UEFA Champions League: Previews and Predictions for the Last 16
The Champions League returns from its winter break this week with the first legs of the round of 16 getting the competition under way once again.
Who will make it through to the next round, and who could make it all the way to the final? The draw for the quarter finals onwards is entirely random so it is impossible to tell who will face who, making it nearly impossible to predict who will make it to the final. It is, however, possible to assess the chances each team has of making it through to the next round.
Here are my previews and predictions for who will make it through to the quarter-finals of the 2010-11 Champions League.
Copenhagen Vs Chelsea
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Chelsea have to be the favourites to make it through to the next round in a tie that seems to be a little one sided. With an attacking line that includes Drogba, Anelka and Torres, Chelsea have a side capable of scoring plenty of goals. Defensively, Chelsea could have problems, but they should be good enough to contain the Danes.
Copenhagen had to make it through the qualifying rounds in order to make the group stages and were promptly drawn in a group with Barcelona. Copenhagen's qualification for the knock-out rounds says a lot about their character, and ability. They are yet to lose at home in the Champions League, but lost to Chelsea over two legs in the 1998-9 Cup Winners Cup in the only previous meeting between the sides. Copenhagen have shown themselves to be well organised and more than capable of competing with the best the world has to offer, drawing against Barcelona during the group stages.
Chelsea undoubtedly have the resources to beat the Danish minnows, but they can't afford to take the Danes lightly, a draw against Barcelona a sign of how tough the Scandinavians can be.
Winners: Chelsea, but not by as much as you might expect.
Inter Milan Vs Bayern Munich
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Inter Milan lie fourth while Bayern Munich lie third in their respective leagues. Both sides have seen revivals in their fortunes after poor starts to the season. Inter Milan sacked manager Rafael Benitez and replaced him with AC Milan legend Leonardo, a move that has seen them make up ground on cross town rivals AC Milan. Samuel Eto'o has been key to this, scoring 15 goals in 20 games, as well as seven in the Champions League.
Bayern Munich have relied on the goals of Mario Gomez, netting 17 times in the league, as well as six goals in the Champions league. Bayern have been without Arjen Robben for much of the season, but he has been in great form since returning to fitness, scoring four in four. Bayern lack pace at the back, a potential problem against the likes of Eto'o. There heavily reliance on Gomez could prove problematic if he does not perform, but the return of Robben should take some of the pressure off the German striker.
This rematch of last years' final is set to be a very close encounter that really could go either way. Both sides have improved in recent times, but Inter Milan simply aren't the same without Jose Mourinho.
Winners: Bayern Munich
Arsenal Vs Barcelona
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Barcelona have been dominant in La Liga this season, racing into a healthy lead at the top of the table. Arsenal, meanwhile, are in second place in the Premier League and are very much in with a chance of winning the league.
Arsenal were blown away by Barcelona at the Nou Camp last season and will be looking to exact revenge on a club that is believed by many to boast the best side in the world today. This is a match that neither side really wanted; it is the biggest match-up of the round and provides both teams with one of the toughest tests possible.
Arsenal are in with a better chance than last year. Samir Nasri, if he's fit, could play a huge role, as will Fabregas and Robin Van Persie, who has been in great form since his return from injury; he has scored 10 times since the start of 2011. Arsenal have also been a lot tougher this season, shedding the frail image they had earned over the previous few seasons. The Londoners failed to sign a new centre-back in January, something that could prove to be crucial against the best attacking side in the world.
Barcelona are stronger than ever and have been dominant in La Liga this season, storming to a comfortable lead at the top of the table. They are not, however, invincible. Draws with Rubin Kazan and Copenhagen during the Champions League group stage show that they can be dealt with successfully.
Barcelona are favourites heading into the tie and certainly have a side capable of winning the tournament, but face one of the biggest obstacles standing between them and the final. Arsenal will not just roll over.
Winners: Barcelona, but only just.
Valencia Vs Schalke 04
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Valencia lost both David Villa and David Silva over the summer, a fact that makes their success in this seasons' Champions League impressive. Equally impressive is their domestic form which has taken them to third place in La Liga. Valencia are strong going forward, evidenced by the 15 goals they managed during the group stage. Juan Mata will be influential, as will Aritz Aduriz and Soldado. Defensively, Valencia can be vulnerable, although they do not concede too many goals.
Schalke are not faring so well. They sit tenth in the Bundesliga and are unlikely to qualify for the Champions League next season. In Raúl, however, Schalke have a striker who will always be a threat while Klaas-Jan Huntelaar can be equally brilliant. Schalke have problems at the back. Benedikt Hoewedes and Christoph Metzelder are not the fastest of centre-backs and could be exposed by pace. Domestically they have not been a brilliant pairing either.
Valencia should be able to see off Schalke, but in Raúl and Huntelaar the Germans have an attacking duo who can never be counted out. Schalke will need to remain solid if they are to cope with the attacking style of a Valencia side that has shrugged off major losses. Neither side is in with a major chance of winning the tournament, but both, especially Valencia, could provide an upset or two.
Winners: Valencia
Marseille Vs Manchester United
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Marseille find themselves in second place in Ligue 1 and are in far better form than when the draw was announced in mid December. Marseilles are back in the knock-out stages for the first time since winning the tournament in 1993, and will be looking to follow up on a 1-0 win against Chelsea in their final group game. Marseille spread their goals around as they lack a top class striker, but Lucho Gonzalez will be crucial both in terms of scoring and providing.
Manchester United sit top of the Premier League and have only lost once in the league. Wayne Rooney is finding his form, a spectacular goal last weekend showing Marseille just how deadly he can be. Nani has been superb this season, 11 Premier League assists demonstrating just how influential he has been.
United have more than enough in the tank to outdo Marseille, but must be wary of their French opposition, especially considering that they will be without Rio Ferdinand for at least the first leg. Marseille's lack of an out and out goalscorer could prove to be the difference.
Winners: Manchester United.
Lyon Vs Real Madrid
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Real Madrid have been forced to play second fiddle to Barcelona in La Liga this season, but have been impressive nonetheless. Cristiano Ronaldo has been brilliant, scoring 24 times in La Liga as well as four times in the Champions League. Real's performance in the group stage was their best ever, and they will be confident of breaking down Lyon with a side that boasts the likes of Ronaldo, Mesut Özil and Angel Di Maria. Madrid lack a goal-scoring striker, relying on Ronaldo to provide the goals. Benzema is yet to break out while Higuain has been injured and Adebayor is new to La Liga.
Lyon have a great record against Madrid and knocked them out at this stage last season. The French side have not been in brilliant form this season and are currently fourth in the league. Lyon have struggled in defence during the Champions League, their centre-back pairing often shown up by superior strike forces. Dealing with this problem will be essential if Lyon hope to use their pressuring game to upset a Madrid side that is mentally tougher than last term.
Madrid should have few problems beating a weaker Lyon side, but they have been upset by the Frenchmen in the past. This should have taught Madrid to be wary of Lyon, a lesson that should in turn allow them to see off the French sides' threat.
Winners: Real Madrid
Roma Vs Shakhtar Donetsk
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Roma are not faring particularly well in the league this season and they were patchy in the group stage as well, losing two and drawing one. Roma will, however, be confident of making it through to the next round. In Daniele De Rossi they have a brilliant midfielder while Pizarro, Totti and Riise add experience and ability that should be enough to see off their Ukrainian opposition.
Shakhtar are yet to win a European game in Italy, losing all six of their matches there. Worse still, the last four games there have all seen at least four goals put past them. Shakhtar have not played a competitive game since beating Braga in the Champions League in the second week of December meaning that a lack of match practice could be an issue. However, both Adriano and Eduardo have been in good form in the Champions League and will be crucial if Shakhtar are to cause something of an upset. The Ukrainians boast a wealth of Brazilian talent and have a good chance of beating out the Italians in the Donbass Arena which could put them in a good position going into the second leg.
Shakhtar must win at home if they are to progress to the next stage and will be hoping to catch Roma on an off day. Roma have the players to beat Shakhtar, but they must perform if they are to do so; Shakhtar are capable of playing some brilliant attacking football that is good enough to trouble the best of teams and is certainly good enough to fell Roma.
Winners: Shakhtar Donetsk
Tottenham Hotspur Vs AC Milan
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Tottenham Hotspur made it through the qualifying rounds before fending off defending champions Inter Milan to secure first place in their group, an impressive achievement for a side in their first ever Champions League appearance. Gareth Bale has been an inspiration for Spurs in Europe, but will not play the first leg away in Milan. Rafael van der Vaart has been equally good since arriving from Real Madrid over the summer break and will have to be the main creative outlet in the absence of Bale.
AC Milan top Serie A and should prove to be a tougher prospect for Spurs than Inter Milan were. Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been impressive, netting 13 times in the league and contributing 10 assists as well. He has also chipped in four goals in the Champions League. The full-back positions are problematic for AC and they could be vulnerable from the wings, much as they will be looking to exploit Spurs' defensive frailties.
AC Milan should prove too much for a Tottenham side competing in the Champions League for the first time, but Spurs have shown this season that ruling them out is a risky move.
Winners: AC Milan, just.
