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RAY
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The business end of the UEFA Champions League is here, and what a quarter-final line-up we’ve got.
Eight elite clubs remain in the hunt for European football’s biggest prize, and each one can make a case for lifting the trophy at Munich’s Allianz Arena on 31 May. From Arsenal’s first quarter-final in 15 years to Aston Villa’s fairytale run, Real Madrid’s quest for number 16 and Bayern Munich’s push to win it on home soil.
This week’s first legs will go a long way in shaping who reaches the final four. We break down all eight teams still standing, their form, their matchups, and their odds to win the tournament.
Let’s dive in.
Arsenal
Odds to win the Champions League: 8.00
Arsenal are back in the Champions League quarter-finals for the first time in 15 years and face the ultimate test: Real Madrid. The Gunners have been largely excellent in Europe this season, finishing third in the league phase before hammering PSV 9-3 on aggregate in the Round of 16. That included a record-breaking 7-1 away win - the first time a team has scored seven goals away from home in a UCL knockout match.
Mikel Arteta’s side are built on one of the best defences in the competition, conceding just one goal in the league phase, and they boast set-piece threat and discipline reminiscent of George Graham's era. But up front, the lack of a clinical striker could be an issue against the most ruthless knockout team in Europe.
Martin Ødegaard remains the heartbeat of the team, while Bukayo Saka’s return from injury is a huge boost. However, with the likes of Jurrien Timber and Gabriel injured, Arsenal’s backline is vulnerable, and that’s dangerous against a Madrid side brimming with firepower.
Arsenal's potential path:
QF: vs Real Madrid
SF: vs PSG or Aston Villa
Final: vs Barcelona, Dortmund, Bayern or Inter
Real Madrid
Odds to win the Champions League: 4.50
They always find a way. That’s the Real Madrid story in Europe, and this season is no different. Los Blancos knocked out Manchester City in the play-offs with a Kylian Mbappé-inspired performance, then survived a penalty shoot-out against Atlético Madrid in the Round of 16.
Carlo Ancelotti's team knows how to survive and thrive on European nights, and with players like Vinícius Júnior and Jude Bellingham in their ranks, they have game winners capable of turning matches on their head. Mbappé, meanwhile, has 11 goals in his last seven UCL knockout games in Spain. This is a team built to win when it matters most.
Even after a turbulent league phase that included defeats to Lille and Liverpool, Madrid's experience, mentality, and individual brilliance make them one of the favourites to lift their 16th European crown, and they’ve never lost a UCL quarter-final in London.
Madrid’s potential path:
QF: vs Arsenal
SF: vs PSG or Aston Villa
Final: vs Barcelona, Dortmund, Bayern or Inter
Bayern Munich
Odds to win the Champions League: 6.00
After a difficult group stage, Bayern look back to their ruthless best. They demolished Bayer Leverkusen 5-0 on aggregate in the round of 16 and now host Inter Milan in a re-match of the 2010 final - a memory they’ll be eager to avenge.
Vincent Kompany has this Bayern side playing on the front foot, with Harry Kane in inspired form. The England captain has 23 goals in the Bundesliga and 10 more in the Champions League. Behind him, Jamal Musiala and Michael Olise have added flair and unpredictability.
This tie will be decided by how Bayern handle Inter’s defensive set-up and counter-attacks. Win here, and they could face Barcelona or Dortmund in the semi-finals, with a home final in Munich a tantalising possibility.
Bayern's potential path:
QF: vs Inter Milan
SF: vs Barcelona or Dortmund
Final: vs Arsenal, Real Madrid, PSG or Aston Villa
Inter Milan
Odds to win the Champions League: 11.00
Inter have quietly become one of the most consistent sides in the Champions League. The 2023 runners-up return with renewed belief, a fearsome defence, and an attack led by Lautaro Martínez and Marcus Thuram. They’ve conceded just one goal in eight UCL matches and knocked out Feyenoord with relative ease in the last round.
Simone Inzaghi’s system is well-drilled - a 3-5-2 built on rock solid foundations and fast flanks. Hakan Calhanoglu controls the tempo from deep, while Nico Barella and Henrikh Mkhitaryan bring bite and composure in midfield.
Stopping Bayern in Munich won’t be easy, but Inter’s discipline and counter-attacking style makes them dangerous. If they advance, a potential blockbuster semi-final against Barcelona awaits.
Inter's potential path:
QF: vs Bayern Munich
SF: vs Barcelona or Dortmund
Final: vs Arsenal, Real Madrid, PSG or Aston Villa
Barcelona
Odds to win the Champions League: 4.00
Barcelona are emerging as the favourite to win this season’s Champions League. After finishing second in the league phase, they breezed past Benfica 4-1 on aggregate in the round of 16 and now face Borussia Dortmund, a team they already beat in this season’s group stage.
Hansi Flick has shaped a high-energy, cohesive side that blends youth with tactical discipline. With Lamine Yamal and Raphinha in dazzling form, and Robert Lewandowski leading the line, Barcelona have racked up more goals than any other team left in the tournament (32). Their 4-2-3-1 system is easy to understand, but hard to stop, an aggressive high press and a notoriously high backline are trademarks of Flick’s philosophy.
If they can get past Dortmund, Barcelona will most likely face Bayern Munich in the semi-finals with a Bavarian reunion on the cards for Lewandowski and Flick.
Barcelona's potential path:
QF: vs Borussia Dortmund
SF: vs Bayern or Inter
Borussia Dortmund
Odds to win the Champions League: 41.00
Dortmund may be the underdogs here, but last year’s finalists have made a habit of defying expectations in Europe. After navigating a tough route through the knockout play-off and eliminating Lille in the last 16, they now face the toughest task of all: stopping Barcelona’s red-hot frontline.
Serhou Guirassy is the name to watch for Dortmund, the Guinea striker has ten UCL goals this season and leads the line with power and finesse. Niko Kovac’s side has embraced a counter-attacking identity, with Marcel Sabitzer and Pascal Groß providing the link between defence and attack.
Eighth in the Bundesliga table, Dortmund’s domestic inconsistency has been well-documented, but their European form has been solid. They’ll need to be clinical in transition and avoid conceding early, especially at the Camp Nou, to stand any chance of reaching back-to-back semi-finals.
Borussia Dortmund's potential path:
QF: vs Barcelona
SF: vs Bayern or Inter
Final: vs Arsenal, Real Madrid, PSG or Aston Villa
Paris Saint-Germain
Odds to win the Champions League: 4.35
Luis Enrique’s PSG are starting to look like the real deal. After brushing aside Brest 10-0 in the knockout play-off and edging past Liverpool on penalties, they now face Champions League debutants Aston Villa.
This isn’t the PSG of past years. The star-heavy structure has been replaced by a dynamic, youthful side that thrives in high-tempo matches. Ousmane Dembélé has been Europe’s most prolific scorer in 2025, while Vitinha continues to dictate games from midfield.
The Parisians combine their ruthless attack with defensive solidity, making them favourites to reach the semis. But if they do, Arsenal or Real Madrid will be waiting.
PSG's potential path:
QF: vs Aston Villa
SF: vs Arsenal or Real Madrid
Final: vs Barcelona, Dortmund, Bayern or Inter
Aston Villa
Odds to win the Champions League: 26.00
From European outsiders to dark horses, Aston Villa’s rise under Unai Emery has been spectacular. They crushed Club Brugge 6-1 in the last 16 and now find themselves in the quarter-finals of the Champions League for the first time since 1983.
Villa’s strengths lie in their compact shape, transition play, and set-piece threat. The return of Marco Asensio - on loan from PSG - adds spice, with the Spaniard already bagging goals in the last round. Ollie Watkins and Marcus Rashford provide pace and unpredictability in attack, and they’ll need it to unpick a disciplined PSG.
If Villa can pull off the upset, an all-English semi-final against Arsenal could be on the cards - and from there, who knows?
Aston Villa's potential path:
QF: vs PSG
SF: vs Arsenal or Real Madrid
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