Six Premier League clubs entered Europe’s premier competition this season. Five finished in the top eight. Whatever the critics say about English football, the 2025/26 Champions League table offers a ruthless rebuttal.
Now, after Friday’s knockout play-off draw, the road ahead for Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea, Manchester City and Newcastle United is clearer and in some cases, far more dangerous.
With the revamped 36-team league phase complete and UEFA’s new seeding system in full force, the Champions League is entering its most volatile phase yet.
Eight teams have already secured automatic passage into the round of 16, while 16 clubs who finished between ninth and 24th in the league phase must battle through a two-legged knockout play-off.
Already qualified for the round of 16
- Arsenal (1st)
- Bayern Munich (2nd)
- Liverpool
- Tottenham Hotspur
- Barcelona
- Chelsea
- Sporting CP
- Manchester City
Arsenal were flawless, winning all eight league-phase matches to finish top, with Bayern Munich close behind in second.
On a frantic final night, Liverpool, Tottenham, Barcelona, Chelsea, Sporting CP and Manchester City joined them in the top eight.
Into the knockout play-offs
Newcastle United and Paris Saint-Germain were forced into the play-offs after their draw left both sides outside the automatic qualification places.
They were joined by European heavyweights Real Madrid, Inter Milan and Juventus.
The other seeded play-off teams are
- Atlético Madrid,
- Atalanta and
- Bayer Leverkusen.
The unseeded teams include
- Borussia Dortmund,
- Olympiacos,
- Club Brugge,
- Galatasaray,
- AS Monaco,
- Qarabag,
- Bodo/Glimt, and
- Benfica.
Why Can We Already Predict Potential Match-Ups?
UEFA’s new seeding system, introduced for the 2024–25 season, is designed to prevent higher-ranked teams from facing each other too early.
All 16 play-off teams were paired based on their final league-phase positions:
- 9th vs 10th
- 11th vs 12th
- 13th vs 14th
- and so on
For example:
- Real Madrid (9th) were paired with Inter Milan (10th)
- PSG (11th) with Newcastle (12th)
Each pairing was then split across opposite sides of the bracket, ensuring balance.
There are also major incentives for finishing high in the league phase:
- Top eight teams are guaranteed a home second leg in the round of 16
- Top four teams also get home advantage in the quarter-finals
- Top two teams extend that advantage into the semi-finals
Newcastle Draw Qarabag as PSG Get Monaco
Newcastle United will face Qarabag in the knockout play-off round, while Paris Saint-Germain, who finished one place above the Magpies, were drawn against fellow Ligue 1 side AS Monaco.
Qarabag finished 22nd in the league phase after winning three matches, drawing one and losing four.
They were thrashed 6–0 by Liverpool at Anfield in their final game and have never beaten a Premier League club in nine attempts.
Their only positive result against English opposition came in November, when they drew 2–2 with Chelsea, avoiding defeat for the first time.
The winner of Newcastle vs Qarabag will face either Chelsea or Barcelona in the round of 16.
Benfica vs Real Madrid: Mourinho’s Men Eye Repeat Drama
Benfica will meet Real Madrid just three weeks after their explosive league-phase clash.
That night, goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin scored in the 98th minute, sealing a stunning 4–2 victory for Jose Mourinho’s side against the Spanish giants.
Now, the two clubs meet again, this time with Champions League survival on the line.
What About the Other Premier League Clubs?
Arsenal
As league-phase winners, Arsenal will face one of Borussia Dortmund, Olympiacos, Atalanta or Bayer Leverkusen in the round of 16 and will host the second leg.
Liverpool & Tottenham
Both clubs share the same potential opponents after finishing third and fourth respectively:
- Atlético Madrid
- Juventus
- Club Brugge
- Galatasaray
Chelsea
Chelsea’s possible last-16 opponents are:
- Paris Saint-Germain
- Newcastle United
- AS Monaco
- Qarabag
Manchester City
Pep Guardiola’s side could be set for another heavyweight showdown. Their possible opponents include:
- Real Madrid
- Inter Milan
- Benfica
- Bodo/Glimt
Champions League Play-Off Draw: Full Fixtures
- Borussia Dortmund vs Atalanta
- Olympiacos vs Bayer Leverkusen
- Galatasaray vs Juventus
- Club Brugge vs Atlético Madrid
- Monaco vs Paris Saint-Germain
- Benfica vs Real Madrid
- Qarabag vs Newcastle United
- Bodo/Glimt vs Inter Milan
What Happens Next?
The knockout play-offs will be played over two legs:
- First legs: February 17–18
- Second legs: February 24–25
Once the eight winners are confirmed, the draw for the round of 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals and final will take place on February 27, completing the bracket for the rest of the tournament.
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Champions League Knockout Dates (2024–25)
- Knockout play-offs: Feb 17–18, Feb 24–25
- Round of 16 draw: Feb 27
- Round of 16: March 10–11, March 17–18
- Quarter-finals: April 7–8, April 14–15
- Semi-finals: April 28–29, May 5–6
- Final: May 30 — Puskás Aréna, Budapest
From this point on, the Champions League becomes pure knockout football; two legs, no margin for error, and no hiding place.
What comes next will decide whether dominance turns into destiny or disaster.
