A number of huge teams face must-win matches in the final round of Champions League action before Christmas.
Teams have just three matches in the newly revamped league stage to secure their places in the knockout stages, with defending champions Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain hoping to avoid a shock early exit far from safe.
Here are the five Champions League matches you should be looking forward to this week.
Girona vs Liverpool (Tuesday, 5:45 pm)
Unlike some others on this list, Liverpool sit comfortably at the top of the table as they look to maintain their perfect start to date.
Arne Slott's side have already beaten AC Milan, Bologna, RB Leipzig, Bayer Leverkusen and Real Madrid, and now head to Spain to face debutant Girona.
While a top-eight finish, which guarantees automatic progression to the last 16, would certainly secure another win, Girona are also in desperate need of three points as they look to avoid being eliminated from the competition altogether.
The third-placed side in La Liga last season are currently 30th, three points off the all-important 24th place needed to sneak into a play-off spot – so a shock win at home would do them a world of good.
Atalanta vs. Real Madrid (Tuesday, 8 p.m.)
Defending champions Real are facing an unthinkable early exit from the competition after a poor performance with just two wins and three defeats so far, which currently leaves them in 24th place.
Los Blancos were taught a lesson at Anfield last time out and have another difficult trip away from home as they travel to fifth-placed Atalanta, who are top of Serie A and unbeaten in the Champions League so far.
After beating Girona 3-0 this week, Carlo Ancelotti's men need to start winning the Champions League and fast, especially if they still have hopes of sneaking into the top eight.
When Real Madrid and Atalanta met in… #Super Cup ⏪
⚽ Mbappe’s first goal with Real Madrid…#UCL pic.twitter.com/28zGnLS7e2
– UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) December 9, 2024
Red Bull Salzburg – Paris Saint-Germain (Tuesday, 8 pm)
Paris Saint-Germain are in a similarly precarious position, currently outside the top 24 after picking up a meager four points so far.
Like Real Madrid, the Ligue 1 champions desperately need to start getting points, albeit a slightly easier task when they face RB Salzburg.
The Austrian team has one point less than its opponent on Tuesday, after defeating Fernord only in the fourth round.
If PSG falters again, exiting the competition before the knockout stages will become a real possibility with just two games remaining.
Juventus vs Manchester City (Wednesday, 8pm)
Manchester City suffered another setback against Crystal Palace at the weekend and will be looking to return to winning ways at Juventus.
It is City's first match in the competition since an extraordinary collapse at Fernord two weeks ago, in which they squandered a three-goal lead to draw 3-3, extending their winless run in all competitions to seven matches.
As a result, the 2023 Treble winners have some hard work to do to secure their place in the top eight as they currently sit in 17th place, two points off the automatic places.
The Old Lady are also in eighth place but two points behind them, so a win for either side would be huge for their prospects.
Today's Match 6 is here! 🙌#UCL pic.twitter.com/H6w2ztU5F9
– UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) December 9, 2024
Borussia Dortmund vs. Barcelona (Wednesday, 8 p.m.)
The final game to get stuck into is the two teams who looked good in the Champions League, with Borussia Dortmund, who reached last season's final, going head-to-head with promoted Barcelona.
The duo sit in fourth and third place respectively having picked up 12 points each so far, with both enjoying routine 3-0 victories over Dinamo Zagreb and Brest the last time out of the competition.
Despite their strong form, both teams faced minor bumps in the road domestically, with Dortmund without a win since winning in Croatia after drawing against Bayern Munich and Borussia Mönchengladbach.
Barcelona also lost to Las Palmas and drew with Real Betis on both sides after their 5-0 win over Mallorca, and with either win certain to secure their place in the top eight, there is a lot at stake at Signal Iduna Park.
