The 2016-17 UEFA Champions League season is set to jumpstart once again with the first knockout stage. Who among the last 16 teams standing make their way through to the quarterfinals when it’s all said and done? Read on below as we preview all eight round-of-16 matchups and predict the winner for each one after two legs.
2016-17 UEFA Champions League Round of 16
Predictions, Picks and Preview
Tuesday, February 14
Paris Saint-Germain (+280) vs. FC Barcelona (-360)
Barcelona have had the edge in this recurring matchup with Paris Saint-Germain. The Spaniards have won three meetings in a row against the French champions, and have lost just once in six meetings since 2013.
Both teams have changed quite a bit over the years, but PSG are arguably worse off. They no longer have talisman Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and their defense still has some question marks. The same goes for Barca’s defense, but having the most feared front three in the world can make up for those errors and they should be enough to see them past the Parisiens once again.
Writer’s Prediction: Barcelona (-360) move on, 4-2 in aggregate.
Benfica had the benefit of getting drawn into a fairly easy group. And even then, they lost both games against the top team in the group – Napoli – and just about squeezed into the round of 16.
Dortmund haven’t always been at their best this season, but they can sure turn it up in Europe. They led all teams with 21 goals during the group stage, and chances are they find a way past the Benfica defense more than once over the two legs.
Writer’s Prediction: Dortmund (-360) dominate this two-legged tie and win 4-1 in aggregate.
Real Madrid had their hands full during the group stage as they finished just second to Dortmund. They defending champions will have their hands full once again against a Napoli team that’s no joke. With Marek Hamsik and Dries Mertens (20 goals this season, including 4 in the Champions League) leading the charge and Arkadiusz Milik also set to play a part during the two-legged tie, Madrid’s defense will definitely be put to the test.
However, the champs have reached at least the semifinals in each of the past six seasons for a reason, a big one being Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portuguese superstar is still more than capable of leading a prolific Madrid attack past the Neapolitans.
Writer’s Prediction: Madrid (-340) make it back to the quarterfinals, but only just as they advance on away goals (3-3 on aggregate).
Bayern Munich have taken a bit of a step back since Carlo Ancelotti took charge this season. But he still has a world-class squad at his disposal, not to mention a terrific track record in the Champions League with three winner’s medals in his trophy cabinet.
The same can’t be said of Arsenal’s track record, which reads six straight exits in the round of 16. The Gunners don’t really inspire much confidence in terms of winning the tactical battle in Europe, and the Ancelotti-Arsene Wenger matchup over two legs looks like a mismatch in favor of the Germans.
Writer’s Prediction: Bayern (-280) aren’t troubled too much by Arsenal as they win, 3-2 in aggregate.
Tuesday, February 21
Bayer Leverkusen (+280) vs. Atletico Madrid (-360)
Bayer Leverkusen are always a tough team to face because they are seemingly tireless in their pressing. They drew way too many games during the group stage, but the two wins they did get were against the other top two teams in the group – Tottenham and Monaco.
However, they will be without the suspended Hakan Calhanoglu, which will make it that much tougher to break down Atletico’s resolute defense. Meanwhile, Atleti’s Antoine Griezmann (16 goals this season, 3 in the Champions League) is always capable of coming up with that key goal.
Writer’s Prediction: Atletico (-360) outlast Leverkusen in a 2-1 aggregate win.
Pep Guardiola’s Man City team still has a ton of weapons offensively, but their defense could be their undoing in the Champions League. And if there’s any team that can expose a defense’s weakness at the moment, it’s Monaco. The French side is currently leading Ligue 1 on the strength of their 75 goals – the most out of any team in the five major European leagues.
Monaco will likely make Man City work harder than expected, but City should have just enough firepower to survive over two legs.
Writer’s Prediction: Monaco engage Man City in a two-legged shootout, but City (-260) eventually outlast the French, 4-3 in aggregate.
Jorge Sampaoli’s Sevilla side are still challenging in La Liga, but they could be better equipped to succeed in the Champions League. Their hard-pressing style can be a problem to any team over a two-legged affair.
English champions Leicester have been so much better in Europe than the league this season, but they may not be able to flip a switch and get good again after struggling so much over the past few months. Their slow and plodding central defensive partnership of Wes Morgan and Robert Huth could very well be eaten alive by that rabid Sevilla press when it’s all said and done.
Writer’s Prediction: Sevilla (-280) make relatively short work of Leicester as they come away 3-0 winners in aggregate .
Juventus are in pole position for another Serie A title, but they really want to conquer Europe once again. They broke their transfer record for Gonzalo Higuain for that express purpose, and he’s looked like a savvy investment so far.
The Italians have a ton of talent and even more experience up and down their squad. Porto have a fine squad with a decent blend of youth and experience, but they don’t quite have the know-how to solve the problem Juventus presents.
Writer’s Prediction: Juventus (-360) are relatively untroubled as they cruise to a 2-0 aggregate win.
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