Champions League: 2025-26 Round of 16 1st Leg Previews

With the play-off stage complete, we now welcome the Champions League top 8 back into action as they face the play-off winners in the Round of 16.

Will Bodo/Glimt's fairytale story continue? Can defending champions PSG get the better of Chelsea? Who will win what feels like the 1,000th edition of Real Madrid vs. Manchester City?

Here are your match previews for each of the Round of 16 first legs taking place across today and tomorrow.

Galatasaray vs. Liverpool

Galatasaray made hard work of the second leg of their play-off tie against Juventus in order to reach this stage, as after winning 5-2 at home, they were 3-0 down in Turin against 10 men after 90 minutes. Goals from Victor Osimhen and Baris Alper Yilmaz ultimately spared their blushes in extra time as Juve tired, but that away performance was a concern for Gala as they conceded an xG of over 5 across those 120 minutes. For Liverpool, the blueprint going into this Round of 16 clash is clear: stay in the tie as best they can in Istanbul before dominating at Anfield.…