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THE electric win-or-go-home final matchday scenario that the new Champions League table promised is taking place TONIGHT!

All final 18 league phase matches will kick off simultaneously, with permutations littered from top to bottom.

UEFA Champions League trophy.
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All to play for in the 36-long top-tier European tableCredit: Getty

The new league phase - that replaced the traditional group stage format - has added a new sense of intrigue that wasn't usually present in the final matchday stage.

It's been four months since Matchday 1 of eight, so let's offer a refresher on how the revamped first stage of Europe's elite competition works.

Under the new system, the top eight automatically go through to the last 16 and are seeded with home advantage for the second leg, although there will be separate draws for home advantage for the following rounds.

Those finishing in ninth to 24th will play off next month to join the top eight in the last 16 in March.

READ MORE IN CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

The teams in ninth and 10th will be drawn against the sides in 23rd and 24th, with the sides finishing 11th and 12th, meeting teams ranked 21st and 22nd and so on.

Harvey Elliott and Mohamed Salah celebrating a goal.
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Liverpool, who will clinch top spot in the table, will bank £8.3mCredit: Reuters
Pep Guardiola reacting during a soccer match.
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Man City need a win if they are to qualify for the play-off roundCredit: AP

The same applies to the two other European competitions - the Europa League, where Manchester United and Tottenham are battling for a top-eight finish.

And the Conference League, with Chelsea already confirmed as top seed.

Are there any changes to the knockout stages?

No, there are no changes to the original knockout stages.

The last 16 stage will continue on, with a series of two-legged knockout games culminating in the final on Saturday, 31 May, at Bayern Munich's Allianz Arena.

The removal of away goals - implemented last season - will continue as well.

Who has qualified from the Champions League league phase and what was the final standings?

  1. Liverpool (straight into last 16)
  2. Barcelona (straight into last 16)
  3. Arsenal (straight into last 16)
  4. Inter (straight into last 16)
  5. Atletico Madrid (straight into last 16)
  6. Bayer Leverkusen (straight into last 16)
  7. Lille (straight into last 16)
  8. Aston Villa (straight into last 16)
  9. Atalanta (into last-16 play-off)
  10. Borussia Dortmund (into last-16 play-off)
  11. Real Madrid (into last-16 play-off)
  12. Bayern (into last-16 play-off)
  13. AC Milan (into last-16 play-off)
  14. PSV (into last-16 play-off)
  15. PSG (into last-16 play-off)
  16. Benfica (into last-16 play-off)
  17. Monaco (into last-16 play-off)
  18. Brest (into last-16 play-off)
  19. Feyenoord (into last-16 play-off)
  20. Juventus (into last-16 play-off)
  21. Celtic (into last-16 play-off)
  22. Man City (into last-16 play-off)
  23. Sporting (into last-16 play-off)
  24. Club Brugge (into last-16 play-off)
  25. Dinamo Zagreb (eliminated from Europe)
  26. Stuttgart (eliminated from Europe)
  27. Shakhtar Donetsk (eliminated from Europe)
  28. Bologna (eliminated from Europe)
  29. Crvenza Zvezda (eliminated from Europe)
  30. Sturm Graz (eliminated from Europe)
  31. Sparta Praha (eliminated from Europe)
  32. RB Leipzig (eliminated from Europe)
  33. Girona (eliminated from Europe)
  34. RB Salzburg (eliminated from Europe)
  35. Slovan (eliminated from Europe)
  36. Young Boys (eliminated from Europe)

Despite securing qualification on the final night, it's bad news for Man City.

They can ONLY face one of Bayern or Real Madrid.

Who can English clubs face in the next round?

Play-off round

  • Manchester City vs Bayern Munich/Real Madrid

Last 16

  • Liverpool vs PSG/Benfica/AS Monaco/Brest
  • Arsenal vs AC Milan/PSV Eindhoven/Feyenoord/Juventus
  • Aston Villa vs Atalanta/Borussia Dortmund/Sporting /Club Brugge
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