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      Do Champions League teams drop into the Europa League if they don’t qualify for the last 16?

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      THE final night of the Champions League is HERE – and it’s win or go home for many teams.Manchester City are one such side after a horror Champions League campaign culminated in a 4-2 capitulation against Paris Saint-Germain last week.Man City must win to avoid Champions League eliminationCredit: PARafa Benitez led Chelsea to Europa League success in Amsterdam in 2013Credit: Getty ImagesYet while City needed a win to have any chance of qualification – they are now staring down the barrel of elimination.Pep Guardiola’s side have to beat Club Brugge and then hope other results go their way.Do Champions League teams drop into the Europa League if they don’t qualify?In previous years, teams that struggled during the Champions League group stage always had the safety blanket of dropping down into the Europa League.Chelsea famously became the first team to win the Champions League and Europa League in consecutive seasons in 2012 and 2013.The Blues won in Munich under Roberto Di Matteo but six months later were dumped out of the group stage – costing Di Matteo his job – and moved into the secondary competition.Rafa Benitez took charge and lead the team to Europa League glory in Amsterdam.But teams won’t be able to go down that route anymore.The expanded Champions League – which has seen an increase in teams and a dramatic change in the format – means teams will no longer drop into the Europa League.The new 36-team format sees the top eight in the league phase qualify automatically for the last 16.Teams that finish 9 to 24 are then entered into a draw to play a two-legged tie to make it into the last 16.The teams that finish 25th to 36th are then ELIMINATED from ALL European competition. More

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      What do Arsenal need to do to guarantee qualification to the Champions League Last 16?

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      ARSENAL are among the favourites to advance straight to the last 16 of the Champions League.The Gunners are fifth in the League Phase table with eight points separating them from high flying Liverpool, but Mikel Arteta’s men have a game in hand.Arsenal might need only one more win to advance to the Champions League’s Last 16Credit: GettyThe North Londoners have two more games to go in the revamped first round consisting of 36 teams.Mikel Arteta’s men face Dinamo Zagreb tonight at the Emirates and then visit Girona on January 29.Arsenal have amassed 13 points from six matches of which they won four and lost only once.Just one more win from the final two games could send the Premier League giants straight into the Round of 16.Read More on ArsenalThe teams who finish in the top eight spots automatically qualify for the Last 16.And those who find themselves between ninth and 24th place will face off in the play-offs to determine the other eight teams that make it to the next round.Arsenal are currently five points ahead of Dinamo, who are 25th in the Champions League table.Opta found that in 99 per cent of their simulations, teams who collected 10 points made it into the play-off round, which means Arteta and co might already be guaranteed at least a spot in those.Most read in Champions LeagueEven nine points proved to be enough in 69 per cent of the simulations, which were run 50,000 times.But Arsenal will want direct qualification for the Last 16.16 points proved to be enough in 98 per cent of the available scenarios.Arsenal ratings: Trossard turns creator to put Gunners in driving seat but Merino and Partey lapses cost Arteta’s sideAnd 15 points were sufficient for eighth place in 73 per cent of the simulations. On the other hand, 14 points were enough in just 28 per cent of the supercomputer’s simulations.That means 15 points could be the magic number for Arsenal to avoid two crunch clashes amid their gruelling bid for a first Premier League title since 2004.That would mean one win from their final two games will likely be enough. More

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      What do Aston Villa need to do to guarantee qualification to the Champions League last 16?

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      DESPITE the loss to Monaco last week, Aston Villa are still contenders for automatic Champions League qualification.The Villans’ high flying Champions League campaign took another hitch as an uninspiring 1-0 defeat in Monaco left them outside the top eight – which guarantees progression to the last 16.A win in Villa’s final league game will give them a chance of qualifying for the Champions League last 16Credit: ReutersUnai Emery’s men are ninth in the League Phase table, joint on 13 points with five other teams, including Bayer Leverkusen, who occupy the final automatic spot. So far, Villa have won four, drew once and lost twice.What do Aston Villa need to do to guarantee Champions League round of 16 qualification?Their final game, Celtic at home, provides an enticing affair where only a win will give them a chance to go straight into the Round of 16. The opportunity arose after Bayern Munich’s shock defeat to Feyenoord and Brest’s defeat.read more on aston villa Those not in the top eight positions either fall into the play-off spots – ninth to 24th – or are immediately eliminated.Villa are offered the security blanket of at least a play-off spot.Opta have calculated that the Midlands side are favourites to scrape the all-decisive eight spot.A supercomputer simulation – that estimates the likelihood of teams finishing in the competition – has Villa down for a 52.6 per cent probability of clinching it.Most read in Champions LeagueFor that to happen, Villa will have to beat Celtic and also need one of Bayer Leverkusen, Atletico Madrid, AC Milan or Atalanta to not follow suit. The teams behind Villa – Monaco, Feyenoord, Lille and Brest – can also match the former’s final tally but their goal difference is inferior.Champions League club send Micah Richards shirt with very cheeky nickname on the back thanks to his Brest obsession Villa’s potential for a seeded spot will likely hinge on Atalanta and whether they can beat Barcelona – which would be needed to stay in the top eight. All outcomes are permutation-driven and ultimately out of Villa’s hand, who can only win to give themselves the best possible chance. More

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      What do Man City need to guarantee qualification to the Champions League last 16?

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      MANCHESTER City may be established European juggernauts – but the new league format has made things trickier to navigate.Following defeat to Paris Saint-Germain, the Sky Blues sit 25th in the League Phase table – just outside the play-off spots – on eight points with one more game to fight for.Anything other than win in City’s last league game will end their Champions League campaignCredit: GettyPep Guardiola’s side had the chance to put themselves in a reassuring position in their penultimate game in Paris, but the 4-2 capitulation – when they led by two – has given advantage back to direct rivals PSG.City’s final game will pit them against fellow last 16 hopefuls Club Brugge at the Etihad on Wednesday.Brugge, one of nine teams still in contention for a playoff spot, sit 20th on 11 points.PSG and last playoff spot holder, Stuttgart, also clash on the final matchday.read more on MAN CITYWhat do Man City need to guarantee qualification to the Champions League last 16?For City to progress they must secure a win due to goal difference of the teams around them.The introduced eight-game ‘Swiss model’ has scrapped the traditional 32-team group stage of Europe’s top club competitions for a 36-team league phase.The top eight automatically qualify for the last 16 and are joined by the winners of a play-off round between those that finished ninth to 24th.Those that finish 25th to 36th are eliminated from all European competition – teams no longer drop into the Europa League.Most read in FootballAccording to Opta’s supercomputer – which simulates the 2024-25 UCL league phase 50,000 times to work out a team’s Champions League knockout likelihood – City have an expected points of 10.1.According to that algorithm, City had an 84 per cent chance of reaching the play-offs prior to their defeat in the French capital.Fan spot classy gesture from Chelsea star Nicolas Jackson to Man City newbie Abdukodir Khusanov after horror debutThe new tally of 63.8 per cent still gives them a chance of playoff qualification, but there is plenty of room for error with a 36.2 per cent chance of elimination.Despite the array of permutations and the number of teams involved, City’s task remains simple – win and they qualify for the play-off round. More

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      What do Aston Villa need to guarantee qualification to the Champions League last 16?

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      DESPITE the loss to Monaco last week, Aston Villa are still among possible contenders for automatic Champions League qualification.The Villans’ high flying Champions League campaign took another hitch as an uninspiring 1-0 defeat in Monaco left them outside the top eight – which guarantees progression to the last 16.A win in Villa’s final league game will give them a chance of qualifying for the Champions League last 16Credit: ReutersUnai Emery’s men are ninth in the League Phase table, joint on 13 points with five other teams, including Bayer Leverkusen, who occupy the final automatic spot. So far, Villa have won four, drew once and lost twice.What do Aston Villa need to do to guarantee Champions League round of 16 qualification?Their final game, Celtic at home, provides an enticing affair where only a win will give them a chance to go straight into the Round of 16. The opportunity arose after Bayern Munich’s shock defeat to Feyenoord and Brest’s defeat.read more on aston villa Those not in the top eight positions either fall into the play-off spots – ninth to 24th – or are immediately eliminated.Villa are offered the security blanket of at least a play-off spot.Opta have calculated that the Midlands side are favourites to scrape the all-decisive eight spot.A supercomputer simulation – that estimates the likelihood of teams finishing in the competition – has Villa down for a 52.6 per cent probability of clinching it.Most read in Champions LeagueFor that to happen, Villa will have to beat Celtic and also need one of Bayer Leverkusen, Atletico Madrid, AC Milan or Atalanta to not follow suit. The teams behind Villa – Monaco, Feyenoord, Lille and Brest – can also match the former’s final tally but their goal difference is inferior.Champions League club send Micah Richards shirt with very cheeky nickname on the back thanks to his Brest obsession Villa’s potential for a seeded spot will likely hinge on Atalanta and whether they can beat Barcelona – which would be needed to stay in the top eight. All outcomes are permutation-driven and ultimately out of Villa’s hand, who can only win to give themselves the best possible chance. More

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      Why is Fulham vs Man Utd kicking off at 7pm instead of 4.30pm on Sunday?

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      THE usual TNT Sports slot will be moved to Sunday evening as Manchester United travel to West London to face Fulham.The odd kick-off time was subject to discourse when it was confirmed by the Premier League last month. Marco Silva’s Fulham lost 1-0 to Man United in this season’s league openerCredit: PAUnited are yet to win in London this seasonCredit: PAThe match, like all TNT Sport televised fixtures, was meant to take place on Saturday lunchtime. However, due to United’s involvement in the Europa League just days before, the club rejected the initial slot to allow for more recovery time after their back-and-forth win against Rangers on Thursday night. Usually, Sundays are reserved for Sky Sports’ two Super Sunday selections. That will still remain the same with all-London affair between Crystal Palace and Brentford on Sky Sports Main Event at 2pm, before an enticing encounter between Aston Villa and West Ham at 4:30pm.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLTottenham, who also participated in Europe on Thursday when they travelled to Hoffenheim, will be at home against Ruud van Nistelrooy’s Leicester City at 2pm – the game will not be televised.Similar circumstances have occurred this season already when Chelsea’s involvement in the Europa Conference League that saw make a long trip to Kazakhstan rescheduled their Saturday pm game against Brentford. On that weekend, Spurs were TNT’s choice of match and had their Southampton game moved to a 7pm Sunday slot because of the tight European turnaround.Regarding Sunday’s evening game, The Football Supporters’ Association (FSA) claimed it is “really unpopular” for fans.Most read in FootballThis is due to the limitations on transport, which can make it unsuitable for families.It is expected that Manchester United will offer travelling fans subsidised travel to Craven Cottage.A FSA spokesman said: “The Sunday evening kick-off slot is really unpopular with match-goers as public transport options are limited and it’s no good for families with young kids. More

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      Man City vs Chelsea live stream: How to watch Premier League clash

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      MANCHESTER City and Chelsea clash in the Premier League’s blockbuster fixture today.While City are fresh off a Champions League defeat to Paris Saint-Germain that leaves them contemplating their European fate, Chelsea have had a week to rest following their win against Wolves on Monday. Despite European defeat, City are unbeaten in their last four in the leagueCredit: EPAIn contrast, Chelsea put a run of five winless to end with victory at Stamford Bridge on MondayCredit: GettyCity boss Pep Guardiola has labelled potentially dropping out of the Champions League as a “reality,” so he’ll be hoping respite in the form of Premier League action. Last time City were in domestic action, they hit Ipswich Town for six with no reply. As for Chelsea, the win over Wolves resumed this season’s normality.Before their five-game winless run in the league, in which they drew three and lost two, the Blues hadn’t lost since October – a run stretching twelve games.most read in premier league Its a fixture that could prove well needed for both sides, respectively, with the winner having the chance to take up fourth for the weekend. How to watch Man City vs Chelsea Man City’s mouthwatering clash against Chelsea will be broadcast live on Sky in the UK. Fans will also have the option to stream all entire action on Sky Go App and NowTV which is available to download via any compatible mobile device or tablet.Alternatively, tune in to SunSport’s comprehensive live blog for all the action as it happens.Kick-off for the huge match is scheduled to get underway at 5.30pm GMT on Saturday, January 25.What other Premier League games are happening today?There are five more games happening today in the Premier League – all at 3pm GMT. Bouremouth vs Nottingham Forrest Brighton vs EvertonLiverpool vs IpswichSouthampton vs Newcastle Wolves vs Arsenal Most read in FootballTomorrow’s televised fixtureThere are three more televised games in the Premier League this weekend. Crystal Palace vs Brentford – 2pm GMTAston Villa vs West Ham – 4.30pm GMT Fulham vs Manchester United – 7pm GMT More

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      Is Wolves vs Arsenal on TV? How to follow huge Premier League clash from Molineux

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      ARSENAL return to Premier League action with a trip to Molineux to take on Wolves.The Gunners are six points off leaders Liverpool, who also have a game in hand over the North Londoners. Kai Havertz was on the scoresheet against Aston Villa last weekendCredit: GettyWolves are looking to get back to winning ways after three straight defeats in the Premier LeagueCredit: GettyArsenal had to settle for a gut-wrenching 2-2 draw with Aston Villa last Saturday.Mikel Arteta’s side took a two-goal lead after strikes from Gabriel Martinelli and Kai Havertz.But a crazy eight-minute period in the second half saw the Villans score twice through Youri Tielemans and Ollie Watkins.Today, Arsenal will be looking to pounce on a struggling Wolves side that have lost their last three games in the Premier League, scoring just one goal and conceding nine.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLWhen is Wolves vs Arsenal?Wolves vs Arsenal will take place on Saturday, January 25.Kick off is at 3pm GMT.Molineux will host.Is Wolves vs Arsenal on TV?Arsenal’s huge Premier League clash with Wolves will NOT be broadcast on live TV in the UK.This is due to the 3pm blackout rule in the UK. But fear not, Arsenal fans…You can keep up to date with all the action from Wolves vs Arsenal by following SunSport’s live blog of the Premier League clash.Most read in FootballWhat other Premier League fixtures are taking place during Matchweek 23?Saturday, January 25Bournemouth vs Nottingham Forest (3pm)Brighton vs Everton (3pm)Liverpool vs Ipswich (3pm)Southampton vs Newcastle United (3pm)Wolves vs Arsenal (3pm)Manchester City vs Chelsea (5.30pm)Sunday, January 26Crystal Palace vs Brentford (2pm)Tottenham vs Leicester (2pm)Aston Villa vs West Ham (4.30pm)Fulham vs Manchester United (7pm) More