European football's greatest competition is back after a two month hiatus. All four English sides will be in action over the course of the few weeks as they look to progress to the quarter-finals. Below is an analysis of the eight ties and who I think will go through.
Atletico Madrid vs Liverpool
Liverpool are the reigning European champions and the champions elect of England. It's hard to look past Liverpool when naming the favourites for the competition this season. Atletico Madrid have struggled this season as Diego Simeone has tried to change the way they play. In an attempt to play more expansive football, Atleti have lost their ability to edge out games so in games they used to win 1-0, they now end 1-1. In European knockout games, that might not be so bad due to how away goals work but simply put, they aren't the same side that reached the Champions League final. This is a perfect opportunity for Atletico Madrid to become the old Atleti again but this is Liverpool, the best team in the world. Joao Felix's injury is a big blow to Simeone and limits what output he can get from his attack.
Verdict - Liverpool
Borussia Dortmund vs PSG
This is an exciting tie. Borussia Dortmund have been brilliant to watch this season due to the amount of goals they score - the likes of Jadon Sancho and Erling Braut Haaland guarantee goals - but the same narrative with Dortmund is that they concede too many. This is true and should be a worry when coming up against PSG. There's something in the air in Paris that finally this may be the season when they become European winners. That seems to be said every year but at one point, it will be correct. Neymar is playing his best football since his move from Barcelona and any side that has him, Mbappe and di Maria will be great. There will be goals but when looking at defences, PSG edge it which will be pivotal.
Verdict - PSG
Atalanta vs Valencia
There's always one tie that doesn't really intrigue anyone, and this it. Atalanta have continued their rapid rise this season and sit 4th, having scored 63 goals this season which is the most in Serie A. Valencia are 7th but just two points off the Champions League places. The Italians are known for their goalscoring ability and with little to separate the teams, that will be the difference.]
Verdict - Atalanta
Tottenham vs RB Leipzig
Under Jose Mourinho, Tottenham have won the 3rd most points in the Premier League despite never impressing me. Mourinho still seems to be playing a more direct style of play while teams are able to play football around their static midfielders. It's not been great and the injury to Heung-Min Son makes the lack of depth in attack even more worrying. Exciting teenager Troy Parrott may now get the call up but it is hardly ideal. RB Leipzig are 1 point off the top of the Bundesliga with Timo Werner scoring for fun. It does seem very simple but Leipzig are capable of reaching a higher ceiling than Tottenham in terms of ability and with Kane and Son not fit, the Germans will go through.
Verdict - RB Leipzig
Chelsea vs Bayern Munich
Last night, Chelsea demonstrated the same problems that have been existing for a number of months now. They dominate games but do not have a clinical striker to finish passages of play. Michy Batshuayi was abysmal and with Tammy Abraham maybe not fit, Olivier Giroud may as well be given a go. This is not the sort of form Frank Lampard would have wanted to have when approaching German champions Bayern Munich, who have gotten over their shaky start to lead the Bundesliga once again. Chelsea and Bayern are teams in development but Bayern seem further ahead in reaching the end goal. If Chelsea try to be expansive, they could be Arsenal'd by Bayern Munich.
Verdict - Chelsea
Napoli vs Barcelona
Barcelona are in a mini crisis. Quique Setien has come in and the football has not been scintillating that you would expect. Lionel Messi has gone four games without a goal - his worst run for six years - but is still their best player every single game. Luckily for Messi and company, they are facing Napoli who are in more of a crisis. Carlo Ancelotti left amid a conflict between the owner and players and Genaro Gattuso has not been able to turn the fortunes around. Barcelona are without Luis Suarez and Ousmane Dembele but should still be too strong for Napoli to deal with. They won't reach the final, anyhow.
Verdict - Barcelona
Lyon vs Juventus
Juventus are in a title race with three teams this season - what is going on in Italy? Yes, Lazio and Inter are pushing the Old Lady for the scudetto with the football under Maurizio Sarri not what had been hoped for. Cristiano Ronaldo, though, has been in remarkable form since the winter break and is showing age is merely a number. Lyon are down in 11th in Ligue 1 so this one is a formality. Sarri may not be in the dugout come the end of the season but winning the Champions League, something the much loved Max Allegri never did, would certainly go a long way to keeping his job.
Verdict - Juventus
Real Madrid vs Manchester City
This is the tie of the round, no doubt. Manchester City are set to be banned from European competitions for 2 years due to breaking FFP regulations so will be more determined than ever to win. No matter how hard he tries, Pep Guardiola just can't seem to hack the Champions League anymore. Real Madrid are top of the league with the meanest defence, conceding just 16 goals. Eden Hazard is returning from injury which is a boost but I feel as though City will come through. They will play with more passion and desire than ever before as the players love the club, and for lots of this may be their final chance to win the competition at City.
Verdict - Manchester City
Sorry to Chelsea and Tottenham but I don't think you're good enough. I have predicted 2 English, 2 Germans, 2 Italians, 1 French and 1 Spanish side to make up the quarter-finals. This is the stage where the best players in the world perform and it will be fascinating to watch.
Atletico Madrid vs Liverpool
Liverpool are the reigning European champions and the champions elect of England. It's hard to look past Liverpool when naming the favourites for the competition this season. Atletico Madrid have struggled this season as Diego Simeone has tried to change the way they play. In an attempt to play more expansive football, Atleti have lost their ability to edge out games so in games they used to win 1-0, they now end 1-1. In European knockout games, that might not be so bad due to how away goals work but simply put, they aren't the same side that reached the Champions League final. This is a perfect opportunity for Atletico Madrid to become the old Atleti again but this is Liverpool, the best team in the world. Joao Felix's injury is a big blow to Simeone and limits what output he can get from his attack.
Verdict - Liverpool
Borussia Dortmund vs PSG
This is an exciting tie. Borussia Dortmund have been brilliant to watch this season due to the amount of goals they score - the likes of Jadon Sancho and Erling Braut Haaland guarantee goals - but the same narrative with Dortmund is that they concede too many. This is true and should be a worry when coming up against PSG. There's something in the air in Paris that finally this may be the season when they become European winners. That seems to be said every year but at one point, it will be correct. Neymar is playing his best football since his move from Barcelona and any side that has him, Mbappe and di Maria will be great. There will be goals but when looking at defences, PSG edge it which will be pivotal.
Verdict - PSG
Atalanta vs Valencia
There's always one tie that doesn't really intrigue anyone, and this it. Atalanta have continued their rapid rise this season and sit 4th, having scored 63 goals this season which is the most in Serie A. Valencia are 7th but just two points off the Champions League places. The Italians are known for their goalscoring ability and with little to separate the teams, that will be the difference.]
Verdict - Atalanta
Tottenham vs RB Leipzig
Under Jose Mourinho, Tottenham have won the 3rd most points in the Premier League despite never impressing me. Mourinho still seems to be playing a more direct style of play while teams are able to play football around their static midfielders. It's not been great and the injury to Heung-Min Son makes the lack of depth in attack even more worrying. Exciting teenager Troy Parrott may now get the call up but it is hardly ideal. RB Leipzig are 1 point off the top of the Bundesliga with Timo Werner scoring for fun. It does seem very simple but Leipzig are capable of reaching a higher ceiling than Tottenham in terms of ability and with Kane and Son not fit, the Germans will go through.
Verdict - RB Leipzig
Chelsea vs Bayern Munich
Last night, Chelsea demonstrated the same problems that have been existing for a number of months now. They dominate games but do not have a clinical striker to finish passages of play. Michy Batshuayi was abysmal and with Tammy Abraham maybe not fit, Olivier Giroud may as well be given a go. This is not the sort of form Frank Lampard would have wanted to have when approaching German champions Bayern Munich, who have gotten over their shaky start to lead the Bundesliga once again. Chelsea and Bayern are teams in development but Bayern seem further ahead in reaching the end goal. If Chelsea try to be expansive, they could be Arsenal'd by Bayern Munich.
Verdict - Chelsea
Napoli vs Barcelona
Barcelona are in a mini crisis. Quique Setien has come in and the football has not been scintillating that you would expect. Lionel Messi has gone four games without a goal - his worst run for six years - but is still their best player every single game. Luckily for Messi and company, they are facing Napoli who are in more of a crisis. Carlo Ancelotti left amid a conflict between the owner and players and Genaro Gattuso has not been able to turn the fortunes around. Barcelona are without Luis Suarez and Ousmane Dembele but should still be too strong for Napoli to deal with. They won't reach the final, anyhow.
Verdict - Barcelona
Lyon vs Juventus
Juventus are in a title race with three teams this season - what is going on in Italy? Yes, Lazio and Inter are pushing the Old Lady for the scudetto with the football under Maurizio Sarri not what had been hoped for. Cristiano Ronaldo, though, has been in remarkable form since the winter break and is showing age is merely a number. Lyon are down in 11th in Ligue 1 so this one is a formality. Sarri may not be in the dugout come the end of the season but winning the Champions League, something the much loved Max Allegri never did, would certainly go a long way to keeping his job.
Verdict - Juventus
Real Madrid vs Manchester City
This is the tie of the round, no doubt. Manchester City are set to be banned from European competitions for 2 years due to breaking FFP regulations so will be more determined than ever to win. No matter how hard he tries, Pep Guardiola just can't seem to hack the Champions League anymore. Real Madrid are top of the league with the meanest defence, conceding just 16 goals. Eden Hazard is returning from injury which is a boost but I feel as though City will come through. They will play with more passion and desire than ever before as the players love the club, and for lots of this may be their final chance to win the competition at City.
Verdict - Manchester City
Sorry to Chelsea and Tottenham but I don't think you're good enough. I have predicted 2 English, 2 Germans, 2 Italians, 1 French and 1 Spanish side to make up the quarter-finals. This is the stage where the best players in the world perform and it will be fascinating to watch.
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