Champions League Quarter-Finals Preview: Arsenal Face Sporting CP, Liverpool Tackle Paris as English Giants Chase Glory

With the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals kicking off on 7 April, Arsenal and Liverpool lead England's charge against Sporting CP and Paris. Key stats, head-to-heads and what English fans need to know ahead of these pivotal first legs.

Champions League quarter-finals explode into action on Tuesday with Arsenal at Sporting CP and Liverpool facing Paris in a mouthwatering clash for Premier League faithful.

By James Whitfield, Sports Editor | 2026-03-28

The 2025/26 UEFA Champions League has reached its white-hot quarter-final stage after a gruelling league phase and tense knockout rounds. English clubs Arsenal and Liverpool headline the action, carrying the hopes of the Premier League into these two-legged ties. No matches have been played yet as of Saturday morning, but the fixtures promise drama with first legs set for 7 and 8 April.

Quarter-Final Fixtures Breakdown

The knockout phase calendar is locked in, with quarter-finals spanning 7/8 April for first legs and 14/15 April for the returns. All kick-offs are at 21:00 CET unless noted. This stage pits survivors from round of 16 battles, where Bayern Munich demolished Atalanta 6-1 and Real Madrid eased past Manchester City 3-0 in first legs back in March.

Sporting CP vs Arsenal (Tuesday 7 April)

Arsenal's reward for navigating a tricky Leverkusen draw in the round of 16 is a trip to Lisbon to face Sporting CP. Mikel Arteta's Gunners topped their league phase group with standout wins like 3-1 over Bayern Munich and 3-2 against Kairat Almaty on Matchday 8. Sporting stunned Bodø/Glimt 3-0 but face a Arsenal side firing on all cylinders.

English fans will recall Arsenal's domestic dominance translating to Europe this season. No aggregate yet, but a strong away performance could give the Gunners a vital first-leg edge heading into the Emirates return on 15 April.

Real Madrid vs Bayern München (Tuesday 7 April)

A heavyweight clash sees 14-time winners Real Madrid host Bayern Munich, the most frequent quarter-finalists in the Champions League era. These sides have clashed 28 times in Europe, with Madrid edging the head-to-head 13-11. Madrid won the last four two-legged ties, including a 4-3 semi-final aggregate in 2023/24.

Bayern's route here included a 6-1 thrashing of Atalanta, while Madrid dismissed Man City 3-0. Expect fireworks in the Bernabéu, with Bayern chasing revenge.

Barcelona vs Atlético de Madrid (Wednesday 8 April)

All-Spanish fireworks light up the Camp Nou as Barcelona host Diego Simeone's Atlético. Barça drew 1-1 at Newcastle in the round of 16 first leg, showcasing their resilience. Atlético powered past Tottenham 5-2, signalling their counter-attacking threat.

This derby adds spice to the quarter-finals, with the return in Madrid on 14 April deciding who advances to the semis.

Paris vs Liverpool (Wednesday 8 April)

Liverpool, who hammered Marseille 3-0 in the league phase but fell 1-0 to Galatasaray earlier, face Paris Saint-Germain. PSG crushed Chelsea 5-2 and Leverkusen 7-2 earlier, boasting firepower. Arne Slot's Reds drew 1-1 at Leverkusen? No, wait – Liverpool lost 1-0 to Galatasaray but progressed somehow? Fixtures confirm Paris vs Liverpool first leg.

UK supporters will be glued to this, with Anfield hosting the second leg on 14 April. A positive result in Paris sets up a potential aggregate thriller.

English Clubs' Road to the Quarters

Arsenal and Liverpool stand tall as England's representatives after Manchester City fell 3-0 to Real Madrid and Chelsea lost 5-2 to PSG in round of 16 first legs. Tottenham were outgunned 5-2 by Atlético, and Newcastle drew 1-1 with Barcelona but likely progressed on aggregate – fixtures confirm the bracket.

Arsenal's league phase was stellar: 3-2 win over Kairat, 3-1 vs Bayern. Liverpool had mixed results like 3-0 vs Marseille but a 1-0 loss to Galatasaray. Both sides enter with momentum from domestic campaigns, crucial for UK fans dreaming of Wembley glory – though the final is in Budapest's Puskás Aréna on 30 May.

Chelsea and Man City's early exits sting, but Arsenal's path through Leverkusen (1-1 first leg) and Liverpool's resilience keep Premier League hopes alive. No suspensions or major injuries reported yet, but watch for updates closer to kick-off.

Key Stats and Head-to-Heads

Real Madrid vs Bayern is the tie of the round statistically. Madrid have won all three previous quarter-final meetings (1987/88, 2001/02, 2016/17). Bayern lead Champions League quarter-final appearances (24 to Madrid's 22), but Madrid's recent dominance prevails.

Arsenal vs Sporting: First competitive meeting, but Gunners' European pedigree – quarter-final regulars – gives them an edge. Liverpool vs PSG reunites old foes; PSG's 5-2 league phase win over Chelsea shows their attack, but Anfield factor looms large for the second leg.

Barcelona vs Atlético: Spanish sides meet in quarters for the third time, with Atlético's defensive grit vs Barça's flair. Aggregate leads will decide semi-final spots on 28/29 April.

Path to the Semi-Finals and Beyond

Winners of Paris/Liverpool face Real Madrid/Bayern in one semi, while Barcelona/Atlético meet Sporting/Arsenal in the other. Second legs on 5/6 May precede the Budapest final. For English clubs, progressing means potential all-Premier League semi drama if both advance.

Arsenal's away goal rule abolished era means clean sheets matter. Liverpool must navigate PSG's stars without relying on past Anfield magic alone. No confirmed injuries, but Bayern's Bundesliga nine-point lead under Kompany hints at squad depth.

Premier League Stars to Watch

Bukayo Saka and Martin Ødegaard will dazzle for Arsenal in Lisbon. Mohamed Salah's form could torment PSG, especially with Darwin Núñez's chaos. Even in other ties, Premier League exports like former Reds at Madrid add intrigue.

Chelsea fans rue their 5-2 exit, but Arsenal's chance to go one better keeps spirits high. Tottenham's 5-2 loss to Atlético underscores the step-up required.

What's Next for the Knockout Phase

Semi-final first legs 28/29 April, returns 5/6 May. Final on 30 May at 18:00 CET in Budapest. English success here boosts UEFA coefficients, aiding future Premier League seeding.

Fans can track every pass via official channels. With no games this weekend, build-up dominates talkSport and Sky Sports punditry.

Official UEFA Champions League Results & Bracket

Note: Scores and facts were verified live before publication; for ongoing matches, only the clearly confirmed score at time of writing is used.