Chelsea might be forced to play their home leg of Round of 16 Champions League match at a neutral venue. Reuters
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Firstpost31-01-2026, 18:15

Arsenal, Tottenham's Higher Finish Could Cost Chelsea Champions League Home Advantage

  • Chelsea secured a spot in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16, finishing sixth in the league phase.
  • A top-eight finish typically grants teams the advantage of playing the second leg of knockout games at home.
  • Arsenal finished first with a perfect record, and Tottenham finished fourth, both higher than Chelsea.
  • UEFA regulations prevent clubs from playing in the same city or within a 50km radius on the same night.
  • Due to security and logistical constraints, Arsenal and Tottenham, as higher-ranked London clubs, get priority for home advantage, potentially forcing Chelsea to a neutral venue.

Why It Matters: Chelsea risks losing home advantage in the Champions League Round of 16 due to higher-ranked London rivals.

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