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Champions League last-16 draw clearer as Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea set to learn fate

All six Premier League clubs have reached the Champions League knockout stage, with Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City, Tottenham and Newcastle awaiting Friday's last-16 draw

10:36, 25 Feb 2026Updated 10:37, 25 Feb 2026

NYON, SWITZERLAND - JANUARY 30: The result of the Knock-out Round Play-offs draw is displayed on the big screen alongside the UEFA Champions League trophy during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Knock-out Round Play-offs Draw at the UEFA Headquarters, The House of the European Football, on January 30, 2026 in Nyon, Switzerland (Photo by Kristian Skeie - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)

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The Champions League knockout stages are taking shape(Image: Kristian Skeie - UEFA, UEFA via Getty Images)

The Champions League last-16 lineup is starting to take shape as four clubs have booked their spots in the next phase of the competition, including Atletico Madrid, Bayer Leverkusen, Bodo/Glimt and Premier League outfit Newcastle United.

The Magpies triumphed over Qarabag 3-2 on Tuesday evening, prevailing 9-3 on aggregate following a commanding 6-1 victory away from home in the opening leg. This ensures all six Premier League teams who entered this year's tournament will feature in the last-16, with the prospect that two could face each other in next month's fixtures.

The restructured format, launched last season, stipulates that rather than a random draw, sides will be paired based on their league phase positioning. Here, the Daily Star Sport examines the draw as it currently stands.

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 24: Sven Botman of Newcastle United celebrates scoring his team's third goal with teammates during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Knockout Play-off Second Leg match between Newcastle United FC and Qarabag FK at St James' Park on February 24, 2026 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

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Newcastle beat Qarabag in the play-off round(Image: Stu Forster, Getty Images)

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Qualified teams for the last-16:

Arsenal

Bayern Munich

Liverpool

Tottenham

Barcelona

Chelsea

Sporting CP

Man City

Newcastle

Atletico Madrid

Bayer Leverkusen

Bodo/Glimt

LISBON, PORTUGAL - FEBRUARY 17: Vinícius Júnior of Real Madrid (L) celebrates with Kylian Mbappé of Real Madrid (R) after scoring the team's first goal during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Knockout Play-off First Leg match between SL Benfica and Real Madrid C.F. at Estadio do SL Benfica on February 17, 2026 in Lisbon, Portugal. (Photo by Ricardo Nogueira/Sports Press Photo/Getty Images)

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Real Madrid can book their last-16 spot on Wednesday(Image: Sports Press Photo, Getty Images)

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Yet to be decided:

Real Madrid or Benfica

Paris Saint-Germain or Monaco

Juventus or Galatasaray

Borussia Dortmund or Atalanta

Newcastle find themselves in one of the most challenging situations, given their last-16 opponents will be either Chelsea or Barcelona. The Magpies have secured just one win at Chelsea since 2012, indicating they'll need to deliver impressively in the opening leg to stand any chance of advancing.

Eddie Howe's squad have already tasted defeat against Barcelona this season, having been pitted against them in the league phase of the competition. Arsenal also face a daunting task with a potential encounter with Bayern Leverkusen, Borussia Dortmund or Atalanta, with the latter two set to clash in Italy on Wednesday evening.

For Liverpool and, consequently, Tottenham, there lies an equally formidable challenge, as their possible opponents include Atletico, Galatasaray, or Juventus. Atletico secured their last-16 spot with a win over Club Brugge on Tuesday, whilst Galatasaray carry a 5-2 lead into Wednesday's second leg against Juventus.

Arne Slot's side have already suffered a loss to Galatasaray this season, and although they did triumph over Atletico in the league phase, the Spanish outfit did knock out Liverpool at this stage during the 2019/20 season.

Champions League last-16 draw as it stands:

Arsenal or Bayern Munich vs Bayer Leverkusen or Borussia Dortmund/ Atalanta

Liverpool or Tottenham vs Atletico Madrid or Galatasaray/ Juventus

Chelsea or Barcelona vs Newcastle or PSG / Monaco

Manchester City or Sporting vs Bodo/Glimt or Real Madrid/ Benfica

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All Champions League last-16 match-ups will be finalised in the draw on Friday.

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