Tottenham Hotspur finished fourth in the Champions League league phase, earning a seeded place in the round of 16 draw and bypassing the knockout playoffs entirely. For those keeping an eye on Champions League betting, Spurs’ potential opponents made for fascinating reading. Four sides were in the frame: Club Brugge, Atletico Madrid, Juventus and Galatasaray. Here’s how each side compared, and which ties would have suited Spurs more than others.

Club Brugge

Club Brugge were knocked out by Atletico Madrid in the playoffs, exiting on an aggregate score of 7-4, and will not progress to have the opportunity to play Tottenham. Belgian side Club Brugge had a decent Champions League campaign, picking up some eye-catching results, including a 4-1 win over Monaco and a draw with Barcelona. They showed they could score goals, but also shipped 17 in the league phase, suggesting defensive vulnerabilities that a sharp Spurs attack could have exploited.

Tottenham had little head-to-head history with Brugge in European competition, making it an unfamiliar matchup, but on balance, this would have been one of the more favourable draws available. Brugge are organised and pragmatic, but they are not at the level of Europe’s elite, and Spurs’ pace and quality in wide areas could have caused them real problems over two legs.

Atletico Madrid

Atletico Madrid have progressed to the round of 16, but their campaign was far from convincing. They suffered a surprise 2-1 home defeat to Bodo/Glimt and were thrashed 4-0 by Arsenal, raising serious questions about their form. Despite that, a tie against Simeone’s side would never have been straightforward. Atletico are masters of knockout football — disciplined, physical and expertly drilled to grind out results even when they are not playing well.

This would have been among the tougher draws for Spurs. The combination of Atletico’s European know-how and their ability to make games ugly and attritional means Tottenham would have had to be at their very best across both legs.

Juventus

Juventus were knocked out in the playoffs by Galatasaray, exiting on an aggregate score of 7-5 that went to extra time. Juventus represented one of the biggest names in the draw and would have been a formidable opponent. They lost just once in the league phase, a narrow 1-0 defeat to Real Madrid, which spoke to how difficult they are to break down. Their issue was drawing too many games, which cost them an automatic place in the last 16, but their defensive solidity remained intact throughout.

Spurs have history with Juventus, most notably from the 2018 Champions League when the Italian side edged a dramatic last-16 tie. That pedigree and experience in knockout moments would have made this a tough ask. Juve’s lack of cutting edge this season might have given Tottenham hope going forward, but getting past them would have required a disciplined and patient performance over two legs.

Galatasaray

On paper, Galatasaray looked like the most manageable of the four potential opponents. Their league phase record, three wins, one draw and four defeats, was the weakest of the group, and they only scraped through. However, Spurs will have been well aware of the dangers they carry, having lost 3-2 to Galatasaray as recently as November 2024.

The prospect of playing a second leg in Istanbul, with its famously hostile atmosphere, would have added an extra layer of difficulty to what might have looked a straightforward tie on paper. Galatasaray are capable of big performances on big nights, and that recent win over Spurs was a timely reminder not to underestimate them.

The verdict

Of the four options, Club Brugge would arguably have represented the kindest draw for Tottenham, offering the fewest big-game threats and the most scope for Spurs to impose their style. Galatasaray, despite their lower ranking, came with their own risks. Juventus and Atletico Madrid, meanwhile, would both have been stern tests. They are both experienced, well-organised sides who know how to win knockout ties even when not at their peak.