Arsenal and Aston Villa should at worst face a play-off round next month but look well placed for a bye to the round of 16, but Pep Guardiola ’s Manchester City must avoid defeat away to Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday to keep their fate of a top-24 finish in their own hands.

Here is where things stand for all the clubs as the business end approaches.



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The top eight sail straight into the round of 16, with those placed ninth to 24th facing off in a seeded two-legged play-off to progress.

Those who finished 25th and lower are out of Europe with no longer a second chance in the Europa League available?

Liverpool, thanks to six wins from six, are all but assured of progress to the round of 16 and seven other sides have all-but guaranteed at worst a play-off.

What do the Premier League sides need.

And to bypass the play-off they will need four points from this week's trip to Monaco and a game at home to Celtic in nine days' time.

Manchester City, meanwhile, face a daunting prospect of needing to at minimum avoid defeat away to Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday night.

The French giants are also badly in need of a win because they sit outside the top 24.

Pep Guardiola’s side host Club Brugge on the final night but a return of three points from the two games might not be enough to guarantee a spot in the top 24.

When are the play-off round fixtures.
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