The Last 16: Who Will Make It to the Final?

Now that we’re past the league phase of the UEFA Champions League, the race for Europe’s most coveted club title is heating up. And if the group stage drama was anything to go by, we’re in for an exciting ride to the final.

Liverpool have made light work of the new format, bulldozing past the likes of Leverkusen and AC Milan. Meanwhile, some big names like Man City have been sent packing thanks to Mbappe running riot at the Bernabeu. 

But the UCL isn’t just about the football titans. Underdogs like Club Brugge and Feyenoord have fought tooth and nail to make the last 16. And with the draws now set, we’re up for a round of exciting matchups as seen below. 

Round of 16

Real Madrid

Madrid are in the hunt for their 16th UCL title, and after a dominant display against Manchester City, they are the current favourites with all of the sportsbooks listed on SportsbookReview.com. With a squad bursting at the seams with young electric talent (Mbappe, Rodrygo, Endrick, Bellingham, Vinicius), it’s hard to see who can stop them. And let’s be honest, it’s not their first time at the fair. 

Liverpool

But Los Blancos aren’t walking alone in their title hopes. Liverpool have shown a commanding performance under new boss Arne Slot, who’s wasted no time making his mark on the competition. Offensively, Liverpool look frighteningly good. Pressing hard, attacking relentlessly and pulling off last-minute wins that feel almost scripted. Mohamed Salah must be drinking the elixir of the football gods right now with how he’s scoring for fun. If they get past PSG, they could set up an all-English tie with Aston Villa in the quarter-final.

Barcelona

Barcelona have finally found their rhythm again. Domestically, they’re giving Madrid a real run for their money, and in Europe, Hansi Flick might just have a surprise for us up his sleeve. Spanish wunderkind Lamine Yamal is also hunting for his first UCL title. Plus, for veteran forward Robert Lewandowski, one UCL title isn’t enough for him to hang up his boots. The Catalans also have a midfield stacked with Raphinha, Dani Olmo, Pedri and de Jong – arguably one of the best in Europe. 

Bayern Munich

Bayern are a bit of a wildcard this year. Vincent Kompany is still relatively new to top-tier management, but he’s injected fresh ideas to his squad. Jamal Musiala is proving to be a world-class talent, while Hiroki Ito is leaving all his talking on the pitch. They might not be the favourites but ruling them out would be unwise. They’ve got the history, pedigree, squad depth and hunger to cause some serious upsets. 

Arsenal

With their loss to West Ham at the Emirates, Arsenal’s League challenge looks all but dead in the water. They’ve also come up short in domestic cup runs, so the Champions league might be their only shot at silverware and glory this season. Mikel Arteta will have to go all in. Injuries have hit them hard (Saka and Havertz are out), but Arteta has shown he can get creative with his squad. If he pulls it off, it’ll be one of the most remarkable UCL wins in recent memory. 

PSG

Long gone are the days of PSG relying on a squad of superstars to pursue European glory. The club has doubled down on a more balanced squad. Attacking talents like Ousmane Dembélé and Kolo Muani lead the front. While in midfield, we have Vitinha and Warren Zaïre-Emery proving to be the backbone of the team. And then we have Marquinhos and Achraf Hakimi leading a solid backline. 

But even after the departures of Messi, Neymar and Mbappe, the question remains: can PSG finally overcome their European struggles and lift their first-ever UCL trophy?

The Bottomline

If we’re being realistic, Real Madrid and Liverpool look the most likely finalists. Madrid have the squad depth and experience, while Liverpool’s resilience make them a defensive nightmare for any team. But football loves a twist in the tale, so don’t be surprised if a Barcelona, Bayern or even a PSG sneak in. One thing’s for certain; we’re up for a thrilling ride to the final!