Historically, earning home advantage for as far into the competition as possible gives the best chance of winning it.
Holders Bordeaux, who again top the seedings after four bonus-point wins, reached the final with three comfortable knockout wins last year.
They have continued their fine European form and once again look to be the side to beat.
Leinster have not lost a pool game since 2018 and despite not being at their imperious best, continued their unbeaten record at this stage.
However, as Glasgow Warriors picked up more bonus points, it leaves Leinster in an unfamiliar position of potentially travelling away from Dublin in the semi-finals.
Based on seedings that would be to Glasgow, which both sides may prefer rather than a French side.
Bath topped Pool 2 but because of a defeat by Toulon know they face an away trip to Bordeaux in the semi-finals if results match the knockout seedings.
Away knockout wins do happen, with Northampton winning in Dublin in last year’s semi-final and Munster winning a last-16 tie in La Rochelle examples of just that.
But as the next two rounds are played on back-to-back weekends in April, it means a high seeding is more than likely required to reach the semi-finals and beyond.
Antoine Dupont’s Toulouse lost to Glasgow and Saracens but still managed to finish second in Pool 1 and will be one side who could rip up the seedings script, eyeing up a potential game with Bordeaux earlier than expected.
Stormers, who paid the price for sending a weakened side to Harlequins, have a tough first knockout game against Toulon.
The South African outfit have only lost once this season and will fancy the challenge of trying to secure an away win, before potentially heading to Glasgow.
Northampton Saints have a home last-16 tie against Castres and after reaching last year’s final will not be afraid of travelling away deep in the competition.
Victory would result in an all-English quarter-final against Bath or Saracens, leaving a Prem team guaranteed a semi-final spot.
