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Five things to look out for in Wednesday's Champions League action when the top eight will be decided
The Champions League league phase reaches its conclusion with Matchday 8 on Wednesday as teams look to confirm their places in the competition’s round of 16.
Only the top eight qualify automatically, while there’s a play-off berth for a further 16 sides, so it’s all to play for with all 32 teams in action.
Intriguingly, five of the six English teams occupy places in the top eight heading into Matchday 8, with Manchester City outside that coveted group on points difference only.
Here, DAZN News assesses five key talking points heading into a fascinating round where there is so much at stake.
Can Arsenal make it the perfect eight?
Arsenal may be wobbling alarmingly in the Premier League, taking just one point from their past two games, but in Europe it has been plain sailing so far.
The Gunners are the only team to boast a 100% winning record in this season’s Champions League heading into Matchday 8.
That is a ringing endorsement of their pedigree as they look to become champions of Europe for the first time.
Kazakhstan’s Kairat are the visitors to the Emirates on Wednesday night, and Mikel Arteta’s men should win comfortably in what would be a welcome antidote to Sunday’s defeat at Manchester United.
David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
Italian job for Chelsea as look to secure top-eight spot
Liam Rosenior has won four of his opening five games since taking the reins at Stamford Bridge.
For a club who have at times changed managers at an alarming rate of knots, Rosenior’s hugely encouraging start is not to be sniffed at.
But going to Italian champions Napoli represents a formidable task.
Should the Blues win, it will confirm their position in the top eight and an automatic route into the last 16.
Napoli, managed by former Chelsea boss Antonio Conte, need at least a point to avoid the indignity of failing to even make the play-offs for a place in the last 16.
This could be some scrap in Naples.
Getty Images
Tottenham to relieve the growing pressure on Frank?
It feels as though Thomas Frank is on borrowed time and that Spurs could pull the plug on him at any minute.
And yet a quick glance at the Champions League table shows them handily placed in fifth heading into their Matchday 8 trip to Eintracht Frankfurt.
Victory in Germany would be a huge feather in Tottenham’s cap and secure a top-eight finish.
Moreover, it would give Frank vital breathing space as he bids to fend off his detractors in the wake of their dreadful Premier League form, which has left Spurs fans calling for his head.
Defeat, on the other hand, would leave his job prospects looking ever more precarious.
City's top-eight hopes in balance
Defeat for Manchester City at Norwegian minnows Bodo/Glimt last week marked one of the greatest upsets in Champions League history.
The humiliating 3-1 reverse in a fishing town 200km north of the Arctic Circle knocked Pep Guardiola’s side down to 11th in the standings.
It means Wednesday's visit of Galatasaray is a must-win if they are to sneak into the last 16 automatically.
City, and indeed Guardiola, have not looked themselves at times in recent weeks.
Nor has Erling Haaland, who has failed to score in his last five appearances.
Going back even further, his last nine games have harvested just one goal and that came from the penalty spot.
Could he get back on the goal trail against Galatasaray? You wouldn’t bet against it.
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Crunch clash in Paris as Magpies look to land a famous win
Newcastle United are one of five English clubs still in the top eight of the Champions League.
They lie seventh but face a mountainous task when they travel to reigning European champions Paris Saint-Germain.
Going to the French capital and winning to automatically qualify for the last 16 would be huge.
The Magpies have blown hot and cold on the domestic front recently, losing 2-0 at home to Aston Villa, and now face their biggest challenge yet in this season’s Champions League campaign.
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Full Champions League fixture list for Matchday 8
Wednesday, 28 January
- Ajax v Olympiakos
- Arsenal v Kairat Almaty
- Athletic Bilbao v Sporting CP
- Atlético Madrid v FK Bodø/Glimt
- Barcelona v FC Copenhagen
- Bayer Leverkusen v Villarreal
- Benfica v Real Madrid
- Borussia Dortmund v Inter Milan
- Club Brugge v Olympique Marseille
- Eintracht Frankfurt v Tottenham Hotspur
- Liverpool v FK Qarabağ
- Manchester City v Galatasaray
- Monaco v Juventus
- Napoli v Chelsea
- PSV Eindhoven v Bayern Munich
- Pafos v Slavia Prague
- Paris St Germain v Newcastle United
- Union Saint-Gilloise v Atalanta
How to watch Athletic Club vs Sporting in the USA on DAZN
Soccer fans in the US can watch Athletic Club vs Sporting in the Champions League in Spanish language as part of their DAZN subscription package.
An annual upfront payment is $224.99 , while paying monthly for 12 months is $19.99 and also provides access to 185 fight nights a year across boxing, MMA, PFL, BKFC, Glory and much more.
CBS has coverage of every Champions League match in English language this season. You can get more details and subscribe to CBS's Champions League coverage here.
Fans can watch extra Champions League games in Spanish on ViX. A selection of those matches are also available on UNIMÁS and TUDN.
How to watch the Champions League in New Zealand on DAZN
Every Champions League game during the 2025-26 season is streamed in high definition and comes as part of a DAZN subscription.
An annual subscription costs $14.99 per month for 12 months and also provides access to 185 fight nights a year across boxing, MMA, PFL, BKFC, Glory and much more.
How to watch the Champions League in Canada on DAZN
Watch every game of the Champions League this season in Canada with a DAZN subscription.
There are three subscription options, each offering a different selection of sports. Access to every Champions League match is included in all three package offerings, ranging from $29.99 to $44.99 per month (for 12 months)
