The UEFA Champions League Play-offs have been completed and now all the teams know their next opponent in the Round of 16 and others on the path to the final in Budapest. We are expecting some blockbuster action in the coming weeks as the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 draw shows. 

There is one fixture that everyone is looking forward to and it is almost not a surprise anymore, Real Madrid drawn against Manchester City. This is a fixture that has quietly become one of Europe’s most familiar clashes. 

This next installment is the sixth Champions League knockout meeting between the Spanish giants and City since 2019 where they have both clinched the title thrice (2 for Real Madrid and 1 for Manchester City). 

Arsenal were a 100% in the league phase winning all 8 of their games and were top of the league at the end of this phase and that means they were given a more easy tie as they are going to face Bayer Leverkusen who are only in the league right now because of the Playoffs. 

It is still more ease in terms of quality for the Gunners as they will likely face Bodø/Glimt or Sporting CP in the quarterfinal should they triumph over their German opponents as expected. 

A big clash for Arsenal would be expected in the semi-final but it would depend on who wins other RO16 games between Newcastle and Barcelona/Athletico Madrid and Tottenham. 

Aside from Barcelona, Arsenal has played Newcastle in the Premier League, Atletico in the league phase matches, and Tottenham in the Premier League this season. And they won those fixtures convincingly. 

There are six Premier League teams in the competition now and they could keep flying the banners of England’s top flight until the Semi-final. 

• We have Chelsea who are going to face defending champions Paris Saint-Germain and it clearly looks like a replay of the Club World Cup final where Maresca led Chelsea to a famous 3-0 victory. 

• Liverpool are facing Galatasaray and this time they are given the opportunity to gain revenge for the narrow loss during the league phase and they could either face PSG in the quarter-final or league rivals, Chelsea. 

• Tottenham Hotspur will be facing Atlético Madrid as Igor Tudor will be looking to build on the progress Ange Postecoglou and Thomas Frank have achieved so far. Any of these two teams will be facing Newcastle or Barcelona. 

• Newcastle and Barcelona will be playing again after meeting during the league phase where Marcus Rashford’s brace secured the win despite Anthony Gordon’s 90th minute goal. 

Other fixtures worth talking about includes the Bodo/Glimt fixture with Sporting CP. The Norwegian side is considered the Champions League Cinderella as they have beaten well-funded and robust sides in Manchester City, Atletico Madrid and Inter Milan who they beat home and away in remarkable fashion. 

Atalanta is going to face off with Bayern Munich and the Bundesliga leaders are not in doubt of being victorious. 

The first legs of the Round of 16 matches are going to be played between March 10 and 11th and the return legs will be played on March 17-18.