UCL Playoff Fixtures and Analysis of the teams
- UCL Playoff Fixtures
- Fixture analysis and favourite teams to qualify
- UCL Playoff date
The new format of the Uefa Champions League is still alien to some fans and difficult to understand but as the competition progresses, fans are sure to understand the format.
The first round of the competition was recently concluded and eight teams gained automatic qualification while the bottom eight teams were eliminated. The remaining eight teams were placed in a pool and drawn for playoffs.
And the draw produced some exciting fixtures and football lovers are gearing up for blockbuster matches in the weeks ahead.
UCL Playoff Fixtures
The UCL Playoffs draw was done on the 31st of January and the much-anticipated draw produced some exciting fixtures. The fixtures are as follows;
- Manchester City vs Real Madrid
- Brest vs PSG
- Juventus vs PSV Eindhoven
- Sporting CP vs Borussia Dortmund
- Celtic vs Bayern Munich
- Feyenoord vs AC Milan
- Monaco vs Benfica
- Club Brugge vs Atalanta B.C
Fixtures Analysis and Favourite Teams to qualify
Manchester United vs Real Madrid
This is the fixture that resonated with fans the most when it was drawn. These teams have faced off several times in the past five years with Real Madrid boasting the better head-to-record.
Madrid eliminated their English rival last season on their way to win to lift the UEFA Champions League trophy. But two seasons ago, the Etihad club came out the better team when they faced in the knockout stage.
Manchester City also went on to lift the trophy that season. The fixture between these teams has always produced exciting moments and it’s a game all football lovers always look forward to.
This season’s fixture also promises to be a spectacle because both teams have two of the world’s best strikers, Kylian Mbappe and Eirling Haaland.
Last season, the fixture was decided by a penalty shootout after an entertaining and action-packed 180 minutes. The Galacticos progressed to the final after a heroic performance from their Ukrainian goalkeeper, Andriy Lunin.
This fixture is expected to follow a similar trend and the match is expected to be decided by small details. Manchester City have struggled for form and consistency this season but experience detects that the team must never be written off.
On the other hand, Madrid has recovered from the poor form they suffered at the beginning of the season and have found consistency in the last two months.
Given the current form, Real Madrid are the favourite team to progress.
Brest Vs PSG
PSG are the strong favourite to qualify for this fixture and the reasons are not far-fetched. Brest made their UCL debut appearance this season and have experienced a fairytale so far.
No one ever imagined the debutants would progress to the UCL Playoffs phase but they gave their best in each match to write one of the most beautiful stories in sports this season.
However, it appears Brest’s fairytale would likely come to an end in the playoff phase because PSG are the strong favourite to progress to the quarter-final.
Also read: The Changes in Football Since Gianni infantino became FIFA President
The French league champions have been on the hunt for the UEFA Champions League Trophy over the years, recruiting some of the world’s best players to help achieve this tall order.
With the likes of Ousmane Dembele, Barcola, and Khvatchelia on the team, PSG are expected to go through ahead of the Champions League debutants.
Juventus PSV Eindhoven
This is a tricky fixture given the form of the Italian club. The Old Ladies have not performed optimally this season. The club parted ways with the iconic coach Allegri and brought in Thiago Motta to over the team.
Motta’s Juventus haven’t suffered many losses but have been shy in front of goal while their opponent have been prolific and scored lots of goals both in the Dutch league and the UCL.
Juve vs PSV would be a fixture between a team with a prolific attack vs a team with good defence. It is difficult to predict the favourite for this fixture but Juventus being the bigger club might bank on it experience to go through.
Juve also bought some players during the transfer window and these players are expected to give the Italian side an edge over the Dutch team.
Sporting CP vs Borussia Dortmund
Dortmund had an impressive season in the competition last season when they finished as runners-up to eventual winners Real Madrid. After the Final, their young coach resigned from his role and the club brought in formal club icon Sahin to manage the team.
But he failed to replicate last season’s form leading to his dismissal a few weeks ago. The club is currently trying to find its footing this season and they are up against an in-form Portuguese team.
Sporting lost their former manager, Ruben Amorim to Manchester United but have been impressive nonetheless in the league and the UCL. They face last year’s finalists with determination to progress to the quarter-final.
The game promises to be exciting with both teams known for their attacking approach to the game. The game is hugely unpredictable and likely to be decided by fine margins.
Celtic vs Bayern Munich
This match clearly has a favourite to go through. Vincent Kompany’s troops are expected to make a light work of Celtic. Bayern Munich are a giant European club compared to Celtic. Their huge annual budget makes them very competitive in UCL
Feyenoord vs AC Milan
Feyenoord have experienced some ups and downs so far this season. The club is a far cry from what fans experienced last season. Currently seated in 4th position in the league and are likely to miss out on UCL next season if they fail to improve.
Likewise, Ac Milan has also failed to find consistency with the result. They are also on the verge of mission out on UCL next season. Thus, this makes it one of the UCL playoff fixtures that is difficult to predict.
The Italian side is one of the most successful teams in UCL history and they might just bank on past experience to pull through this one.
Monaco vs Benfica
Benfica are still in search of European glory after so many decades. They would be hoping this year is the year when they banish an alleged spell cast on the club.
The Portuguese club produced one of the best matches of the season against Barcelona where they scored four goals but sadly ended up on the losing side.
See also: Benfica vs Barcelona, Match Review of the Nine-goal thriller
They have shown not to be goal-shy and ready to go all out against any opponent. But their opponent, Monaco has also been impressive this season.
Recall that the club shocked the world of football when they defeated one of the UCL favourites Barcelona in the first match of the campaign.
Monaco are no pushovers which makes this match one of the interesting UCL playoff fixtures to look out for.
Club Brugge vs Atalanta
Atlanta is expected to scale through from this group. Gasperini’s charges are expected to go as far as they can this season after lifting the Europa Cup last season.
The likes of Ademola Lookman and Ederson shall be looking forward to adding to their impressive goal tally this season.
UCL Payoffs Date
The first leg of the UCL playoffs fixtures is scheduled 11th and 12th of February while the return leg takes place a week later
- UCL playoffs date first leg – 2/11/2025 and 2/12/2025
- Second leg – 2/18/2025 and 2/19/2025
