The Women's Champions League's inaugural league phase is set for a thrilling finale as teams battle to qualify for the knockout stage.

Last year's beaten finalists Barcelona are the frontrunners, with record eight-time winners Lyon and dark horses Juventus and Real Madrid all on 10 points too.

On Tuesday, Arsenal joined main draw debutants Manchester United in qualifying for the knockout stages, while Chelsea are the other Women's Super League side in the competition.

Teams finishing first to fourth will automatically qualify for the quarter-finals, with the next eight teams - from fifth to 12th - facing off in two-legged play-offs to determine who will join them.

Barcelona, Lyon, Wolfsburg, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and Juventus have also secured at least a place in the play-offs.

BBC Sport takes a look at how the three English clubs have fared so far on the continental stage - and what is still to come.

Holders Arsenal have found it tough going in the Champions League this season, with results and performances failing to match the increased expectations set by that glorious triumph over Barcelona in the final last May.

An opening night defeat by Lyon and a total collapse against Bayern Munich bookended an unconvincing away win over Benfica, before Alessia Russo inspired a vital fightback to secure three points against Real Madrid.

Tuesday's 1-0 defeat of FC Twente secured safe passage to the knockouts, though Arsenal's failure to take more of their chances and boost their goal difference could end up costing them a place in the top four.

The sixth-placed Gunners have nine points, and will finish their league phase campaign away to Belgian outfit Leuven. Victory is required to have any chance of progressing directly to the quarter-finals rather than the play-offs.

Chelsea's latest quest to secure a maiden Champions League crown has been a mixed bag of results so far. They made a stuttering start with a drab draw against Dutch champions Twente, but followed up by swatting Paris FC aside and hitting St Polten for six, before claiming an impressive 1-1 draw against old foes Barcelona.

So after four games played Sonia Bompastor's side are in sixth place, a point and two places outside the top four, but with momentum and confidence very much on the up.

They host Roma on matchday five before travelling to face two-time winners Wolfsburg in their final league phase game in what could well be a shootout for automatic qualification.

Manchester United enjoyed a flying start to their debut campaign in Europe, winning their first three games against Valerenga, Atletico Madrid and Paris St-Germain while conceding just one goal.

But their progress came to a shuddering halt on matchday four with a 5-2 hammering by Wolfsburg. That chastening defeat in Germany was United's third loss in four matches in all competitions, with a lack of squad depth looking to be taking its toll as they begin to struggle with the demands of fighting on multiple fronts.

With nine points from four games, they currently occupy seventh spot in the standings, which would secure a seeded spot in the play-offs.

Up next for Marc Skinner's side is Wednesday's visit of Lyon to Leigh Sports Village, followed by a trip to face Italian giants Juventus. Points tallies after matchday six will determine the final place in the league phase.

The sides from 13th to 18th will be eliminated from the competition. As it stands, Manchester United, holders Arsenal and Chelsea would go into the play-offs.

Yet with just four points separating United in fourth and Paris FC in 12th, things are far from decided.

For an added bit of excitement, all nine games on matchday six (Wednesday 17 December) will be played at exactly the same time (20:00 GMT) so the standings could change right up until the very last whistle of the league phase.

Ben Haines, Ellen White and Jen Beattie are back for another season of the Women's Football Weekly podcast.

New episodes drop every Tuesday on BBC Sounds, plus find interviews and extra content from the Women's Super League and beyond on the Women's Football Weekly feed.