The 2025/26 UEFA Champions League league phase has reached a critical juncture, with all six English Premier League clubs still fighting for a coveted top-eight finish and automatic qualification for the knockout rounds. After five of the eight matches, the race is intensifying, setting the stage for a dramatic finale.
The New Format and the English Challenge
Under the revamped format, the 36 competing clubs battle in a single league. The teams finishing in the top eight positions earn an automatic berth in the last 16. Those placed from ninth to 24th enter a two-legged play-off for the remaining knockout spots. With just four points separating sixth from 25th place, every match is crucial.
Premier League clubs started strongly, but recent wobbles from Manchester City, Newcastle United, and Liverpool have tightened the table. Each English side now faces a unique set of challenges in their final three fixtures to secure their passage.
Club-by-Club Breakdown
Arsenal: The Unstoppable Force
Mikel Arteta's Arsenal have emerged as the team to beat. A superb victory over Bayern Munich propelled them to the summit with a perfect record of five wins from five, conceding just one goal. Sitting three points clear of second-placed PSG, their place in the top eight seems almost certain. With remaining fixtures against Club Brugge and FC Kairat, an unprecedented collapse would be required to dislodge them.
Liverpool: A Season of Contrasts
Arne Slot's Liverpool have experienced a Jekyll and Hyde campaign. Impressive wins against Atletico and Real Madrid were overshadowed by a shocking 4-1 home defeat to PSV, leaving them in 13th place. However, they are just a single point off eighth. Tough away trips to Inter Milan and Marseille await, but a final home game against Qarabag offers hope. A win in either of the two difficult fixtures could propel them into the automatic qualification spots.
Manchester City: Guardiola's Calculated Risk
A loss to Bayer Leverkusen and a draw with AS Monaco have seen Manchester City slip to ninth. Manager Pep Guardiola admitted to making too many changes. With ten points, their destiny remains in their own hands. A daunting trip to the Bernabéu to face Real Madrid on 10 December is pivotal. Subsequent matches against Galatasaray and Bodo/Glimt should see them secure a top-24 place at a minimum, with 16 points likely the target for the top eight.
Chelsea: Riding High on Barcelona Win
Chelsea's stunning victory over Barcelona was a statement result, lifting them to seventh in the table. While inconsistent earlier with a loss to Bayern and a draw with Qarabag, the win against the Spanish giants has put Enzo Maresca's side in a strong position. With games against Atalanta and Pafos before a tricky finale away to Napoli, the Blues are well-placed to secure automatic qualification barring a significant loss of form.
Tottenham Hotspur: A Mountain to Climb
A heavy 5-3 defeat to PSG has left Tottenham Hotspur in 16th place, though they remain only two points from the top eight. Under Thomas Frank, their campaign has been a mix of narrow wins and frustrating draws. A home fixture against Slavia Praha is a must-win, followed by challenging encounters with Borussia Dortmund and Eintracht Frankfurt. Their fate hinges on picking up crucial wins to at least secure a play-off position.
Newcastle United: The Away Day Test
Newcastle's European form has been a bright spot, with three consecutive wins before a 2-1 loss to Marseille. That result dropped them to 11th. Their path is now fraught with difficulty, featuring away games against Bayer Leverkusen and PSG. The home match against PSV becomes critical. A positive result against Leverkusen on 10 December could reignite their push for the top eight, but their challenging schedule makes it a tough ask.
The Final Push for Knockout Football
As the league phase enters its final stretch, the possibility of all six English clubs progressing remains alive. Arsenal and Chelsea appear strongest, while Manchester City and Liverpool have the quality to recover. For Tottenham and Newcastle, the margin for error is slim. The coming matchdays will determine if the Premier League can achieve an unprecedented clean sweep of automatic qualification places, cementing its status as Europe's dominant force.
