The 2025/26 UEFA Champions League Round of 16 begins tonight. Here is your complete preview of all four first-leg fixtures, including kick-off times, key battles, and predictions.
The UEFA Champions League knockout stage gets underway tonight with four blockbuster Round of 16 first-leg fixtures. From Istanbul to Bergamo, tonight's action sets the tone for one of the most anticipated knockout rounds in recent memory, with six English clubs still in the competition and European heavyweights like Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Atletico Madrid all in action. Here is everything you need to know about tonight's Champions League fixtures.
Champions League Fixtures Today (March 10, 2026)
| Home | Win % | Kick-Off (WAT) | Win % | Away |
| Galatasaray | 21.3% | 18:45 | 55.9% | Liverpool |
| Newcastle United | 36.4% | 21:00 | 39.1% | FC Barcelona |
| Atletico Madrid | 56.9% | 21:00 | 18.4% | Tottenham Hotspur |
| Atalanta | 20.3% | 21:00 | 58.6% | Bayern Munich |
All second legs will be played on Wednesday, March 18, 2026. The Champions League final takes place on May 30, 2026 at the Puskas Arena in Budapest, Hungary.
Galatasaray vs Liverpool (18:45 WAT): Rams Park, Istanbul
Win probability: Liverpool 55.9% | Draw 22.8% | Galatasaray 21.3%
This is the fixture Africa will be watching most closely and with good reason. Galatasaray's Victor Osimhen goes head-to-head with Liverpool's Mohamed Salah in what promises to be the individual duel of the round. Liverpool arrive as clear favourites, but Galatasaray have already beaten them this season.
Context: Galatasaray claimed a 1-0 victory over Liverpool in the league phase earlier this season, with Osimhen converting a penalty in the 16th minute. Liverpool will be looking for revenge tonight on Turkish soil.
Key Battle: Osimhen vs Liverpool's centre-back partnership. The Nigerian striker is the top scorer in the Champions League this season with 7 goals in 8 appearances, averaging 0.88 goals per game. Liverpool's Van Dijk will have his hands full.
Key Stat: Liverpool have won their last four home games by a combined score of 18-3, signalling they are in ruthless form going into the knockout rounds.
Prediction: Galatasaray's passionate home crowd gives them a slight edge in this first leg. A 1-1 draw or a narrow Galatasaray win sets up a thrilling second leg at Anfield.
Newcastle United vs FC Barcelona (21:00 WAT): St. James' Park, Newcastle
Win probability: Barcelona 39.1% | Draw 24.5% | Newcastle 36.4%
The most evenly matched fixture on paper tonight. Newcastle have been excellent in Europe this season, hammering Qarabag 9-3 on aggregate in the play-offs, while Barcelona arrive as LaLiga leaders looking to assert their status as one of Europe's elite.
Context: Barcelona beat Newcastle in the league phase earlier this season courtesy of a brace from Marcus Rashford, who leads the Catalans in the competition with five goals. But that was at St. James' Park, Newcastle will be out to avenge that result tonight.
Key Battle: Anthony Gordon vs Barcelona's defence. Gordon has been Newcastle's standout performer in Europe this season with 10 goals in 10 appearances, a staggering return that will demand Barcelona's full attention.
Key Stat: Despite sitting 13th in the Premier League, Newcastle's European form has been entirely different. The split between their domestic and continental form makes them a dangerous opponent on this stage.
Prediction: A pulsating match at St. James' Park. The energy of the Toon Army on a European night could be decisive. Slight edge to Barcelona, but Newcastle are more than capable of taking a lead into the second leg at Camp Nou.
Atletico Madrid vs Tottenham Hotspur (21:00 WAT): Riyadh Air Metropolitano, Madrid
Win probability: Atletico Madrid 56.9% | Draw 24.7% | Tottenham 18.4%
The first ever meeting between these two sides in the history of the Champions League. On paper, this is a mismatch, Tottenham are fighting a Premier League relegation battle, while Atletico Madrid have turned the Metropolitano into a fortress this season.
Context: Atletico Madrid had to come through the play-offs, beating Club Brugge 7-4 on aggregate. Tottenham, meanwhile, finished fourth in the league phase, an overachievement given their domestic form, and enters this tie as heavy underdogs.
Key Battle: Julian Alvarez, Ademola Lookman and Alexander Sorloth up front for Atletico against a Spurs backline that has been shaky all season. Atletico have had 12 different goal scorers in this competition, making them unpredictable and difficult to contain.
Key Stat: Diego Simeone is in his 15th season at Atletico Madrid and has never lost a Champions League knockout home first leg at the Metropolitano. Tottenham face a fortress tonight.
Prediction: Atletico Madrid to win comfortably. Simeone's side are too organised, too motivated, and playing at home. A 2-0 or 3-0 win for Atletico looks likely, effectively ending the tie before the second leg.
Atalanta vs Bayern Munich (21:00 WAT): Gewiss Stadium, Bergamo
Win probability: Bayern Munich 58.6% | Draw 21.1% | Atalanta 20.3%
The standout clash for pure quality. These two teams have never met in the Champions League before tonight, and it promises to be a tactical masterpiece. Atalanta have been the competition's surprise package, knocking out Borussia Dortmund in the play-offs after coming back from 2-0 down to win 4-1 at home. Bayern, however, are a completely different level of opponent.
Context: Bayern Munich finished second in the league phase with a 7-0-1 record, the best defensive record in the competition. Vincent Kompany has them playing fast, structured football with Harry Kane as the ultimate finisher.
Key Battle: Harry Kane vs Atalanta's backline. Kane is scoring at a rate of 1.2 goals per game across all competitions this season. Atalanta's high defensive line could be vulnerable to his runs in behind.
Key Stat: Atalanta's stunning comeback against Dortmund proved they never give up, but Bayern have rarely offered opponents the same kind of foothold Dortmund did. Bayern have conceded just 4 goals across their 8 league phase games.
Prediction: Bayern Munich to win 2-0 or 3-1. Their quality is simply too high for Atalanta to live with for over 90 minutes, even at the Gewiss Stadium. Atalanta will fight, but Bayern will likely put this tie to bed in the first leg.
Where to watch Champions League fixtures today
All four matches can be watched live via your regional UEFA Champions League broadcast partner. Streaming options are available through TNT Sports (UK), CBS Sports (US), SuperSport (Africa), and beIN Sports (Middle East and North Africa).
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