UEFA Champions League Round of 16 Fever: Who will Reach the Quarter-Finals?

The UEFA Champions League spherical of 16 guarantees one other thrilling chapter in Europe’s most distinguished competitors, because the remaining groups battle for a spot within the quarter-finals.

With a number of heavyweights set to collide and some shock contenders nonetheless dreaming large, the stakes might hardly be increased, which provides ample alternatives in sports activities betting markets for these trying to again their favourites.

Right here’s a take a look at all eight ties and what to anticipate from every conflict.

Galatasaray vs Liverpool

Liverpool fell to a irritating 1-0 loss once they confronted Galatasaray within the league section in September, and they are going to be eager to precise revenge when the edges renew hostilities at Rams Park within the first leg on Tuesday.

Defending the Premier League title has already develop into a ‘mission not possible’ for the Reds, and making a standout consequence within the Champions League has develop into obligatory for under-pressure boss Arne Slot.

In keeping with former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy (by way of BBC), reaching success in Europe’s elite membership competitors is likely to be the one method for the Dutchman to maintain his job.

Regardless of Galatasaray’s excellent run within the Turkish Tremendous Lig and a 5-3 mixture win over Juventus within the knockout play-off spherical, the Merseyside giants ought to attain the quarter-finals.

Prediction: Liverpool to progress

Atalanta vs Bayern Munich

Atalanta staged an epic second-leg comeback in opposition to Borussia Dortmund within the play-offs, overturning a 2-0 deficit with a shocking 4-1 win in Bergamo to arrange their first-ever European tie in opposition to Bayern Munich.

Although Harry Kane needed to skip the Bavarians’ 4-1 rout of Borussia Monchengladbach final Friday, he’s more likely to return from damage in time for Bayern’s journey to the Gewiss Stadium, which means this might be the tip of the street for La Dea.

Raffaele Palladino has already accomplished effectively to information his facet this far within the competitors, however a two-legged tie in opposition to the record-time Bundesliga champions might show to be a tall order for the Serie A facet.

Prediction: Bayern Munich to progress

Atletico Madrid vs Tottenham Hotspur

Lifting essentially the most prestigious title in European membership soccer represents the one remaining probability for each Atletico Madrid and Tottenham Hotspur to say silverware this season amid disappointing home campaigns.

Whereas Los Colchoneros are on target for an additional top-four end in La Liga, Spurs have surprisingly discovered themselves flirting with relegation within the Premier League, languishing only one level away from the underside three.

For sure, securing top-flight survival is Igor Tudor’s prime precedence, which might permit Diego Simeone’s warriors to benefit from a probably distracted Tottenham facet.

Prediction: Atletico Madrid to progress

Newcastle United vs Barcelona

Barcelona claimed a hard-earned 2-1 win at St James’ Park in September, however Newcastle United will method this showdown with renewed confidence after beating Manchester United regardless of a numerical drawback.

With a top-four Premier League end already out of attain, Eddie Howe’s prices need to rewrite the membership’s historical past books and win their first-ever Champions League title in the event that they’re to dine at Europe’s prime desk subsequent season.

Nonetheless, that might show simpler mentioned than accomplished in opposition to Lamine Yamal and his teammates, with MARCA claiming the Spanish whizz-kid has had extra impression in his first 4 years at Camp Nou than legendary Lionel Messi.

This thrilling match-up might be his probability to justify the extraordinary expectations surrounding his meteoric rise.

Prediction: Barcelona to progress

Bayer Leverkusen vs Arsenal

It’s been over twenty years since Bayer Leverkusen and Arsenal final confronted one another within the Champions League, and issues didn’t go effectively for Die Werkself that point, because the Gunners emerged 5-2 mixture winners in 2002.

The historical past appears to be like more likely to repeat itself right here, as Mikel Arteta’s high-flyers intention to construct on their flawless league-phase file in opposition to out-of-sorts Leverkusen and keep their dream of clinching an unprecedented quadruple.

Winless in 4 of their final 5 outings in all competitions, the German heavyweights arrive in poor type and face a frightening activity in opposition to an Arsenal facet brimming with confidence and momentum.

Prediction: Arsenal to progress

Paris Saint-Germain vs Chelsea

Regardless of a pair of thumping victories over Leverkusen and Tottenham, Les Parisiens’ league-phase journey was removed from ultimate, casting doubt on their hopes of defending their Champions League title.

Luis Enrique’s facet squeezed previous Monaco within the play-offs and must do loads higher if they’re to win a 3rd consecutive knockout tie in opposition to Chelsea, as the 2 groups meet within the Champions League for the primary time since 2016.

If there’s somebody conversant in PSG’s true power, it’s Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior, who had coached Strasbourg for nearly two years earlier than arriving at Stamford Bridge in January.

Sadly for the Blues, that doesn’t imply Chelsea could have a neater time coping with one of the expert assaults in world soccer.

Prediction: Paris Saint-Germain to progress

Bodo/Glimt vs Sporting CP

As if making it out of the Champions League group/league section for the primary time within the membership’s historical past wasn’t spectacular sufficient, Bodo/Glimt grew to become the primary Norwegian facet to win a knockout tie since 1987.

None apart from Atletico, Manchester Metropolis and Inter Milan fell sufferer to Kjetil Knutsen’s facet on their strategy to the spherical of 16, highlighting the dimensions of the duty awaiting Sporting CP.

It takes a courageous man to wager in opposition to the Norwegian champions extending their continental fairytale.

Prediction: Bodo/Glimt to progress

Actual Madrid vs Manchester Metropolis

Conferences between these two European superpowers have develop into a recurring theme in recent times, as they’ve locked horns six instances previously seven Champions League seasons.

Pep Guardiola’s prices claimed bragging rights in December’s encounter on the Santiago Bernabeu, and Los Blancos might be determined to settle the rating right here, although they is likely to be with out Kylian Mbappe for the primary leg.

Madrid’s outcomes have improved beneath Alvaro Arbeloa, however their performances have flattered to deceive. Although Man Metropolis haven’t been at their finest recently, the writing might already be on the wall for the Spanish powerhouse.Prediction: Manchester Metropolis to progress