The picture of the UEFA Champions League round of 16 matches is gradually becoming clearer before the draw. The results of the play-off matches promise to create notable confrontations in the next round.
Newcastle won with a total score of 9-3 against Qarabag, thereby qualifying for the round of 16. According to the previous draw, coach Eddie Howe's team will meet Chelsea or Barcelona in the round of 16.
After the round of 16 draw on February 27, Newcastle can identify potential opponents in the quarter-finals (in case of going further), where they may meet Tottenham or Liverpool. In addition, the possibility of "The Magpies" facing Arsenal or Man City in the semi-finals may also occur.
Atletico Madrid also qualified for the round of 16, their next opponents are Liverpool or Tottenham. Bodo/Glimt - the team that eliminated Inter Milan with a total score of 5-2 will face Man City or Sporting. Meanwhile, Bayer Leverkusen will face Bayern Munich or Arsenal.
The full list of teams entering the round of 16 will be determined after the remaining play-off matches. PSG is leading Monaco 3-2, whichever team advances will meet Chelsea or Barcelona.
Galatasaray has a 5-2 advantage over Juventus. If they advance, the Turkish team will face Liverpool or Tottenham.
Real Madrid is leading Benfica 1-0 and may qualify for the next round against Sporting or Man City.
Borussia Dortmund is leading Atalanta 2-0. If they advance, they will face Arsenal or Bayern Munich.
Waiting for exciting matches
On February 27, the draw for the round of 16, quarter-finals and semi-final matches of the UEFA Champions League will take place.
Starting from this round, teams from the same country or who have met in the group stage can face each other.
However, teams that do not need to play in the play-offs will be seeded, meaning they will play the second leg of the round of 16 at home.
Arsenal, thanks to leading the group stage standings, will play the second leg at home in any stage of the tournament.
The schedule of round 16 will be announced on February 27.
The quarter-final schedule will be confirmed on March 19, while the semi-final schedule will be announced on April 16.
The Champions League final of the 2025-2026 season will take place in Budapest, Puskas Arena stadium on May 30.
The English Premier League is in an extremely favorable position to have 5 top clubs participate in the 2026-2027 Champions League season.
The top four teams will qualify for the Champions League, but there will be two more slots for clubs from countries that have achieved the best results in European club-level tournaments this season.
Currently, England is at the top of UEFA's rankings and all nine of their clubs are still participating in three European leagues.
England is one of two countries to be awarded an additional Champions League spot in the 2025-2026 season, along with Newcastle United winning a spot in this tournament after finishing fifth in the Premier League.
If English clubs play well in European leagues this season, they are almost certain to have an additional UEFA Champions League spot next season. This will be good news for teams like Aston Villa, Man United, Chelsea and Liverpool.
