stage .
4. City vs Galatasray
City are aslo one of the 7 teams that are tied on 13 points but they sit outside the top 8 due to goal difference & woud face a stern test against the Turkish champions who would need a point to secure their qaulfication chances in the next stage. City would want only a win & nothing else which makes this sucha highly anticipated clash.
3. Dortmund vs Inter
Only one point separate the two teams & a win would perhaps guarantee a spot in the top 8 for either of the side. All to play for in this battle of goliaths in the CL.
2. Napoli vs Chelsea
Too much history in this particular fixture as Conte face their former employees & Lukaku would also be fit to play in this encounter against the team where it all started for him. Chelsea sit on 8th and a win is what they would be seeking in this fixture to guarantee their top 8 chances but for Napoli who sit on 25th just a place below the European qualifying round. Anything less than a win for them means they are knocked out.
A big game with a lot of stars is waiting at the Maradona Stadium.
1. PSG vs Newcaslte
THe biggest game of this massive 18 fixture mathcday & its battle between the Mdidel East owners. PSG sit 6th on the table & Newcastle sit 7th both with 13 points.
The equation is pretty simple a win would guarantee you a place in the top 8 & loss would kick you out. A draw means that both the teams fate lies on the rest of the games. All to play for in the French capital & I hope you dont miss on this Crucial nail bitting encounter.
