Champions League Draw: Potential Dream Ties for the Neutral

Nine past winners will be included in the draw for the last 16 of the European Cup, which takes place in Switzerland on Thursday.

Holders Chelsea are not one of the nine, though. They failed to qualify from a group featuring Juventus and Shakhtar Donetsk.

Free-spending Manchester City were also eliminated, while their equally rich French counterparts, PSG, will provide interesting opposition for one of the second-place finishers.

All four Spanish sides made the cut, as did the three German sides who won many admirers in qualifying—particularly Borussia Dortmund.

So, when the draw takes place, what are the potential dream ties for the neutrals?

PSG vs. Real Madrid

The French side dream of ushering in an era to rival the Real Madrid "Galacticos" side of Ronaldo, Zinedine Zidane, Luis Figo, Raul, Roberto Carlos and David Beckham.

What better way to announce their arrival as a force on the big stage than to knock out the nine-time winners?

It would throw together two of the best managers—Carlo Ancelotti vs. Jose Mourinho.

It would throw together two of the biggest egos—Zlatan Ibrahimovic vs. Cristiano Ronaldo.

With Madrid languishing in their league campaign, the pressure on them to win their 10th European Cup is bigger than ever. The pressure on PSG would be less, and the matchup would hopefully bring fireworks to light up the competition.

Manchester United vs. Celtic

Celtic's progression sets up a potential "Battle of Britain" tie in Friday's draw for the last 16.

They have twice been drawn in Manchester United's group in the last 10 years—winning one out of four matches—but this would present the chance to get one over their English rivals in a knockout situation.

No doubt buoyed by their performances against Barcelona, Neil Lennon's side would fancy their chances of an upset more than ever.

Without the threat of Rangers in the league this season, they have been able to put more into their Champions League campaign, and to kick United out of the competition would rival their famous victory against Barca in the group stages.

Sir Alex Ferguson's side aren't exactly famed for their defending at the moment, as demonstrated against Reading recently, but their attacking prowess would surely be too strong for the Glaswegians?

Borussia Dortmund vs. Shakhtar Donetsk

Prior to the start of the season, who would have predicted just how much love would have spread around Europe for these two sides?

Much has changed since the last time they met in 2001, when Borussia Dortmund won both matches.

Dortmund qualified—unbeaten—from the "Group of Death," featuring Real Madrid, Manchester City and Ajax. They did that playing wonderful football and winning legions of admirers.

Meanwhile, Shakhtar Donetsk came out of the group which hosted last season's winners, Chelsea. With a host of dazzling Brazilians—nine in their squad—Willian, Fernandinho and Douglas Costa have been singled out for particular praise.

Should the draw throw them together, expect both the Germans and Ukrainians to play their expansive, attacking football which will hopefully result in a delicious treat for football neutrals worldwide.

Other Potential Ties

Elsewhere, two European heavyweights could be paired together, with the possibility of Bayern Munich or Barcelona being pitted against AC Milan.

Santi Cazorla could return to Malaga with his Arsenal teammates after Manuel Pellegrini steered the Spanish side through as group winners.

Struggling Valencia have twice made the final in the modern era. A draw against Juventus, they hope, may re-energise their season.