{"id":24407,"date":"2026-02-28T00:27:31","date_gmt":"2026-02-28T00:27:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/index.php\/2026\/02\/28\/premier-league-clubs-ranked-for-champions-league-qualification-after-nightmare-draw\/"},"modified":"2026-02-28T00:27:31","modified_gmt":"2026-02-28T00:27:31","slug":"premier-league-clubs-ranked-for-champions-league-qualification-after-nightmare-draw","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/index.php\/2026\/02\/28\/premier-league-clubs-ranked-for-champions-league-qualification-after-nightmare-draw\/","title":{"rendered":"Premier League clubs ranked for Champions League qualification after nightmare draw"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The Champions League last 16 draw took place in Nyon on Friday, with each Premier League squad deciding who they will face in the remainder of the competition.<\/h2>\n
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February 27, 2026, 13:22<\/span>Updated February 27, 2026, 13:22<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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The Champions League draw was held on Friday (Image: Getty Images)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n
A path to potential Champions League glory has been set for six Premier League clubs. The last 16 draw was held in Nyon on Friday afternoon, with each club revealing their potential opponents.<\/p>\n
Spain’s opponents are popular today, with the matchup between Manchester City and Real Madrid being a blockbuster tie. Newcastle and Tottenham will face Barcelona and Atletico Madrid respectively.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Chelsea face a tough challenge from current European champions Paris Saint-Germain. The final two games will see Liverpool face Galatasaray and Arsenal face Bayer Leverkusen.<\/p>\n
So, who among the Premier League players is most likely to win this competition?Mirror Football looks at it as follows.<\/p>\n
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read more: Champions League last 16 is a complete draw as Arsenal, Liverpool and Man City find their opponents<\/span><\/span>read more: Additional Champions League places explained as Manchester United and Liverpool get horror scenario<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
6. Newcastle<\/h4>\n
Newcastle, the only Premier League team to qualify for the last 16 through the play-offs, suffered a nightmare draw and will now face Barcelona. And if they manage to overcome the draw, they will return to Spain for a trip to Atletico Madrid.<\/p>\n
The semi-final is a relatively benign affair, with the exception of Arsenal, but given the testing run of games faced by Eddie Howe’s side from then to now, flags could be raised ahead of it.<\/p>\n
Possible routes:<\/p>\n
Best 16: Barcelona<\/p>\n
Quarterfinals: Atletico Madrid or Tottenham Hotspur<\/p>\n
The club also knows they have a chance of reaching the final (Image: Getty Images)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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5. Chelsea<\/h4>\n
It can be said that Chelsea are facing the toughest battle of all the teams in the Premier League. They will go into the final round against PSG with confidence having already defeated the French team at the Club World Cup this season.<\/p>\n
Current Premier League champions Liverpool are likely to be their next opponent, but Real Madrid, Manchester City and Bayern Munich will be very difficult opponents for Liam Rosenior’s side in the semi-finals.<\/p>\n
Possible routes:<\/p>\n
Best 16: PSG<\/p>\n
Quarterfinals: Liverpool or Galatasaray<\/p>\n
Semi-finals: Manchester City\/Real Madrid\/Bayern Munich\/Atalanta<\/p>\n
4. Tottenham Hotspur<\/h4>\n
There is a strong argument for Spurs to be at the bottom of this list given their woes in the Premier League. However, Tottenham, who were drawn on the same side as north London rivals Arsenal, were arguably given a welcome draw despite a difficult start against Atletico Madrid.<\/p>\n
If they advance, Newcastle and Bodo\/Glimt could face each other on their way to the final if they advance. It seems very unlikely that they would make a deep run, but it could have been worse for Igor Tudor…much worse.<\/p>\n
It’s a bit of deja vu for Josep Guardiola after the Round of 16 draw with Real Madrid coming up. That’s not as scary as one might initially think, considering City have managed to defeat their Spanish opponents on several occasions recently.<\/p>\n
They will no doubt be hoping to play Atalanta or Galatasaray in the next round, but that may be unlikely. The growing possibility of back-to-back games against Madrid and Bayern Munich could worry them.<\/p>\n
Possible routes:<\/p>\n
Best 16: Real Madrid<\/p>\n
Quarterfinals: Atalanta or Bayern Munich<\/p>\n
Semi-finals: PSG \/ Chelsea \/ Liverpool \/ Galatasaray<\/p>\n
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Josep Guardiola faces Real Madrid again (Image: Getty Images)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
2. Liverpool<\/h4>\n
As for Liverpool’s draw, they were given a relatively benign last-16 draw with Turkish giants Galatasaray. However, if they can get past the Turkish side, reigning holders PSG could be in store.<\/p>\n
The semi-finals could feature a nightmare lineup of clubs, including Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Manchester City. However, the Reds are still a talented team and their European pedigree should give them an advantage.<\/p>\n
Possible routes:<\/p>\n
Best 16: Galatasaray<\/p>\n
Quarterfinals: PSG or Chelsea<\/p>\n
Semi-finals: Real Madrid\/Manchester City\/Atalanta\/Bayern Munich<\/p>\n
1. Arsenal<\/h4>\n
Mikel Arteta’s side are not only the kindest team in the Premier League, they are probably the kindest of all the teams in contention. They face Leverkusen in the last 16, followed by a showdown with Bodo\/Glimt or Sporting Lisbon.<\/p>\n
The semi-finals will be a little more difficult and Barcelona could be in store, but it will be a dream come true for the Gunners and they will think reaching Budapest is very achievable.<\/p>\n
Possible routes:<\/p>\n
Best 16: Bayer Leverkusen<\/p>\n
Quarterfinals: Bodo\/Glimt or Sporting Lisbon<\/p>\n
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Booking.com offers plenty of deals on flights and accommodation across Europe for soccer fans to follow their team in the Champions League campaign.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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