The Round of 16 of the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League rolls on Wednesday with tons of marquee stars in action. PSG takes on Chelsea, Real Madrid goes up against Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, and Bayer Leverkusen look to spring an upset against Premier League leaders Arsenal. We have predictions for all the action.
Arsenal at Bayer Leverkusen
Sitting 6th in the Bundesliga table, Bayer Leverkusen has an uphill climb in both this matchup, and in the rest of the domestic season to finish the season strong. Arsenal has just three defeats in the Premier League this season and sit seven points clear of second place Manchester City. They want to win Europe’s two biggest titles this season, and their supporters believe it’s possible.
This is a physical and patient Arsenal team that the opposition has struggled to unlock all season. With a knack for scoring key goals, mainly from set pieces. The BayArena is Leverkusen’s fortress, but they want to leave here with a lead to have hope in North London.
Arsenal’s lineup a bit in flux, there’s no Martin Odegaard or William Saliba, Riccardo Calafiori and Leandro Trossard also may miss. Leverkusen are without Patrik Schick, Lucas Vasquez, and goalkeeper Mark Flekken among others. It’s doubtful Leverkusen has enough to hurt Arsenal here, Arsenal will likely not dominate proceedings, but anything but defeat will be acceptable in Germany. Prediction: Arsenal 1-0
Sporting CP at Bodo/Glimt
Bodo/Glimt are the smallest team left in Europe’s biggest competition, but they don’t lack belief. The Norwegian side are fearless home and away, and playing in Norway has been their superpower in recent European campaigns. Winners over Inter Milan in the previous stage, they will look to jump on the Lisbon side and make them panic early. Bodo/Glimt are nine games unbeaten across competitions, and they are mostly fit and healthy.
Sporting CP drew on the weekend, and are now four points behind FC Porto in Portugal despite not losing in 12 games across all competitions. They did win a recent cup clash against Porto.
Bodo is confident in their identity and their team chemistry is the real secret of their success. Sporting has discovered Colombia’s next famous striker, Luis Suarez, and will look to ride his golden boot to more European glory. A few players are out for Sporting including Maxi Araujo, Pedro Goncalves, and Geovany Quenda. Bodo at home are a strong side, and defeat feels unlikely. Prediction: 2-1 Bodo/Glimt
Chelsea at PSG
A rematch of the 2025 FIFA Club Word Cup final, which Chelsea dominated in the United States. PSG remains full of ambition to keep winning titles in France, and defend their Champions League victory. PSG needed a narrow win over AS Monaco to reach this stage.
Based on the current Premier League race, Chelsea will put all their eggs in the Champions League basket, they believe under Liam Rosenior they can create moments of magic. Rosenior came from Ligue 1 (Strasbourg) and is familiar with PSG, a side that are incredibly talented but vulnerable at times.
PSG misses Fabian Ruiz and possibly Joao Neves, Ousmane Dembele is also battling fitness concerns. Chelsea misses the talented Estevao, but Joao Pedro is currently leading the attack. I don’t expect a boring contest, neither time feels capable, or has any desire to park the bus. Chelsea’s dominance in that CWC final can’t be forgotten, it’s a flashing warning sign for PSG in what should be a hectic clash.
Prediction: 3-3 Draw
Manchester City at Real Madrid
Manchester City and Real Madrid supporters feel disappointed this season, both clubs are in a similar place, second place and chasing league titles and a Champions League. Real Madrid has not been dominant in La Liga games, and needed an extra series against Benfica to secure their place in the last 16. However, playing at home adds confidence.
Manchester City defeated Real Madrid in the league phase and are coming off a draw against Nottingham Forest, a struggling side, in the Premier League last week.
The biggest problem for Real Madrid is how many holes they have in their lineup now. Kylian Mbappe can’t stay healthy with a bad knee, Jude Bellingham, Rodrygo, Dani Ceballos, Alvaro Carreras, Eduardo Camavinga, and David Alaba are all in the injury ward. That’s an entire group of expensive superstars unable to suit up in the iconic white jersey. That means players like Gonzalo Garcia and Brahim Diaz will need to step up.
Man City misses Josko Gvardiol and Mateo Kovacic, but is far healthier, with Erling Haaland leading the line. All things being equal, Real Madrid would start with an advantage, but their side is limited by injuries and not brimming with confidence. Perhaps Vinicius Jr. can do something magical, but Manchester City have to like their chances here. Haaland can unlock this backline.
Prediction: Manchester City 3-1
Main Photo Credit: IMAGO / Every Second Media
