The battle to pin down places in the top eight could be enthralling, given how tightly packed the standings are.
Let’s start with the easy bit. For Real Madrid and Liverpool, both on 15 points, and Tottenham, on 14, a victory on matchday eight would secure direct entry into the last 16.
Spurs face eliminated Eintracht Frankfurt in Germany, where the north London outfit won last year on the way to a Europa League triumph that secured them Champions League football this season.
Arne Slot’s Liverpool side are at home to Qarabag, who have a slim chance of still making the top eight.
“It’s all down to us again. Let’s make sure we’re in the top eight,” said Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk after last week’s win in Marseille.
“It’s very important as you miss the play-offs, and it helps with the intense programme that we’re having. We’ve put ourselves in a good position.”
Real Madrid are away to their former manager Jose Mourinho’s Benfica.
Mourinho reached three Champions League semi-finals in a row with Real before leaving in 2013, but Benfica – with only two wins in their first seven games – will need to beat Real to have a chance of sneaking into the play-offs.
Behind Spurs come the group of eight teams, starting with holders Paris St-Germain in sixth down to Atalanta in 13th, on 13 points.
Newcastle, Chelsea and Manchester City are all in that group and looking for a priceless win – and even then knowing their fate could come down to goal difference.
Chelsea are also up against a familiar face in their former head coach Antonio Conte, who won Serie A with Napoli last season.
Conte welcomes the Blues to Naples with his side sitting outside the play-off spots on goal difference and needing a positive result.
