The Champions League round-of-16 kicked off this week and no English team managed to win their first leg, despite the Premier League's dominance earlier in the competition
Six games, zero wins. That was the sorry tale for English clubs in the Champions League this week.
Newcastle and Arsenal each earned 1-1 draws with Barcelona and Bayer Leverkusen respectively, but that was as good as it got. Liverpool suffered a 1-0 defeat against Galatasaray before Tottenham were thrashed 5-2 by Atletico Madrid.
On Wednesday, Chelsea lost to Paris Saint-Germain by the same scoreline while Manchester City were stunned 3-0 by Real Madrid. The dire set of results has left supporters of clubs in the race to qualify for next season's Champions League - such as Aston Villa, Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool - wondering if fifth place will be enough.
Under UEFA rules, the two nations which perform best across the Champions League, Europa League and Conference League are handed an extra place in their domestic leagues for Europe's premier competition. Newcastle were the beneficiaries last season, with Chelsea currently on course to finish fifth this campaign.
The good news is that England still has a comfortable lead at the top of the coefficient table as of March 11. England is the only nation to have all of its teams (nine) reach the last 16 of each of the three competitions.
Their score of 22.513 is well clear of Spain's 18.031 and Germany's 18.000. However, bad results next week when teams are eliminated could see England's ranking plummet.
This happened in the 2023-24 season, with England having looked set to claim an extra place before a quarter-final stage collapse. It would, however, take a huge effort from Spanish, German or Italian clubs to kick England out of the top two.
How many English clubs will reach the Champions League quarter-finals? Give us your prediction in the comments section.
The knockout draws for all three competitions aided Germany the most. Its four teams in the Champions League and Europa League were all placed opposite brackets and wouldn't meet until the finals.
That's unlike Spain, who could see Barcelona take on Atletico in the Champions League quarter-finals. And in the semis of the Europa League, Celta Vigo could fac Real Betis.
wecdiknop
0
arsenal and may be Liverpool
kadabmrsty
0
people dream here about English club city bye. spurs bye Chelsea bye Newcastle bye. only only arsenal and Liverpool they go into quarters final but. but not easy at all they have to playing the game never playing all season game of the death only then they can qualified but both team game of the death. but others team bye bye
kadabmrsty
0
arsenal they will win but not easy their way the think it can be very complicated game they never see at all season cuz they aready test at Germany first leg
kadabmrsty
0
spurs bye city bye Chelsea bye Liverpool mybe but hard game their life . Newcastle bye cuz they will find difficulties at camp Nou with big pitch n Barcelona knows to use well and behind 75000 Barca fans
Vocabcdenp
0
Chelsea and Arsenal
tuucdkltuz
0
None of the English team will make it to the quarter final not even Arsenal
First deal with city. It's not yet over for you. If arsenal win their game by 1 /0 they can qualify. But city can beat you properly at home
JessBond
0
LIVERPOOL, CHELSEA, ARSENAL AND MAN CITY WILL MAKE IT......
Bro hold your breath tight. there going to big surprise. Liverpool and Arsenal can go through. But Chelsea, Tottenham, New Castle and Manchester City have a big mountain to climb. At this level never underrate a team. Because every team get prepared.
JessBond
0
EPL teams has an agde over players recruitment over other leagues which their Football federation limit respecting their regulations especially the case in Spain. EPL teams spend more than any other leagues signing players. Which is a bigger advantage dominating the football world. Even thou with limited recruitment teams in Spain always prove their standard performing high. The recent champion league results can explain more.
hutdeimprs
0
LIVERPOOL, CHELSEA, ARSENAL AND MAN CITY WILL MAKE IT......
darkxiao
0
Arsenal and Liverpool will qualify. It also depends how far Nottingham, villa and palace can go in their competition. I don't see the rest can overcome their defeats in the 2nd leg.
Jehbcelotz
0
Good if they do, we don’t want to watch the « London League »
Zuabdenops
3
Arsenal, Liverpool, all have chance
akintayoibraheem
0
only arsenal still favorite now
Yupabklort
1
top 4 qualifies no matter what happens you idiot
Tomckmtyz
0
only three will qualify to the quarter final.Arseanal, Newcastle and Liverpool
Newcastle i laugh
citdikot
0
Still Top 5 of PL will qualify easily. However may be the results, PL could still be in top 2.
yenabnosuz
1
only three will qualify to the quarter final.Arseanal, Newcastle and Liverpool
Shmonny
2
PSG will be resting this weekend while Chelsea battle Newcastle 😭 Barcelona will be resting this weekend whilst Newscastle battle an angry Chelsea. 😭
Socbinprty
0
Wow you think so?
Yeah let's wait and see
tusaclortz
0
Only Arsenal will reach quarter final.
tohacknos
3
but,I believe between Chelsea and mancity one of them can make it
Vaecimprst
0
None of the English team will make it to the quarter final not even Arsenal
Wow you think so?
Hercules081
0
give or take, 3
Socbinprty
1
None of the English team will make it to the quarter final not even Arsenal
vieipstz
1
Liverpool and arsenal
bxzb
3
only two teams I'm convinced will qualify for the quarter. Arsenal and Liverpool. Newcastle have a very slim chance but Tottenham,Man city and Chelsea are out.