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Champions League Draw: Liverpool Favored, Barcelona Faces Challenges in 2026-27 Season

The draw for the 2026-27 UEFA Champions League league phase has been finalized, setting the stage for an intriguing season with 36 teams competing. Big names and newcomers alike have their paths laid out as the competition kicks off on September 8.

Key Matchups to Watch

  • PSG vs. Manchester City
  • Real Madrid vs. Arsenal
  • Barcelona vs. PSG
  • Manchester City vs. Barcelona
  • Arsenal vs. Bayern Munich

This season avoids any repeat ties from last year’s quarterfinals onward but promises plenty of high-profile encounters early on. Arsenal and Bayern Munich, known for strong league performances leading to deep runs, will try to build momentum again despite previous setbacks by PSG.

Debutants and First-Time Hosts

Newcomers like Como and Sabah FK will host giants such as PSG, Manchester United, Barcelona, Borussia Dortmund, and Arsenal, marking memorable first appearances on European football's biggest stage. Viking from Norway and Austria's LASK return after a break, facing tough opponents including Bayern and Liverpool. Bodø/Glimt will welcome Atletico Madrid and Dortmund at their Aspmyra Stadion.

Seven clubs will face three opponents ranked in the world’s top ten according to Opta: Atletico Madrid, Como, RB Leipzig, Roma, Sabah, Sporting CP, and Villarreal.

Teams with Favorable Draws

Liverpool

Under new coach Andoni Iraola, who lacks European management experience, Liverpool received a comparatively gentle schedule. They avoid top Pot 1 heavyweights like PSG, Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Bayern, drawing Inter Milan and Atletico Madrid instead. Other opponents include Club Brugge, Villarreal, Fenerbahce, Lens, and LASK Linz. The Austrian trip to LASK could be the toughest challenge due to LASK’s impressive playoff comeback against Celtic.

Atletico Madrid

Hosting the final at Metropolitano Stadium gives Atletico Madrid extra motivation. Their route to the knockout rounds seems manageable, facing Bayern, Liverpool, Manchester United, PSV, Fenerbahce, Viking, and Stuttgart. The most difficult away match is against Bodø/Glimt, who previously upset them in Madrid.

Sabah FK

Though drawn against powerhouses Barcelona, Borussia Dortmund, Arsenal, and Manchester United, the young Azerbaijani club Sabah FK, founded in 2017, gains invaluable experience facing four former European champions in their debut season. Barcelona and Dortmund must travel to Azerbaijan, while Sabah visit Emirates and Old Trafford. Napoli and Villarreal also add to their challenging group.

Real Madrid

With Jose Mourinho back at the helm, Real Madrid faces some emotionally charged matches, including hosting Inter Milan, the club where Mourinho won his Champions League title in 2010. Trips to Arsenal and Roma provide tough tests, but games against PSV, RB Leipzig, Shakhtar Donetsk (played at Stamford Bridge), LASK, and AEK Athens are expected to be manageable.

Teams Facing Tough Groups

Barcelona

Barcelona aims to break their Champions League drought since 2015 under Hansi Flick, but their group is daunting. They face Pot 1 giants Manchester City and PSG, Pot 2’s Aston Villa, Pot 3’s Galatasaray, and Pot 4’s Como and Sabah. The road trips and competitive opposition make this a tricky path.

Manchester United

Returning to Europe brings a stern test for Michael Carrick’s squad. Bayern Munich, Atletico Madrid, and other strong sides await. Confident wins seem limited, with only Villarreal away appearing somewhat favorable. Home matches against Sabah and difficult trips to Como add to the challenge.

Villarreal

After a dismal campaign last year with just one point, Villarreal faces another tough set of opponents including PSG, Liverpool, United, Dortmund, and Napoli. Away trips to Fenerbahce and home matches against Sabah and Slavia Prague will be crucial to improve their performance.

Aston Villa

Struggling domestically and missing key players, Aston Villa confronts an uphill battle with PSG and Barcelona in their group, plus Dortmund, Club Brugge, Galatasaray, and Viking. Unai Emery’s experience will be tested severely.

Highlighted Matches to Anticipate

  • Barcelona vs. Manchester City: A rematch featuring Rodri, the World Cup’s best player, who recently transferred to Barcelona. City's midfield setup under Enzo Maresca will be under pressure.
  • Barcelona vs. Como: Como, led by Cesc Fabregas, make their Champions League debut and seek to impress against their former club.
  • Manchester United vs. Bayern Munich: Revisiting historic clashes, including the unforgettable 1999 final, this encounter holds much promise.
  • PSG vs. Barcelona: A heavyweight showdown in Paris featuring Ferran Torres returning to face his old club.
  • Villarreal vs. Manchester United: A sentimental return for Carrick who began his interim management career with a win at Villarreal.
  • Arsenal vs. Real Madrid: Mourinho's Real Madrid meets Arsenal in what should be a fiery encounter at the Emirates.

Other Clubs’ Prospects

  • PSG: After slow domestic starts, Luis Enrique’s squad might face another rocky beginning with six opponents from Europe's top leagues.
  • Arsenal: England’s top club faces two major challenges with Real Madrid and Bayern Munich but has a relatively easy overall group.
  • Bayern Munich: Consistently strong in group stages, Bayern looks well-positioned to avenge last year's exit to Arsenal.
  • Manchester City: With a fresh roster under Maresca, City faces stiff contests including visits to Barcelona and hosting PSG.
  • Inter Milan: Italy’s top club plays fewer matches against Europe's elite but faces lively atmospheres away at Liverpool, Club Brugge, and Stuttgart.
  • Borussia Dortmund: Likely to struggle at Arsenal and on the road against Bodø/Glimt but could sweep home matches against Inter, Real Betis, Villarreal, and AEK Athens.

Early Predictions

League Phase Winner

  • Alex Kirkland: Arsenal, citing solid defense and improving attack.
  • Bill Connelly: Arsenal, favoring their manageable draw.
  • Rob Dawson: Bayern Munich, with a strong squad and winnable fixtures.
  • Mark Ogden: Liverpool, benefiting from the easiest schedule among top seeds.

Top Eight Finishers

  • Kirkland: Arsenal, Bayern, Barcelona, PSG, Real Madrid, Inter, Liverpool, Como (surprise entry).
  • Connelly: Arsenal, Barcelona, Bayern, Inter Milan, Real Madrid, Liverpool, Porto, Stuttgart.
  • Dawson: Bayern, Arsenal, Liverpool, Barcelona, PSG, Real Madrid, Inter, Man City.
  • Ogden: Liverpool, PSG, Arsenal, Man City, Real Madrid, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich.

Surprises Struggling

  • Kirkland: Atletico Madrid, affected by Julián Álvarez's uncertain future.
  • Connelly: Manchester City, needing time to adjust their lineup amid tough competition.
  • Dawson: Atletico Madrid, dealing with transfer complications.
  • Ogden: Manchester United, facing a brutal schedule and tough opponents like Bayern and Atletico.

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