The eight UEFA Champions League 2025-26 Round of 16 clashes will begin on Tuesday and Wednesday. Over 180 minutes, we will see which teams secure their place in the quarterfinals as famous clubs like Bayern Munich and Barcelona look to continue their European journey. We also have predictions for matchups featuring Real Madrid and Arsenal.
Barcelona at Newcastle
Newcastle will hope that home field advantage gives them a fighting chance against La Liga leaders Barcelona. While Newcastle are 12th in the Premier League, the European returns have been better and the Magpies comfortably beat Qarabag in the knockout playoffs.
Barcelona suffered elimination by Atletico Madrid in the Copa Del Rey but their two legs were a tale of two games as they lost the first leg 4-0 only to come back and win the second 3-0. Barcelona’s most recent La Liga clash was a narrow 1-0 win over Athletic Bilbao, as Lamine Yamal has been upping his goalscoring lately.
In terms of injuries, the list for Barcelona is more serious, Frenkie de Jong, Joules Kounde, and Alejandro Balde are among the missing names. Newcastle misses the serviecs of midfielder Bruno Guimaraes, and Fabian Schar. Newcastle are good enough to score on Barcelona, a side that can get caught out in the back, but having Lamine Yamal, Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha in attack is still one of Europe’s best sides on the offensive end.
Prediction: 2-2 Draw
Liverpool at Galatasaray
A trip to Istanbul is never easy and this is a strong Galatasaray team that beat Juventus 7-5 on aggregate in the knockout playoffs. Galatasaray beat Liverpool last September 1-0 and also takes hope from that result. Galatasaray are in good form at the moment, having won three straight. Liverpool sit 6th in the Premier League as they battle for a Champions League place next season.
Liverpool’s only main absences are Conor Bradley and Alexander Isak, where Hugo Ekitike and Jeremie Frimpong will be valuable replacements. Liverpool are a big name club, but their performance this season has been tepid at times. Playing at home, Galatasaray will want to give 110% to leave Istanbul with a lead, and I beieve they have enough with Victor Osimhen leading the attack to get the job done. Prediction: 2-1 Galatasaray
Tottenham at Atletico Madrid
Tottenham travel to Madrid under the leadership of new manager Igor Tudor. The club is in crisis, there’s not much more to be said. Relegation looms as Spurs are winless in the Premier League in 2026, while their performance in the Champions League has actually been solid. Atletico Madrid are third in La Liga and as mentioned, recently defeated Barcelona over two cup legs.
Tottenham struggles with fitness and goal scoring, they struggle with almost everything in 2026, but that hasn’t impacted their performance in Europe, yet. Atletico Madrid defeated Club Brugge to reach this stage and have won four of their last five games, while Tottenham has lost all five.
The Tottenham injury list still includes James maddison, Dejan Kulusevski, Mohammed Kudus, Lucas Bergvall, and Rodrigo Betancur. Atletico Madrid are mostly fit. While Tottenham should be able to defend for a while, goals have been hard to come by, playing at home, Atletico Madrid will seek to unsettle Spurs and leave with a significant lead. Prediction: Atletico Madrid 3-1
Bayern Munich at Atalanta
Atalanta defeated Borussia Dortmund, and for their troubles, they get Germany’s giant Bayern Munich. Atalanta is the last Serie A side left in the competition, that’s a heavy burden, and high scoring Bayern are comfortable favorites. Atalanta’s domestic form has been modest as best as they are struggling to chase the UCL places in Serie A, while Bayern has won 35 out of 40 games this season.
The injury list for Atalanta lengthens their odds, Giacomo Raspadori, Giorgi Scalvini and Charles De Ketelaere will miss out. Bayern may miss usual goalkeeper Manuel Neuer. Bayern’s attack with Harry Kane, Jamal Musiala and Luis Diaz should be able to run rampant again. Prediction: Bayern Munich 4-1
Main Photo Credit: IMAGO / Visionhaus
