The Champions League is finally upon us, soccer freaks! Who are your picks for the round of 16? Read on below as we identify three dark horses who can record major upsets in the last-16 stage.
Here we go again. European powerhouses Arsenal and Bayern Munich get set to renew their burgeoning rivalry when they lock horns in the round of 16 of the 2016-17 UEFA Champions League. This will mark the fourth time in the past five seasons that the two sides have been drawn with each other in Europe’s biggest cup competition. Bayern has totally dominated this matchup with the German giants winning all three of their previous meetings with the Gunners in the last-16 stage (2005, 2013 and 2014).
That being said, Arsenal appear better equipped to shock Bayern this time around. After all, they are the ones who will enter this clash as group winners. They managed to finish above Paris Saint-Germain in Group C, scoring a whopping 18 goals in their six matches. Bayern also look vulnerable under new manager Carlo Ancelotti so now is the time for Arsene Wenger and the Gunners to get beyond one of their bogey sides.
Writer’s Prediction: Arsenal (+210) win 4-3 on aggregate to finally end their hoodoo against Bayern.
FC Barcelona (-400) vs. Paris Saint-Germain (+300)
It isn’t a complete surprise to see Barcelona installed as favorites to advance in this round-of-16 tie. The Catalans have dominated their matchup with PSG, winning each of their last three meetings. In fact, Messi and co. eliminated the Parisians in the quarterfinals of the 2013 and 2015 editions of the Champions League.
So what makes us believe that PSG can record a major shock this time around? First off, the reigning French champions have in their ranks one of the hottest strikers in the world right now in Edinson Cavani. The Uruguayan has scored in his last six games with PSG, his best ever run since he joined the club. Cavani has now scored a whopping 31 goals in all competitions this season. He will be a handful for a Barcelona defense that has looked shaky at times this season.
Writer’s Prediction: PSG (+300) stun Barcelona, 3-2, on aggregate.
Leicester City’s Premier League campaign may be in total disarray (just one point above the relegation zone) but the same can’t be said about their maiden Champions League stint. Their initial foray in Europe has been a huge success, finishing top of Group G with 13 points to their name. The Foxes are the first team since Malaga in the 2012-13 season to finish top of the group on their Champions League debut.
Claudio Ranieri’s men will have their work cut out for them, however, in the round of 16 as standing in their way are three-time reigning Europa League champions Sevilla. The Rojiblancos are flying high at the moment in La Liga, nabbing 46 points in their 22 matches to sit in third place in the league table. That won’t faze Leicester, though, who shocked the entire world with their Premier League title win last year. Look for the Foxes to turn their season around against Sevilla.
Writer’s Prediction: Leicester (+180) advance on away goals.
