Champions League last 16 draw as it stands as Liverpool and Arsenal paths clearer – Daily Express

Previews - 2025/26 European Club Football Season Kick-offThe Champions League last-16 line-up has finally been completed after a dramatic week of play-off action. Eight teams – including five from the Premier League – had earned automatic qualification to the last-16 via their league phase performance, with a further eight having navigated the play-offs.
Newcastle were among those to have come through the play-offs unscathed, having put Qarabag to the sword across two legs. It’s the first time the Magpies have ever reached the last-16 of the Champions League, but their path to potential glory looks like being one of the most difficult for the remaining teams.
Meanwhile, the likes of Manchester City, Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham and Liverpool have all enjoyed a rare couple of weeks off, having taken care of their business in the league phase. And ahead of the draw later this week, Express Sport have detailed each and every last-16 side’s potential opponents.
Arsenal
Bayern Munich
Liverpool
Tottenham Hotspur
Chelsea
Barcelona
Sporting
Manchester City
Newcastle United
Paris Saint-Germain
Atletico Madrid
Real Madrid
Atalanta
Bayer Leverkusen
Galatasaray
Bodo/Glimt
Ensure our latest sport headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activate or add us as a Preferred Source in your Google search settings.Previews - UEFA Champions League Final 2025However, since the introduction of the revised format in 2024, the draw for the last-16 will be partially seeded based on league phase positions. Previously, it would be a semi-open draw, with a group winner partnered with a group runner-up.
That isn’t the case anymore, as each top-eight opponent is set to be paired up with one of two play-off winners. That will also be the case for the quarter-finals and the semi-finals, with the brackets having already been partially decided.
Arsenal or Bayern Munich vs Bayer Leverkusen or Atalanta
Liverpool or Tottenham vs Atletico Madrid or Galatasaray
Chelsea or Barcelona vs Newcastle or PSG
Man City or Sporting vs Bodo/Glimt or Real Madrid
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All last-16 ties will be confirmed during the Champions League draw on Friday.
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