The team that has qualified for the round of 16 of the Champions League is one step closer to finding their next opponent after the first play-off game.
From Tuesday to Wednesday night, 16 teams competed for a place in the next round, including Newcastle, the only Premier League team to miss out on an automatic place in the last 16. However, Eddie Howe’s side are certain to advance after their biggest win of the matchweek against Qarabag.
The Magpies defeated their opponents 6-1 to take an unassailable lead heading into next week’s return leg on Tyneside. They already know that the reward for getting through is a match against Barcelona or Chelsea.
Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester City and Tottenham are other Premier League clubs who have already progressed through the league, finishing in the top eight of the league stage.
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read more: Arsenal set an unwanted Premier League record due to Wolves’ slip and suffer a crushing defeat in the title raceread more: Furious Newcastle captain Kieran Trippier confronts Anthony Gordon despite winning 5-0 at half-time
And while it may be too early to start making concrete plans for next week’s second leg, some have a better idea of what’s to come.
For example, we know that Arsenal will face either Borussia Dortmund, Atalanta, Olympiakos or Bayer Leverkusen. After a draw in the first leg, Dortmund and Leverkusen won their respective matches 2-0, putting them in pole position and clinching their place.
Vinicius Junior scores Real Madrid’s winning goal against Benfica (Image: Getty Images)
Liverpool and Spurs will face the winners of the Galatasaray vs. Juventus and Club Brugge vs. Atletico Madrid fixtures. The Turkish giants defeated Juventus 5-2 ahead of next week’s showdown in Turin, while Brugge and Atlétic are level after a thrilling 3-3 clash.
Manchester City could face Real Madrid in their next match after beating Benfica 1-0 away in a match overshadowed by allegations of racist abuse against Vinicius Junior. Other opponents include Bodo/Glimt and Inter Milan, with Bodo leading 3-1 on aggregate over the Italian capital.
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Sky has reduced the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle ahead of the 2025/26 season, saving members £336 on their bill and offering more than 1,400 live matches from Premier League, EFL and more.
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