Arsenal, Chelsea and Man City face Champions League defining nights as second legs arrive
Tuesday night delivers three of the most anticipated second legs of this Champions League campaign, each carrying its own storyline and its own level of jeopardy for the English sides involved.
Arsenal vs Bayer Leverkusen (agg: 1-1)
Arsenal have the most straightforward task of the three, though straightforward is relative when the opponent is Bayer Leverkusen. The first leg in Germany finished 1-1 after Robert Andrich put the hosts ahead early in the second half and Kai Havertz, of all people, converted an 89th-minute penalty against his former club to level the tie.
The Emirates has been a fortress in this competition. Arsenal have won all four home Champions League matches this season, scoring 12 and conceding three. Gabriel Martinelli has been prolific in Europe, hitting six goals across this campaign. Mikel Arteta will be without Martin Odegaard, Jurrien Timber and Mikel Merino through injury, but with a nine-point lead in the Premier League and momentum behind them, Arsenal will fancy their chances of reaching the quarter-finals.
Leverkusen, managed by Kasper Hjulmand since Erik ten Hag's dismissal in September 2025, will lean on their counter-attacking pace. Patrik Schick leads the line, with Malik Tillman and Ibrahim Maza providing the creative spark behind him. They will be without several players including Mark Flekken, Lucas Vazquez and Loic Bade.
Chelsea vs PSG (agg: 2-5)
This one looks close to over. PSG tore Chelsea apart in Paris, racing to a 5-2 victory in the first leg. Bradley Barcola, Ousmane Dembele and Vitinha all scored before Khvicha Kvaratskhelia struck twice late on to inflict serious damage. Malo Gusto and Enzo Fernandez replied for Chelsea, but those away goals offer only a sliver of hope.
Chelsea need to win by at least three clear goals at Stamford Bridge to force extra time, or by four to go straight through. Their recent form makes that look improbable. Liam Rosenior's side have won just twice in their last six across all competitions, losing three times including a 5-2 hammering in that first leg and a 1-0 home defeat to Newcastle at the weekend. Mykhaylo Mudryk is suspended, Reece James is out with a hamstring injury and Malo Gusto is a doubt.
PSG arrive well rested after their domestic fixture was postponed. Luis Enrique's side are the reigning European champions after beating Inter Milan 5-0 in last season's final, and they have scored in five straight Champions League matches this term. Kvaratskhelia, who was devastating in the first leg, will be the man Chelsea fear most.
Man City vs Real Madrid (agg: 0-3)
If Chelsea's task is daunting, Manchester City's borders on impossible. Federico Valverde scored a first-half hat-trick at the Bernabeu to put Real Madrid firmly in control at 3-0. Real Madrid have progressed from all 35 previous major European ties where they won the first leg by three or more goals. History is screaming against a City comeback.
Pep Guardiola has all but conceded the tie is done, though he insisted his team will "fight for everything" at the Etihad. Erling Haaland, with seven goals in this season's Champions League, remains City's biggest threat. They have won three of their four home European fixtures this term, but only one by the kind of margin they now need. Sverre Nypan is unavailable.
Real Madrid can afford to be measured. Kylian Mbappe is available, though Jude Bellingham has travelled but will not play. Valverde has scored five goals in his last three matches and is in the form of his career.
Also on Tuesday
Sporting host Bodo/Glimt in the night's other second-leg tie, with the Norwegian side looking to continue their remarkable run through the competition.
