Arsenal, Champions League, Manchester City, Real Madrid, UEFA Pere Collins August 28, 2025

Champions League 2025/26 Draw Pots and What to Expect — PulseNets Exclusive Analysis

The UEFA Champions League is stepping into a new era. With the revamped league phase format entering its second season, anticipation is higher than ever. No longer do we wait for the knockouts to see the titans collide. The structure ensures every club faces opponents across all pots, guaranteeing heavyweight meetings in September instead of March. As the 2025/26 draw is set in Monaco, the pots are confirmed, and the road to Budapest begins to take shape.

Pot One: The Throne Room of Europe

The elite of the elite reside here. Paris Saint Germain, the defending champions, are joined by Real Madrid, Manchester City, Bayern Munich, Liverpool, Inter Milan, Chelsea, Borussia Dortmund and Barcelona.

Every club in this bracket is capable of winning the tournament outright. City remain the most technically complete side in Europe, powered by Erling Haaland’s goals and Pep Guardiola’s tactical innovations. Madrid, with Jude Bellingham leading a new generation, look like they never left the stage. Bayern Munich’s strength lies in their balance and their ability to control rhythm. Liverpool’s rejuvenated midfield gives Jürgen Klopp another shot at continental dominance.

For PSG, the holders, the pressure is immense. They will be hunted in every match and memories of their inconsistent past in this competition will not disappear until they prove they can defend the crown. Inter and Dortmund arrive with stability, while Chelsea’s European know-how remains despite their domestic turbulence. Barcelona, under Hansi Flick, might just be the wild card of this pot — talented, unpredictable, and desperate to re-establish themselves among Europe’s final four.

Prediction:

At least two of these sides will stumble in the league phase against lower-ranked but inspired opposition. Watch for Dortmund to be vulnerable if drawn against the likes of Napoli or Marseille, and for Chelsea to face difficulties if they run into Atlético Madrid.

Pot Two: The Spoilers With Bite

Arsenal, Bayer Leverkusen, Atlético Madrid, Benfica, Atalanta, Villarreal, Juventus, Eintracht Frankfurt and Club Brugge make up Pot Two. These clubs are dangerous because they combine tradition with tactical sharpness.

Arsenal are back at Europe’s top table, full of youthful energy and maturity under Mikel Arteta. They are the type of side capable of stunning Real Madrid or PSG over 90 minutes. Bayer Leverkusen, still glowing from their domestic rise, could easily frustrate Bayern if paired with them. Atlético Madrid are perhaps the most uncomfortable opponent in the entire competition — nobody enjoys playing against Diego Simeone’s organisation and relentless intensity.

Juventus are unpredictable, but the Champions League has always been a competition where Italian teams reinvent themselves. Benfica and Villarreal are smart tournament sides, while Atalanta’s football is chaotic enough to unseat a giant. Frankfurt and Club Brugge round off this pot as ambitious but less feared names.

Key Possible Clashes:

Arsenal against Barcelona, renewing a rivalry laced with history and flair.
Juventus against Manchester City, a battle between Europe’s most dominant project and one of its oldest dynasties.
Atlético Madrid against Liverpool, a modern classic that has never failed to deliver tension.

Prediction:

Expect two clubs from this pot to finish in the top eight overall. Arsenal and Atlético look most likely.

Pot Three: The Unpredictable Middle Ground

This pot contains clubs who might lack the resources of the elite but are entirely capable of upsetting them. Tottenham Hotspur, PSV Eindhoven, Ajax, Napoli, Sporting CP, Olympiacos, Slavia Prague, Bodø/Glimt and Marseille all reside here.

Tottenham under Ange Postecoglou are brave, pressing high and refusing to be intimidated. They may lose games heavily but can also beat anyone. Napoli are still one of the most technically dangerous sides on the continent, though their domestic struggles have dented their aura. Ajax are rebuilding but remain tactically sharp, while Sporting and Olympiacos are perennial troublemakers. Marseille, meanwhile, are fierce at the Stade Vélodrome, a ground that swallows the nerves of even the most experienced European stars.

Key Possible Clashes:

Tottenham against Bayern Munich — echoes of past thrashings, but Spurs are a different animal now.
Napoli against PSG — fireworks guaranteed, given Napoli’s attacking approach.
Marseille against Chelsea — a duel of proud European histories and passionate atmospheres.

Prediction:

At least one Pot Three side will break into the knockout rounds as a high seed. Napoli and Tottenham are best placed, but Marseille are the dark horse to watch.

Pot Four: Where Chaos Brews

The so-called minnows of the competition no longer exist. Copenhagen, Monaco, Galatasaray, Union Saint Gilloise, Qarabağ, Athletic Club, Newcastle United, Pafos and Kairat Almaty complete Pot Four.

Newcastle are the standout — an English club with ambition, resources and a cauldron of noise at St James’ Park. They could dismantle anyone on a European night. Athletic Club bring an identity built on Basque talent and relentless pressing. Galatasaray thrive on their Istanbul fortress, where even the biggest names in football often collapse under the weight of noise and passion. Monaco’s young squad ensures they can spring surprises, while Union Saint Gilloise and Qarabağ are stubborn, tactically disciplined and hungry for recognition.

Pafos and Kairat may appear to be the weakest, but history tells us debutants in the Champions League often produce one or two unforgettable nights.

Key Possible Clashes:

Newcastle against PSG — a storyline of money, ambition and hostile atmospheres.
Galatasaray against Real Madrid — an Istanbul night that recalls past upsets.
Athletic Club against Barcelona — a historic Spanish duel transported onto the European stage.

Prediction:

Do not be shocked if Newcastle finish in the top 12 overall. Galatasaray and Monaco could also sneak through if paired with vulnerable Pot One clubs.

Predictions for the Group of Death

The beauty of this new format is that every side will play eight opponents, which means groups of death are now extended league tables of chaos. But imagine:

Manchester City, Juventus, Napoli, Galatasaray

Barcelona, Arsenal, Tottenham, Newcastle

PSG, Atlético Madrid, Marseille, Athletic Club

These scenarios are not only possible but likely. Every pot contains dangerous names, so the likelihood of seeing heavyweight clashes stacked together is higher than ever.

Who Can Go All the Way?

Manchester City remain the safest bet. They have the depth and the tactical certainty to survive the league phase with minimal scars.
Real Madrid are eternal in this competition, and their young squad has matured to a frightening level.
Liverpool and Bayern Munich will both expect semi-final runs.
From outside Pot One, Arsenal and Atlético Madrid look capable of serious deep runs.
A dark horse? Napoli or Newcastle. If either finds momentum, they have the tools to shock the continent.