The knockout phase of Europe’s premier competition starts on Tuesday beginning with the Round of 16 matches. There are several plots and twist to this season’s campaign; Liverpool return to the venue of their 2019 final triumph in the UEFA Champions League round of 16. Who will prevail between Atletico Madrid and Liverpool? Paris Saint-Germain coach Thomas Tuchel meets his former club – Borussia Dortmund as the sides clash for a place in the last eight. Can Jose Mourinho’s Tottenham overcome German outfit RB Leipzig? Atalanta and Valencia set on a collision course for a last-eight spot.
Here is our preview of the Champions League Round of 16 A matches.
ATLETICO MADRID v LIVERPOOL – TUE. 18 FEB 2020, 21.00HRS
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Less than a year after conquering Europe, Liverpool return to Wanda Metropolitano to face the landlords – Atletico. Jurgen Klopp’s team have been steamrolling domestic opponents in the Premier League as they race towards their first league title in 30 years. The Reds will arrive in the Spanish capital fresh from Premier League winter break as they face an Atletico Madrid team struggling to keep up with Real Madrid and Barcelona in LaLiga. Diego Simeone is overseeing a new Atleti’s team following several departures last season and his new team is taking a while to fit into a Simeone type of team known for their defensive stability.
VERDICT – Atletico Madrid have won just one of their last seven matches in all competition ahead of this clash while Liverpool have won 13 of their last 14 matches across all competitions. It feels like Liverpool is taking European football to another level while Atletico look to have stagnated in Europe in recent years. The Reds have won five of their last seven Champions League away games and Sadio Mane has 10 goals in 14 Champions League knockout games. It is difficult to call Liverpool favorites because Atleti don’t lose many games at home. A close game on the cards here. Under 2.5 goals
BORUSSIA DORTMUND v PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN – TUE. 18 FEB 2020, 21.00HRS
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For Thomas Tuchel, it is a special moment as he heads back to his former club. His current employers, Paris Saint-Germain were impressive in the group phase and will hope to avoid the pitfalls of the last two seasons by finding a way to navigate themselves past Borussia Dortmund in this first knockout round. Borussia Dortmund finished second in their group and have warmed up for this one with some incredible attacking displays in the German Bundesliga. They have added firepower with Erling Braut Haaland on board and will look to take on the French champions in the battle of superior attacking talents.
VERDICT – Borussia Dortmund have made it past the Champions League round of 16 only once in the last five seasons. It was in 2016/17 under current Paris SG manager Tuchel. Dortmund have won just two of their last six home UCL knockout matches. The visitors have scored at least twice in four of their last five UCL trips. Both teams are exciting in attack and this has the making of a game with goals. Over 2.5 goals.
ATALANTA v VALENCIA – WED. 19 FEB 2020, 21.00HRS
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Debutant Atalanta were one of the surprise teams in the group phase, staging a remarkable comeback to secure a place in the knockout rounds. Atalanta picked up seven points to qualify as Group C runners-up, Manchester City and ahead of seasoned campaigners Shakhtar Donetsk. On the other hand, Valencia won their group thanks to a superior head-to-head having finished level on points with Chelsea. Not many gave Valencia hope of reaching this stage, but here they are following a wonderful group stage campaign. They were pleased to avoid some of the big guns in the draw but their defensive injury crisis might prove to be a problem against a strong attack-minded Atalanta outfit. Still, if they can come away from San Siro with a result then they will be confident of finishing the job at Mestalla.
VERDICT – Free-scoring Atalanta are the top-scoring outfit in Serie A this term. Their cavalier approach means they have focused less on defense. Valencia shown their attacking qualities away from home in this season UCL, they scored in each of their three away trips in the group stage. Atalanta are in better form going into this tie but Valencia have European competition experience. Our top tip is for both teams to score.
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR v RB LEIPZIG – WED. 19 FEB 2020, 21.00HRS
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Last year finalist Spurs will be hoping history repeats itself; last season they faced a high-flying Bundesliga outfit in the round of 16, their victory over Dortmund laid the platform for their run to the final. Leipzig are set for their knockout stage bow having only made their Champions League debut in 2017-18. This is a new terrain for RBL and their talented coach – Julian Nagelsmann as they come up against a former winner – Jose Mourinho. The Portuguese coach can earn his team and fans confidence more in big games like this – it’s where he built his reputation. Can the newbie upstage the old guard?
VERDICT – Both teams won their weekend fixture to put themselves in good spirit ahead of this game. Spurs are the experienced side between these two going into this tie and they can be considered favorites. However, Leipzig maturity in their second UCL campaign has saw them pick up seven of their 11 points on the road this season. They would fancy their chances in London considering Spurs have not been a rock solid as expected. An interesting game is anticipated but if there is going to be a winner, it will probably be the home team.
This wraps us our Champions League Round of 16 A Focus; predict and win big in this money-spinning competition by visiting our Sports shop Babaijebu.ng for mouthwatering offers in this knockout phase of the UEFA Champions League.