Football tips today, 11 Mar 2026: analysis of 3 promising matches to watch in the UCL - today's football schedule.
On 11 March 2026, football tips remain focused on the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 first leg, featuring many top teams including Manchester City, Arsenal, Chelsea, Real Madrid, and PSG. Here is the analysis and outlook for three key matches.
- UEFA Champions League Round of 16 first leg / Kickoff at 03:00 GMT+7.
This match marks the first time in UCL history that these teams meet in the knockout stage for five consecutive seasons. Real Madrid has advanced 3 times, Manchester City twice. In their most recent league phase meeting this season, Real Madrid lost at home 1-2, marking four straight European defeats to the English side. However, Real Madrid has lost only 3 of their last 25 UCL home games (winning 19, drawing 3). The current squad is missing eight injured players, including forwards Kylian Mbappé, Jude Bellingham, and Rodrygo.
Manchester City has won only 2 of 8 away games at Real Madrid (lost 4, drew 2), but is currently in strong form, undefeated in the last 11 matches across all competitions (winning 9, drawing 2) since losing to Bodø/Glimt in the league phase round 7. However, in UCL away games, City has won just 2 of their last 8 (lost 5, drew 1). They have four long-term injuries but Erling Haaland returns after resting in the FA Cup fifth round win at Newcastle 3-1. Manchester City may have a chance to cause an upset on the road.
Outlook: Manchester City to narrowly defeat Real Madrid away.
- UEFA Champions League Round of 16 first leg / Kickoff at 00:45 GMT+7.
"The Gunners" are a strong away team in the league phase, winning all 8 matches, scoring the most goals (23) and conceding the fewest (4). They remain unbeaten in their last 11 games (winning 9, drawing 2) since a 2-3 home loss to Manchester United in late January. Arsenal has also been reliable away, scoring at least 2 goals in 8 of their last 11 matches. The squad is missing Leandro Trossard and Riccardo Calafiori due to injury, totaling six absences, but key players Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice, and Víctor Jékeres remain available.
"The Pharmacy" hosts finished the league phase in 16th place but progressed past Olympiacos in the playoff round with a 2-0 aggregate. Their recent form is sluggish, with only 1 win in the last 5 matches across all competitions (3 draws, 1 loss). However, their last 6 home games remain unbeaten, conceding just 1 goal in 540 minutes. The squad is weakened by 7 absences, including Patrick Schick, Nathan Tella, Lucas Vázquez, and Loïc Badé. Comparing the two, Arsenal seems more likely to secure an away win.
Outlook: The Gunners to break down Bayer Leverkusen away.
- UEFA Champions League Round of 16 first leg / Kickoff at 03:00 GMT+7.
This is a rematch of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup final, where Chelsea surprisingly won 3-0. Chelsea's recent form is decent with 5 wins, 2 draws, and 2 losses in their last 9 matches. Manager Liam Rosier has a balanced record against PSG from his time at Strasbourg, with 1 win, 1 draw, and 1 loss; the latest was a 2-1 win in October. The team is missing 4 injured players but welcomes back Wesley Fofana to defense. Joao Pedro is in great form, scoring 11 goals in his last 12 appearances.
Defending champions PSG have been inconsistent, winning 3, losing 2, and drawing 1 in their last 6 matches, most recently losing 1-3 at home to Monaco in Ligue 1. However, their recent record against Premier League teams is excellent, with only 1 loss in the last 8 matches (5 wins, 2 draws), having eliminated Liverpool, Aston Villa, and Arsenal in knockout rounds last season. Usman Dembele and Joao Neves are expected to return to fitness. This match looks evenly matched and may end in a draw.
Outlook: First leg likely to end in a draw.