The Champions League group stage draw is just moments away as Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Man City, Newcastle and Tottenham all find out who they will face this season
A view of the UEFA Champions League trophy
A view of the UEFA Champions League trophy(Image: (Photo by Kristian Skeie UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images).)
Europe’s flagship club competition returns with its expanded league phase and a record English contingent. The draw takes place in Monaco on Thursday 28 August at 5pm, setting out eight league fixtures for each of the 36 qualified clubs.
The Premier League will be represented by six clubs for the first time under the new format, reflecting the division’s recent strength in Europe as Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Man City, Newcastle and Tottenham all anticipate who they face in their respective European campaigns. In stark contrast, there will be no Scottish side in the league phase and Scotland slipped outside UEFA’s top-10 association ranking, losing its automatic place as both Celtic and Rangers were beaten in the play-offs.
Brendan Rodgers' side faced humiliation in the penalty shootout in Kazakhstan as minnows Kairat Almaty secured a sensational run from the first qualifying round to now potentially face the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona and PSG. Meanwhile, Rangers were thrashed on aggregate 9-1 including a 6-0 humbling in Belgium against Club Brugge to deepend Russell Martin's woeful start to life at Ibrox.
That outcome removes a familiar thread from the competition’s early months, with Scottish travelling support and historic rivalries absent from this edition.
Paris Saint-Germain return as defending champions after their emphatic 5-0 win over Inter Milan in last season’s final, a landmark first triumph for the French club. Real Madrid, 15-time winners, top UEFA’s five-year coefficient list, underlining the benchmark they continue to set for the rest of the field.
With six English entrants, the draw could produce a run of heavyweight ties across the autumn, compressing already busy domestic schedules. Squad depth, injury management and travel demands will matter as much as tactical ingenuity.
Champions League Outright Odds
PSG - 5/1
Liverpool - 6/1
Barcelona - 7/1
Real Madrid - 7/1
Arsenal - 7/1
Man City - 10/1
Bayern Munich - 12/1
Chelsea - 14/1
Napoli 25/1
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