TNT Sports experts predict UEFA Champions League winners - do you agree? Vote for YOUR pick ahead of last-16 showdowns
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Updated 06/03/2026 at 13:13 GMT
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The UEFA Champions League last 16 is just around the corner as the business end of Europe's premier club competition gets underway. The TNT Sports team of Steven Gerrard, Ally McCoist, Owen Hargreaves and Darren Fletcher got together to debate who will triumph in the Budapest final in May. Do you agree with their picks? Vote for your European champions in our poll.
'None of you are saying Arsenal?!' - TNT Sports experts predict Champions League winners
Video credit: TNT Sports
Who is going to win the UEFA Champions League? That was the question posed to a panel of TNT Sports experts ahead of a mouthwatering series of last-16 fixtures.
A thrilling play-off round threw up some incredible knockout ties in the round of 16 draw. Chelsea are up against reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester City take on Spanish behemoths Real Madrid, and Newcastle United will lock horns with Barcelona.
That is just a flavour of what is to come when the first legs take place on Tuesday, March 10 and Wednesday, March 11 - with seven ties live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
Steven Gerrard, Owen Hargreaves and Ally McCoist sat down with Darren Fletcher to debate how the knockout stage would play out.
Could Arsenal being on what seems to be the kinder side of the draw help The Gunners go all the way?
Hargreaves: Barcelona
"Arsenal do have a big advantage on that side [of the draw]," former Manchester United midfielder Hargreaves began.
"In a way, it’s almost better when you play really hard teams all the way through, because you properly earn it. You’re just on it the whole way.
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Highlights: Real edge past Benfica to book last-16 place
Video credit: TNT Sports
"I think Paris will beat Chelsea, Liverpool will beat Galatasaray, City will beat Madrid, Bayern will beat Atalanta for sure. Then those games you can flip a coin.
"If PSG find some form, they are the best team. But I have a sneaky feeling about Bayern with that front three and Neuer. There are too many good teams! I think Paris will win it."
Hargreaves’ prediction didn’t last long, as he soon backtracked to change his eventual champions.
"You know what, I’m going Barca," he said. "I think with the draw, obviously it favours that side.
"[Lamine] Yamal, [Robert] Lewandowski, Raphinha, Pedri, [Frenkie] De Jong, the manager [Hansi Flick] has already won it, they play super aggressive.
"When it gets to those games, they will probably play a little bit deeper. Barca could beat anybody on their day."
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Highlights: Yamal, Rashford seal Barca comeback win over Copenhagen
Video credit: TNT Sports
McCoist: Paris Saint-Germain
McCoist needed much less convincing: "I said right from the start of the competition Paris, and I’m not changing."
Gerrard: Paris Saint-Germain
Gerrard had a mention for his former club, but ultimately agreed: "I think Bayern and Liverpool could be the ones people don’t think can get there, but they can.
"I would be pushed that way [PSG] as well, if they can get everyone on the pitch."
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Fletcher: Arsenal
"I’m going to say Arsenal win the Champions League," asserted Fletcher, backing The Gunners for a first ever triumph.
"I think Manchester City will win the Premier League, but I’ve not seen a team yet, certainly over two legs, that I think can beat Arsenal, and once they get to the final their class will shine through. If they play one of the English sides, I like them.
"I think they are going to win something major this season, I don’t think they will win the Premier League. I like Arsenal to win the Champions League, just because I can see them in the final easily enough."
VOTE: Who will win the 2025/26 Champions League?
Stream the Premier League, Men’s and Women’s FA Cup, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League and more on TNT Sports and discovery+
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