Key Highlights
- The last-16 draw for the Champions League will take place on Friday at 11:00 GMT.
- Eight Premier League clubs are already in the hat, with Newcastle joining them after a 9-3 aggregate win over Qarabag.
- Teams’ final rankings from the league phase influence seeding and potential opponents for each round of the knockout stage.
- Fixtures involving Premier League teams could be moved due to scheduling conflicts with domestic competitions.
The Champions League Last-16 Draw: What You Need to Know
You might think this is new, but… it’s not. The last-16 draw for the UEFA Champions League has always been a significant event in the football calendar, and this year is no different.
The Teams
Eight teams from England’s Premier League are already confirmed: Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur. Now, Newcastle has joined them after crushing Qarabag 9-3 in the play-offs. Sixteen teams will compete for a place in the knockout stage, and the draw is set to shake things up.
Seeding and Potential Opponents
The way it works is quite intricate. Teams’ final rankings from the league phase influence seeding, with top seeds like Arsenal facing off against Bayer Leverkusen or Atalanta. The Premier League clubs are in for a bumpy ride as they face tough potential matchups.
But the fun doesn’t stop there.
Top seeds have home advantage in their second-leg matches, and that could tilt the balance significantly. Manchester City will be up against Bodo/Glimt, Real Madrid, or Benfica. Chelsea’s opponents include Newcastle, Monaco, or Paris St-Germain. And don’t forget, Newcastle can face Chelsea or Barcelona.
Fixtures to Watch
The Premier League has already penciled in some fixtures for March 14 and 15 but is now facing the prospect of these dates being changed due to Champions League commitments. West Ham’s game against Manchester City, scheduled for Saturday, March 14 at 12:30 GMT, could be moved. Arsenal’s game against Everton on Sunday, March 15 at 14:00 GMT is also in limbo.
With the Premier League advising UEFA that clubs won’t be available to play Champions League fixtures on Tuesday, March 17, it’s anyone’s guess how these dates will shake out. The aim is to confirm broadcast selections six weeks before fixtures take place, but with six English clubs involved, it’s a tightrope walk.
Conclusion
The last-16 draw for the Champions League is more than just another sporting event. It’s a battle of wits and strategy, where every team hopes to secure an advantageous position in the knockout stage. The fixtures could be moved, and Premier League clubs are on notice that they need to adapt quickly. Stay tuned as the drama unfolds.
