Champions League Last 16: Predicting This Week's First Leg Scores

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The Champions League is back. The Round of 16 kicks off with two matches Tuesday and two more Wednesday. The last four matches follow next week.

Who's gonna win? Who's heading for a European exit? Today, we're forecasting the first four of the eight Round of 16 first-leg matches.

Some of these predictions are sure to spark a few debates. So, what do you think? Let us know in the comments.

Follow Mike on Twitter: @MikeCummings37

Bayer Leverkusen-Barcelona

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When: Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2:45 p.m. Eastern

 

Where: BayArena

 

What's up

Bayer Leverkusen's Michael Ballack will miss the game because of an injury, as will Sidney Sam and Eren Derdiyok. The Germans finished second behind Chelsea in Group E, and Barcelona topped Group H by a margin of seven points over AC Milan.

 

Prediction

Leverkusen, currently fifth in the Bundesliga, are struggling with injuries. Barcelona trail Real Madrid by 10 points in La Liga, a development that might mean more emphasis on the Champions League and Copa del Rey. With Leverkusen's injury problems, it's hard to see anything other than an easy Barca win. 

Bayer Leverkusen 0-2 Barcelona

Lyon-APOEL Nicosia

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When: Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2:45 p.m. Eastern

 

Where: Stade de Gerland

 

What's up

APOEL stunningly topped Group G ahead of Zenit, Porto and Shakhtar Donetsk, and the Cyprus-based club actually enter this match as the seeded team. Lyon edged Ajax for second place in Group D behind Real Madrid.

 

Prediction

APOEL are seeded, but they won't win. There's just not enough quality in the squad, and they won't sneak up on anyone at this stage. Lyon, meanwhile, have a strong squad that's better than their Ligue 1 position would suggest. And while a trip to Cyprus in the return leg will be tough for Lyon, they may be far enough ahead that it won't matter.

Lyon 3-1 APOEL

Zenit-Benfica

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When: Wednesday, Feb. 15, noon Eastern

 

Where: Petrovsky Stadium

 

What's up

Benfica, who hold a five-point lead atop the Portuguese league, topped Group C and eliminated Manchester United in the process. Zenit finished behind APOEL in Group G.

 

Prediction

This is one of those matches where the seeded team doesn't have much of an advantage. Any non-Russian team will naturally find playing a winter match in Russia difficult, and that will be a concern for Benfica. Zenit, however, haven't played recently because of the Russian Premier League's unusual schedule.

Those factors make this match difficult to call, but in Nicolas Gaitan, Javi Garcia and others, Benfica have the players needed to overcome the elements.

Zenit 1-1 Benfica

AC Milan-Arsenal

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When: Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2:45 p.m. Eastern

 

Where: Stadio Giuseppe Meazza

 

What's up

This is the most intriguing tie of the round. Arsenal are riding the momentum created by their 7-1 demolition of Blackburn and their thrilling comeback victory at Sunderland over the weekend. Thierry Henry scored the winner Saturday, but he's heading back to America and his MLS gig soon. Robin Van Persie remains a lethal scoring threat, and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is emerging as a wide midfield star.

AC Milan, meanwhile, lead Italy's Serie A (though Juventus lurk only two points behind with two matches in hand). They also secured a dramatic, come-from-behind victory over the weekend with Stephan El Shaarawy scoring the late winner in a 2-1 triumph at Udinese. But the Rossoneri recently lost 2-1 to Juventus at the San Siro in the first leg of their Coppa Italia semifinal.

 

Prediction

One could make a case for either team. Arsenal have endured a torrid season, especially in the defensive third, but seem to have found a patch of good form. Milan, as always, have the pedigree to go all the way.

Arsenal won at the San Siro four years ago, and they are capable of doing it again. The question is will they? Maybe not, but a draw is within reach.

AC Milan 2-2 Arsenal

Follow Mike on Twitter: @MikeCummings37