After 2 months in hibernation, the Champions League is coming out of hiding this week. The group stage was a success for the English clubs, with all four teams qualifying. They are accompanied by 3 Germans, 3 Spanish 2 Italians, 2 French, 1 Portuguese and 1 Dutch club. Here is my preview of the 8 ties and who will progress to the quarter-finals.
ALL STATS ARE CORRECT AS OF 09/02/19
ROMA vs PORTO
Of all the draws, this is by far the least anticipated. Roma, having reached the semi-finals last year, have not lived up to expectation thus far. The Giallorossi currently 4th in Serie A, having been 7th at a time, but recently lost 7-1 to Fiorentina in the Coppa Italia. The Champions League has been somewhat of an escape for Roma this season, away from the troubles of the league. Progress, though, looks ominous.
Roma will be excited by the prospect of facing Porto, the weakest seeded side. The Portuguese champions sit on top of the Primeira Liga this season and reached the final of the Taça da Liga. Porto, through 90 minutes, are unbeaten in 26 games so will fancy their chances against an out-of-sorts Roma.
VERDICT - Porto
MANCHESTER UNITED vs PSG
What a difference 2 months make! When the draw was made, under Jose Mourinho, the thought of facing Mbappe, Neymar and Cavani made United fans shiver uncontrollably. Now, under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, 11 games unbeaten, Manchester United must be seen as favourites. They have been truly revolutionised by the Norweigan and goes to show the fault must lie with Mourinho.
Paris Saint-Germain have suffered disastrous injuries in the wake of the fixture. Neymar is out of both legs, Verratti also misses out and Cavani limped off at the weekend. The absence of Neymar and potentially Cavani hampers PSG's chances dramatically. PSG's European conquest could be set for another defeat.
VERDICT - Manchester United
TOTTENHAM vs DORTMUND
Tottenham's season has been centred around their new stadium - which still won't be ready come the second leg. The cost has meant Pochettino has been unable to sign anyone and must make do without the talismanic Harry Kane. Boosted by Son's return, there is a chance for Spurs.
Dortmund are leading the Bundesliga but have stuttered of late. Surrendering a 3-0 lead to Hoffenheim and 3-1 lead to Werder Bremen in the week, eventually losing on penalties. There is great anticipation for Jadon Sancho's return to England who continues to get better and better as the weeks progress. I still fancy Dortmund in this one.
VERDICT- Dortmund
AJAX vs REAL MADRID
This is Ajax's first foray into the knockout stages since 2003 and will be encouraged by not losing to Bayern Munich, drawing both games 1-1 and 3-3, respectively. Ajax are one of Europe's great side with a fantastic history in this competition. The occasion in Amsterdam will be electric.
Real Madrid's season has turned a new corner recently. Inspired by Santiago Solari, Los Blancos are undefeated in 7 games in all competitions, including a 1-1 draw in El Clasico and 3-1 victory over rivals Atletico. The performances of Vinicius Junior show what all the fuss is about with the Brazilian. This is, of course, the Champions League and Real always perform.
VERDICT - Real Madrid
LYON vs BARCELONA
Lyon were a great source of entertainment during the group stages, beating Manchester City 2-1 in England and drawing 2-2 at home. Like Ajax, they will be encouraged by their displays against Europe's bigger clubs. Barcelona, though, could be a step too far.
Barcelona are most people's favourites for the competition. Sitting pretty at the top of La Liga, 5 points clear, potentially 8, Barca will be looking to end the 4 year drought of not winning Big Ears. Lionel Messi, who is expected to be fit, is playing some of the best football of his career, which makes the task for Lyon even more daunting.
VERDICT - Barcelona
LIVERPOOL vs BAYERN
The Reds are top of the Premier League and can win their first league title in 29 years. The lead at the top should be more as Liverpool's performances have been a little nervy, resulting in two 1-1 draws versus Leicester and West Ham. However, there was no sign of pressure as Liverpool prepared for Bayern with a 3-0 thrashing of Bournemouth. Virgil van Dijk will be a big miss is the first leg.
It's very rare for Bayern Munich not to be top of the Bundesliga, which is testament to Lucien Favre and Dortmund. The Bavarians are capable of playing exceptionally or calamitously. The lack of pace in the Bayern side won't worry Liverpool. This was of great concern to Bayern evident in their pursuit of Chelsea wonderkid Callum Hudson-Odoi, who I believe will transfer to Germany in the summer.
VERDICT - Liverpool
ATLETICO MADRID vs JUVENTUS
You know what you're going to get with Atletico under Simeone. A defensive, hard-working approach, virtually unbreakable. The loss in the Madrid Derby allowed Real to surpass them in the league, despite Real's disastrous start to the campaign.
Juve have Cristiano Ronaldo who has settled into life in Italy like a duck to water. Ronaldo has 17 goals in 22 league games but has been somewhat off form in Europe, with 1 goal in 5 matches. He will be the deciding factor in this match and would love to give something back to Real Madrid by defeating their local rivals. Expect a boring games with both defences coming out on top.
VERDICT - Juventus
SCHALKE vs MANCHESTER CITY
This season has been shambolic from Schalke. Languishing in 13th place, they haven't got a hope in hell of beating Manchester City. Rabbi Matondo, who moved from City to Schalke from £10.5 million in January, could face his former side in the most intriguing part of this draw.
Everything about this fixture says City. It's not case of if they win, it's by how much. The whole aim of the Manchester City project is to win the Champions League and Schalke are not the hardest hurdle to overcome in the quest.
VERDICT - Manchester City
So that is my prediction. 3/4 English clubs will progress, sorry Tottenham, along with the usual suspects Barcelona, Real Madrid and Juventus. The progression of Liverpool would marke the exit of Bayern Munich, who haven't failed to reach the quarter-finals since 2011. Dortmund will also follow along with Porto, who will be the side everyone wants to face in the next round.
ALL STATS ARE CORRECT AS OF 09/02/19
ROMA vs PORTO
Of all the draws, this is by far the least anticipated. Roma, having reached the semi-finals last year, have not lived up to expectation thus far. The Giallorossi currently 4th in Serie A, having been 7th at a time, but recently lost 7-1 to Fiorentina in the Coppa Italia. The Champions League has been somewhat of an escape for Roma this season, away from the troubles of the league. Progress, though, looks ominous.
Roma will be excited by the prospect of facing Porto, the weakest seeded side. The Portuguese champions sit on top of the Primeira Liga this season and reached the final of the Taça da Liga. Porto, through 90 minutes, are unbeaten in 26 games so will fancy their chances against an out-of-sorts Roma.
VERDICT - Porto
MANCHESTER UNITED vs PSG
What a difference 2 months make! When the draw was made, under Jose Mourinho, the thought of facing Mbappe, Neymar and Cavani made United fans shiver uncontrollably. Now, under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, 11 games unbeaten, Manchester United must be seen as favourites. They have been truly revolutionised by the Norweigan and goes to show the fault must lie with Mourinho.
Paris Saint-Germain have suffered disastrous injuries in the wake of the fixture. Neymar is out of both legs, Verratti also misses out and Cavani limped off at the weekend. The absence of Neymar and potentially Cavani hampers PSG's chances dramatically. PSG's European conquest could be set for another defeat.
VERDICT - Manchester United
TOTTENHAM vs DORTMUND
Tottenham's season has been centred around their new stadium - which still won't be ready come the second leg. The cost has meant Pochettino has been unable to sign anyone and must make do without the talismanic Harry Kane. Boosted by Son's return, there is a chance for Spurs.
Dortmund are leading the Bundesliga but have stuttered of late. Surrendering a 3-0 lead to Hoffenheim and 3-1 lead to Werder Bremen in the week, eventually losing on penalties. There is great anticipation for Jadon Sancho's return to England who continues to get better and better as the weeks progress. I still fancy Dortmund in this one.
VERDICT- Dortmund
AJAX vs REAL MADRID
This is Ajax's first foray into the knockout stages since 2003 and will be encouraged by not losing to Bayern Munich, drawing both games 1-1 and 3-3, respectively. Ajax are one of Europe's great side with a fantastic history in this competition. The occasion in Amsterdam will be electric.
Real Madrid's season has turned a new corner recently. Inspired by Santiago Solari, Los Blancos are undefeated in 7 games in all competitions, including a 1-1 draw in El Clasico and 3-1 victory over rivals Atletico. The performances of Vinicius Junior show what all the fuss is about with the Brazilian. This is, of course, the Champions League and Real always perform.
VERDICT - Real Madrid
LYON vs BARCELONA
Lyon were a great source of entertainment during the group stages, beating Manchester City 2-1 in England and drawing 2-2 at home. Like Ajax, they will be encouraged by their displays against Europe's bigger clubs. Barcelona, though, could be a step too far.
Barcelona are most people's favourites for the competition. Sitting pretty at the top of La Liga, 5 points clear, potentially 8, Barca will be looking to end the 4 year drought of not winning Big Ears. Lionel Messi, who is expected to be fit, is playing some of the best football of his career, which makes the task for Lyon even more daunting.
VERDICT - Barcelona
LIVERPOOL vs BAYERN
The Reds are top of the Premier League and can win their first league title in 29 years. The lead at the top should be more as Liverpool's performances have been a little nervy, resulting in two 1-1 draws versus Leicester and West Ham. However, there was no sign of pressure as Liverpool prepared for Bayern with a 3-0 thrashing of Bournemouth. Virgil van Dijk will be a big miss is the first leg.
It's very rare for Bayern Munich not to be top of the Bundesliga, which is testament to Lucien Favre and Dortmund. The Bavarians are capable of playing exceptionally or calamitously. The lack of pace in the Bayern side won't worry Liverpool. This was of great concern to Bayern evident in their pursuit of Chelsea wonderkid Callum Hudson-Odoi, who I believe will transfer to Germany in the summer.
VERDICT - Liverpool
ATLETICO MADRID vs JUVENTUS
You know what you're going to get with Atletico under Simeone. A defensive, hard-working approach, virtually unbreakable. The loss in the Madrid Derby allowed Real to surpass them in the league, despite Real's disastrous start to the campaign.
Juve have Cristiano Ronaldo who has settled into life in Italy like a duck to water. Ronaldo has 17 goals in 22 league games but has been somewhat off form in Europe, with 1 goal in 5 matches. He will be the deciding factor in this match and would love to give something back to Real Madrid by defeating their local rivals. Expect a boring games with both defences coming out on top.
VERDICT - Juventus
SCHALKE vs MANCHESTER CITY
This season has been shambolic from Schalke. Languishing in 13th place, they haven't got a hope in hell of beating Manchester City. Rabbi Matondo, who moved from City to Schalke from £10.5 million in January, could face his former side in the most intriguing part of this draw.
Everything about this fixture says City. It's not case of if they win, it's by how much. The whole aim of the Manchester City project is to win the Champions League and Schalke are not the hardest hurdle to overcome in the quest.
VERDICT - Manchester City
So that is my prediction. 3/4 English clubs will progress, sorry Tottenham, along with the usual suspects Barcelona, Real Madrid and Juventus. The progression of Liverpool would marke the exit of Bayern Munich, who haven't failed to reach the quarter-finals since 2011. Dortmund will also follow along with Porto, who will be the side everyone wants to face in the next round.
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