It's a kinder format that leaves plenty to be decided on the final day. Smaller clubs will unquestionably advance to the direct elimination stages of the competition, where the stakes and pressure are higher. Upsets in the playoff round are likely to happen, with plenty of Davids getting a chance to dispatch any struggling Goliaths.

Despite three losses in their last four Champions League games — as many as in their previous 29 — they are expected to win their remaining two home games against Red Bull Salzburg and Brest after a daunting trip to high-flying Atalanta, and they have just a seven per cent chance of falling through the early trapdoor.

The match is scheduled to start at 3 p.m. EST and will be broadcast on TUDN and UniMás. Fans looking to watch can do so through FuboTV, which offers a free trial and $30 off your first month, or DirecTV Stream, which also offers a free trial. SlingTV doesn’t offer a free trial but does have other promotional offers available.

Liverpool are the first team to reach the round of 16 or knockout phase play-offs following a 2-0 win over Real Madrid at Anfield, a fifth straight league phase

Liverpool took top spot in the Champions League table on Wednesday with a dominant 2-0 victory over holders Real Madrid thanks to goals from Alexis Mac Allister and Cody Gakpo.

The Champions League knockout rounds are starting to appear on the horizon now that matchday five of the new 'league phase' is in the books. A perfect Liverpool still lead the way after five wins from five,

We're are now more than halfway done with the the Champions League league phase. Matchweek 5 re-shuffled the standings and now the top four leagues in Europe each have one team representative in the top four of the table.