Champions League mock draw: How Arsenal, Liverpool, Real Madrid could fare

The UEFA Champions League draw takes place at noon ET / 5 p.m. GMT on Thursday .

The draw is now all about creating each team's individual fixture list.

This season marks the first time in 21 years that we've had a format change for Europe 's top club competition.

With all 36 teams in one league table, the competition will look very different too.

UEFA has linked a club's final league position to the knockout bracket, meaning where a club finishes affects their path.

After seven rounds, only two clubs -- Real Madrid and Manchester City in first and second -- were guaranteed their place in the knockout phase playoffs.

With only 24 points available to each team the table won't be anywhere near as spread out as a domestic league.

Positions could be changing every time a goal goes in, from those key spots near the top of the league to clubs trying to hang onto, or force their way into the top 24 .

UEFA has expanded the footprint of the European calendar to cover 10 midweeks, rather than six .

The Champions League will take up eight matchdays , with the spare two used to give the Europa League and Conference League their own weeks .