OUR UCL RO16 PREDICTIONS!

 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ROUND OF 16 PREDICTIONS

-Mitansh Kagalwala


Photo Via: businessupturn.com

 

We’ve finally reached that point of the Champions League where the qualifications to the next stage are decided, seedings are determined, and we’re ready to kick back for a two-month long break till February. The only thing left before UCL action comes to a halt is a highly-awaited Round of 16 draw, where the knockout match-ups are determined.

The draw took place on the 13th of December in Nyon, and boy, was it fun. Continuing in the vein of a dramatic group stage, the UCL draw had to be redone, after Manchester United were drawn against Villareal (one of their group stage opponents), and then excluded from the drawing for Atletico Madrid’s opponents. Nevertheless, we finally know which teams will face off, and with the away goals rule scrapped, some huge and exciting match-ups await us, come February.

RULES OF THE DRAW:

The UEFA draw for the Round of 16 has certain rules:

-        No team can be drawn against someone they already played in the Group Stage

-        No team can be drawn against another team from the same country/domestic league.

-        First placed teams will be drawn only against second placed teams

-        Some match-ups may be disallowed by UEFA due to other conditions (such as political rivalries between the two nations in which the clubs play)

THE DRAW IN FULL:

Bayern Munich vs Red Bull Salzburg

Sporting Lisbon vs Manchester City

Benfica vs Ajax

Chelsea vs Lille

Atletico Madrid vs Manchester United

Villareal vs Juventus

Inter vs Liverpool

Paris Saint Germain vs Real Madrid

 

GAMES OF THE ROUND OF 16:

-        PSG vs Real Madrid: We can’t wait for this one. One of the most in form teams in the world, against the most star-studded front three since MSN. This match-up will rest on two things: Marco Verratti being fit, and how well Lionel Messi, Neymar and Mbappe can link up come February. At the moment however, we can’t see any scenario besides Los Blancos advancing in a repeat of the tie from 2018.

Our Prediction: PSG 2-4 Real Madrid (across both legs)

-        Atletico Madrid vs Manchester United: If ever there was a match-up with two completely different teams, it’s this one. Diego Simeone has, in recent seasons, played with a more open style, but we think Atleti will buckle down and look to hit United’s leaky defence on the counter. This tie will depend on how well Rangnick has the Red Devils playing given time and whether Raphael Varane is fit to start or not, but we think the English side have enough firepower to get past their Spanish opposition.

Our Prediction: Atletico 2-3 Manchester United

-        Inter vs Liverpool: By the end of the Round of Sixteen, Liverpool will have faced both the Milan teams twice, and will look to repeat against Inter their wins against AC Milan. Simone Inzaghi has finally got the Scudetto holders purring again, but, with Mo Salah and Sadio Mane back from AFCON, Liverpool look to be a test too stern for the Serie A giants.

Our Prediction: Inter 2-5 Liverpool

OTHER PREDICTIONS:

Bayern Munich 6-1 Red Bull Salzburg

Sporting Lisbon 1-5 Manchester City

Benfica 2-4 Ajax

Chelsea 4-1 Lille

Villareal 2-3 Juventus

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