It is the draw we have all been waiting for - Well, except for Arsenal fans.😀😀
Credits: Telegraph.co.uk
Games to watch
Juventus vs Tottenham Hotspur
In the group stages Spurs made light work of a formidable Real Madrid side, but did they just ride their luck?
Juventus, who are currently in 3rd and only 2 points off the top position are likely to be a tougher test for Spurs. Tottenham lies in 6th and 18 points behind the free-scoring Manchester City on the back of some horrible performances in the EPL.
I am backing The Old Lady to come through the other end and Tottenham being knocked out. However, it is very possible that Tottenham could pull another blinder and end up knocking Juventus out of the Champions League. Either way a strong contender will be out of the Champions League.
Prediction: Juventus to Qualify.
Real Madrid vs Paris Saint-Germain.
This is possibly the match to watch for most football enthusiasts, fans and neutrals in general. Big names go head to head for a place in the next round but only one will go through.
Real Madrid currently lie 4th in La Liga and 8 points off first placed Barcelona. Real Madrid have had a torrid time in the league losing to and drawing with lesser opposition. Their most influential player, Christiano Ronaldo is misfiring and is currently on 4 goals.
Can they outscore or keep out the lethal trio of Neymar, Mbappe and Cavani? I will have to say no! I just don't see the current holders making it past the round of 16 playing the way they are at the moment.
Prediction: Paris Saint Germain to Qualify.
Chelsea vs Barcelona.
Chelsea have the uphill task of taking on a relatively strong Barcelona side. Despite losing Neymar to PSG Barcelona are still a very formidable side especially with their talisman Messi being fit and firing having scored 14 goals so far.
However, an interesting statistic.
Lionel Messi has faced Chelsea eight times without scoring a single goal from 29 shots; his worst record against a single club during his career - OptaJoe on Twitter.
On the other hand Chelsea are likely to put up a solid fight. They are currently 3rd in the Premier League and have a strong attacking front two in Alvaro Morata and Eden Hazard.
Chelsea are likely to out-muscle Barcelona in set-pieces based on their height advantage. One person to look out for in this regard is Morata who has scored 5 out of his 9 goals with his head.
I would imagine both coaches will be looking to exploit and the other mitigate against this aerial threat. However, I see Chelsea being knocked out of this round. Barcelona are just too smooth.
Prediction: Barcelona to Qualify.
The Easier Draws
- FC Basel vs Manchester City.
This is an easy draw for the Premier League leaders Manchester City and I would be surprised if FC Basel managed to qualify. History has proven that you do not underestimated even the weakest of opposition. Either way I am going with City.
Prediction: Manchester City to Qualify.
- FC Porto vs Liverpool
This looks likely to be decided by who will concede the fewest goals. FC Porto currently lie in 1st place having scored 36 goals and conceded only five in the Primera Liga. On the other hand, Liverpool have scored 34 goals and shipped in a whooping 20 goals.
I am tempted to go with Liverpool because of an in-form Mo' Salah but if I was a betting man I would probably have to go with FC Porto sinking the defenseless Reds.
Prediction: FC Porto to Qualify.
- Sevilla vs Manchester United.
This is a tough one especially for Manchester United whose mid-field seems over reliant on Paul Pogba. Whenever Pogba has been out Manchester United have created very few chances on goal and have struggle immensely. Luckily Pogba's red card in the Arsenal game does not keep him out for Champions League matches. Only an injury would keep him out. The Red Devils will be hoping that is not the case.
Sevilla are definitely not a weak side and they have proven that by coming back from three goals down to drawing 3-3 against Liverpool in the Champions League.
Manchester United are however, the favorites to go through and I back them to win it with or without Pogba.
Prediction: Manchester United to Qualify.
- FC Shakhtar Donetsk vs As Roma.
This is a game that will probably fly under the radar. Shakhtar Donetsk managed to beat a second tier Manchester City team securing their place in the round of 16.
Roma, on the other hand, managed to top their group that included two strong contenders, Chelsea and Atletico Madrid. This looks like a relatively easy win for Roma.
Prediction: Roma to Qualify.
- Bayern Munich vs Besiktas
After a slight stutter in the league Bayern Munich are back to their usual best slaying giants like PSG and Dortmund along the way to drawing in points [15] with PSG in Group B of the Champions League. Besiktas would definitely have hoped not to end up with such a strong contender.
This looks simple enough. Bayern will be taking Besiktas to the cleaners.
Prediction: Bayern Munich to Qualify.
Summary of the Round of 16 Qualification Candidates.[To Go Through]
- Juventus
- Manchester City
- FC Porto
- Manchester United
- Paris Saint-Germain
- AS Roma
- FC Barcelona
- Bayern Munich
Are you a football enthusiast? Let me see your qualification list below in the comments. Have a nice day ladies and gents.