5 video games deep within the UEFA Champions League, the image is turning into clearer within the league part as we come into the sixth spherical of play. Liverpool are the one workforce to have gained all 5 of their video games for a complete of 15 factors which locations them two away from unbeaten Inter. Though 10 factors is predicted to be sufficient for a high 24 end and subsequently a UCL knockout berth, there is no such thing as a assure as a result of it is a model new format which is enjoying out for the very first time proper now. Arne Slot’s males have booked at the least that and ought to be joined by the Nerazzurri, Barcelona, Borussia Dortmund and undefeated Atalanta BC. Bayer Leverkusen, Arsenal, AS Monaco, Aston Villa, Sporting CP, Stade Brestois 29 and Lille OSC are additionally properly positioned to advance past the league part. Nevertheless, some huge names occupy the improper finish of the desk with Paris Saint-Germain presently in an elimination berth whereas Actual Madrid are barely within the high 24 with each having suffered three losses. Crimson Bull pair Leipzig and Salzburg are additionally surprisingly low whereas VfB Stuttgart, Bologna and Shakhtar Donetsk may shock some.

We take a better look because the three remaining video games edge nearer.

Certified groups

Liverpool: To date, the Premier League-leading Merseysiders are the one workforce to be assured of at the least a playoff spot though they may but — and nearly actually will — ebook an automated round-of-16 berth by a top-eight end. With Girona (away), Lille (dwelling) and PSV Eindhoven (away) to come back, it’s laborious to see Slot’s facet not marching on routinely and the extra pertinent query may be whether or not or not the Reds find yourself successful all of their video games or at the least remaining unbeaten.

Shock performers

Liverpool main the best way shouldn’t be actually an enormous shock however their mixed Premier League and Champions League type does benefit additional point out given Slot’s seemingly seamless transition into life at Anfield. Of the highest eight, few would have guess on Monaco of Ligue 1 being up there whereas Atalanta forming a part of an unbeaten Serie A pairing with Inter additionally warrants reward. From ninth downwards, Aston Villa are nonetheless inside touching distance of the highest eight together with Sporting CP, Brest and Lille which is arguably the place a lot of the shock lies by way of groups punching above their weight. Bayern Munich, Atletico Madrid and Milan are additionally upwardly cell and correcting sudden sluggishness after latest upticks in continental outcomes.

Shock strugglers

There isn’t a getting away from the truth that PSG are the standout title right here with Luis Enrique’s males crushed by Arsenal, Atleti and now Bayern in addition to being held at dwelling by PSV Eindhoven. With video games towards Salzburg, an unexpectedly weak Manchester Metropolis and Stuttgart, there’s a main chance that the French giants don’t even advance to the knockouts. Ligue 1 is presently being buoyed by Monaco, Brest and Lille and Paris dropping out so prematurely can be an infinite blow to France’s UEFA coefficient efficiency which had been respectable up till very not too long ago. Actual occupying the ultimate of the highest 24 locations was by no means anticipated however they’re two factors higher off than PSG whereas Metropolis and Juventus are inside two factors of the defending UCL titleholders. The early proof is that UEFA’s format shakeup is definitely making issues attention-grabbing and the ultimate three video games might be extraordinarily excessive stakes for the likes of Les Parisiens.

Coefficient storylines up to now

How the league part is impacting that UEFA coefficient system has turn out to be one thing of a three-horse race of late with England romping away in high spot by way of a possible extra Champions League spot adopted by Portugal and Italy. The seven EPL sides have a bonus over their 5 Portuguese rivals however the eight Italian representatives may properly flip that tide although Bologna look prone to drop that quantity to seven. Germany’s Bundesliga, Spain’s La Liga and France’s Ligue 1 are scrapping away at pretty even standings to Belgium and Czechia within the chasing pack however will probably be robust to reel in all three of the leaders even at this early stage — particularly the English — with even the Germans a good approach again in fourth from second and even third.

Key sixth spherical video games

All 3 p.m. ET

• Tuesday, Dec. 10: Atalanta vs. Actual Madrid, Bayer Leverkusen vs. Inter and RB Salzburg vs. PSG.
• Wednesday, Dec. 11: Arsenal vs. Monaco, Borussia Dortmund vs. Barcelona and Juventus vs. Manchester Metropolis.

The sixth spherical of video games guarantees some absolute crackers with unbeaten Atalanta a very robust activity for struggling Actual on Tuesday whereas Leverkusen tackling Inter may have ramifications within the high eight and PSG play for his or her UCL lives away at lowly Salzburg in Austria. On Wednesday, among the most in-form sides go up towards one another with Arsenal internet hosting Monaco and Dortmund being visited by Barca is of significance to the highest eight whereas Juve vs. Metropolis is surprisingly a mid-table contest coming into this one.

Standings

Key: Positions 1-8 qualify for Spherical of 16 whereas positions 9-24 qualify for Knockout Part Play-Offs and positions 25-36 are eradicated.