The first leg matches of the UEFA Champions League round of 16 are set to kick off this week, but clubs face several injury setbacks, with more than 50 players set to miss out for different clubs.

The predictable matches have been complicated as a result of this, and the advantage continues to sway in different ties, meaning there could be all or nothing to play for in the reverse fixtures, depending on the impact of absentees this week.

From the injured to the suspended, we take a look at the long list of players set to miss Champions League action this week and assess the impact on their team and the tie.

Absent players from the UCL Ro16 first-leg 

Galatasaray vs Liverpool 

This is one of the ties where the injury crisis could severely impact that outcome, especially as Liverpool has never won a game away to Galatasaray, and holding a lead heading into the second-leg, the Turkish champions could go on to upset the Reds.

Galatasaray, who already beat Liverpool thanks to Victor Osimhen's penalty earlier in the league phase have no injury worries, but the same is not the case for the visitors, who are without six players.

Goalkeeper Alisson Becker is ruled out for the first leg, joining long-term absentees Alexander Isak, Conor Bradley, Geovanni Leoni, Stefan Bajcetic, and Wataru Endo.

Florian Wirtz played the final 21 minutes against Wolves on Friday as he made his comeback from a minor back injury, and will provide a creativity boost for Arne Slot's team.

Atalanta vs Bayern Munich 

As though facing Bayern Munich is not challenging enough, Atalanta will have to do without some of their best players in the first leg, while the visitors' injury list is far from shocking.

Charles de Ketelaere, Giorgio Scalvini, and Giacomo Raspadori are all sidelined for the 2024 UEFA Europa League winner, while Brazilian midfielder Ederson remains a doubt and hasn't played since the 2-0 loss in Dortmund.

Meanwhile, Bayern Munich are heavily favoured in this fixture but will need a good first leg to avoid any surprises. They'll be without the trio of Manuel Neuer, Junya Ito, and Alphonso Davies.

Newcastle United vs Barcelona

Newcastle United's injury list has recently eased, but they'll remain without one player they'd want to lead them into the tie, Bruno Guimaraes, who is also likely to miss the return leg in Camp Nou later this month.

A couple of players have returned to training, although it remains to be seen whether they are fit enough to start, the game also comes too soon for young midfielder Lewis Miley, and veteran defender Fabian Schar.

Barcelona have injury worries of their own, as Jules Kounde and Alejandro Balde are both sidelined for the doubleheader following their injuries in the Copa del Rey home win against Atlético Madrid last week.

Frenkie de Jong and Andreas Christensen are also ruled out for Hansi Flick's team, who had beaten Newcastle at St. James' Park earlier, while Gavi remains a long-term absentee following his ACL injury last year.

Atlético Madrid vs Tottenham Hotspur 

Arguably no team in Europe has been more unfortunate on the injury front than Tottenham Hotspur since the start of last season, and Atlético Madrid may be set to benefit from this as both teams prepare for their clash.

The Spanish club will be without 20-year-old midfielder Rodrigo Mendoza, who is sidelined until the end of April following a sprained ankle in the 3-2 victory over Real Sociedad last weekend.

However, Tottenham has almost a team of starters sidelined with some (Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison) yet to make an appearance this season.

Mohammed Kudus made a stunning start to his Spurs career, but he is ruled out until April due to an injury in January. Rodrigo Bentancur and Ben Davies have also not played since their injuries in January.

Radu Dragusin, Destiny Udogie, Djed Spence, Lucas Bergvall, and Wilson Odobert, have also recently picked up injuries, which will see some of them play no part in the remainder of the season.

Bayer Leverkusen vs Arsenal

League phase winner Arsenal may have their work cut short against Bayer Leverkusen as the German club has suffered a host of injuries ahead of their meeting at BayArena on Wednesday evening.

Although the host boasts a better average progression against English teams in European knockout ties, their task doesn't get any tougher against an Arsenal team that has won all eight league phase games.

First choice Goalkeeper Mark Flekken remains injured, and joining him are Loic Bade, Lucas Vazquez, Nathan Tella, Arthur, and Eliesse Ben Seghir, while striker Patrik Schick is also an injury doubt.

Arsenal will be without Mikel Merino (likely out of the season), Ben White, and captain Martin Ødegaard, while the duo of Leandro Trossard and Riccardo Calafiori face late fitness tests after their injuries at Mansfield Town on Saturday.

Real Madrid vs Manchester City 

Injuries have handicapped Real Madrid ahead of what is becoming a regular Champions League matchup against Manchester City, who will be feeling more confident given the circumstances.

Pep Guardiola's team will continue to be without the duo of Josko Gvardiol and Mateo Kovacic, but Los Blancos face far worse, with a lot of stars set to miss the first leg, and maybe, the second leg too.

Rodrygo Goes has been ruled out for the remainder of the year due to an ACL injury, while Alvaro Carreras has recently been diagnosed with a calf injury and will not be back until the end of the month.

Injuries to Eder Militao and David Alaba also add to the defensive woes, while Dani Ceballos is also ruled out until April. The biggest news are those involving Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappé, and we'll have to wait to see if any of them is okay to feature in the Bernabéu on Wednesday.

Bodø/Glimt vs Sporting CP 

A team whose only engagement since November has been in the Champions League, Bodø/Glimt has no injury worry as they look to continue their fairytale run in their meeting with Sporting CP in Aspmyra on Wednesday.

However, the Portuguese champions have major absentees, like the suspended Pedro Goncalves, while Geovany Quenda and Ricardo Mangas will not be back until the end of the month. Giorgi Kochorashvili is a doubt.

PSG vs Chelsea

Not too many injuries for the meeting between the European champions and the world champions as they rekindled their rivalry from the summer tournament in North America.

Fabian Ruiz is the only confirmed absentee for both sides, although the likes of Joao Neves, Estevao Willian, and Jamie Gittens are injury doubts.

Ousmane Dembele is back in training while Reece James was not pictured in Chelsea training on Monday, although he was named on the bench in the Emirates FA Cup away win at Wrexham on Saturday evening.