Champions League last 16: tie-by-tie analysis and predictions | Champions League

Paris Saint-German v Chelsea

The Membership World Cup remaining victory over Paris Saint-Germain final summer season was most likely Enzo Maresca’s best hour as Chelsea supervisor. He devised a gameplan, pinging balls over Nuno Mendes for Cole Palmer to chase, backed up by Malo Gusto, that tore the European champions aside within the first half. Liam Rosenior could attempt to exploit the identical vulnerability, however it is a Chelsea that look weary, their exertions within the US maybe having left them fatigued.

PSG’s latest type has been detached, as proved by the very fact they had been pressured into the playoff spherical by a defeat by Sporting and a draw in opposition to Newcastle of their remaining two league-phase video games, earlier than limping to a 5-4 combination win over Monaco. However then they appeared unimpressive till this stage final season as effectively.

Verdict Slim PSG win.

Galatasaray v Liverpool

Liverpool have gained solely considered one of 5 earlier conferences with Galatasaray, their league-phase defeat in Istanbul in September a part of their depressing autumn. However 4 of these video games had been greater than 20 years in the past and Liverpool, whereas nonetheless nowhere close to the extent of final season, are a extra strong group now than they had been 5 months in the past, whereas Florian Wirtz had begun to seek out his toes earlier than his harm.

Galatasaray confirmed each side of their character in opposition to Juventus within the playoff spherical. They had been distinctive within the second half of the primary leg at dwelling and Victor Osimhen could have a bodily edge over the center of Liverpool’s defence. However within the second leg, even in opposition to 10 males, they wobbled badly, dropping self-discipline and self-belief.

Verdict Snug Liverpool win.

Actual Madrid v Manchester Metropolis

The gamers change, the managers change, the format modifications, and one way or the other Manchester Metropolis at all times find yourself enjoying Actual Madrid. The perimeters had by no means met in a aggressive sport till 2012; these two legs will convey their conferences since to 17, together with within the league section in December, when Metropolis withstood early stress to win 2-1 on the Bernabéu.

This would be the fifth straight season wherein Metropolis and Madrid have met within the knockouts, with Madrid having prevailed on three events. Though Metropolis are starting to click on into type, having gained seven of their final eight in all competitions, they aren’t the all-conquering facet of previous, however Madrid, having sacked Xabi Alonso, are additionally flawed, a gaggle of nice people having not fairly coalesced right into a coherent complete.

Verdict Slim Metropolis win.

Atalanta in Bayern Munich

Bayern Munich are maybe the facet probably to stop a Premier League success. They’ve misplaced simply as soon as all season within the Bundesliga and are averaging greater than 3.5 targets per sport in a system that will get one of the best out of Harry Kane. He has scored 43 targets in all competitions this season and his behavior of dropping deep is complemented by Michael Olise, Serge Gnabry and Luis Díaz working past him.

Bayern completed the league section second behind Arsenal, their solely dropped factors coming on the Emirates Stadium, the place they had been outclassed and misplaced 3-1. Atalanta’s comeback to overtake a 2-0 first-leg deficit in opposition to Borussia Dortmund within the playoff spherical was stirring however they aren’t the facet they had been once they gained the Europa League in 2024 and lie seventh in Serie A.

Verdict Snug Bayern win.

Newcastle v Barcelona

For Newcastle followers, any point out of Barcelona will at all times conjure photos of Faustino Asprilla’s hat-trick of their 3-2 win within the Champions League in 1997. They’ve misplaced all 4 conferences since, although, together with within the league section in September. That 2-1 defeat at St James’ Park, although, ought to give Newcastle hope: they had been removed from outclassed and confirmed a transparent bodily edge.

A mixture of set performs and tempo in behind Barcelona’s remarkably excessive line might be a path to the quarter-final. That prime line locations enormous stress on Barça’s press; any slip-up and Hansi Flick’s facet are vast open, which in the long run was what value them in final season’s semi-final. They’re prime of La Liga, although, and solely Arsenal scored extra targets within the league section.

Verdict Slim Barcelona win.

Atlético Madrid at Tottenham

Tottenham have met Atlético Madrid solely as soon as, but it surely was one of the crucial well-known nights within the historical past of the membership as Invoice Nicholson’s facet romped to a 5-1 win within the 1963 Cup Winners’ Cup remaining in Rotterdam, making them the primary British membership to elevate a European trophy. For Spurs this season, the precedence needs to be avoiding relegation, and it stays to be seen what influence Igor Tudor may have.

Underneath Thomas Frank, Europe introduced a way of aid. Solely Arsenal let in fewer targets, and 5 of the seven they did concede got here of their solely defeat, at PSG. Atlético have had a combined season and lie a irritating fourth in La Liga. They misplaced to Liverpool and Arsenal within the league section.

Verdict Slim Atlético win.

Bodø/Glimt v Sporting

Having been considered one of solely two non-English sides, together with Juventus, to not have performed a Premier League facet within the league section, Sporting’s luck held as they had been drawn in opposition to by far the least-fancied facet within the final 16.

Bodø/Glimt didn’t win a sport within the league section earlier than Christmas however then beat Manchester Metropolis and Atlético to qualify for the playoff spherical, the place they had been extremely spectacular in beating Inter over two legs, regardless of having to play a really completely different type of soccer to the possession-heavy strategy they take domestically. Momentum and their synthetic pitch north of the Arctic Circle give them an opportunity.

Verdict Slim Sporting win.

Bayer Leverkusen v Arsenal

Arsenal gained each sport within the league section. They scored essentially the most targets and so they conceded the fewest. Final season, Liverpool gained no benefit from ending prime, however Arsenal have. It’s not simply that they face Leverkusen, sixth within the Bundesliga, within the final 16, it’s that in the event that they win they’ll face Bodø/Glimt or Sporting within the quarter-final.

The golf equipment have met solely as soon as, in 2002, when Arsenal drew 1-1 away and gained 4-1 at dwelling within the second group stage, and there’s each probability of one thing comparable right here. Though Leverkusen did beat Manchester Metropolis on the Etihad within the league section, that was considered one of solely three victories, and of their solely different sport in opposition to Premier League opposition they wanted a late equaliser to pressure a house draw with Newcastle.

Verdict Snug Arsenal win.