The new-look format means teams play eight matches each in what used to be the group stage of the competition, with the top eight in the 36-team table granted automatic entry to the last 16 draw.
After the first seven matchdays, unbeaten Liverpool have progressed automatically, while beleaguered Manchester City face a fight to even reach the play-offs.
Arne Slot’s men have won their opening seven matches and have qualified straight into the round of 16 draw.
square FOOTBALL ExclusiveLiverpool set to beat Man Utd and City to signing of 'next Andy Robertson'
Read More
With 21 points, only Barcelona can stop Liverpool from topping the table come the end of the league phase.
They travel to PSV Eindhoven on 29 January.
How many points needed to qualify from Champions League league phase
Before the campaign began, Opta’s supercomputer worked out that teams with 10 points at the end of the league phase had a 99 per cent chance of finishing in the top 24, thereby reaching at least the knockout phase play-offs.
Teams with 12 points were unlikely to trouble the top eight, but the chances slowly start creeping up on 13 points, with 14 points having a 28 per cent likelihood of making the top eight.
That jumps to 73 per cent with 15 points and 98 per cent for 16 points, meaning 17 points – which would require five wins, two draws and one loss – is essentially guaranteeing a top-eight spot.
The Gunners are sat on 16 points, having won five, drawn one and lost one of their opening seven matches.
They are currently three points above six teams on 13 points from eighth down to 13th, and Arsenal’s superior goal difference is essentially why they are already through bar a massive, massive turnaround in fortunes.
Aston Villa
Unai Emery's side host Celtic on Wednesday, and they will likely have to win to give themselves any chance of finishing in the top eight.
Aston Villa face defining week in transfer window after an 'absolute nightmare'
Read MoreIt could be the case that Villa are among - as they are currently - a handful of teams on the same amount of points, but goal difference decides which side of the dotted line they finish.
As things stand, Celtic are nestled in the table just below four European heavyweights: Dortmund, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and Juventus.
For Celtic, the bonus is that they are guaranteed to finish in the top 24 and will therefore play the next round in February.
That means there is plenty riding on Celtic's visit to Villa Park, as even a draw could lift the Scots to 16th or higher.
Man City
Man City only have themselves to blame for Khusanov's horror debut
Read MoreAfter leading 2-0 at Paris Saint-Germain, they were blown away and lost 4-2, leaving the play-off hopes in the balance.
It would make them the team to avoid, in truth, while there is also the distinct possibility that City could face one of those aforementioned teams - Real, Bayern, Dortmund, Juve - in the play-off around.
City, as it turns out, have benefitted from this new format. They still have a chance of going through, and despite their shocking slump, they are capable or turning it around and going the distance. Sure, that seems far-fetched now, but it is entirely possible.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Champions League permutations for Arsenal, Aston Villa and Man City )
Also on site :