B/R Experts: Big-Game Predictions, March 7-9
The Champions League is back in focus, and there are quarter-final places up for grabs.
Our team of experts have been doing their homework in a bid to point you in the direction of the winning formula.
Will Borussia Dortmund overcome Benfica, are Barcelona capable of turning their tie with PSG on its head and can Arsenal stun Bayern Munich?
Read on for our thoughts on these ties and some intriguing games in the Europa League and Premier League.
Arsenal vs. Bayern Munich
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The schedule said round of 16 in the Champions League, the calendar said February and Arsenal received their usual beatdown at the hands of a favourite to win European football's most coveted trophy, Bayern Munich.
The more things change the more they stay the same. Whereas the 5-1 win in the first leg has catapulted the Bavarians on their best run of form under Carlo Ancelotti, it has sent the Gunners on their typical tailspin towards the arrival of springtime.
Indeed, Bayern have won their last three matches with a combined score of 14-0, while the Gunners have struggled for form and endured an Alexis Sanchez sideshow and heated discussions surrounding the future of Arsene Wenger.
With the tie surely already decided, Bayern will likely use the trip to the Emirates to give some of their back-ups a match, while Arsenal will look to exit the competition with a modicum of dignity. Given Bayern have little to play for, a home win would not be overly surprising.
Prediction: 2-1
First goalscorer: Theo Walcott
Napoli vs. Real Madrid
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Real Madrid have a lead to protect after their 3-1 first-leg victory, but the truth is that Napoli were comfortably their equal at the Santiago Bernabeu—at least in terms of creating dangerous chances and opening up the defence.
It came down to a clinical edge and perhaps a little more physicality, but Napoli will be confident they have what it takes to mount a comeback on home soil.
It could be one of the most back-and-forth fixtures of the round-of-16 second legs, since Real are very much a side whose best form of defence is to relentlessly attack.
Zidane is likely to reinstate all his big players despite a more cohesive performance at the weekend without them—and their quality might just tell in the end.
Prediction: 2-2
First goalscorer: Dries Mertens
Barcelona vs. PSG
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After a few days of shock and anger following the first-leg humiliation, all the talk around Barcelona has gradually built to a crescendo whereby fans and media alike believe a comeback from the 4-0 thrashing is entirely possible.
It is, since it’s Barcelona, but it wasn’t just the individuals who had an off night in Paris, it was PSG themselves who tactically outclassed the Catalans and certainly outfought them.
There’s no chance the Ligue 1 side relent from that approach, and even if Barcelona are on top of their game and rattle in an early goal or two, a single strike on the counter from PSG means Luis Enrique’s team suddenly need six.
It’s a huge task, and one that will be beyond Barca.
Prediction: 3-2
First goalscorer: Neymar
Borussia Dortmund vs. Benfica
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Borussia Dortmund should have been well on their way to the quarter-finals after a superb performance at the Estadio da Luz in the first leg, but, thanks to a bizarre turn of events, the Black and Yellows have to make up ground after losing 1-0 in Portugal.
Dortmund had enough chances for both legs and then some but failed to put a single ball past the imperious Ederson in Benfica's goal, with a laughable Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang effort from the penalty spot the worst offence.
The Gabonese, however, has scored four goals in his last two matches in the Bundesliga, and Dortmund have turned the corner, having won three games on the spin for only the second time all season.
Even without the injured Marco Reus, the hosts should be able to score enough goals to get past a Benfica side that are anything but unbeatable.
Prediction: 3-1
First goalscorer: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Manchester City vs. Stoke City
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David Silva produced a masterclass at Sunderland in Manchester City's latest win (2-0), and they now have the opportunity to stretch their unbeaten run to 10 matches.
Every game remains a lesson for Pep Guardiola as he adapts his footballing philosophy to fit the Premier League, and Stoke have some reason to believe they can take a point away from the Etihad Stadium; Everton, Tottenham, Southampton and Middlesbrough have all managed draws this season.
However, Stoke's recent 4-0 defeat at Spurs suggests they struggle when faced with fast-pressing, clinical teams. Raheem Sterling is improving all the time under Guardiola, and his combination play with Sergio Aguero could prove decisive.
From a Stoke City point of view, Ramadan Sobhi will surely get the chance to shine. The exciting Egyptian has shown great form over his past three outings and deserves the opportunity to have a go at City's full-backs.
Prediction: 2-1
First goalscorer: Raheem Sterling
FC Rostov vs. Manchester United
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It is a difficult week for Jose Mourinho as he is forced to decide how to deal with a daunting schedule.
This 4,000-mile round trip is the last thing United need before a mammoth FA Cup quarter-final tie with his former club Chelsea. This is possibly the moment Mourinho will be most tested since arriving at Old Trafford.
He must balance his squad to ensure he makes the correct team-selection choices in Russia. Risking injuries to key players on a dodgy pitch is surely not an option—they just need to get back to Manchester without suffering a heavy defeat.
FC Rostov are not to be taken lightly. They beat Bayern Munich 3-2 in the group stages of the Champions League and defeated Sparta Prague to set up this clash with United.
Prediction: 2-1
First goalscorer: Sardar Azmoun
Lyon vs. Roma
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As AS Roma head to France for the first leg of their clash with Lyon on Thursday, they will do so knowing that the past week has seen the UEFA Europa League become arguably their top priority this season.
Now all but ruled out of the Serie A title race and already 0-2 down against crosstown rivals Lazio in the Coppa Italia, the Giallorossi need to recover their best form here.
Their 3-4-1-2 formation has brought the best from the likes of Mohamed Salah and Radja Nainggolan, while Edin Dzeko has been deadly in front of goal.
However, they will be in for a tough evening, with Lyon in blistering form after an 11-2 aggregate victory over AZ Alkmaar in the competition’s previous round. Undefeated in their last five games, expect the home side to emerge with a narrow win here.
Prediction: 2-1
First Goalscorer: Nabil Fekir
