The Champions League knockout play-off begins on Tuesday night, with 16 teams battling to hitch the already qualified eight sides in the subsequent round.
The revamped format has seen the highest eight within the group stage head straight into the last 16 of the competition.
Meanwhile the perimeters who finished 9-24 within the group stage now must scrap it out over two-legged play-offs to hitch them within the last 16.
Three of the 4 Premier League clubs managed a top eight finish, with Liverpool, Arsenal and Aston Villa impressing, but Manchester City must face Real Madrid within the play-off.
While there may be much to still be decided, the massive changes to the format this season mean that the clubs already within the last 16 have an idea of who they are going to face there.
There are 4 possible options for every of the clubs that finished in the highest eight, so that they will likely be watching two of the play-off ties very closely this and next week.
Here’s what the Premier League clubs potentially have of their Champions League futures.
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The Gunners finished third within the Champions League group stage, with six wins, one draw and only one defeat of their eight games.
Within the last 16 Mikel Arteta’s men will tackle AC Milan, PSV, Feyenoord or Juventus.
Juve host PSV of their first meeting on Tuesday, with AC Milan going to Feyenoord of their first-leg on Wednesday.
Who could Liverpool play next within the Champions League?
![Liverpool FC v Ipswich Town FC - Premier League](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/GettyImages-2195891083.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
Liverpool lost their last group stage game but it surely made no difference as they finished top of the group stage having won their first seven matches.
Up next for Arne Slot’s side will likely be certainly one of Paris Saint-Germain, Benfica, Monaco or Brest.
Brest and PSG meet in an all-French play-off, while Benfica go to Monaco of their first-leg on Wednesday.
Who could Aston Villa play next within the Champions League?
![Aston Villa v Tottenham Hotspur - Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/GettyImages-2198677753.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
Aston Villa’s win over Celtic on the ultimate day of the group stage saw them grab the eighth and final spot to see them straight into the last 16.
It was an outstanding achievement from Unai Emery’s men and so they will likely be rewarded with a game against Atalanta, Borussia Dortmund, Sporting Lisbon or Club Brugge.
Sporting host Dortmund of their first-leg on Tuesday and Atalanta go to Club Brugge on Wednesday night.
Who do Man City play in the event that they beat Real Madrid?
![Paris Saint-Germain v Manchester City - UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD7](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/GettyImages-2195361573.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
Pep Guardiola’s side is struggling for form and face the massive task of beating Real Madrid within the play-off round, but in the event that they are to handle that challenge they will likely be rewarded with a final 16 tie with Atletico Madrid or Bayer Leverkusen.
When are the Champions League knockout phase play-offs?
The primary legs of the knockout phase play-offs will likely be played on February 11 and February 12.
The return legs will likely be played the next week on either February 18 or February 19.
When is the Champions League round-of-16 draw?
The draws for the round of 16, quarter-final, semi-final will all happen on February 21.
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