After six rounds, the bloated Champions League is finally starting to take shape and while table toppers Liverpool are already all but assured of a place in the round of 16, the fate of most teams remains undecided going into this week's penultimate series of matches.
Arsenal and Aston Villa could face a play-off round next month at worst but look well positioned for a last-16 exit, but Pep Guardiola's Manchester City must avoid defeat to Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday to secure their fate maintaining a top-24 finish in his own hands.
This is where things stand for all clubs as the business end approaches.
The top eight will go straight into the round of 16, while those ranked ninth through 24th will face each other in a seeded two-legged play-off to progress.
Those who finished 25th and below will leave Europe and will not have a second chance in the Europa League.
Liverpool are all but assured of progression to the round of 16 thanks to six wins from six, and seven other teams are all but guaranteed a play-off at worst. Only goal difference and a remarkable run of results will stop Arne Slot's Premier League leaders from bypassing the early stages.
From ninth to 26th there is a five-point gap, meaning it won't be until Wednesday night before the permutations for those teams become clear.
RB Leipzig, Slovan Bratislava and Young Boys are all pointless, while Bologna's return of two draws leaves them out of the picture.
Sturm Graz, Girona, Crvena Zvezda and RB Salzburg all need miracles to reach a play-off. Shakhtar Donetsk and Sparta Praha, with four points each, face a mountain to climb.
Arsenal are third ahead of the games against Dinamo Zagreb and Girona, but are only three points ahead of Club Brugge in 19th. A home win against the Croatians almost guarantees a place in the top eight, but they may need another draw in Spain next week.
Villa, meanwhile, are in fifth place, but only behind the Gunners on goal difference. And to avoid the play-off they need four points from this week's trip to Monaco and a game at home to Celtic in nine days.
Manchester City, meanwhile, face the daunting prospect of having to at least avoid defeat against Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday evening. The French giants are also in dire need of a win as they sit outside the top 24.
Pep Guardiola's side hosted Club Brugge on the final night, but a return of three points from the two games may not be enough to guarantee a place in the top 24.
These two-legged matches will take place on February 11 and 12 with return matches on 18 and 19. The round of 16 is scheduled for March 4, 5 and 11 and 12.
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