⚽ The Champions League knockout round playoff is here. Europe’s top teams unable to secure direct qualification to the Champions League round of 16 have one last shot at inclusion in Europe’s premier football competition, with the action kicking off today and continuing tomorrow. It’s do or die over two legs, with the aggregate score deciding who advances and who gets sent packing.

Clash of titans: Man City vs. Real Madrid. The most highly anticipated match of the night sees the 2022-23 season’s champions (Man City) take on the 2023-24 season’s champions (Real Madrid) in a European heavyweight showdown at 10pm. City has struggled in the competition this year, barely making it into the playoffs after coming in 22nd in the group stage. Madrid, by contrast, was just one point short of direct qualification, coming in 11th place overall. The fixture is itself starting to develop a bit of a history, with the matchup the fourth Champions League battle between the two teams since Pep Guardiola came to City in July 2016. The Merengues have edged it two times, while City have also claimed victory twice.

Other matches playing at 10pm include Juventus vs. Eindhoven and Sporting vs. Dortmund. At 7:45pm, tune in for a French derby, with Brest going head-to-head with Paris Saint-Germain.

Over in the Egyptian Premier League, the drama continues. Zamalek is set to face Pharco at 4pm, while Al Ahly will take on Ghazl El Mahalla at 7pm. Pyramids — the league leaders with 27 points — are sitting this round out, giving Al Ahly — in second place with 26 points — the chance to claim the top spot with a victory. Meanwhile, Zamalek — placed third with 23 points — are lurking just below the league leaders, hoping for a slip-up.

And in FA Cup updates: Exeter City takes on Nottingham Forest in the last game of the FA Cup’s fourth round, with the action set to kick off at 10pm. Last night’s fifth-round draw will see the following matchups when the competition resumes on 1 March:

  • Preston vs. Burnley
  • Aston Villa vs. Cardiff City
  • Crystal Palace vs. Millwall
  • Manchester United vs. Fulham
  • Newcastle United vs. Brighton
  • Bournemouth vs. Wolves
  • Manchester City vs. Plymouth Argyle
  • Exeter or Nottingham Forest vs. Ipswich
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