The Champions League last 16 draw is fast approaching and the quarter-final and semi-final path will become clearer.
Following the conclusion of the knockout phase playoffs, the stage is set as 15 teams aim to dethrone Paris Saint-Germain on Saturday, May 30, 2026 at the Puskas Arena in Budapest
The holders are safely through to the last 16 but, once again, required a play-off to overcome fellow Ligue 1 side Monaco, 5-4 on aggregate, due to finishing 11th in the league phase format.
Newcastle have reached this stage of the competition for the first time ever after thumping Qarabag 9-3 on aggregate, while Real Madrid - the most successful team in the competition - beat Benfica to set their sights on a 16th crown.
Galatasaray and Bodo/Glimt have also progressed after knocking out Juventus and Inter Milan respectively, but Atalanta's comeback win over Borussia Dortmund spared it being a nightmare week for the Italian sides.
Meanwhile, it has been a period of rest from European competition for the teams that finished in the top eight as five Premier League teams - Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham, Chelsea and Manchester City - did not have to navigate a two-legged tie having qualified straight through to the last 16.
So ahead of Friday's draw, who will be paired with who?
Well, the eight seeded sides each have two possibilities based on the final rankings from the league phase and a Champions League knockout stage simulator has determined their potential opponents in the round of 16 and it's safe to say the results are quite fascinating.
In this simulation, Premier League leaders Arsenal will take on Atalanta in the last 16.
Furthermore, Liverpool have been paired with Atletico Madrid, which means Tottenham face Galatasaray. Chelsea have been drawn against holders PSG in a repeat of the Club World Cup final last summer, while Newcastle take on Barcelona.
The simulator hasn't been as kind to Man City as they've been paired with Real Madrid.
Though the simulator has thrown up some interesting fixtures such as an all-German showdown between Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen as well as Bodo/Glimt taking on Sporting CP.
Simulated Champions League last 16 draw in full:
Atletico Madrid vs Liverpool
Newcastle vs Barcelona
Atalanta vs Arsenal
Bayer Leverkusen vs Bayern Munich
PSG vs Chelsea
Galatasaray vs Tottenham
Bodo/Glimt vs Sporting
Real Madrid vs Man City
This particular scenario also means that four Premier League representatives are on the silver path of the draw. Therefore, Tottenham could meet Chelsea in one quarter-final with Man City facing Arsenal in the other if the quartet get that far.
On the other side, a Newcastle vs Liverpool quarter-final tie is a possibility if this simulation becomes a reality.
