Champions League draw simulator: Arsenal learn road to final as Liverpool handed nightmare tie

The Champions League round of 16 has been simulated ahead of the official draw, and it's a nightmare situation for Liverpool.

On Wednesday night, the teams set to compete in the Champions League round of 16 were decided following the conclusion of the final play-off matches across Europe.

European royalty Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain joined Galatasaray, Bayer Leverkusen, Newcastle United, Atletico Madrid, Atalanta and Bodo/Glimt as the teams to book their place in the next round this week.

Each of the eight teams that progressed through the play-offs will be drawn against one of the sides that made it straight to the round of 16 due to their performances in the league phase.

But ahead of the official draw taking place, we've run a simulator that has given each team a clear road to the Champions League final, and it doesn't look good for Liverpool.

Liverpool have been handed a tough tie in the simulated Champions League draw. (Image: Paul ELLIS / AFP via Getty Images)

In the round of 16 draw, the potential ties have already been determined by the position of the teams for the draws of the previous rounds.

This means that the play-off winners have already been assigned to either the silver side of the road to the final, or the blue side of the bracket, with the upcoming draw determining which of the top eight league phase teams they will play next.

Clubs can face opposition from the same national association, and teams they previously came up against in the league phase, meaning there are no restrictions going into the draw.

Champions League round of 16 simulated draw

Ahead of Friday's official draw ceremony at UEFA's headquarters in Switzerland, we have put the 16 team in a simulator to determine the draw.

Of the Premier League sides, Liverpool were handed the worst deal as they were drawn in the silver bracket, facing Galatasaray in their round of 16 clash.

The Turkish giants would no doubt be a tough test for Arne Slot's side having beaten them early in the league phase.

Even if Liverpool win the tie the draw has handed them a brutal quarter-final against either Paris Saint-Germain v Barcelona, who have been drawn to face each other in a clash of European titans.

Elsewhere in the silver bracket, Real Madrid face Sporting and Atalanta play Bayern Munich, with the winners of the two ties facing each other in a quarter-final, and either Liverpool, Galatasaray, PSG or Barcelona in a semi-final.

Meanwhile in the blue bracket, Newcastle United face Chelsea in an all Premier League round of 16 clash, with a quarter-final against the winner of Atletico Madrid v Tottenham Hotspur to follow.

Bodo/Glimt will once again host Manchester City for their round of 16 clash, with the final tie being a meeting between Bayer Leverkusen and Arsenal.

The simulated draw means that, should City and Arsenal win their round of 16 ties as expected, the Premier League title rivals would meet in a Champions League quarter-final, before a semi-final with one of Newcastle United, Chelsea, Atletico Madrid or Tottenham Hotspur.

Silver Bracket:

Paris Saint-Germain v Barcelona

Galatasaray v Liverpool

Real Madrid v Sporting

Atalanta v Bayern Munich

Blue Bracket:

Newcastle United v Chelsea

Atletico Madrid v Tottenham Hotspur

Bodo/Glimt v Manchester City

Bayer Leverkusen v Arsenal

The simulated draw has set up a potential Champions League quarter-final clash between City and Arsenal. (Image: Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

When do the Champions League round of 16, quarter-finals and semi-finals take place?

The dates for the remainder of the knockout phase are as follows:

Round of 16: 10/11 & 17/18 March 2026

Quarter-finals: 7/8 & 14/15 April 2026

Semi-finals: 28/29 April & 5/6 May 2026

Final: 30 May 2026 (Budapest)