The first knockout round of the Champions League is just under a month away and the matches that have been drawn look like it could be a great viewing in general. From Goliath’s of European football clashing heads to some dark horses looking for an upset, here are my thoughts and predictions on every single game from the biggest club competition in the world.
Schalke vs Manchester City
Now we all know how good Manchester City are, they are running rampant at the moment and any team would have a job on their hands containing the likes of Sterling, Sane and Jesus. However City don’t have the best record in the knockout stages of the Champions League and the away tie will be crucial as City at home will score goals. Schalke are having a terrible season in the Bundesliga sitting in 13th and really under performing with talents like Breel Embolo and Nabil Bentaleb with Bentaleb being Schalke’s current top scorer. First leg will be crucial and if Schalke turn up could cause some problems but with a fairly leaky defence I see only one winner.
Prediction: Manchester City to progress
Ajax vs Real Madrid
This will be a great game to watch and could even spring a surprise on us all. Firstly Madrid have been well below par this season so far, losing Ronaldo has really hurt them and they can’t seem to replace his goals. The defence is looking really shaky too having conceded 24 (YES 24) goals in just 19 games which is very unlike Real Mardid. However big name players are made for big games and if the likes of Modric, Bale and Ramos play the way they can then it could be a long two legs for Ajax. One word describes Ajax and pretty much always has, youth. They have a few players like Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and Daley Blind with experience but with only 3 players the age of 30 or over they are very young side. Not to say they don’t have talented youth though! Matthijs de Ligt is a great young centre half who has a big future and might not be at Ajax much longer with all the big clubs in Europe after him. Hakim Ziyech is currently their top scorer on 10 goals this season joint with former Southampton man Dusan Tadic. An upset may very well be on the cards especially if Ajax win the first leg at home.
Prediction: Ajax to progress
Tottenham Hotspur vs Borussia Dortmund
This could be one of the games of the round (even though you could say that about most of these). One big factor will definitely hinder Tottenham’s chances though which is missing main man Harry Kane through injury who most likely will not be back for either of the legs. Spurs are a good side but definitely not in the best form and not playing their best football. Without Kane and Son at the Asian Cup they lack a top quality centre forward. Players like Eriksen and Alli will still give Dortmund something to worry about but I don’t know if it’ll be enough. Dortmund however are absolutely flying in the Bundesliga being a massive 6 points ahead of rivals Bayern Munich. Marco Reus and Jadon Sancho have been lighting up the league and ripping teams apart with great passing football and Barcelona loan turned permanent signing Paco Alcacer is Dormunds top scorer with 12 goals in 12 games! With their current form and being one of my personal favourite teams to watch at the moment i’m saying BVB all the way.
Prediction: Borussia Dortmund to progress
Roma vs Porto
One of the more low key games of the round but definitely should not disappoint. Roma are not doing too well in the league at the moment sitting 6th and a massive 22 points behind leaders Juventus. Lack of goals have been their main downfall with El Shaaraway being top with 5. Players like Edin Dzecko and youngster Justin Kluivert need to turn up and boost the goals for Roma. Porto are a good team with lots of talent in their squad however do often struggle in the knockout stages of this tournament. Top of the league however in the Primeira Liga says that they are not to be underestimated. Porto do have injury problems with big man up top Aboubakar out with an injury and main man Yacine Brahimi being unfit as of late too. Will be a tight game in both legs and I expect will be won by a tight margin.
Prediction: Roma to progress
Manchester United vs PSG
Before Mourinho was sacked I would of been rather short and sweet with this but Ole has got them playing again which could make it a great game with lots of goals. They have been playing free flowing football again as of late and look like a team who could cause PSG problems especially at the back. Both teams don’t have the best defensive records and are both also very attacking so goals could fly in. Rashford linking up with Lingard, Martial and Paul Pogba will be crucial for united as Pogba especially has looked quite the player since Jose left. However will Uniteds rather shaky defence be able to handle that front three. Cavani is always a player who causes problems up top and Neymar and Kylian Mbappe have been scoring goals for fun as of late with Neymar having 11 and Mbappe having 14 in 13 games. Will be a great game for the neutral and a nail biting one for fans of these two huge clubs.
Prediction: PSG to progress
Lyon vs Barcelona
Barcelona are doing very well in La Liga at the moment and that man Lionel Messi is at it again with 17 in 17 games for the Spanish giants. 5 points clear at the top of the league and players like Suarez and Ousmane Dembele getting in on the scoring act too means this could be a tough one for Lyon. Lyon are a decent team with good players like Nabil Fekir and Memphis Depay who can score and create goals. Sitting 4th in Ligue 1 and 16 points behind PSG shows the difference in class and I don’t think many teams could handle this Barcelona team right now, simple one for me.
Prediction: Barcelona to progress
Athletico Madrid vs Juventus
This is sure to be a classic champions league game. Two giants of European football and both doing well in their respective leagues. Juventus will probably go in favourites but that won’t really mean anything. Juve have class all over the pitch from CR7 up top and Bonucci and Chiellini as a wall at the back. Ronaldo has 14 in 19 for Juve and seems to be getting better every game. 9 points clear shows their dominance in Italy and keep your eye out on Paulo Dybala who I think could win Juve some big games. Athletico are not to be taken lightly however and are probably one of the main dark horses to win the whole thing. Griezmann is obviously the main man but Athletico are a proper team who are built on discipline and togetherness. If they take a good result to Italy they could have the game management to make it very difficult for Juventus. Sitting second in the league means they are no pushovers but will the Ronaldo factor decide it?
Prediction: Juventus to progress
Liverpool vs Bayern Munich
Maybe the single game of the round (totally not biased) this could be an absolute cracker. Liverpool are top of the league but have suffered some set backs as of late with injuries in defence being a big issue but should be better by the time these games come around. Salah is playing well with 14 goals so far this season and Mane and Firmino are performing well too. Xherdan Shaqiri has been maybe one of the signings of the season considering the price and players like Fabihno and Keita could come up good too. However missing Van Dijk for the first leg will be a huge loss and could make it a defensively difficult night at Anfield. Bayern are not performing to standard this season at all being second and 6 points behind leaders Dortmund. Danger man Robert Lewandowski is always a threat with 10 goals this season and players like Muller and Robben have a history of turning up in big games. Should be a very tactical and close game.
Prediction: Liverpool to progress
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