The nine teams who have already qualified for Champions League knockout round before the final round of fixtures

Nine teams have already secured passage to the Champions League knockouts with a game to spare, giving them a considerably less stressful final fixture.

This year's Champions League has seen a drastically different format adopted, with the group approach scrapped in favour of all sides being in the same league table and playing eight random matches.

36 sides have been placed in the same league table, with teams ranked in the top eight securing automatic qualification to the round of 16.

Table toppers Liverpool are in the mix after a perfect run in Europe, taking 21 points out 21 following a 2-1 win over AS Monaco on Tuesday. They are therefore able to rest players for a final group game against PSV Eindhoven, though Arne Slot will want to ensure the 100 per cent record is in tact.

Barcelona have also qualified thanks to a thrilling 5-4 over Benfica, which means they have won every Champions League game since suffering an opening game defeat to Monaco.

Barcelona are second in the Champions League table. Image: Getty

Who has qualified for the Champions League knockouts?

Teams in spots nine to 24 will go into a preliminary round but nine have already guaranteed to be in the two-legged play-off at a minimum.

Atletico Madrid picked up an impressive late win over Bayer Leverkusen to book their place - though Xabi Alonso's men are also in - while Atalanta, Arsenal, Inter Milan and Aston Villa have also made the cut.

Three French teams complete list, with Brest, Monaco and Lille all qualified.

Unlikely before when they would drop into the Europa League, the 12 lowest-ranked sides will be eliminated from the competition and at present Paris Saint-Germain are facing an exit as they are currently 26th in the table after a poor run.

Luis Enrique's side take on Manchester City in a huge clash at the Parc des Princes on Wednesday, with the 2023 winners still in a dangerous situation themselves and lurched in 24th spot - the final position for the preliminary round.

The two teams are separated by just one point after seven fixtures.

15-time winners Real Madrid have also underperformed massively and are down in 22nd with two games remaining.

Teams will receive a higher seeding based on their position in the league table.