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Arsenal and Liverpool have discovered their Champions League last-16 opponents after victories on the final matchday of the league stage. Arne Slot's side beat FK Qarabag at Anfield while the Gunners defeated Kairat Almaty to seal their respective spots in the top eight, which means both avoid the play-off round.

Having confirmed their spot as league stage winners, Mikel Arteta's side knew they would be facing one of 15th, 16th, 17th and 18th. Bayer Leverkusen, Olympiacos, Borussia Dortmund and Atalanta are the teams they could face, which was only confirmed in the final stages of Wednesday's action.

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As a result of finishing third, Liverpool will face one of the teams that finished in 13th, 14th, 19th or 20th. That has been confirmed to be one of Club Brugge, Galatasaray, Atletico Madrid or Juventus.

Tottenham, Newcastle United, Manchester City and Chelsea were all in with a chance of finishing in the top eight and thus avoiding a play-off round, with three of those managing that. For finishing just below Liverpool, Thomas Frank's side are set to face one of those four aforementioned teams that Liverpool could play, while Man City will take on one of Bodo/Glimt, Real Madrid, Inter or Benfica.

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Chelsea looked set to miss out on going straight through to the first proper knockout round, but a Joao Pedro brace saw them complete a second-half comeback in Naples. That victory saw them end the league standings in sixth, which means they will play any of Monaco, Qarabag, Newcastle or Paris Saint-Germain.

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As a result of drawing against Paris Saint-Germain, the Magpies are the only Premier League team in the play-offs. They have ended the league stage in 12th and will thus face one of PSG, Monaco or Qarabag with a last-16 tie against either Barcelona or Chelsea to follow that if they advance.

For Arsenal, Liverpool, Spurs, Manchester City and Chelsea, it is a major fixture boost with two fewer games to contest in a busy February. All five will have a keen eye on those play-off games, which will be determined in the draw on Friday, to have an idea of the team they will face in the last-16.

Tottenham have qualified for the Champions League's last-16 after beating Eintracht Frankfurt in Germany on Wednesday night

Tottenham rounded off their Champions League league phase campaign with a huge victory over Eintracht Frankfurt on Wednesday night to book their place in the last-16. Goals in the second half from Randal Kolo Muani and Dominic Solanke mean Thomas Frank's men have avoided a two-legged play-off showdown.

Spurs are one of five Premier League teams to finish in the top-eight of the competition with Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City joining them. Bayern Munich, Barcelona and Sporting CP make up the confirmed teams in the last-16.

This season, £2.14billion is up for grabs in the Champions League - and the millions available will be a boost for Tottenham in comparison to what they received in the Europa League. Each of the 36 participants receive a base fee of £16.18million, while clubs who finish in the top-eight and progress to the last-16 will net a further £9.56m.

League phase wins are also worth £1.82m each, and Spurs earned £9.1m from beating Villarreal, Copenhagen, Slavia Prague, Borussia Dortmund and Eintracht Frankfurt. £606,000 is also awarded for draws, meaning Spurs landed over £1.2m for ties with Monaco and Bodo/Glimt.

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Clubs also receive £239,000 per position in the league standings. Kazakhstan minnows Kairat will take home that figure as they finished bottom of the table. Tottenham's fourth-place finish means they will receive £7.8m in addition to their other bonuses, totalling their prize money from the competition so far to just over £43m.

The prize increases throughout the tournament with the last-eight, semi-finals, runner-up and winner worth £10.7m, £12.9m, £15.9m and £21.5m respectively. So far, Spurs have banked £42.6m from their Champions League performance alone.

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The difference in prize money in comparison to the Europa League is monumental. For winning the competition in May - under Ange Postecoglou - Tottenham earned £5m after beating Manchester United.

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Overall, the competition win was worth £69.7m through participation fees, prize money and the value pillar that is dished out funds based on league market size and coefficients.

Glenn Hoddle explained exactly why Xavi Simons' early strike for Tottenham against Eintracht Frankfurt in the Champions League was disallowed on Wednesday evening. The Dutch midfielder slotted home from close range just two minutes into the match at the Deutsche Bank Park, latching onto a rebounded effort from Destiny Udogie's original attempt.

Yet, jubilation among the travelling supporters proved premature, as VAR stepped in to examine the passage of play meticulously. Ultimately, Udogie was deemed to be in an offside position following his initial run beyond Frankfurt's defensive line, with referee Jesus Gil Manzano subsequently awarding a free-kick to the hosts.

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Hoddle, providing co-commentary for TNT Sports during the fixture, was swift to offer his assessment of the decision, regardless of the official outcome as Thomas Frank vented his frustration on the side of the pitch.

He said: "I think they are saying it was a foul. He was in an offside position, but just there he has pulled his arm back. He [Frank] hasn't seen the foul, but it was a foul. He was interfering with play."

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This development arrives as Frank faces mounting pressure to reverse Spurs' fortunes in the coming weeks, with supporters becoming increasingly frustrated by the team's declining league form.

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Whilst Spurs entered their clash with Frankfurt sitting fifth in the European competition's standings, their Premier League form presents a stark contrast, the north London side are languishing in 14th position in England's top division.

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However, speaking on TNT Sports before Wednesday evening's fixture, Joe Cole claimed that Frank shouldn't shoulder sole blame for an exceptionally difficult spell at Tottenham.

He said: "We were talking off-air there, and I really feel for Thomas Frank. Daniel Levy's left, who knew everything at that club, everything went through him; he chose the spoons in the kitchen.

"So it's a real mess at the moment, and the fans are still calling for change, but where do you want to change it to? They won't win trophies, think it's one or two in 30, 40 years.

"They want to play like this, then they don't want to play like that, and Thomas Frank is just the front man. Just give him time, let him do his thing; he did it at Brentford.

"He did it at his previous club, where he built something, and he's in the middle of a firestorm at the moment. Everything is coming on Thomas Frank, but I think the dressing room at Spurs really needs addressing.

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"Some of the behaviour from the players towards Thomas Frank and their own fans and some of the stuff online and all that nonsense, I just think that's the problem at Tottenham, it's not Thomas Frank."

Tottenham could sanction a deal that sees goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky make the move from north to west London later this month. West Ham United are said to be interested in the Czech shot-stopper, who only joined Spurs in the January transfer window last season.

Kinsky was immediately ushered into the team following an injury to No.1 Guglielmo Vicario, but found minutes hard to come by following the Italian’s recovery. It limited Kinsky to cup appearances, but with Spurs knocked out of both the League and the FA Cup, the 22-year-old has been frozen out.

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The Athletic claim that West Ham are confident of securing Kinsky’s signature, but will have to wait until the initial league phase of the Champions League has been completed. Tottenham face Eintracht Frankfurt on Wednesday night, with any business having to wait until after the match in Germany.

Kinsky joined Spurs from Slavia Prague for a fee of £13.3million and played just 12 times, keeping four clean sheets. His only two starts this season came in the League Cup, where Spurs beat Doncaster Rovers, before losing to Newcastle.

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West Ham have struggled with their goalkeeper department this season, having signed Mads Hermansen in the summer. Hermansen joined under the previous stewardship of Graham Potter, but was quickly ushered out of the side after a disastrous start to life with the Hammers.

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Hermansen conceded 14 goals in four league games, including three at home to Spurs in September. Since then, Alphonse Areola has returned to the starting XI for the side currently languishing in the bottom three. Hermansen is expected to leave before next week’s transfer deadline.

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Current West Ham boss, Nuno Espirito Santo, was quizzed on the Dane earlier in the season. The ex-Wolves chief said: “When we got here, the change in the goalkeeper position had already been made. But we have seen a good and top professional goalkeeper [in Hermansen] who works, like many of his teammates. So, the relationship is developing, and it becomes normal as time goes by.

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“As I mentioned to you, it was a decision that was made before our arrival, this change in the goalkeeper position. And we felt that, when we came to the club and had limited time, we had to continue with Alphonse. But all the players will get their chances. It’s a new start for all of them.”

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Since then, Hermansen’s only appearance for the capital club came in the FA Cup clash against fellow London outfit, Queens Park Rangers, earlier this month. Clubs have until Monday, January 2, to conduct all business.

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Tottenham are reportedly urging UEFA to increase Champions League squad limits after Thomas Frank was compelled to exclude Mathys Tel. The £30million summer signing was left out of the squad before the 2-0 win over Borussia Dortmund to accommodate Dominic Solanke's return from injury.

He will also be absent from their final league-phase fixture against Eintracht Frankfurt in Germany on Wednesday night (8pm). Tel was initially excluded from their Champions League squad in September owing to insufficient homegrown players, preventing Frank from completing a 25-man roster. A rule modification in December enabled his return following Solanke's injury.

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Nevertheless, with Solanke now recovered, Tel has been dropped once again as Frank can only select one of them for Spurs' remaining two league-phase matches.

According to City AM, Spurs sporting director Johan Lange has reportedly raised the matter with UEFA and other Premier League clubs in an attempt to garner additional support.

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Arsenal and Chelsea are understood to have been the 'most receptive' thus far. However, certain European rivals are said to resist the proposal, concerned it would further enhance the advantage provided by England's financial strength.

Addressing the situation, Frank previously stated: "Of course, it's very tough for Mathys. Just to make it clear, as I understand, my challenge was it could only be him or Dom. I couldn't sub another player out. If so, I would have done it. Mathys has done well for us in many, many ways.

"It was him or Dom, and I chose Dom because, as I said, experience. He did, luckily, very well. But that's not the same as [saying] I don't like Mathys at all, he's started four of the last five. That's a clear signal that I also trust him and believe that he can do something good for the team and the club."

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Victory over Frankfurt would secure Spurs' progression to the last 16, at which point Frank would be entitled to makeup to three squad alterations before the 5 February deadline, although he must still adhere to the 25-man A-list cap for players born prior to 2004.

Tottenham Hotspur go into the final few days of the winter transfer window with plenty of work left to do. Thomas Frank’s team might have made a fast start in the Champions League but it’s a different story domestically - especially on home turf. A return of just nine points from 11 home league games has been a big factor in their lowly league position, with new manager Frank under pressure with the team sat 14th in the table. The right deals in the dying embers of the window could help change that, though.

Spurs spent more than £170million over the summer, with Mohammed Kudus and Xavi Simons the two most expensive additions. However, they have suffered from a clear lack of creativity with Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison unavailable through injury. They’ve already added Conor Gallagher to their ranks this month but they’ve also recouped money through the sale of Brennan Johnson to Crystal Palace. Transfer chief Fabio Paratici might be on his way out but Spurs still need to add to their ranks in January, so here's a look at what they could do.

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Sign Maghnes Akliouche

French winger Akliouche was eyed by a number of clubs over the summer but Monaco’s steep asking price appeared to deter some suitors. Now, though, that price is believed to sit at a more affordable £43million.

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Football.London reported earlier in the month that Monaco were looking at potential replacements for the 23-year-old, who scored his first senior France goal in November. He can operate off the right or behind a striker, positioning him as an ideal candidate to make up for Johnson’s exit and Kudus’ injury.

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Agree a new deal for Pedro Porro

Spanish right-back Porro joined Spurs permanently in the summer of 2023 for a fee just shy of £40m after a few months on loan from Sporting CP. He agreed a five-year contract at the time, meaning there will be just two years left on his deal after this summer.

Transfermarkt currently value him at roughly £35m, and that will only decrease as his expiry gets closer. It would make sense to secure an extension for the 26-year-old and get ahead of any bids, given his reliability at the back.

He has featured in 106 of Spurs’ 116 league games since he joined, starting 97, with the injury he sustained over the weekend setting up his first extended absence since moving to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Find a buyer for Radu Dragusin

Even after the sale of Johnson, there is money to be raised through sales elsewhere. Radu Dragusin only recently returned from 11 months out with an ACL tear but there is potential interest in the Romanian.

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Dragusin will likely be after minutes as he aims to help his country through their World Cup play-off challenge. The former Genoa star still has admirers on the continent and reports in Italy suggest AC Milan may be able to step in and offer him a change of scenery.

Dragusin isn't the only player who Spurs might be able to offload to raise some funds. Mathys Tel has been linked with a move after being taken out of Frank's Champions League squad and the arrival of Akliouche could clear the way for the Bayern Munich star to find new surroundings.

Thomas Frank has confirmed that Tottenham Hotspur are in the market for further new signings before the January transfer window draws to a close. Spurs have already added two signings to their squad this month and there is the possibility of more to come.

Conor Gallagher signed for Tottenham in a £35million deal from Atletico Madrid, while Souza has arrived this month from Brazilian club Santos.

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Spurs have also been heavily linked wth signing Liverpool defender Andy Robertson, who will be out of contract at Anfield in the summer.

However, despite reports of a potential £5million deal being on the cards, Liverpool head coach Arne Slot recently stated that he expects Robertson to remain on Merseyside.

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Despite this stance, Frank has confirmed that Tottenham are still planning to enter the market for new additions ahead of next Monday’s deadline. The Spurs boss was speaking ahead of the Champions League clash against Eintracht Frankfurt on Wednesday evening.

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"We are 100% in the market," Frank said in an interview with TNT Sports.

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"I think that when let’s say results are not top and you get injuries, that’s where you can feel you are being pressured to take decisions that you maybe don’t want to take for the future.

"But we need to make good assessments, good analysis, where we are making good decisions that can help us get short-term success, optimise that, but also be very good for the long-term."

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Tottenham have also been linked with some potential exits this month, with Randal Kolo Muani potentially heading for the exit door.

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Reports on Tuesday claimed that Spurs were considering allowing Kolo Muani to return to his parent club, Paris Saint-Germain, and call time on his loan spell in North London.

As a result, there has been speculation about whether or not Tottenham could go into the market for reinforcements in the forward line, with Manchester City star Omar Marmoush tentatively linked as a potential target.

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Spurs go into the clash against Frankfurt on Wednesday evening in fifth place in the Champions League standings and on the verge of securing a spot in the last-16 stage, which would also see them bypass the play-off round.

A top-eight finish would be required to automatically qualify for the last-16 stage, with Tottenham currently on 14 points and one ahead of Newcastle United, PSG, Chelsea, Barcelona, Sporting Lisbon, Manchester City, Atletico Madrid and Atalanta, while Inter Milan and Juventus are just two points behind Spurs.

Tottenham Hotspur have bolstered their squad with the arrival of Conor Gallagher this month, but then suffered a setback in their pursuit of Andy Robertson. Thomas Frank's side were pushing for further experience in the ranks and had even entered preliminary talks with the Liverpool defender, but the Premier League champions pulled the plug on an exit - after their defensive options depleted further.

Cristian Romero was the Tottenham saviour on Saturday to deny struggling Burnley a shock win in a 2-2 draw. The pressure is mounting on Danish head coach, Frank, with the north London club languishing in the bottom half of the Premier League table. Focus now turns to the Champions League this week with Spurs sitting in the top-eight spots, and eyeing an automatic place in the round of 16, while they face Eintracht Frankfurt in their final league phase encounter. The transfer window slams shut on Monday (February 2) leaving Spurs with limited time to refresh their squad for a crucial second half of the campaign. With that, Express Sport looks at the latest transfer transfer rumours from north London.

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Arne Slot reveals Andy Robertson transfer latest

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot expects Andy Robertson to stay despite talks with Tottenham Hotspur. The Scotland international faced a would-be exit from Merseyside after Spurs looked to bring forward their interest for the full-back as his future looked uncertain with his deal up this summer.

Preliminary talks were entered, but further injury problems at Anfield led to Liverpool pulling the plug on a move that would see their experienced full-back leave for a nominal fee this summer. Robertson had expressed his desire to stay, revealing talks over a possible extension, but was forced to concede that he may leave in search for first-team minutes.

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There were reports that Robertson's switch to the capital could still be possible if Kostas Tsimikas returned from his loan spell. However, Slot now expects Robertson to stay. He said: "Robbo is part of the team tomorrow evening and he has been apart of this squad for many years.

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"Happy to have him, it's good that he's available because that's quite important for us at the moment, to have players available. Nothing happened my side. It's hard to say anything definite with the world we live in [whether he stays this month] but I expect him to say, yes."

Tottenham 'target' Bayern Munich midfielder

According to reports in Italy, Tottenham are exploring a deal to sign Bayern Munich veteran Leon Goretzka. Calciomercato's Daniele Longo has claimed that Frank's side have moved to sign the 30-year-old in their efforts to add experience in the squad.

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Goretzka is out of contract in Bavaria this summer and faces an uncertain future - despite playing in all-but one of their opening 19 Bundesliga games this term. The report adds that a move isn't going to be easy for Spurs, with Barcelona and Atletico Madrid interested, while AC Milan are an option, too.

It has been claimed that the Milan giants made contact with the Germany international's representatives and sparked talks some weeks ago. Sporting director Igli Tare is reportedly an admirer of the midfielder and is looking to replicate a similar move that he made for Spurs icon, Luke Modric, after he ended his trophy-laden chapter with Real Madrid before moving to the Serie A side.

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Juventus eye shock move for Spurs forward

Juventus could make a late move for Randal Kolo Muani, according to Alfredo Pedulla. Tottenham are reportedly open to letting the 27-year-old leave the club, despite being in the first six months of his season-long loan from Paris Saint-Germain.

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The Serie A club are said to be open to a sensational move for the Frenchman, after their efforts to sign Youssef En-Nesyri hit a road block. The report adds that any deal between Juventus and PSG would be complex as Juve look to acquire Kolo Muani on an initial loan deal with an obligation to buy - triggered if they qualify for the Champions League, once again.

Kolo Muani has yet to find the back of the net in the Premier League this season after making 15 appearances. His only two goals have come in the Champions League, both of which were scored in their 5-3 win over his parent club, PSG.

Premier League sides face a crucial finale as the Champions League league phase reaches its climax. All except Arsenal have something significant at stake on the final matchday, with the Gunners already assured of a top-two spot following seven consecutive European victories.

Bottom meets top as Kairat travel to the Emirates Stadium in a dead rubber. Yet this fixture is very much the anomaly. Liverpool welcome Qarabag whilst Manchester City entertain Galatasaray in the North West, with qualification hanging in the balance. Chelsea, Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur are all on their travels, facing Napoli, Paris Saint-Germain and Eintracht Frankfurt respectively.

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Here, the Express has taken a look at the state of play for Premier League clubs ahead of the final matchday.

Arsenal, mirroring their domestic form, sit atop the standings, three points ahead of Bayern Munich. Liverpool occupy fourth spot, level on points with Real Madrid but trailing on goal difference, with both sides three points behind the Bundesliga champions.

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Tottenham Hotspur sit just one point behind the Reds whilst boasting a superior goal difference. Newcastle United are in seventh, one place above Chelsea and three ahead of Manchester City in 11th, though all three clubs are part of a congested group on 13 points.

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Potential finishing positions

Arsenal are guaranteed to remain top unless Bayern Munich can overturn a five-goal deficit. They cannot be overtaken by any other side, ensuring at least a second-place finish.Liverpool could climb as high as second if they win and Bayern lose to PSV, accompanied by a seven-goal swing and a five-goal advantage over Real Madrid - assuming the 15-time European champions defeat Benfica.

However, defeat to Qarabag could see them plummet to 14th if ten results go unfavourably. Tottenham Hotspur have the potential to finish third with victory, provided Liverpool and Madrid drop points. Yet Spurs could tumble to 16th with defeat and 12 unfavourable results elsewhere.

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Chelsea, Man City and Newcastle could all secure third spot with wins - if Liverpool, Madrid and Tottenham fail to win and they overcome the goal difference deficit. Conversely, they could slip to 17th or 18th with defeat and a dozen results going against them.

What the final positions mean

The precise finishing positions within the top 24 will determine each club's subsequent fixture schedule. Arsenal's guaranteed top-two finish means they will host all second legs of their knockout round matches at the Emirates Stadium.

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Liverpool will be eager to remain in the top four, which would secure home advantage for the second legs of any last-16 and quarter-final encounters at Anfield. All top-eight finishers will enjoy home advantage in the second leg against sides progressing through the play-off round.

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The play-off fixtures are decided based on the teams' finishes in the league phase. The team finishing ninth will face the 24th placed team, while the 10th placed team will compete against the 23rd, and this pattern continues until the 16th and 17th placed teams face off.

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Here are the dates for the upcoming rounds

Play-off draw: January 30.

Knockout play-offs: February 17-18 and 24-25.

Round of 16: March 10-11 and 17-18.

Quarter-finals: April 7-8 and 14-15.

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Semi-finals: April 28-29 and May 5-6.

Tottenham have confirmed that two of their players, Wilson Odobert and Randal Kolo Muani, have been involved in a car crash just a day before their Champions League tie with Eintracht Frankfurt. Images appeared on social media of the duo standing on the side of the road, next to a Ferrari, with the front smashed.

Both players are unharmed after the accident, but could understandably be shaken up ahead of a European match against German opposition on Wednesday. Kolo Muani, 27, is on loan at Spurs from Paris Saint-Germain, having joined the club in the summer transfer window.

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Winger Odobert has been in north London for 18 months after a £25million transfer from Burnley. The 21-year-old has made 21 Premier League appearances this season and registered two assists.

Both Odobert and Kolo Muani are yet to score in the league this season, but the striker has bagged twice in the Champions League since his arrival from PSG.

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The Watford Observer claim that the two players were believed to have been involved in a three-vehicle crash on the M25, between junctions 23 and 25 clockwise at 1.29pm on Tuesday.

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National Highways confirmed that one lane was closed due to a second incident, an oil spillage after the collision, shortly before 4pm.

Spurs boss Thomas Frank, whose press conference was delayed by 45 minutes on Tuesday, confirmed they were involved in the crash.

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He said: "Kolo Muani and Wilson Odobert are both fine. They were unfortunately involved in a minor car accident. Everyone else involved is fine. It was a tyre blowing up. They will be travelling a little later tonight."

Frank also revealed that he will be without defenders Pedro Porro and Micky van de Ven for the trip to Frankfurt, with the Spanish full-back set to miss several weeks.

"Pedro has a hamstring injury and will be out for four weeks," Frank added. "Micky has something minor and hasn't travelled but could be available for City. Pape [Matar Sarr] is available again and so is Joao Palhinha."

Frank is also bolstered by the return of striker Dominic Solanke in recent matches, having missed the entire season through injury up to this point.

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The Dane continued: "We need to keep doing the right things and improve the things we want to do. Also getting players back. Dom is huge for us and he's been out for six months. To have your main striker and top scorer out, I'd like to see other teams deal with that. He's a physical beast and he's been pushing himself."