Champions League clubs must wait until Friday to learn the identity of their round of 16 opponents. However, supporters already have a fairly clear picture of how to plan their schedules between now and next month's international break, as Premier League teams gear up for a crucial run of matches in the next 30 days.

The addition of two extra games in the Champions League opening stage, combined with the requirement of a play-off round to determine the 16 teams for the knockout phase, has resulted in a considerably faster turnaround of fixtures. In fact, there will be fewer than a fortnight between this week's round of 16 draw and the first legs.

A statement released by the Premier League this week, however, has strongly hinted at when those matches will take place — and that scheduled top-flight fixtures during that period are at risk of being changed.

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The Premier League confirmed in...