The draw for the knockout stages of the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League is complete, paving the way to an exciting finale in Budapest on May 30. Debate will swirl around whether the draws were ‘easy’ or ‘tough,’ but in the end, champions must defeat strong opponents to seize the prestigious trophy.
According to the Opta supercomputer, Arsenal leads the pack as favorites with a 27.4% chance of winning after simulating 10,000 outcomes. They topped their group and will enjoy home advantage in the second leg throughout the knockout stage, starting with Bayer Leverkusen, currently ranked 26th in the Opta Power Rankings.
Next in line is Bayern Munich. They have been in excellent form and will face Atalanta in the last 16. This matchup could potentially lead to a quarter-final clash with Real Madrid or Manchester City, making their road to victory quite challenging. Their chances of winning stand at 14.3% in simulations.
The matchup between Real Madrid and Manchester City, which has become a recurring theme in the Champions League, highlights the intensity of these teams. City holds a 64.3% likelihood of advancing from this tie, yet their overall chance of winning the tournament is just 10.8%—far behind Arsenal.
Liverpool also remains a dark horse. They face Galatasaray and have strong odds of 82.3% to advance after a shaky start in their group matches. Even so, their potential path could lead them to face tough opponents like PSG or Manchester City in the later rounds.
Surprisingly, PSG, the reigning champions, have only a 4.6% chance to retain their title. Their journey has looked rocky, especially after narrowly overcoming Monaco in the previous round. Up first, they must contend with Chelsea, making their path potentially filled with hurdles.
Underdogs Bodø/Glimt have captured attention this season after defeating top clubs and reaching the knockout stage. Facing Sporting CP, their odds of winning the entire tournament rest at a mere 0.4%, but their journey has already been nothing short of remarkable.
This season’s Champions League will not only test these clubs’ current form but also their ability to handle the pressure as they march toward the final. Fans can expect thrilling matches and plenty of surprises along the way.
As interest builds, social media buzzes reflect a mix of excitement and skepticism among fans. Many are intrigued by Arsenal’s potential resurgence in European football, while others regard Bodø/Glimt’s fairy-tale run as a narrative for the ages. Recent statistics show that clubs like Arsenal have shown consistent performance, indicating they might finally clinch their first Champions League title.
For ongoing updates and analysis, check out sources like UEFA Champions League Official Page for in-depth insights and details on match schedules.
