Here's how Bayern seal direct qualification for the round of 16

A look at the Champions League league phase table should lift the heart of any Bayern fan. After six games, the six-time champions are in second place with 15 points, three behind leaders Arsenal, the only team to beat the Munich men in any competition this season. Ahead of the final two matches against Royale Union Saint-Gilloise on Wednesday (21:00 CET) and at PSV Eindhoven a week later, the German record champions’ position looks rosy.

After some impressive performances in Europe’s premier club competition – including wins over Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea – Bayern appear to be in a commanding position in second spot. However, the distance to ninth-placed Liverpool is only three points. The top eight in the table qualify directly for the round of 16, which will be played over 10/11 and 17/18 March, while the teams who finish between ninth and 24th go into the play-offs on 17/18 and 24/25 February. Bayern coach Vincent Kompany has frequently emphasised how important it is to avoid the play-offs and have fewer fixtures in February, after his side only narrowly got past Celtic in the extra round last year.

Every scenario

In the event of a win against Union on Wednesday, there are only two scenarios for Bayern: either their ticket for the last 16 is secure, as long as one of the teams in positions three to nine fail to win. Or: if all seven teams behind Bayern in the table win, a draw in the final match in Eindhoven would be enough FCB (assuming that all teams in position three to nine also win their final game). View the full UCL table.

Top two the aim

It would abe an advantage for the Reds if they could end the league phase in the top two, as since the current campaign, there’s another change to the overhauled Champions League format. The teams who finish first to fourth have home advantage in the the second leg of both the round of 16 and quarter-finals, while the top two also get to play the semi-final second leg at home. If one of the affected teams is eliminated before then, this right passes over to the winning team. In other words, a top position in the league phase might make the road to the final in a Budapest somewhat easier. However, PSG, Manchester City and Atlanta in positions three to five are all breathing down Bayern’s necks on 13 points.

So, let’s take a look at the top nine in the league phase and their remaining fixtures.

The top nine’s remaining fixtures

1st place - Arsenal: 18 points, 17:1 goals

Remaining fixtures: Inter (A), Kairat (H)

Arsenal have led the way in the Champions League as well as in the Premier League so far. The Gunners have won all their games in Europe, while in the domestic league they have a seven-point lead over Manchester City and Aston Villa. Next opponents Inter Milan are sixth in the league phase standings, while Kazakh outfit Kairat, who Mikel Arteta’s men face last, are bottom in 36th place.

2nd place - FC Bayern: 15 points, 18:7 goals

Remaining fixtures: Union SG (H), PSV Eindhoven (A)

Bayern are enjoying an excellent season and are still yet to lose in the Bundesliga or DFB Cup. Upcoming opponents Union Saint-Gilloise are still battling for the play-offs in 27th place in the UCL table, while PSV, the opponents on the final matchday, will be looking to at least maintain their position in 21st.

3rd place - Paris Saint-Germain: 13 points, 19:8 goals

Remaining fixtures: Sporting Lisbon (A), Newcastle United (H)

Aside from the 2-1 defeat to Bayern, PSG have performed strongly in Europe’s premier club competition. Ousmane Dembélé and Co have demonstrated their attacking strength against Atalanta (4-0), Bayer Leverkusen (7-2) and Tottenham Hotspur (5-3), as well as defeating Barcelona 2-1 in a clash of titans. However, Luis Enrique’s side are having problems on the domestic front this season, with the Champions League holders currently a point behind leaders RC Lens in Ligue 1. Their next two opponents are both well placed on 10 points: Sporting in 14th place and Newcastle in 12th.

4th place - Manchester City: 13 points, 12:6 goals

Remaining fixtures: Bodö/Glimt (A), Galatasaray (H)

Pep Guardiola’s side are currently playing catch-up in both the Premier League and Champions League. City had mixed results in their two meetings with German teams, beating Borussia Dortmund 4-1 before losing 2-0 against Leverkusen, but they did make a statement in their last outing with a 2-1 victory at Real Madrid. Now they travel to Bodö/Glimt (32nd) in Norway and entertain Galatasaray (18th).

5th place - Atalanta: 13 points, 8:6 goals

Remaining fixtures: Athletic Bilbao (H), Union SG (A)

The club from the north of Italy are surprisingly among the frontrunners with 13 points. If it came to being level on points, Bayern would have an advantage over Atalanta thanks to their great goal difference. Having lost 4-0 at PSG in their opener, the Bergamo side have picked up important wins at Eintracht Frankfurt (3-0) and against Chelsea (2-1) recently. In Serie A they’re only in seventh place, 17 points off leaders Inter. Coach Raffaele Palladino’s men can clinch their place among the top eight in the final two UCL games against Bilbao (28th) and Union Saint-Gilloise (27th).

6th place - Inter Milan: 12 points, 12:4 goals

Remaining fixtures: Arsenal (H), Borussia Dortmund (A)

Inter are in a good position in the table but their place in the top eight hangs in the balance with two tough assignments coming up for Cristian Chivu’s side against leaders Arsenal and Dortmund (10th). The Milan club started their European campaign strongly with four consecutive wins, but then lost narrowly in two big games against Atlético Madrid (2-1) and Liverpool (1-0).

7th place - Real Madrid: 12 points, 13:7 goals

Remaining fixtures: Monaco (H), Benfica (A)

Serial winners Real Madrid are fearing for their top-eight status following the dismissal of coach Xabi Alonso. The two heavyweight clashes against Liverpool (1-0) and Manchester City (2-1) both ended in defeat for the Los Merengues. In Spain’s La Liga, Real are a point behind leaders Barcelona. They’ll now be looking to book their place in the last 16 against Monaco (19th) and Benfica (25th).

8th place - Atlético Madrid: 12 points, 15:12 goals

Remaining fixtures: Galatasaray (A), Bodö/Glimt (H)

Atlético are seven points behind rivals Real in fourth place in La Liga. Diego Simeone’s team have largely impressed in the Champions League, though, winning their last three including a 2-1 success against Inter. Six points will be the target at Galatasaray (18th) and at home to Bodö (32nd) to reach the round of 16.

9th place - Liverpool: 12 points, 11:8 goals

Remaining fixtures: Marseille (A), Qarabag (H)

It’s been an up-and-down season for Liverpool. Florian Wirtz and Co have rediscovered their form in the Premier League, where they currently occupy fourth place. In Europe, the legendary club need to make up at least one place if they’re to progress directly to the round of 16, but there’s a tricky hurdle to overcome in Marseille (16th) before Qarabag (22nd) visit Anfield.