The biggest club competition in the world is finally back and we will see some really exciting matches. This week we will have the following matches:
• RB Leipzig vs Liverpool FC
• FC Barcelona vs Paris Saint-Germain
• Sevilla vs Borussia Dortmund
• FC Porto vs Juventus FC
I'll start with my analysis and predictions.
RB Leipzig vs Liverpool FC
When the draw was ready I was looking forward to this match, RB Leipzig is one of my favourite teams to watch. And I think we'll have an exciting game tomorrow. RB Leipzig has a problem though, they haven't replaced Werner. They lack a goalscorer as Poulsen is more of a False 9 than anything. In comparison, Werner scored 34 goals last season across all competitions. Their goalscorer this season in all competitions is wing back Angeliño with 8. They have way a lot of players that make that final pass but no one to finish it. Sorloth from Crystal Palace and Hwang from RB Salzburgo were signed but between the two they have 3 goals.
In the case of Liverpool, everyone knows about their defensive problems, and not only that, everyone knows about the bad streak of form they have been in since that Crystal Palace win, but I could make a whole article about that. Liverpool aren't in a good place at the moment, having to play midfielders at center back because of the injuries, signing two CBs on the last day of the transfer window that have to be rushed to play as Fabinho is injured too and how bad Mané and Firmino have been lately. And well, Klopp's personal issues.
Anyways, Diogo Jota is expected to be back for the second leg of the CL RO16. And the portuguese has been really good before his injury. I think he will be the difference maker if Liverpool could get a good result at Budapest (Leipzig will play at home here)
So I'll give both a 50% chance. I don't see a clear winner here.
FC Barcelona vs Paris Saint-Germain
This is arguably the most attractive match in this round knowing the story both clubs have in the CL.
FC Barcelona under Koeman has been playing well lately and knowing how Barcelona have struggled with injuries is a good sign. But Araujo got injured not so long ago and he was playing really well and he won't be available for tomorrow match. Umtiti hasn't been at his best since his injury problems after 2018 WC and Lenglet has been poor. On the other hand, De Jong, Pedri and Griezmann have been on a good form lately. And well, Messi looks happy and motivated again to finish the season at least.
PSG has two injuries on two important players: Di María and Neymar. Also Verratti was ruled out. Neymar is expected to be back for the 2nd leg, though. But Koeman's team could get a good result tomorrow as PSG won't have three of their most important players for Pochettino. Pochettino is still adapting to the team, also. I think Barcelona will win tomorrow but PSG will comeback in Paris.
So I'll give PSG a 60% chance of going through and Barcelona a 40%.
Sevilla vs Borussia Dortmund
Dortmund lately hasn't been good as one would expect. Eric Terzic has the team in 6th position and the team has a lot of defensive issues. Most of his players haven't been at his best too and have won only one of his last 5 matches.
Sevilla although they started with a lot of doubts, they have adapted well to the losses of Reguilon and Banega. Plus, they signed one of the best players in Serie A, El Papu Gomez.
I think Sevilla will go through easily because Terzic is a inexperienced coach and it has showed and Lopetegui is suited better for this kind of matches, also, Sevilla have been better than Dortmund this season.
I give Sevilla an 65% chance and Dortmund a 35%.
FC Porto vs Juventus FC
Porto has been in a bad run of form lately, drawing four of their last five. While Juventus has been slightly better, winning 3, losing 1 and drawing 1. Both teams have been struggling in their leagues, Porto being second with 7 points less than Sporting and Juventus with 8 less than Inter.
But Juventus is on paper the superior team, I don't see them not winning. Porto isn't a team like that Lyon that knocked out Juventus last year and Pirlo fixed up some of Sarri's problems.
I'll give Juventus a 75% chance and Porto a 25%.
And what do you think will happen in those matches? Let me know in comments!