Liverpool could seal their place in the top eight but the picture is lot less rosy for Manchester City, Real Madrid and PSG

A year of unprecedented pressures on the global football calendar begins with a Champions League first, as two rounds of matches in Europe's elite club competition take place in January and some of the continent's biggest names face a scrap to avoid a humiliating exit.

The penultimate league phase matchday is upon us and it's all up for grabs in the race to secure qualification.

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola speaking to Sky Sports after today's game: "We are really pleased, we are back to doing things that define this team for the last 10 years. Really pleased for the three points and to climb into qualification for the Champions League for next season,