Manchester City face an intriguing Champions League last 16 play-off tie against either title holders Real Madrid or five-time winners Bayern Munich. That is already known because all 24 teams that have advanced from the league phase are placed in a tennis-like bracket for the first time - showing a team's potential path towards the May 31 final in Munich.

The UEFA Champions League's first-ever league phase is over, and the knockout stage outlook is now much clearer. Manchester City avoided disaster, Liverpool topped the league-phase table, and we could get FC Bayern vs.

Bayern Munich take on Slovan Bratislava on Wednesday, Jan. 29, at the Allianz Arena. Kickoff is set for a 9 p.m. CET local time start in Germany, making it an 8 p.m. GMT kickoff in the UK. It's a 3 p.m. ET or 12 p.m. PT start in the US and Canada, and a 7 a.m. AEDT kickoff in Australia on Thursday morning.

Bayern at least ensured they will be seeded in Friday's draw after beating Slovan Bratislava 3-1 on Wednesday, but their reward will be either City or Celtic

His side live to fight another day, but Pep Guardiola is in no doubt that whatever Friday's Champions League draw holds for Manchester City, his side will be underdogs. Winning the competition entirely?

Bayern Munich are guaranteed a place in the playoffs for the Champions League's last 16 regardless of Wednesday's result against Slovan Bratislava, but coach Vincent Kompany is still hopeful his side can somehow navigate a top-eight finish.

Bayern coach Vincent Kompany says "anything is possible" despite his team only holding a slim chance of finishing in the Champions League top eight ahead of their last league match against Slovan Bratislava at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday.

With a spot in the knockouts already secure, Bayern Munich have a chance to sneak into the top eight of the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday when the league phase comes to a close. Bayern enter Matchday 8 in 15th place but are just one point shy of a spot in the top eight and so direct passageway to the round of 16 is a real possibility for Vincent Kompany's side.

Bayern Munich is crunching the numbers to see under what scenarios it can achieve a “top eight finish” in the Champions League: Although very complicated, Bayern did not give up on finishing in the top 8 in order to avoid the playoffs.