Every Premier League club’s route to the Champions League final | OneFootball

The six participating Premier League clubs discovered their UEFA Champions League fate following Friday’s draw for the knockout stage. 

We not only know which teams will be facing each other in the last-16, but also who could potentially meet in the following rounds, too.

Here are the paths that each of the English clubs could carve on their way to the ultimate glory in 2025/26.

Every Premier League club’s route to the Champions League final:

Arsenal

Mikel Arteta will be delighted with how the draw has shaken out after Arsenal landed on the kinder side. They could have easily been in Bayern Munich’s place, but instead they have avoided the likes of Real Madrid, Manchester City, PSG, Chelsea and Liverpool until at least the final, if they make it that far.

The Gunners will face Bayer Leverkusen in the round of 16, with Sporting CP or Bodo/Glimt awaiting them in the quarter-finals. They have by far the easiest route to the semi-finals of any side.

Should they reach that stage, they will take on either a Spanish or English team; Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, Newcastle United or Tottenham Hotspur.

Read – Arteta hails ‘incredible’ Arsenal star who is a ‘nightmare’ for teammates

Chelsea

A nightmare draw for Chelsea, who will have to beat last year’s champions, PSG, in order to progress to the next round. Luis Enrique’s side does not, however, look as ominously dominant as they did last year, so this one is not a fait accompli.

Ironically, an ‘easier’ tie awaits the winner as Liverpool and Galatasaray are in the same path. Come through that, though, and one of Real Madrid, Manchester City, Atalanta or Bayern Munich await in the semis. Brutal.

Read – Seven of the greatest moments in the Chelsea vs Liverpool rivalry

Liverpool

As noted above, Liverpool have been drawn in the same path as Chelsea, who they could face if they beat Galatasaray and the Blues defeat PSG.

The two Premier League clubs shared a storied rivalry in the Champions League back in the noughties, when they met each other in five consecutive seasons from 2005 until 2009.

It is entirely possible, though, that neither team advances. Liverpool lost 1-0 to Galatasaray in Istanbul during the league phase, while PSG will be favoured by the bookmakers to beat Chelsea.

Read – Rush backs Anfield atmosphere to help Liverpool after tough UCL draw

Man City

The draw could not have been harsher for City. First up is Real Madrid, who have been a pain in their backsides over the past few years. Los Blancos do not look overly convincing right now, but we have said that before and they have come out on top in four of their six knockout meetings with Pep Guardiola’s side.

Even if they beat Real, they will have to face Bayern, presuming they beat Atalanta. The German giants, who top our Power Rankings, are one of the favourites to win the whole thing.

If they somehow manage to survive those two battles, City will then have to contend with either Chelsea, PSG, Galatasaray or Liverpool in the semis. Undoubtedly the toughest route to the final.

Read – Champions League last-16 draw as Chelsea face PSG

Newcastle United

Newcastle’s history in the Champions League is forever linked with Barcelona following their classic encounters in the nineties, so it was only natural that they were drawn together in the last-16.

Eddie Howe will be relatively happy with the draw. The Magpies have avoided the tougher route and while Barça will provide still opposition, the past month has shown they are far from impervious. They were also somewhat unlucky to lose their league phase clash at St. James’ Park in September.

Should they pull off a shock win over Hansi Flick’s star-studded side, then they could meet Tottenham in the quarters. Given Spurs’ struggles, though, it seems more likely they would be facing Atletico Madrid.

In the unlikely event they reach the semis, they could be facing the other Premier League side from north London, Arsenal. It would be them, Bodo/Glimt, Sporting CP or Bayer Leverkusen.

Iconic Performances – Asprilla’s hat-trick downs the mighty Barcelona at St James’ Park

Spurs

The confounding divergence between Spurs’ performances in the Premier League and Europe means a deep run cannot be dismissed out of hand, especially after they landed in the kinder side of the draw.

Often outmuscled in domestic competition this season, the Lilywhites demonstrated physical superiority over their continental opponents to finish in the top eight of the league phase table. Atletico Madrid will not be easily cowed in that department, however.

Newcastle or Barcelona await the winner in the next round, while hated rivals Arsenal, Bayer Leverkusen, Bodo/Glimt or Sporting CP await in the last four.

Read – Champions League Team of the Week – Petter Hauge, Osimhen, Sorloth

See Also – Champions League Awards: Bodo make history, Super Sorloth

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