The UEFA Champions League round of 16 promises another thrilling chapter in Europe’s most prominent competition, as the remaining teams battle for a place in the quarter-finals.
With several heavyweights set to collide and a few surprise contenders still dreaming big, the stakes could hardly be higher, which offers ample opportunities in sports betting markets for those looking to back their favourites.
Here’s a look at all eight ties and what to expect from each clash.
Galatasaray vs Liverpool
Liverpool fell to a frustrating 1-0 loss when they faced Galatasaray in the league phase in September, and they will be keen to exact revenge when the sides renew hostilities at Rams Park in the first leg on Tuesday.
Defending the Premier League title has already become a ‘mission impossible’ for the Reds, and making a standout result in the Champions League has become mandatory for under-pressure boss Arne Slot.
According to former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy (via BBC), achieving success in Europe’s elite club competition might be the only way for the Dutchman to keep his job.
Despite Galatasaray’s outstanding run in the Turkish Super Lig and a 5-3 aggregate win over Juventus in the knockout play-off round, the Merseyside giants should reach the quarter-finals.
Prediction: Liverpool to progress
Atalanta vs Bayern Munich
Atalanta staged an epic second-leg comeback against Borussia Dortmund in the play-offs, overturning a 2-0 deficit with a stunning 4-1 win in Bergamo to set up their first-ever European tie against Bayern Munich.
Though Harry Kane had to skip the Bavarians’ 4-1 rout of Borussia Monchengladbach last Friday, he is likely to return from injury in time for Bayern’s trip to the Gewiss Stadium, meaning this could be the end of the road for La Dea.
Raffaele Palladino has already done well to guide his side this far in the competition, but a two-legged tie against the record-time Bundesliga champions could prove to be a tall order for the Serie A side.
Prediction: Bayern Munich to progress
Atletico Madrid vs Tottenham Hotspur
Lifting the most prestigious title in European club football represents the only remaining chance for both Atletico Madrid and Tottenham Hotspur to claim silverware this season amid disappointing domestic campaigns.
While Los Colchoneros are on course for another top-four finish in La Liga, Spurs have surprisingly found themselves flirting with relegation in the Premier League, languishing just one point clear of the bottom three.
Needless to say, securing top-flight survival is Igor Tudor’s top priority, which could allow Diego Simeone’s warriors to take advantage of a potentially distracted Tottenham side.
Prediction: Atletico Madrid to progress
Newcastle United vs Barcelona
Barcelona claimed a hard-earned 2-1 win at St James’ Park in September, but Newcastle United will approach this showdown with renewed confidence after beating Manchester United despite a numerical disadvantage.
With a top-four Premier League finish already out of reach, Eddie Howe’s charges have to rewrite the club’s history books and win their first-ever Champions League title if they’re to dine at Europe’s top table next season.
However, that could prove easier said than done against Lamine Yamal and his teammates, with MARCA claiming the Spanish whizz-kid has had more impact in his first four years at Camp Nou than legendary Lionel Messi.
This exciting match-up will be his chance to justify the extraordinary expectations surrounding his meteoric rise.
Prediction: Barcelona to progress
Bayer Leverkusen vs Arsenal
It’s been over two decades since Bayer Leverkusen and Arsenal last faced each other in the Champions League, and things did not go well for Die Werkself that time, as the Gunners emerged 5-2 aggregate winners in 2002.
The history looks likely to repeat itself here, as Mikel Arteta’s high-flyers aim to build on their flawless league-phase record against out-of-sorts Leverkusen and maintain their dream of clinching an unprecedented quadruple.
Winless in four of their last five outings in all competitions, the German heavyweights arrive in poor form and face a daunting task against an Arsenal side brimming with confidence and momentum.
Prediction: Arsenal to progress
Paris Saint-Germain vs Chelsea
Despite a pair of thumping victories over Leverkusen and Tottenham, Les Parisiens’ league-phase journey was far from ideal, casting doubt on their hopes of defending their Champions League title.
Luis Enrique’s side squeezed past Monaco in the play-offs and will have to do a lot better if they are to win a third consecutive knockout tie against Chelsea, as the two teams meet in the Champions League for the first time since 2016.
If there’s someone familiar with PSG’s true strength, it’s Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior, who had coached Strasbourg for almost two years before arriving at Stamford Bridge in January.
Unfortunately for the Blues, that doesn’t mean Chelsea will have an easier time dealing with one of the most skilled attacks in world football.
Prediction: Paris Saint-Germain to progress
Bodo/Glimt vs Sporting CP
As if making it out of the Champions League group/league phase for the first time in the club’s history wasn’t impressive enough, Bodo/Glimt became the first Norwegian side to win a knockout tie since 1987.
None other than Atletico, Manchester City and Inter Milan fell victim to Kjetil Knutsen’s side on their way to the round of 16, highlighting the size of the task awaiting Sporting CP.
It takes a brave man to bet against the Norwegian champions extending their continental fairytale.
Prediction: Bodo/Glimt to progress
Real Madrid vs Manchester City
Meetings between these two European superpowers have become a recurring theme in recent years, as they’ve locked horns six times in the past seven Champions League seasons.
Pep Guardiola’s charges claimed bragging rights in December’s encounter at the Santiago Bernabeu, and Los Blancos will be desperate to settle the score here, even though they might be without Kylian Mbappe for the first leg.
Madrid’s results have improved under Alvaro Arbeloa, but their performances have flattered to deceive. Though Man City haven’t been at their best lately, the writing may already be on the wall for the Spanish powerhouse.Prediction: Manchester City to progress
