Knockout places are up for grabs as the Champions League reaches a thrilling finale to the competition league phase.
All fixtures on this final matchday will kick off simultaneously with the action set to come thick and fast as the qualifiers for the round of 16 and knockout play-offs are determined. The second year of this new format has again set up an ending with plenty of intrigue, with only Arsenal and Bayern Munich assured of their spots in the top eight and a handful of sides fully eliminated.
It could be a big night for Newcastle United, who take on holders Paris Saint-Germain knowing a win would be enough to avoid the play-offs. Liverpool, Tottenham and Chelsea all also currently occupy positions in the elite eight despite their domestic up and downs, with Manchester City in contention, too — all will know plenty can change in what promises to be a hectic couple of hours of European football...
Follow all of the latest from the Champions League finale with our live blog below:
Champions League finale live
- League phase of Champions League set for thrilling finale with every fixture kicking off at 8pm GMT
- Top eight qualifiers progress to round of 16; next 16 finishers face two-legged play-off
- Arsenal and Bayern Munich are assured of top-eight finish
- Five other Premier League clubs are in contention
- Chelsea fans have been warned to take 'extreme caution' ahead of Napoli clash
Real Madrid out of top eight
21:55 , Mike JonesSporting have taken the lead against Athletic Club meaning they jump back into the top eight and as a result Real Madrid have dropped to ninth.
PSG and Newcastle have drawn 1-1 in Paris and neither team finish in the top eight.
PSG are 10th and Newcastle 11th as things stand.
GOAL! Liverpool 6-0 Qarabag
21:50 , Mike JonesFederico Chiesa comes off the bench for Liverpool and combines with Virgil van Dijk to send in a sixth.
This is a big, big win for Arne Slot and co.
GOAL! Arsenal 4-1 Kairat
21:49 , Mike JonesGabriel Jesus manages to keep himself onside as the ball is flicked over the defence.
He turns the ball into the net for a confidence building goal.
Arsenal are back on track and will win all eight of their league phase games.
Real Madrid at risk
21:45 , Mike JonesReal Madrid are losing 3-2 to Benfica meaning they are the only team currently inside the top eight to be losing.
A goal for PSG, Newcastle or Sporting means Madrid will enter the play offs.
Newcastle have another attempt kept out at the Parc de Princes.
GOAL! Napoli 2-3 Chelsea
21:42 , Mike JonesJoao Pedro!
A second goal for the Chelsea striker puts Liam Rosenior’s side into the lead with less than 10 minutes to play.
Pedro carries the ball into the box and slots it into the far corner.
Chelsea are back into the top eight!
Newcastle need a goal
21:41 , Mike JonesAs things stand Newcastle are outside the top eight and they need to score to keep fate in their own hands.
Inter Milan have scored and lead Dortmund 1-0 meaning PSG have dropped down as well.
In Paris one of these teams needs to try at win. It’s currently 1-1 with Newcastle creating some good chances.
GOAL! Eintracht Frankfurt 0-2 Tottenham
21:37 , Mike JonesDominic Solanke gets himself on the end of a poor clearance and touches the ball into the box.
He glances at the goal and drills a shot across the goalkeeper and into the back of the net.
Tottenham’s lead doubles to two and Spurs keep themselves comfortably in the top eight.
GOAL! Liverpool 5-0 Qarabag
21:32 , Mike JonesMac Allister has a second on the night!
Qarabag make a mess of clearing the ball and it drops to Mac Allister.
The midfielder makes a bit of a hash of his first attempt before nudging the ball into the back of the net.
As things stand
21:29 , Mike JonesFor the Premier League clubs, Newcastle need a goal against PSG and so do Chelsea against Napoli.
Both clubs are sitting outside of the top eight due to current scorelines elsewhere.
Barcelona are beating Copenhagen 3-1 meaning they are into the top eight and forcing the English clubs out.
GOAL! Napoli 2-2 Chelsea
21:25 , Mike JonesMassive!
Joao Pedro gives Chelsea a lifeline for the top eight. He collects the ball from distance then smokes it into the top corner with perfection.
Jeremy Doku’s early exit against Galatasaray hits Man City with fresh injury blow
21:23 , Mike JonesManchester City were dealt a fresh injury blow as Jeremy Doku was forced off during their Champions League clash with Galatasaray at the Etihad Stadium.
Doku had impressed during the first half in which City took a two goal lead over their Turkish opponents but with 10 minutes to go until the break he fell to the ground and had to be subbed off.
The extent of the injury was unclear but it is not good news for City and Pep Guardiola who are undergoing something of an injury crisis.
Jeremy Doku’s early exit against Galatasaray hits Man City with fresh injury blow
GOAL! Liverpool 4-0 Qarabag
21:18 , Mike JonesHugo Ekitike has a goal as Liverpool are ending the Champions League league phase in style.
Their goal difference is up to +10 now and they are securing their spot in the last-16.
More importantly they will avoid a play-off in February.
GOAL! Liverpool 3-0 Qarabag
21:12 , Mike JonesLiverpool have extended their lead at Anfield.
They win a free kick on the edge of the box and Mo Salah is the one to take it.
He curls it with his left foot and sweeps the ball around the wall and into the back of the net.
Easy.
GOAL! Eintracht Frankfurt 0-1 Tottenham
21:06 , Mike JonesXavi Simons sends a free kick into the box and finds Cristian Romero over by the back post.
He nods the ball into the six-yard box where Randal Kolo Muani gets on the end of it and flicks it into the back of the net.
Thomas Frank’s side lead!
Half-time table
20:59 , Mike JonesAt the halfway point of the evening there’s been some change in the top eight which still consists of five Premier League teams.
Arsenal and Bayern remain in the top two spots but Liverpool are up to third and Man City have jumped from ninth to fourth.
Behind them are Real Madrid - who are losing to Benfica - before Tottenham, PSG and Newcastle round out the top eight.
Chelsea have fallen to 12th but a goal in their match with Napoli puts them ninth and on the brink of an automatic spot in the last-16.
Half-time!
20:53 , Mike JonesHere are the final six fixtures and their current scores:
Monaco 0-0 Juventus
Napoli 2-1 Chelsea
PSV 0-0 Bayern Munich
Pafos 1-1 Slavia Prague
PSG 1-1 Newcastle
Union Saint-Gilloise 0-0 Atalanta
Half-time!
20:52 , Mike JonesMore of the half-time scores:
Benfica 2-1 Real Madrid
Borussia Dortmund 0-0 Inter Milan
Club Brugge 2-0 Marseille
Eintracht Frankfurt 0-0 Tottenham
Liverpool 2-0 Qarabag
Man City 2-0 Galatasaray
Half-time!
20:50 , Mike JonesLet’s take a look at some of the half-time scores:
Ajax 0-0 Olympiakos
Arsenal 3-1 Kairat
Athletic Club 2-1 Sporting
Atletico Madrid 1-1 Bodo/Glimt
Barcelona 0-1 Copenhagen
Bayer Leverkusen 2-0 Villareal
GOAL! PSG 1-1 Newcastle
20:49 , Mike JonesBoom!
Newcastle have been under pressure for the entire first half in Paris.
A long free kick sends the ball into the penalty area where Dan Burn wins the first header and nods it across the box.
Joe Willock arrives from deep and heads it into the back of the net!
GOAL! Napoli 2-1 Chelsea
20:45 , Mike JonesReversal in Naples.
Rasmus Hojlund meets the ball at the perfect moment as he makes a run into the penalty area.
He whips the ball into the back of the net at the near post and the hosts have come from behind to lead Chelsea!
Chelsea have dropped to 12th in the table.
GOAL! Arsenal 3-1 Kairat
20:39 , Mike JonesArsenal have extended their lead and are seemingly putting in a performance that they needed.
Having lost to Man Utd in the Premier League on Sunday, Mikel Arteta’s men needed a pick me up.
Gabriel Martinelli has scored their third and the Gunners look likely to add to that lead before the end of this match.
As it stands
20:37 , Mike JonesThat goal in Naples means that Chelsea have dropped out of the top eight and trail Tottenham on goal difference.
But wait, Bodo Glimt have scored in Madrid meaning they now draw level with Atletico Madrid 1-1.
Atletico have now dropped out of the top eight with Chelsea shooting back up.
It’s all change in the table tonight...
GOAL! Napoli 1-1 Chelsea
20:35 , Mike JonesNapoli have their equaliser. They win the ball high up the pitch after a poor clearance from the right side.
The ball comes up to Vergara who dribbles into the penalty area, skips past three defenders and pokes the ball into the back of the net.
GOAL! Man City 2-0 Galatasaray
20:30 , Mike JonesNico O’Reilly drifts out to the left wing and shuffles forward.
He sends the ball into the feet of Jeremy Doku who weaves into the box before poking a goal back to Rayan Cherki.
Cherki takes a touch then rattles a low effort in the near bottom corner!
Steven Gerrard blasts Arne Slot for bizarre Liverpool-PSG claim: ‘A body blow for the fans’
20:26 , Will CastleSteven Gerrard has blasted Arne Slot for suggesting that Liverpool’s Champions League exit to Paris Saint-Germain last season contributed to the club winning the Premier League.
Under fresh criticism following Saturday’s stoppage-time defeat to Bournemouth, Reds manager Slot argued in Tuesday’s press conference that his squad were aided in their pursuit of domestic success by their European failure, which saw eventual champions PSG emerge victorious on penalties at Anfield.
Steven Gerrard blasts Arne Slot for bizarre PSG claim: ‘A body blow for the fans’
GOAL! Liverpool 2-0 Qarabag
20:23 , Mike JonesAndy Robertson feeds the ball up to Hugo Ekitike who spins and darts inside from the right before slipping a pass to Florian Wirtz.
Wirtz finds some space and then laces a shot across the penalty area and into the bottom left corner!
Liverpool’s lead has doubled.
GOAL! Napoli 0-1 Chelsea
20:20 , Mike JonesReece James takes a free kick for the Blues and there’s a handball in the wall which is also positioned inside the area.
Enzo Fernandez places the ball and rolls a low spot kick under the goalkeeper who dives to the right but can’t reach it.
Chelsea lead in Naples.
GOAL! Arsenal 2-1 Kairat
20:19 , Mike JonesThe Gunners lead again!
Kai Havertz bombs forward on the right this time and carries the ball into the box.
He cuts inside and rolls the ball onto his left foot before slotting it nicely inot the opposite corner!
GOAL! Liverpool 1-0 Qarabag
20:18 , Mike JonesAlexis MacAllister gives Liverpool the lead!
Szoboszlai takes the corner and finds Ekitike who flicks it on from the near post.
Van Dijk has an initial header blocked on the line before MacAllister nods it home.
His effort just crosses the line and needs confirmation from the technology to send the Reds into the lead!
As things stand
20:16 , Mike JonesWith the current scorelines, Arsenal are topping the table with Liverpool, Tottenham and Chelsea also goin through to the last-16.
PSG’s goal against Newcastle means that the Magpies have dropped out of the top eight and their spot has been taken by Manchester City who lead against Galatasaray.
Man City 1-0 Galatasaray
20:13 , Mike JonesErling Haaland is back in form!
He makes a darting run to get on the end of a through ball before flicking his shot over the goalkeeeper and sending the home side into the lead.
GOAL! PSG 1-0 Newcastle
20:12 , Mike JonesWow!
The hosts take the lead with a superb and sweeping move through midfielder.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia slips a pass to Vitinha who takes the ball to the edge of the box and fizzes a fine effort into the bottom right corner!
GOAL! Arsenal 1-1 Kairat
20:10 , Mike JonesRiccardo Calafiori makes a mistake inside his own box with a foul on Jorginho.
The midfielder takes the spot kick himself and delightfully finds the back of the net.
All square at the Emirates.
PENALTY! PSG 0-0 Newcastle
20:08 , Mike JonesNewcastle can feel harshly done by as a penalty is awarded against them when the ball bounced up and struck a hand in the box.
It’s never a hand ball but VAR decides to award it to PSG anyway.
Ousmane Dembele steps up to take it and drills the ball to Nick Pope’s left.
The goalkeeper leaps the correct way and palms the spot kick wide!
A bit of justice for Newcastle there.
GOAL! Arsenal 1-0 Kairat
20:06 , Mike JonesOver in London, Arsenal have taken the lead!
Kai Havertz, playing in midfield tonight, receives the ball and slots it through the back line as Viktor Gyokeres makes a darting run in behind.
He collests the ball and slots it into the back of the net!
The Gunners lead.
DISALLOWED GOAL! Eintracht Frankfurt 0-0 Tottenham
20:05 , Mike JonesTottenham think they have the opening goal against Eintracht Frankfurt.
A bursting run down the left wing sees Spurs get into the box before a cutback and shot draws a save out of the goalkeeper.
The ball bounces into the path of Xavi Simons who drills it home!
However, VAR intervenes and the goal is ruled out!
Kick off!
20:00 , Mike JonesLet’s go! 18 matches get underway across Europe as the Champions League league phase comes to a close.
In London the Kairat fans have travelled 3,000 miles to attend this one.
Arsenal and Bayern Munich are already into the last-16 but six more teams will join them tonight.
Let’s find out who they will be...
Almost time for kick off
19:55 , Mike JonesWe’re five minutes away from tonight’s action getting underway.
All six Premier League sides have the chance to finish inside the top eight but they’ll need to secure victories in the final league phase matches.
We’ll have all the goal updates throughout the evening and keep you updated on all the permutations.
The evolution of Guardiola’s Man City reveals a key Champions League change
19:50 , Richard JollyManchester City were an indictment of the old Champions League group stage. Now they are an advertisement for the new league phase. They were the team who might have killed off the four-team group: City invariably seemed to have qualified before the penultimate game, let alone the last. Now they are stalked by jeopardy.
A year ago, with 45 minutes remaining, City were losing to Club Brugge, 25th in a 36-team table, facing the earliest of exits. They scrambled up to 22nd, drew Real Madrid and went out before the last 16 even began.
-and-Erling-Haaland-during-a-training-session.jpeg?trim=0,211,380,207&width=1200&height=800&crop=1200:800)
The evolution of Man City reveals a key Champions League change
The only previous meetings between Napoli and Chelsea came in the 2011-12 Champions League, with the Blues eliminating the Italian side in the Round of 16 in that edition.
Chelsea have only won one of their last nine Champions League away games against Italian sides (one draw, seven defeats)
This will be the first meeting between Manchester City and Galatasaray, as well as Pep Guardiola’s first ever game against the Turkish side.
The last English team to beat Galatasaray in the Champions League was Arsenal in December 2014.
Since then, the Turkish side are unbeaten in three meetings with English opponents including a win over Liverpool earlier this season - 1-0 in September 2025.
Liverpool to cruise through?
19:35 , Mike JonesLiverpool and Qarabag will meet for the first time in European competition.
All three previous meetings between sides from England and Azerbaijan in the Champions League have been between Qarabag and Chelsea (two wins for Chelsea, one draw).
Qarabag lost seven of their first eight meetings with English sides in Europe, but they did avoid defeat in the most recent one in the Champions League - 2-2 vs Chelsea earlier this season.
The Champions League is entering crunch time — and the stakes couldn’t be lower
19:30 , Mike JonesIn the buildup to Arsenal’s trip to Inter last week, those at their London Colney training base couldn’t help notice a shift in mood. There was no tension, it was all rather relaxed. A largely second-string team then carried that onto the pitch by breezing through a 3-1 away win against last season’s finalists. Long-time club insiders couldn’t help contrasting to 20 or even 15 years ago.
“No pressure going to the San Siro for a Champions League game – imagine that.”
The Champions League is entering crunch time — and the stakes couldn’t be lower
Can Newcastle beat PSG?
19:25 , Mike JonesPSG and Newcastle’s only previous meetings came in the 2023-24 Champions League – the two sides drew their meeting at the Parc des Princes (1-1), after Eddie Howe’s side had won 4-1 in the first game at St. James’ Park.
A familiar foe for Spurs
19:20 , Mike JonesTottenham have faced Eintracht Frankfurt on six occasions in major European competition, with Feyenoord (8) being the only opponent they’ve faced more often.
They have lost just one of the previous six (three wins, two draws), while they’re unbeaten in the last four – all of which have been since 2022-23.
A new encounter for Arsenal
19:15 , Mike JonesArsenal’s meeting with Kairat will be just the second time ever that an English side have hosted an opponent from Kazakhstan in European competition, after Manchester United’s 1-0 win over Astana in September 2019 in the Europa League.
This will be Arsenal’s first meeting with Kairat. The Gunners haven’t lost any of the last 11 occasions when facing a team for the first time in European competition, winning 10 of those.
Manchester City team to face Galatasaray
19:10 , Mike JonesErling Haaland is back for Manchester City but there’s no starting berth for Phil Foden who begins this match on the bench.
It feels like another hastily put together back line due to City’s injuries but if they can start strongly they could just squeeze into the top eight.
Man City XI: Donnarumma; Nunes, Khusanov, Ake, Ait-Nouri; Bernardo Silva, O’Reilly; Marmoush, Cherki, Doku; Haaland
Tonight’s City line-up! 😤🩵
— Manchester City (@ManCity) January 28, 2026
XI | Donnarumma, Nunes, Khusanov, Ake, Ait-Nouri, Bernardo (C), O’Reilly, Marmoush, Cherki, Doku, Haaland
SUBS | Trafford, Bettinelli, Reijnders, Nico, Foden, Gray, Mukasa, Alleyne, Lewis, Mfuni pic.twitter.com/SqTjXScoeO
Rosenior's Chelsea selections
19:05 , Mike JonesChelsea take on Napoli away from home and, like Newcastle, really need to win to give themselves the best chance of reaching the last-16 and avoiding a play-off.
Liam Rosenior has chosen the men he wants to achieve that goal.
Chelsea XI: Sanchez; Gusto, James, Fofana, Cucurella; Caicedo, Andrey Santos; Estevao, Fernandez, Neto; Joao Pedro
This is how the Blues line-up. 🔵#CFC | #UCL pic.twitter.com/e2gnj3AodQ
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) January 28, 2026
Newcastle XI for crunch PSG tie
19:00 , Mike JonesWhichever side lose will probably end up in a play-off to reach the knockout rounds so this is a crunch tie
Here’s the team that Eddie Howe has selected:
Newcastle XI: Pope; Thiaw, Botman, Burn, Hall; Willock, Tonali, Miley; Elanga, Woltemade, Ramsey
HOWAY NEWCASTLE 💪 pic.twitter.com/pmSh78dDmP
— Newcastle United (@NUFC) January 28, 2026
Tottenham XI for clash with Eintracht Frankfurt
18:55 , Mike JonesThomas Frank has named his team for this crunch Champions League clash.
Frank is under real pressure to not lose his job so a win this evening - and a convincing performance - will help massively.
Tottenham XI: Vicario; Spence, Romero, Danso, Udogie; Palhinha, Sarr, Gray; Odobert, Kolo Muani, Xavi Simons
How we line up in Frankfurt 👊 pic.twitter.com/CmfksNbwQe
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) January 28, 2026
Liverpool team to face Qarabag
18:50 , Mike JonesHere’s a look at Arne Slot’s team for tonight.
Liverpool XI: Alisson; Frimpong, Szoboszlai, Van Dijk, Robertson; MacAllister, Gravenberch; Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo; Ekitike
The Reds to take on Qarabag 🔴💫 #UCL
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) January 28, 2026
It’s pretty strong as the Liverpool boss knows his team need to win to progress to the last-16.
It also looks as though injuries have forced Dominik Szoboszlai to sub into the defence but whether he begins at centre-back or right-back is unclear for now.
Arsenal line-up to face Kairat
18:47 , Mike JonesArsenal XI: Arrizabalaga; White, Mosquera, Calafiori, Lewis-Skelly; Norgaard, Eze, Havertz; Madueke, Gyokeres, Martinelli
🔴 𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠𝙉𝙀𝙒𝙎 ⚪️
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) January 28, 2026
©️ White skippers the side
🔙 Calafiori returns to the team
💪 Havertz starts in midfield
Let's finish the league phase strongly, Gunners 👊
Mikel Arteta has made 11 changes to the team that lost to Manchester United last weekend and as this match is a dead rubber he’s brought in players in need of more game time.
Still, that a strong XI.
Eintracht Frankfurt vs Tottenham team news
18:42 , Mike JonesTottenham have an injury crisis on their hands with 14 senior players unavailable for tonight’s match including long term absentees James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski, Rodrigo Bentancur, Mohammed Kudus, Lucas Bergvall, Ben Davies and Richarlison.
Radu Dragusin, Souza and Mathys Tel are all ineligible to play as well.
Predicted Tottenham line-up
Vicario; Spence, Romero, Danso, Udogie; Palhinha, Gray; Odobert, Simons, Kolo Muani; Solanke
Man City vs Galatasaray team news
18:37 , Mike JonesManchester City rested Erling Haaland and Phil Foden from the start against Wolves, but both players were brought on as second-half substitutes.
Guardiola explained that Haaland was “exhausted” from his recent games, and that the striker’s minutes were being managed.
Nico Gonzalez, the back-up defensive midfielder, is facing a late fitness test if he is to come in for the suspended Rodri.
Ruben Dias, John Stones, Josko Gvardiol, Mateo Kovacic and Savinho remain absent. Antoine Semenyo and Marc Guehi are ineligible to feature after their January transfers.
Predicted Man City line-up
Donnarumma; Nunes, Khusanov, Alleyne, O’Reilly; Gonzalez, Cherki, Reijnders, Foden, Doku; Haaland
Liverpool vs Qarabag team news
18:32 , Mike JonesJoe Gomez is a doubt after clashing with goalkeeper Alisson in the weekend defeat to Bournemouth and possibly sustaining a head injury, while Ibrahima Konate is also a potential absentee following the death of his father.
Defenders Giovanni Leoni and Conor Bradley and striker Alexander Isak are long-term absentees, with Federico Chiesa another doubt after missing the last two games with a knock. However, Andy Robertson is available after his mooted transfer to Tottenham Hotspur broke down.
Qarabag are without the injured Kady Borges and striker Ramil Sheydayev, who is ineligible, but are otherwise able to field a full strength squad.
Predicted line-ups
Liverpool XI: Alisson; Frimpong, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Jones, Endo; Gakpo, Mac Allister, Ngumoha; Ekitike
Qarabag XI: Kochalski; Silva, Mustafazada, Medina, Cafarquliyev; Jankovic, Bicalho; Andrade, Montiel, Zoubir; Duran
PSG vs Newcastle team news
18:27 , Mike JonesPSG could welcome back Achraf Hakimi after his involvement at the Africa Cup of Nations, but Fabian Ruiz, Nuno Mendes, Joao Neves and Lee Kang In may remain absent through injury. Lucas Hernandez has served a suspension and should take up a place in the backline.
Joelinton faces a spell on the sidelines for Newcastle after suffering a groin injury in the defeat to Aston Villa. Fellow midfielder Bruno Guimaraes missed that game and faces a late fitness test.
Predicted line-ups
PSG XI: Chevalier; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Hernandez; Zaire-Emery, Vitinha, Mbaye; Doue, Dembele, Kvaratskhelia.
Newcastle XI: Pope; Trippier, Botman, Thiaw, Hall; Miley, Tonali, Willock; Gordon, Woltemade, Elanga.
Napoli vs Chelsea team news
18:22 , Mike JonesChelsea will be sweating on the fitness of Cole Palmer, who missed two games last week with a muscle strain. Liam Rosenior said on Sunday “he is not quite 100 per cent, but he’s got a chance” to return against Napoli.
Romeo Lavia and Levi Colwill are definite absentees, both with long-term injuries, while Dario Essugo and Tosin Adarabioyo are sidelined too and Filip Jorgensen is likely to miss out.
Napoli are without former Chelsea forward Romelu Lukaku as he slowly returns from a thigh injury, with Billy Gilmour and Kevin de Bruyne joining him on the sidelines. Amir Rrahmani and Matteo Politano are both doubts with knocks.
Predicted line-ups
Napoli XI: Meret; Di Lorenzo, Jesus, Buongiorno; Spinazzola, Lobotka, McTominay, Gutierrez; Vergara, Elmas; Hojlund
Chelsea XI: Sanchez; Gusto, Fofana, Badiashile, Cucurella; James, Caicedo; Pedro Neto, Fernandez, Garnacho; Joao Pedro
Arsenal vs Kairat team news
18:17 , Mike JonesMikel Arteta is likely to rotate his Arsenal side, with chances given to a few of those on the fringes of the first team at the moment.
William Saliba and Jurrien Timber are absent, while Mikel Merino and Declan Rice will serve suspensions. Youngster Max Dowman is also injured.
Kairat could have 17-year-old talent Dastan Satpaev available. The Kazakh forward will join Chelsea in the summer.
Predicted Arsenal line-up
Kepa; White, Mosquera, Hincapie, Lewis-Skelly; Odegaard, Norgaard, Eze; Madueke, Gyokeres, Martinelli.
Why the Champions League has become so significant for Arne Slot’s Liverpool
18:12 , Richard JollyLiverpool have only lost once in their last 14 games. They sit fourth in the Champions League table, level on points with Real Madrid, above Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona. Their last two European nights have brought away wins over Inter and Marseille.
It is not the whole picture, though; it cannot be, when they are sixth in the Premier League, 14 points off the pace. A long unbeaten run came to an end at Bournemouth on Saturday. It brought a chorus of criticism: the “outside noise”, as Arne Slot called it.
Why the Champions League has become so significant for Arne Slot’s Liverpool
What every Premier League team needs to qualify for last 16
18:06 , Mike JonesManchester City
While also on the “unlucky for some” points tally of 13, last week’s shock defeat at Bodo/Glimt means Manchester City are far from certain for a top-eight finish. In 11th, they are the only English team starting the day outside of the last 16 qualification berths, while their goal difference of four is inferior to most of the 13-pointers.
Hosting a Galatasaray side that dispatched Liverpool earlier in the campaign, Pep Guardiola may need to guide his team to a high-scoring win to avoid the play-offs, with a draw likely insufficient.
What every Premier League team needs to qualify for last 16
18:00 , Mike JonesChelsea
Chelsea find themselves in a similar boat to Newcastle, though goal difference is playing less to their advantage.
Just inside the top eight with a goal difference of six, they face reigning Serie A champions Napoli on the final matchday, who themselves face a boom or bust scenario.
Napoli are at risk of becoming the highest-profile elimination from the league phase and need at least a point to ensure they make the play-offs.
Antonio Conte, returning to Stamford Bridge, will therefore be expected to throw everything at the Blues, which could be detrimental to their top-eight pursuit. Just like Newcastle, Chelsea need to match or better the results of the other 13-pointers.
What every Premier League team needs to qualify for last 16
17:54 , Mike JonesNewcastle
To the 13-pointers we go, and Newcastle are one of three English teams to be sat on the precarious tally.
The Magpies start the day in seventh, above six of the eight teams on 13 points thanks to their superior goal difference of 10, but that will likely go in vain if they fail to get a result away to Champions League holders Paris Saint-Germain - who are on identical points and goal difference to Eddie Howe’s side.
Simply put, Newcastle will need to match or better the results of the other clubs in that cohort, and hope their goal difference is enough to carry them through to the last 16. Otherwise, the play-offs await.
What every Premier League team needs to qualify for last 16
17:48 , Mike JonesTottenham
The walls are closing in on Thomas Frank but - assuming he doesn’t get sacked beforehand - he could go a step towards repairing his relationship with the fans by delivering a top-eight finish for the Europa League champions.
Sandwiching a win over Borussia Dortmund in between dismal league defeats to West Ham and Burnley, Spurs sit fifth and hold a one-point advantage over the mass of eight teams on 13 points.
They take on Eintracht Frankfurt on Wednesday knowing victory will seal their place in the last 16, while a draw may also be enough contingent on results elsewhere going their way.
What every Premier League team needs to qualify for last 16
17:42 , Mike JonesLiverpool
Liverpool are in a strong position after their impressive victory in Marseille last week, with that result pushing them up to fourth place, now level with Real Madrid on 15 points.
Victory against Azerbaijani outfit Qarabag will guarantee a top-four finish, while a draw should be enough to finish in the top eight.
The Reds will be heavy favourites against significantly weaker opposition, though Qarabag do have something to play for.
They are 18th and any result should seal their participation in the play-offs - if they manage to pull off a stunning upset at Anfield, Liverpool’s top-eight fate will be completely out of their hands.
What every Premier League team needs to qualify for last 16
17:36 , Mike JonesArsenal
Arsenal top the league table with 21 points after winning every Champions League game up to this point, meaning they have already qualified for the last 16.
They take on Kazakh side Kairat Almaty, who are bottom of the table on one point, in what is effectively a dead rubber.
That’s because Bayern, the only team who can theoretically catch them, are three points behind them and would need a massive goal difference swing to see the Bavarians pip Arsenal to top spot.
Who has the best chance of avoiding a play-off?
17:30 , Mike JonesArsenal are already into the last-16 so they have am easy night.
Liverpool play the tricky Qarabag but are at home so should get something from the game.
That’s also the same for Man City though Galatasarary are stubborn opponents and City have the extra pressure of needing to win.
Tottenham’s trip to Eintracht Frankfurt is troubling, especially with their recent struggles, but Thomas Frank knows victory here could ease the pressure on him.
The hardest two matches are Chelsea and Newcastle’s.
For Chelsea, they travel to Naples and face the Serie A side in a hostile environment. For Newcastle, they go to Paris and the home of the current Champions League holders in PSG.
Both sides will need at least a draw to give themselves any chance of going through but more than likely they will need to win or else drop into the play-off positions.
What are the fixtures for the Premier League clubs?
17:24 , Mike JonesOf the six Premier League sides in the competition only Manchester City come into the final fixtures sitting outside of the top eight.
Arsenal (already through), Liverpool, Tottenham, Newcastle and Chelsea all have their fates in their own hands but City are relying on other results to allow them to skip the play-offs.
Here are tonight’s fixtures for the English clubs:
Arsenal vs Kairat
Liverpool vs Qarabag FK
Eintracht Frankfurt vs Tottenham
PSG va Newcastle
Napoli vs Chelsea
Man City vs Galatasaray
Chelsea fans urged to take ‘extreme caution’ in Naples
17:18 , Mike JonesChelsea have told fans to take "extreme caution" in Naples after two supporters were treated in hospital ahead of their Champions League tie in the Italian city.
Napoli and Chelsea meet at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium on Wednesday night in the competition's final round of group games.
"The club is aware of an incident that took place on Tuesday evening in Naples," Chelsea posted on their official X account.
"Two fans are being treated in hospital, having sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
"The club would like to remind all supporters to exercise extreme caution whilst in the city and take note of the advice shared ahead of this fixture."
Who can break into top eight?
17:12 , Mike JonesThere are five teams outside the top eight but all within one win away from getting themselves an automatic spot in the last-16 (depending on other results).
Currently sitting ninth to 13th in the table are: Barcelona, Sporting, Man City, Atletico Madrid and Atalanta.
Should these teams win this evening they could jump ahead of the sides above them and avoid a play-off.
Arsenal already through to last-16
17:06 , Mike JonesFor two teams, Arsenal and Bayern Munich, tonight’s matches are dead rubbers.
They are fighting it out amongst themselves for whoever finishes first in the table but both have already qualified for the last-16.
Arsenal top the table with a 100% winning record of seven from seven and have 21 points meaning only Bayern can catch them.
With 18 points, Bayern cannot finish lower than fourth even if they lose tonight meaning they have qualified for the next round proper as well.
That also means that six places in the top eight are up for grabs.
Currently sitting third to eighth are: Real Madrid, Liverpool, Tottenham, PSG, Newcastle and Chelsea. However there are five other teams all within one victory of them and could nick a qualifying spot if results go their way.
What's at stake tonight?
17:00 , Mike JonesTonight sees the conclusion of the Champions League league phase with 18 matches taking place simultaneously to determine the end result of the table.
Those sides who finish in the top eight will automatically make it through to the last-16 knockout round while the following 16 sides with enter a two-legged play-off to determine who progresses.
The bottom eight teams are eliminated from the competition.
There’s plenty at stake and all six Premier League clubs are in with a chance of finishing in the top eight so we’ll see how things play out.
Champions League finale live
11:36 , Harry Latham-CoylePermutations at the ready....
The finale to the league phase of the Champions League is here, promising to provide plenty of action, twists and turns as the knockout qualifiers are determined. All EIGHTEEN games kick off simultaneously at 8pm GMT this evening, with the top eight finishers progressing directly to the round of 16 and 16 more into the knockout play offs, with the rest left to stew over the mistakes of a campaign cut short.
We’ll have every goal covered throughout what could be a hectic night.
