Brest VS PSG
The first Knockout game of this brand-new UEFA Champions League format is an all-French affair as Brest host Paris Saint-Germain! Brest are coming into this game off the back of a 2-0 win over Nantes and they currently sit 8th in Ligue 1! When it comes to PSG, they enter this game off the back of a 4-1 thrashing over Monaco and they currently lead Ligue 1! During the League Phase, both teams earnt the same amount of points, but a better Goal Difference for PSG meant they ended up 15th whilst Brest finished 18th! In their previous 20 meetings, Brest haven’t won once whilst PSG have won 18 times! Overall, you would expect Paris Saint-Germain to be too strong here, but Brest will definitely push them!
My Prediction: 1-3
Juventus VS PSV Eindhoven
Juventus host PSV Eindhoven in a tie that both teams will fancy their chances in! Juventus are coming into this game off the back of a 2-1 win at Como and they currently sit 5th in Serie A! When it comes to PSV, they enter this game off the back of a 1-1 draw with Willem II and they currently find themselves second in the Eredivisie! During the League Phase, PSV managed to earn 2 more points than their opponents as they finished 14th whilst Juventus ended up 20th! It’s also worth mentioning that Juve actually beat PSV during the League Phase! Overall, the pressure is on Juventus here as the home fans will expect them to get a win on the board!
My Prediction: 2-2
Manchester City VS Real Madrid
In what is definitely the Heavyweight clash of the round, European Rivals collide as Manchester City welcome Real Madrid to the Etihad! Manchester City are coming into this game off the back of a 2-1 win away at Leyton Orient (in the FA Cup) and they currently sit 5th in the Premier League! When it comes to Real Madrid, they enter this game off the back of a 1-1 draw with Atletico Madrid and they currently lead LaLiga! During the League Phase, Man City struggled a lot as they could only scrape in in 22nd whilst Real Madrid’s 3 losses meant they ended up 11th! In their previous 12 meetings, City have won 4 games whilst Madrid have won 3! Overall, Manchester City have to get a win here, it’s as simple as that!
My Prediction: 2-2
Sporting CP VS Borussia Dortmund
Sporting CP welcome Borussia Dortmund in the first of what should be two exciting Legs! Sporting are coming into this game off the back of a 1-1 draw at FC Porto and they currently lead Liga Portugal! When it comes to Borussia Dortmund, they enter this game off the back of a 2-1 loss at home to VfB Stuttgart and they currently sit 11th in the Bundesliga! During the League Phase, Sporting just about got through in 23rd whilst Dortmund did well to finish 10th! In their previous 4 meetings, Sporting have won 1 game whilst BVB have won the rest! Overall, both teams could do with a win here!
My Prediction: 1-2
Club Brugge VS Atalanta
Club Brugge are definitely the underdogs of the competition as they look to give themselves an advantage over Atalanta! Club Brugge are coming into this game off the back of a 1-0 win over OH Leuven and they currently find themselves second in the Belgian First Division! When it comes to Atalanta, they enter this game off the back of a 5-0 win over Hellas Verona and they currently sit third in Serie A! During the League Phase, Club Brugge were the last team to sneak into the Playoffs whilst Atalanta were just a point off the Top 8! Amazingly, this is the first time that these two sides have ever met! Overall, Club Brugge are not to be underestimated at all, but Atalanta are definitely the favourites here!
My Prediction: 1-1
Celtic VS Bayern Munich
Celtic are ready to host one of the biggest night’s in the club’s recent history as Bayern Munich come to town! Celtic are coming into this game off the back of a 5-0 win over Raith Rovers (in the Scottish Cup) and they currently find themselves miles clear in the Scottish Premiership! When it comes to Bayern Munich, they enter this game off the back of a 3-0 win against Werder Bremen and they currently lead the Bundesliga! During the League Phase, Celtic did well to pick up 12 points whilst Bayern would’ve been disappointed to only end up 12th! The most recent meetings between these two sides came in 2017, with Munich winning them both! Overall, this is a big night for Celtic, but they’re going to have to pull out something special to stun Bayern Munich!
My Prediction: 1-3
Feyenoord VS AC Milan
Feyenoord host AC Milan in the First Leg of a tie that I’m actually very intrigued about! Feyenoord are coming into this game off the back of a 3-0 win against Sparta Rotterdam and they currently find themselves 5th in the Eredivisie! When it comes to AC Milan, they enter this game off the back of a 2-0 win in Empoli and they currently sit 7th in Serie A! During the League Phase, the one extra win meant Milan ended up 13th whilst Feyenoord finished 19th! Amazingly, this is the first time that these two sides are playing each other since 1970! Overall, given their struggles in the league, both teams need to get through this tie, and Feyenoord especially need the result here given they’re the home team!
My Prediction: 2-0
Monaco VS Benfica
AS Monaco host SL Benfica in what is the closest clash of the League Phase Table! Monaco are coming into this game off the back of a 4-1 loss at PSG and they currently sit 4th in Ligue 1! When it comes to Benfica, they enter this game off the back of a 3-2 win over Moreirense and they currently find themselves second in Liga Portugal! During the League Phase, both teams earned the same amount of points, with Benfica placing one position higher (in the Table)! In their previous 4 meetings, Monaco haven’t won once whilst Benfica have won 3 times (including back in November)! Overall, this is a great opportunity for both sides to progress to the next round so I’m intrigued to see which one takes it!
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