Predicting the clubs that will qualify from the UCL Knockout stage playoffs

Here are the eight clubs we expect to qualify from the UEFA Champions League knockout stage playoffs for the UCL round of 16.

Following the revamping of the UEFA Champions League format, the excitement of the tournament has continued to progress with the next stage of the tournament proving to be more difficult than the previous stage.

The introduction of the knockout stage playoffs had initially been met with mixed reactions but with fixtures now confirmed, the excitement for this stage seems to have overshadowed initial concerns.

With the UEFA Champions League (UCL) knockout stage playoffs for the round of 16 fixtures set to kick off today, Tuesday, February 11, 2025, here are the eight clubs we believe will qualify out of this stage of the competition.

What fixtures would be played in the knockout stage playoffs of the UCL?

Here are all the UEFA Champions League knockout stage playoff fixtures which will be played across two legs (Home and away):

Brest vs. Paris Saint-GermainSporting Lisbon vs. Borussia DortmundManchester City vs. Real MadridJuventus vs. PSV EindhovenAtalanta vs. Club BruggeAC Milan vs. FeyenoordBayern München vs. CelticBenfica vs. Monaco

Which fixtures would be played in the Champions League today?

Brest vs. Paris Saint-GermainSporting Lisbon vs. Borussia DortmundManchester City vs. Real MadridJuventus vs. PSV Eindhoven

Clubs that will qualify for the Champions League round of 16 from the playoffs

Paris Saint-Germain

Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) has a strong chance of qualifying for the Champions League Round of 16 for several reasons but one key one standing out is how strong the French Ligue 1 champions are at the moment going into the first leg of the fixture.

The tactical intelligence of Luis Enrique as well as the vast experience his side possesses in the knockout stage of the UCL is expected to play a huge role in turning the tides for them after a rough start in the tournament.

With Dembele currently in one of the best forms since he joined PSG, he alongside players like Hakimi, Kang Lee and many more are all expected to put it all on the line going into this fixture.

Borussia Dortmund

The German Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund is faced with the tough task of qualifying for the next stage of the tournament given how tough and lethal their opponents, Sporting Lisbon are in the face of goal.

It is expected that Dortmund ride on their new manager bounce going into this fixture and will also look to outscore Sporting and present a formidable defence as well for them to secure that much-needed victory.

Sporting have continued to struggle since the departure of Ruben Amorim and have been forced to replace their coach at least twice in the span of three months. It is now left to Dortmund to see how they can exploit this struggling side and use their vast experience in the tournament to their advantage.

Real Madrid

Playing arguably the biggest match of the knockout stage playoffs, the current UEFA Champions League holders, Real Madrid will be faced with the uphill task of overcoming one of their biggest rivals of the tournament in recent times, Man City.

It is expected that given the current form of both sides and their level of experience in the tournament that Real Madrid qualify for the round of 16 of the Champions League.

PSV Eindhoven

With Juventus currently experiencing a rough patch since the start of the 2024/2025 season, we expect PSV to heavily capitalise on the lapses of the Serie A giants and secure a spot in the UCL round of 16.

Atalanta

The Club Brugge vs Atalanta remains a dicey fixture of the UEFA Champions League playoffs but we see Atalanta qualifying from this stage of the competition for the round of 16 by the smallest of margins.

The result of this fixture relies heavily on individual brilliance as opposed to team efforts given how both sides are strong on paper and in terms of their current stats in the tournament itself.

AC Milan

Currently in what many would categorise as the form of their lives, the very first since they last won the scudetto AC Milan aimed with new and experienced signings will be looking to get one over their opponents Feyenoord and secure a qualification in the round of 16 of the Champions League.

Bayern Münich

Although Vincent Kompany’s side has continued to struggle in the 2024/2025 season, we expect their squad quality to play a huge role in securing their UCL round of 16 ticket.

Celtic are also not on the easy side either, they have had an impressive season so far, leading the Scottish Premiership and performing well in the Champions League.

Benfica

Benfica have had an impressive 2024/2025 season in club football so far, showcasing both offensive and defensive strengths. Their ability to score goals consistently while maintaining a solid defense has been key to their success in the Champions League this season. It is expected that they maintain this form going into the knockout stage playoffs of the tournament against their opponents Monaco and secure the much needed victory across two-legs.

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