The landscape of the Champions League is gradually taking shape as the draw for the last 16 approaches on February 27. Newcastle United secured their spot by overcoming Qarabag with a decisive 9-3 aggregate score, setting them up for a matchup against either Chelsea or Barcelona in the next round. Furthermore, they will also discover whether they might face Tottenham Hotspur or Liverpool in the quarter-finals and could potentially encounter Manchester City or Arsenal in the semi-finals.
Atletico Madrid has also locked in their place in the last 16, where they await the winner of the clash between Tottenham and Liverpool. Meanwhile, Bodo/Glimt made a surprising exit for Inter Milan and will now encounter either Manchester City or Sporting. Bayer Leverkusen is set to face a significant challenge as they prepare to go up against Bayern Munich or Arsenal.
As we look ahead, Wednesday will mark a pivotal moment in the competition, finalizing the names for the last-16 line-up. Defending champions Paris Saint-Germain hold a narrow 3-2 advantage over Monaco and will aim to cement their place against either Chelsea or Barcelona. Galatasaray is in a strong position with a 5-2 lead over Juventus, while Real Madrid leads Benfica 1-0, and Borussia Dortmund hopes to capitalize on their 2-0 lead against Atalanta to secure a matchup with Arsenal or Bayern Munich.
The potential for thrilling encounters is high, particularly for English sides. There is an early chance for an all-English clash when Newcastle might face Chelsea in the last 16, while further meetings could occur in the quarter-finals between Manchester City and Arsenal or between Chelsea/Newcastle against Tottenham or Liverpool.
The draw will unfold on Friday, broadcast live via the Sky Sports website and app at 11 am, confirming the matchups for the last 16, quarter-finals, and semi-finals. Notably, teams that have not needed to progress through playoffs will be seeded, allowing them the advantage of playing the second leg of their last-16 ties at home. Arsenal will particularly benefit, as their top standing in the league phase grants them home advantage for as long as they continue in the tournament.
The action will conveniently follow the outline of upcoming fixtures, with the round of 16 matches scheduled for March 10-11 and 17-18, maintaining an exciting pace leading up to the final set for May 30 in Budapest.
Looking to the future, the Premier League is in a favorable position to have a strong representation in the next Champions League season, as English clubs are currently at the forefront of UEFA’s coefficient rankings. England’s clubs have shown impressive performances, making strides in European competitions and paving the way for potentially five teams qualifying for the 2026/27 season. Given their current trajectory, this could open up significant financial opportunities for clubs such as Aston Villa, Manchester United, Chelsea, and Liverpool, making the Champions League aspirational and rewarding for them.
With the draw and subsequent matches ahead, anticipation builds around thrilling matchups and the possibility of more English clubs asserting their dominance on the European stage.