We’re approaching the enterprise finish of the Champions League with the primary legs of the spherical of 16 ties to be performed this week.
There are few surprises within the make-up of the final 16 however the draw has pitched collectively a number of the event favourites, together with Manchester City and Real Madrid.
Right here, we analyse the ties and supply our ideas on the winners…
TUESDAY
Galatasaray v Liverpool (5.45pm)
Liverpool will hope to carry out higher than they did in Istanbul throughout the league part. The Reds had been overwhelmed 1-0 in late September and by no means actually acquired moving into a pressure-cooker environment. That setback was the second in a four-game stretch of defeats that dimmed early optimism and paved the best way for an underwhelming season. Liverpool aren’t going to defend their Premier League title so the Champions League, and the FA Cup, at the moment are the priorities. Galatasaray are faring higher of their home league, Saturday’s 1-0 win at Besiktas serving to them preserve their four-point lead on the Tremendous Lig summit. Gala video games are often high-scoring affairs and so they have scored no less than three targets in eight of their final 13 European matches at RAMS Park. With Victor Osimhen match and firing, they may current a formidable problem for Liverpool.
Prediction: Galatasaray 2-1 Liverpool
Atalanta v Bayern Munich (8pm)
Atalanta produced a stirring comeback to see off Borussia Dortmund to succeed in this stage however they’re prone to discover issues more durable in opposition to the Bundesliga champions. Raffaele Palladino’s males are a match for anybody in Bergamo and Bayern will concentrate on how simply Dortmund had been brushed apart a fortnight in the past. Bayern will likely be hoping star striker Harry Kane is match. The England captain missed Friday’s 4-1 win over Borussia Monchengladbach and his expertise will likely be very important for the guests.
Prediction: Atalanta 2-2 Bayern Munich
Atletico Madrid v Tottenham (8pm)
If Spurs re-produce their Premier League type on the Metropolitano then this may very well be one other tough night time for interim boss Igor Tudor. His gamers seemed bereft of confidence within the residence defeat to Crystal Palace final week and so they must present loads of spine if they’re to come back by way of a visit to a hostile atmosphere with a crowd whipped up by Diego Simeone. Atletico have misplaced certainly one of their final six video games in all competitions – at Barcelona within the Copa del Rey semi-finals – and can see this as a superb alternative to progress.
Prediction: Atletico Madrid 3-0 Tottenham
Newcastle v Barcelona (8pm)
Barcelona gained 2-1 at St James’ Park within the league part thanks to 2 targets from Marcus Rashford. The on-loan Manchester United ahead will doubtless begin this recreation on the bench with Raphinha match once more. No matter XI Hansi Flick places out they may really feel assured of advancing over two legs. Newcastle’s benefit comes with their physicality and top at set-pieces. Count on Eddie Howe to go together with an enormous aspect to hassle the Catalans from each set-piece. Whether or not that will likely be sufficient stays to be seen.
Prediction: Newcastle 1-2 Barcelona
WEDNESDAY
Bayer Leverkusen v Arsenal (5.45pm)
The draw seems to have been type to Arsenal and so they discover themselves in a half that, bar Barcelona, comprises few of the event favourites. That’s to not say development is assured with the hosts struggling only one defeat of their final 12 video games. Not lots of the 2024 Bundesliga-winning workforce stay, nonetheless, and there may be uncertainty as as to if Danish boss Kasper Hjulmand will keep past the top of the season. Arsenal will arrive in Germany brimming with confidence after 9 wins and two attracts of their final 11 video games. Mikel Arteta was capable of relaxation a lot of his first-choice XI for the weekend FA Cup win at Mansfield however they may return on the BayArena.
Prediction: Bayer Leverkusen 0-3 Arsenal
Bodo/Glimt v Sporting CP (8pm)
Bodo/Glimt have blazed a path to succeed in this stage, backing up wins over Manchester Metropolis and Atletico Madrid within the league part with a two-legged victory over Inter Milan within the play-offs. They are going to be aided by their synthetic pitch in opposition to a Sporting workforce that surpassed expectations by qualifying for the spherical of 16 robotically. Rui Borges’ aspect are unbeaten in 12 video games however we fancy the Norwegian fairytale to proceed for no less than yet another recreation.
Prediction: Bodo/Glimt 1-0 Sporting CP
Paris Saint-Germain v Chelsea (8pm)
PSG haven’t been capable of replicate their dominant type of final season in latest months with accidents and fatigue catching up with Luis Enrique’s aspect. They had been a contact lucky to beat Monaco within the Champions League playoffs though the Principality membership acquired their revenge with a 3-1 Ligue 1 win on the Parc des Princes on Friday night time. Chelsea can recall fond reminiscences of their final assembly, a 3-0 defeat of PSG within the remaining of the Membership World Cup final summer season. The Parisians had been unusually off-colour that day and will probably be a lot more durable for the Blues in Paris. The likes of Cole Palmer and Reece James missed the weekend FA Cup win at Wrexham however will likely be again for this one.
Prediction: PSG 3-1 Chelsea
Actual Madrid v Manchester Metropolis (8pm)
For the fifth season in a row, these two groups meet within the Champions League. It has grow to be a bit tedious however the video games themselves are largely watchable affairs. Madrid are in the course of an damage disaster with Jude Bellingham, Eder Militao, Rodrygo and David Alaba undoubtedly out whereas experiences in Spain recommend Kylian Mbappe has misplaced his battle to be match. Metropolis will, subsequently, journey in assured temper of getting a outcome to take again to England. Pep Guardiola’s aspect eased previous Newcastle within the FA Cup on the weekend regardless of making 10 modifications. Erling Haaland was left at residence to relaxation however the towering Norwegian will play on the Bernabeu.
Prediction: Actual Madrid 0-1 Manchester Metropolis
