Champions League knockout draw: Date, possible fixtures, format, bracket - ESPN

The draw for the knockout playoff round of the new-look UEFA Champions League is upon us.

But who is taking part in this draw? Why are the league phase positions so important? And when is the next draw?

Here's how it's going to work.

The draw for the knockout playoff round will take place on Friday, Jan. 31 at 6 a.m. ET / 11 a.m. UK at the House of European Football in Nyon, Switzerland.

Only the 16 teams who finish in positions 9 to 24 will have an interest.

The clubs who finish in the top eight go directly through to the round of 16.

Clubs finishing 25th to 36th are eliminated.

Yes, because the league placings created the knockout bracket. Unlike in previous seasons, where there would be open draws, paths were set after the league phase was completed.

The new «seeding» system means the highest-placed teams can't face each other until the latter stages of the knockout round.

For instance, if we look at the final table, Liverpool and Barcelona finished first and second and cannot play each other until the final. The teams in third and fourth — Arsenal and Internazionale — can't play Liverpool or Barcelona until the semifinals.

However, the value of being placed high in the table has been complicated by poor European seasons for Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid, who unexpectedly became possible opponents earlier in the knockout rounds.

Indeed, with Man City finishing 22nd it's created a heavyweight knockout playoff round tie — as they must face 11th or 12th… Read Madrid or Bayern Munich.

PSG, meanwhile, will have to face Barcelona or Liverpool in the round of 16 if they get through.

Teams are paired by their final position, in order (e.g. 9th and 10th, 11th and 12th, etc). Of each pair, teams will be