Which Fan Tokens Have Best Path to UCL Final? A Look at the Last-16 Draw

The draw for the last-16 of this season’s Uefa Champions League has been made, and the teams best positioned to progress to the quarterfinals and beyond appear to be Arsenal, Barcelona, and Atlético Madrid.

While it’s too early to say how the clubs’ Fan Tokens have responded to the draw, let’s look ahead to see how things might unfold based on the following games.

PSG v Chelsea

Galatasaray v Liverpool

Real Madrid v Manchester City

Atalanta v Bayern Munich

Newcastle United v Barcelona

Atlético Madrid v Tottenham Hotspur

Bodø/Glimt v Sporting Lisbon

Bayer Leverkusen v Arsenal

Are Arsenal Set for Lengthy UCL Run?

Arsenal made it all the way to the semifinals last year, recording impressive 9-3 and 5-1 aggregate wins over PSV Eindhoven and Real Madrid respectively en route. Based on the draw, they could be back in the last four this year.

Arsenal will face Bayer Leverkusen in the round-of-16, and if they can get through that one, they’ll meet either Bodø/Glimt or Sporting Lisbon in the quarters. It’s the kindest draw they could have hoped for.

Based on recent form, Arsenal will be favourites to progress to the semifinal where the club awaiting them will be either Atlético Madrid, Barcelona, Tottenham Hotspur, or Newcastle United.

The Round of 16 fixtures will be played on 10/11 March and 17/18 March, while the quarters will occur on 7/8 April and 14/15 April. 

If Arsenal can maintain their grip on the Premier League title and continue progressing in Europe, the Arsenal Fan Token ($AFC) could be in a very strong position indeed. 

With Manchester City currently breathing down their necks, and having dropped points in draws with Brentford and Wolves, $AFC is down 4.3% since the start of February.

Will Atlético, Barcelona, or Spurs Make the Semis?

As mentioned, Arsenal’s half of the draw also features three clubs with Fan Tokens, namely Atlético Madrid, Spurs, and Barcelona, with Newcastle United completing that section. Barça take on Newcastle while Atlético face Spurs. 

Barcelona previously beat Newcastle United 2-1 in the UCL group phase back in September, with loanee Marcus Rashford hitting a double at St James’ Park, and they’ll be favourites to win again.

Atlético Madrid v Spurs is a tasty fixture, pitting Diego Simeone’s men against last season’s Europa League winners. While Spurs lost just one of their eight group stage games, compared to three defeats to Atlético, this one feels like it could go either way.

Needless to say, the prospect of an all-Spanish quarterfinal between Barcelona and Atlético is tantalizing, particularly given they’re set to conclude their Copa del Rey semifinal this Tuesday night (March 3).

When Atlético demolished Barcelona 4-0 in the first leg on February 12, the Atlético Madrid Fan Token ($ATM) surged 22.5% and trade volume climbed past $20 million the next day.

Can PSG Gain Revenge for Club World Cup Defeat?

Among other tasty last-16 matches is Paris Saint-Germain versus reigning FIFA Club World Cup champions Chelsea. The Londoners beat PSG 3-0 in the final of that competition last July.

These clubs have met eight times before in the UCL, with PSG winning three times, Chelsea twice, and three draws. As such, it’s a heavyweight battle that could go either way.

The Paris Saint-Germain Fan Token ($PSG) has been trending positively lately, its value having jumped 18.1% since February 5. If PSG can get revenge for that Club World Cup defeat, the picture may brighten further.

Should they dispatch Chelsea, PSG will face the winner of another intriguing showdown between Galatasaray and Liverpool. The Galatasaray Fan Token ($GAL) has captured traders’ attention lately, its price rocketing by 35.2% since the start of February, and the Turkish champions will feel confident about knocking a below-par Liverpool side out of the competition.

Manchester City Renew Rivalry with Real

Manchester City must overcome 15-time European champions Real Madrid to progress to the quarterfinals, but having already beaten them 2-1 at Santiago Bernabéu back in December, they’ll have no fear.

Each team has beaten the other five times, with five games ending in draws, so it’s a tough one to call.

One thing’s for sure, if City can close the gap on Arsenal domestically, or even leapfrog them, interest in the Manchester City Fan Token ($CITY) could explode. Couple that with a win over Real Madrid and the token, which is up 13.8% since the start of February, could really motor.

Should City get past Real, they’ll face the winner of Bayern Munich v Atalanta for a spot in the semifinal.

Ronnie McCluskey: Fan Tokens Market Reporter