Champions League and UEFA Cup Draw Results: Time for the Germans to Roar

The draw has been decided and some intriguing matchups are upon us. Arsenal and Man United are probably celebrating, and surprisingly, so are Bayern!

Champions League

Liverpool FC v. Chelsea FC:

The revived Blues must cross swords with none other than Rafa Benitez’s Reds. This is the fifth straight time the two sides are up against each other in five years (I wonder whether Platini and Blatter had anything to do with this.)

Liverpool are the highest ranked team in Europe while Chelsea have never won the competition. Rafa doesn’t really have to go through hours of footage of Chelsea games as Liverpool have already done the double over the Blues this season.

However, at that time, Chelsea were under Scolari. I don’t know who to rate as favourites for this match. Chelsea have the edge though as they are playing the second leg at home.

Prediction

First leg (Anfield): 2:1 to Liverpool

Second leg (Stamford Bridge) 3-2 to Chelsea

Final Score: Liverpool will go through on away-goals rule.

Man United vs.  FC Porto

The current champions have a rather easy task, yet they are up against the side that kicked them out of Europe in the 2003-04 season. It will be time for revenge for Ferguson; however, there will be no Jose Mourinho on the touchline working his magic.

Man United are looking to add to their 23 match unbeaten run in Europe, and I have a feeling that they will do so in style.

Prediction

First leg (Old Trafford) Man United 3-0 Porto

Second leg (Estadio de Dragao) Porto 1-1 Man United

Final Score: Man United will go through 4-1 on aggregate.

Villarreal CF vs. Arsenal FC

Arsenal are having a topsy-turvy season. This tie is an intriguing one as Robert Pires and Pascal Cygan look to get one over their old club. Villarreal are a side which do not necessarily know how to play attractive football but do know how to get a result.

I will go with Arsenal, but Villarreal could spring a surprise.

Prediction

First leg (El Madrigal) Villarreal 1:1 Arsenal

Second leg (Emirates) Arsenal 2:0 Villarreal

Final Score: Arsenal will go through 3-1 on aggregate.

FC Barcelona vs. FC Bayern Munchen

Barcelona have never progressed at Bayern’s expense in the Champions League. This along with playing the second leg at home will give Bayern some hope. On the other hand, both teams have attacked the most in this year’s Champions League.

Both teams also have problems in their defences. With Martin Demichelis slipping occasionally and Barca too busy in attack to give the defence some thought, this tie proves to be an intriguing one.

Bayern were quite satisfied with the draw with the exception of Philipp Lahm who was being realistic.

Prediction: I can’t face the truth that Bayern may get thrashed, yet there is a chance of something happening considering head-to-heads in the Champions League.

UEFA Cup

I will not make any predictions for the UEFA Cup, as it’s really hard to find a winner amongst these teams.

Hamburger SV vs. Man City FC

Hamburg are in with a real shot at the semi finals. This is a rather 50-50 tie. Hamburg are strong both home and away in the UEFA Cup as their matches against Galatasaray show. Man City are weak away from home.

It’s hard to say who is going to win. Whoever goes through will be facing a strong Werder or an equally strong Udinese. It could be an all German semi or even another Anglo-Italian tie.

Paris Saint-Germain FC vs.  FC Dynamo Kiev

Kiev made history alongside Shakhtar by becoming the first Ukranian sides to step into the quarter finals of the UEFA Cup. A clinical PSG finished off wasteful Braga despite the first leg at home finishing 0-0.

On the other hand, Kiev lost to Metalist and made it through only on the away goals rule. I am tipping PSG to win, yet I wouldn’t be surprised to see Kiev in the semis.

FC Shakhtar Donetsk v. Olympique de Marseille

Both sides have played in the Champions League this season and both have talented sides. Marseille have the likes of Hatem Ben Arfa and Mahmadou Niang in their ranks. That said, the second semi could be an all French affair between PSG and Marseille.

SV Werder Bremen vs. Udinese Calcio

The sole Italian representatives have a tough task awaiting them in the form of Bremen. Bremen already knocked out another Italian side, AC Milan and will be looking to do the same.

However, this match will be a factor behind determining UEFA Coefficients for Germany and Italy as Italy might be overtaken by the Germans in the rankings. Udinese will definitely be up for this one.

Well, that’s about it. The chances of my predictions being correct are 0 to 1 per cent. I will finish off with a quote from Philipp Lahm after the draw: “It could have been easier. I rate Barcelona as one of the top favourites.

"I’d rather have avoided them in the quarter-finals. Obviously, we’re definitely in with a chance, but we’ll need two very, very good days.”