Champions League Round of 16

Three teams from England and Spain make it through to the knockout rounds of the Champions League while Germany and Italy supply two sides each, while France, Belgium, Russia, Netherlands, Ukraine and Portugal contribute 1 each. 

PSG v Chelsea

History repeats itself with Chelsea once again facing PSG in the last 16 of the Champions League. The tables have definitely turned for the London side as they currently lie in bottom half of the Premier League table as opposed to the top of the table this time last year. Despite having acquired Angel di Maria this season and Edinson Cavani on fine form, I can honestly see Chelsea winning this tie. Because of their poor form in the league, there is a good chance that Chelsea will put all their eggs in the Champions League basket. It will be close and Chelsea will have to penetrate a defence that has only conceded once in Europe, but I predict the underdog to upstage the favourites.

Benfica v Zenit

Definitely not a tie that will grab many of the headlines, but Benfica come off the back of a second place finish behind Atletico Madrid. They have improved dramatically in Europe considering finishing rock bottom of their group last season scoring only 2 goals and winning only 1 game. Looking at Zenit, they topped the group fending off the likes of Lyon, who finished rock bottom and Gary Neville's Valencia who drop into the Europa League positions. It was definitely a shock for them to finish on top, and I would tip the Portuguese side to progress, however this represents a real opportunity for Zenit to put Russia back on the football map.

Gent v Wolfsburg

Like Zenit, KAA Gent surprised many people to seal a place in the last 16 for the first time in their history, finishing behind the Russian side in their group. Likewise, Wolfsburg are competing in their first knockout round in the Champions League and have never played a Belgian side in the Champions League before. Bas Dost is Wolfsburg's top goal scorer and the Belgian underdogs will have to be on form if they are to stop him also Max Kruse will be key for the German Cup holders creating 33 chances so far in this season. The German side will be clear favourites to progress and I tip the side to make the quarter finals.

Roma v Real Madrid

Real Madrid find themselves a point off the top of La Liga leaders, Barcelona and head coach Rafa Benitez is becoming under increasing pressure. In Europe they have been somewhat of a free scoring outfit, with Cristiano Ronaldo scoring 11 times in the group stage alone. They also had a solid defence throughout the group stage, conceding three goals, all of which were in the away leg against Shakhtar Donetsk. Roma have never kicked on under Rudi Garcia since pushing Juventus for the title 2 years ago. Miralem Pjanic is their creative player while there still is life in the old legs of Francesco Totti. I predict Madrid to qualify easily.

Arsenal v Barcelona

This is possibly the most intriguing tie. Arsenal have had terrible luck with draws in the last 16 over the last number of seasons and it doesn't get much harder than a tie against in form Barcelona. Having had a terrible start in Europe, some may say that the Gunners were lucky to progress, but they have players stepping up to the plate. I have been critical of Mesut Ozil over the years I have been blogging but he is finally showing what he is capable of. The game against Barcelona is a massive test and it will be key that the German does not squander possession. Barcelona need no introductions and possess the best attacking force in Europe. I do think that the Catalans have enough to see off the challenge of Arsenal but it will not be easy.

Juventus v Bayern Munich

Beaten finalists Juventus are recovering in the league having won all of their last 5 matches. Juventus are a good side and you would struggle to find a side that can hold a lead better than the Italian giants. Pep Guardiola's Bayern Munich has strengthened since the last edition and they look good. Vidal has been ever-present in the midfield while signing Douglas Costa from Shahktar Donetsk has proved and inspired decision. Paulo Dybala is an exciting prospect for the Old Lady and I have watched him turn out for both Palermo and Juventus in the last 2 seasons. He is quick and has the potential to cause problems. I tip Bayern's strength in depth to overcome Juventus. 

PSV v Atletico Madrid

PSV beat a disappointing Manchester United side to the second placed spot. They will look back on a very good victory against the Manchester side in game week 1 and another well fought draw at Old Trafford. Former Newcastle United reject, Luuk de Jong is their top scorer this season with 13 goals. During the group stage, PSV scored 8 goals and conceded 7. Looking at their opponents, Atletico Madrid topped their group with relative ease, recording 4 wins and a draw. In the league, the Spanish side sits in 5th position, 4 points off Real Madrid in second and further point off the league leaders, Barcelona. I don't see PSV troubling the 2013-2014 runners up, with Atletico finishing the tie at Vicente Calderon.

Dynamo Kyiv v Man City
Dynamo Kyiv surprised many to pip Porto to the last spot that qualifies for the knockout rounds. The Ukrainians have some useful players including winger Andriy Yarmolenko who was ever present in the group stage. Kyiv are currently battling it out for the league title with arch rivals Shakhtar Donetsk, who failed to qualify from the group stage. Manchester City have had many unfortunate draws since 2010/2011, facing Barcelona last year and the year before in both times where they qualify from the group stage. City should be strong enough to beat the Ukrainian side, particularly with the second leg in front of the Etihad faithful.

Manchester City v Barcelona

Barcelona are in Manchester tonight to take on the English Champions and this can only mean one thing, the  Champions League. I thought I would write this to give an insight into what Manchester City have to do to progress in the competition.

1. Vincent Kompany

For all the many millions that the Sheikhs are pumping into the Manchester club, £6m buy Vincent Kompany is the defensive heartbeat at all the success for City. He hasn't been at his formidable best this season, and was out injured around the Christmas period. I wouldn't say that his contribution is underrated as he does get a lot of credit for his actions, but his value is priceless to City and I'm sure Pellegrini is aware of this. Kompany brings a calm head to the defence, particularly when Mangala can be erratic at times. He will need to be at his best to neutralise a potent Catalonian attack.

2. Don't play 2 strikers.

City normally play a 4-4-2 that works pretty well for them. They've won the Premier League with the formation, but I don't see them beating Barcelona with it. We all know that Barcelona like the possession stats, so with only 2 in the centre of midfield, they may get overrun by Barca's 3. Here's hoping that Aguero tracks back, as the defence will need help. While Barca have been content with passing the ball in tiki taka over the years, Luis Enrique has seemed to acquire a more direct approach - not to the extent of hoof ball, but you know what I mean. Because of this, I can sort of see why Pellegrini has selected 2 strikers, although I don't agree with him.

3. Sergio Aguero 

Of course, the man, myth and legend will have a deciding factor on the game. I am unequivocally positive that City will get chances, and this will be the man who you would bet on 9 times out of 10 to finish them. Aguero is likely to play a shadow striker role, but will also need to give a hand in defence. Aguero will be involved in the action one way or another and may prove beneficial to his strike partner, Edin Dzeko, who poses a different threat to the other little Argentine. Both Dzeko and Aguero will cause problems for the defence but will they take them?

4. Wide players.

Pablo Zabeleta and Gael Clichy will be vital tonight in defence. Up against Neymar and Messi, discipline will be key as both and produce magic from nothing. Suarez needs to be thrown into the mix as I could put a mortgage on all three roaming positions. With Neymar often going down when a gentle breeze brushes him, City will need to be careful when it comes to challenging for the ball. Not only will they be facing this terrific trio, Jordi Alba and Dani Alves' overlapping runs are also likely to cause problems. The wingers will need to retreat when Barcelona are on the ball.

5. Sergio Busquets.

The fella is one of Barcelona's unsung heroes. Much against the popular opinion, he can tackle, and is an expert in breaking the play up by winning free kicks as we all know. Not only are is defensive capabilities to be commended, I believe he will pick up where Xavi and Iniesta left off only in a deeper position. He can dictate the tempo of the game and thread an inch perfect pass so will need to be closed down. He will probably drop to deep for Fernando to mark, so Aguero, Nasri, Silva or Dzeko will need to prevent him from weaving his magic. Alongside him is Ivan Ratikic. The Croatian is the legs, and will be able to help out in both attack and defence. Both are dangerous and it would be stupid to disregard one, but Busquets is the one, along with the attack, and end City's dreams.

Precisely 2 minutes to kick off, according to my computer screen, and I cannot wait for the 90 minutes to unfold.

Champions League Last 16 Draw 2015

After the conclusion to the group stage last Wednesday the draw has been made in Switzerland for the last 16.

PSG v Chelsea

It's a rematch of last year's quarter final where Mourinho's Chelsea meet Blanc's PSG. Chelsea will be quietly confident, particularly with rumours about an upset dressing room in Paris. Chelsea will aim to eradicate the mistakes made in the match last year and with Costa in fine form I expect him to find away past Luiz and Silva in the heart of the Parisian's defence. Facing his former side, Chelsea will certainly know the weaknesses of David know and will hope to exploit them. At John Terry at the heart of Chelsea's defence, I can't see Ibra getting the better of him. Edinson Cavani has talent but he has been far too inconsistent at PSG, but if he turns up, he could steal the show from Chelsea. PSG will be up for the match, they need to be. Having spent hundreds of millions on players over the past few years, they will be hoping for a better run than previous campaigns.

Man City v Barcelona

It's a crunch tie and one that City will be relishing and they'll want revenge for their exit last year. I believe two factors will decide the outcome of the game and that's Vincent Kompany and Sergio Aguero, if they're both fit, then they stand as good a chance as anyone to turn Barcelona over. Obviously, they will be focusing on how to prevent the Catalonian strike force from firing and it will take their defenders at the best to do so. When Kompany is out of the team, the defence looks vulnerable, particularly as Mangala can be quite eccentric at times and Demichelis is lacking in pace. Up front, Aguero can rip any defence to shreds on his day, and he will be backing his qualities to get joy from a Barca defence that are susceptible to mishaps at times. City will need to play smart football and be tactically astute, something which I've been critical of Manuel Pellegrini. They can proceed, but only if Kompany and Aguero are available to play.

Arsenal v Monaco

Arsene Wenger returns to his former club for the first time since he left 18 years ago. Monaco have been struggling in the league this year and are evidently feeling the consequences of selling James Rodriguez to Real Madrid and letting Radamel Falcao go on loan to Manchester United. Wenger will be looking to exploit the lack of pace in Monaco's defence, through Danny Welbeck, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Alexis Sanchez. Arsenal will have to contend with the pace of exciting young attacker, Lucas Ocampos down the flanks and former Spurs player Dimitar Berbatov, who is capable of producing something out of nothing. Surging runs from Geoffrey Kondogbia will need to be tracked, and this may exploit Arsenal's lack of a defensive midfielder. Even with Arsenal's defensive frailties, I still expect them to have too much strength for the principality, providing they do not pick up many injuries between now and then.

Schalke v Real Madrid

Last year Cristiano Ronaldo scored 4 goals in the 2 legs against Schalke, contributing to a 6-1 romp in Gelsenkirchen. Admittedly, I don't know too much about Schalke, only that they have an exciting youth academy and that they produce talented youngsters such as Julian Draxler and Max Meyer. Currently sitting in sixth position, I don't forecast them troubling the Champions League holders. Madrid should have enough strength to brush off the challenge of the side from Gelsenkirchen. 

Shakhtar v Bayern.

Our final look is at Pep Guardiola's Bayern. Shakhtar possess some lively players such as the ably named Brazilian winger Bernard as well Alex Texeira, Fred, Douglas Costa and Taison, not to mention the veteran, Darijo Srna. On the other hand, Bayern have a solid but slow defence so they cannot play a high line up against some of Shakhtar's pacey players. Even for the German champions, Ukraine will be a tough place to go to but in true Guardiola fashion, Bayern will dominate the proceedings and comfortably win at home.

All the first leg ties will be played on either the 17th-18th or 24th-25th February while the return legs will be played  10th-11th or 17th-18th March.