Champions League fixtures: Man City, Arsenal, Liverpool in action

The Champions League has adopted a new format this season, replacing the traditional group stage with a league of 36 teams. Each team will play eight matches against different opponents, with half at home and half away. This change introduces a play-off phase for teams finishing ninth to sixteenth, allowing them a chance to compete for a spot in the last 16 alongside the top eight clubs. Liverpool faces a challenging draw, with tough away matches against Milan and Leipzig, and a home game against Real Madrid. Paris Saint-Germain has the hardest fixtures, including away games against Arsenal and Barcelona, and home matches against Atletico Madrid and Manchester City. In contrast, Celtic has been given the easiest path, with home games against Slovan Bratislava and Young Boys, providing them a favorable chance to advance. Manchester City, while facing a tough schedule, is still favored to win the tournament, with a 25% chance of securing their second Champions League title. They are predicted to reach the semi-finals in over half of the simulated scenarios. Arsenal, despite not reaching the semi-finals since the 2008-09 season, is also among the top contenders, while Liverpool aims to replicate their past success. Aston Villa, participating in the tournament for the first time since its rebranding, has a relatively easier draw, which may aid their progression. Opta's supercomputer analyzed the tournament by simulating it 10,000 times, providing insights into each team's chances and the overall competitiveness of the fixtures. The findings highlight the varying levels of difficulty faced by different clubs in this new format.