The 2025-26 Champions League is back this week for one of the most eventful matchdays of the season, as all 36 teams involved in the league phase will be playing simultaneously on Wednesday. While Arsenal and Bayern Munich have secured their positions in the top eight, many other teams are competing to determine their standings and playoff eligibility next month. Notably, Eintracht Frankfurt, Villarreal, Slavia Prague, and Kairat Almaty have been eliminated from contention.

1. Arsenal (–)

They remain the dominant force in Europe, yet the team, led by Mikel Arteta, is beginning to experience some issues. They recently suffered a 3-2 defeat to Manchester United, just days after a victory against Inter at San Siro, clinching their spot in the top eight. There are no immediate worries, but they need to maximize their opportunities this season, aiming to win the Premier League for the first time in over twenty years.

2. Bayern Munich (–)

To my surprise, they experienced their first Bundesliga loss over the weekend against Augsburg. Vincent Kompany’s squad continues to be one of Europe’s finest, and like Arsenal, there’s no immediate cause for concern. They hold an eight-point lead over Borussia Dortmund and have already secured their top eight position in the Champions League.

3. PSG (–)

PSG has taken the lead in Ligue 1, marking a pivotal moment in the French league standings. They’ve shown significant improvement in recent weeks. The upcoming match against Newcastle will be crucial in determining if they secure a direct spot in the knockout stages or face playoffs.

4. Barcelona (–)

Lamine Yamal’s remarkable goal against Real Oviedo reinforces his status as one of Europe’s best, which is critical for Barcelona’s competitive stance. Currently atop LaLiga, they must win their final league phase match against FC Copenhagen to solidify their place in the top eight.

5. Manchester City (–)

What’s happening at Manchester City? They lost to Bodo/Glimt away last week in the Champions League but managed to secure a win against Wolverhampton in their subsequent match. There’s a sense of instability, and Pep Guardiola’s future remains unclear.

6. Real Madrid (+1)

Alvaro Arbeloa has had a triumphant start, securing three consecutive wins against Levante, Villarreal, and AS Monaco. Early predictions are optimistic for the new manager and his team’s trajectory.

…and the analysis continues for the remaining teams.