With a hectic group-stage scheduled wrapped up, it’s already time for the last-16 draw as Europe’s elite learn their fate. Some of the continent’s biggest hitters have already missed the cut, the likes of Barcelona, Juventus and Ajax dropping down to the Europa League, but the list of clubs still looks as strong as ever.
There are four English clubs in the mix, with Chelsea, Tottenham and Manchester City winning their groups – meaning they will be seeded in the draw – while Liverpool finished second in theirs so will face a tougher opponent and the second leg away from Anfield. You cannot be drawn with a team from your own country, or your own group, in the last-16 stage, which will be played across two legs in February and March.
The action in Nyon begins around 11am GMT. Follow the build-up and reaction to the draw below with our dedicated blog, featuring expert insight from correspondents Dan Kilpatrick and Nizaar Kinsella.
Live updates
Napoli flying on all fronts
A defeat to Anfield ended Napoli’s hopes of a perfect group-stage, but even that got the job done to seal top spot.
They are unbeaten in Serie A, six points clear at the top of the table, and with the likes of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Victor Osimhen looking so dangerous, the Italian side are very much a team to avoid in the knockout stages.
Guardiola: We can’t only rely on Haaland
Pep Guardiola believes Erling Haaland can help Manchester City in the biggest moments this season, but warned the striker cannot do it all on his own.
It’s 23 goals already so far for Haaland, including five in the Champions League, but the City boss does not want his side to become solely reliant on him.
”If we rely only on Erling’s shoulders, we are not going to win the Champions League,” Guardiola said.
“What we have to do is play well, create chances to help him score goals and hopefully we can do it. We’re not going to win just for Erling, this is my feeling.
“He has a special quality and in the important games maybe he can solve the problems we have, definitely, but if we don’t play well we’re not going to win games in the Champions League or Premier League.”
Bayern leading the way
Only one side managed to win all six of their group-stage matches, and that was Bayern Munich.
Inter Milan, Barcelona and Viktoria Plzen could do nothing to slow down the Bundesliga side, who scored 18 goals and conceded only twice.
Liverpool could well draw them, and with it a reunion with Sadio Mane.
What they’re all playing for…
June 10, 2023 in Istanbul.
That’s the date all 16 clubs are targeting, with the Ataturk Olympic Stadium hosting this season’s final.
Liverpool will be very keen to return, 18 years on from that miraculous win over AC Milan.
City lead the way
No surprise that Man City are favourites to win the Champions League this season, with Bayern Munich and PSG also well-fancied in the market.
Chelsea and Tottenham both at big prices – the two clubs will be hoping to be in a much better place regarding form and injuries when the last-16 comes around in February.
Latest odds:
Man City: 9/5
Bayern Munich: 5/1
PSG: 13/2
Liverpool: 7/1
Real Madrid: 9/1
Chelsea: 13/1
Tottenham: 14/1
Odds via Betfair
One hour to go!
Not too long now until the last-16 draw gets up and running.
Potential for some really exciting ties – Liverpool vs Bayern Munich, Manchester City vs PSG…
Those clubs will all be hoping that very much does not happen.
Chaos in Group H
Chelsea, Tottenham and Manchester City will all be looking at their possible opponents and desperately hope that they avoid PSG in this morning’s draw.
The Ligue 1 side have not lost a competitive match since March, with Lionel Messi in particular in sparkling form so far this season.
It still wasn’t enough to top the group though, as Benfica scored five second-half goals to beat Maccabi Haifa 6-1 on the final night of action to pip PSG.
Liverpool vulnerable to tough draw
Liverpool were hammered in their opening match against Napoli and even five straight wins from that point onwards was not enough for them to top the group.
Klopp’s side breezed past Rangers and Ajax, but they could not find the win by a four-goal margin over Napoli at Anfield that they needed.
As a result they’re unseeded in the draw, with only four possible opponents due to there being three English sides seeded. Bayern Munich and Real Madrid are waiting…
Liverpool possible last-16 opponents: Bayern Munich, Porto, Real Madrid, Benfica.
Impressive from Chelsea
Graham Potter is going through his first stumbling run as Chelsea manager, but there can be no complaints about his impact on the Blues’ European form.
Taking over after Chelsea lost their opening match to Dinamo Zagreb, Potter then saw the club through tricky clashes against RB Salzburg and AC Milan to be confirmed as group winners with time to spare.
Recent defeats to Brighton and Arsenal have dampened the mood in west London, but there is a long time between now and the last-16 taking place in February.
Chelsea’s possible last-16 opponents: Paris Saint-Germain, Inter Milan, Eintracht Frankfurt, RB Leipzig, Borussia Dortmund, Club Brugge
Late drama for Tottenham
Last-minute fury against Sporting, last-gasp jubilation against Marseille.
It was certainly eventful for Tottenham, as they seemingly sealed top spot in Group D with a game to spare but were then denied by VAR.
That left them needing to go to Marseille and get a result and, although they fell behind, they did just that as Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg scored a 95th-minute winner to confirm Spurs as group winners.
Tottenham’s possible last-16 opponents: Paris Saint-Germain, Inter Milan, AC Milan, RB Leipzig, Borussia Dortmund, Club Brugge.
