The knockout phase of Europe’s premier competition commenced last Tuesday with the first four games of the Round of 16. Just like in the opening quartet of ties, there are several plots and twist to this season’s campaign; A meeting between two giants is in store as Zinédine Zidane and Josep Guardiola lock horns. Can Juventus pass their French examination to make it into the last eight? Bayern Munich will hope to avoid a second successive Round of 16 exit to an English opposition as they face their 2012 conquerors Chelsea. Gennaro Gattuso and Napoli will need to pull out all the stops against a rampant Leo Messi led Barcelona if they hope to progress.
Here is our preview of the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 B matches.
CHELSEA v BAYERN MUNICH – TUE. 25 FEB 2020, 21.00HRS
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Chelsea ended a run of four Premier League games without a win by beating Tottenham on Saturday. They will miss the influential N’Golo Kanté and Christian Pulišić, who shone during the group stage but should have Tammy Abraham back having come on in the victory over Spurs. Bayern Munich will arrive London on the back of four victories in the last five in all competitions. The German league champions have good memories of their last visit to the city facing Tottenham Hotspur. Die Roten won all six group stage games and will hope to carry that momentum into the knockout phase.
VERDICT – The last two meetings between these sides were finals (2012 Champions League final and 2013 Super Cup final). The victories were split evenly though both came via penalty shoot-outs. Four of Chelsea’s last five UCL games have finished with over 2.5 goals while Bayern’s Bundesliga campaign has seen over 2.5 goals in 87% of their matches. Being the first leg, we anticipate a more pragmatic approach from either teams but we believe there would be goals at Stamford Bridge. Over 1.5 goals
NAPOLI v BARCELONA – TUE. 25 FEB 2020, 21.00HRS
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Gennaro Gattuso’s men have put together six wins in their last seven matches, finally finding consistency in their formation and results. The Partenopei have struggled against smaller sides but have beaten the likes of Liverpool and Juventus at home this year. Barcelona travel to San Paolo on the back of four league victories which has propelled them back to the top of the table. Los Cules did not lose any of their group matches on the road and will hope to pick up where they stopped in Italy last December when they beat Inter Milan at the San Siro. Gennaro Gattuso, Napoli coach has acknowledged the challenge before them: “A great team, a great challenge, two fascinating races. We will face them (Barcelona) without fear.”
VERDICT – This is first European competition meeting between these teams. An interesting fact is that Napoli’s two Round of 16 exits ended in the hands of eventual winners – Chelsea in 2012 and Real Madrid in 2017, Barcelona fans will hope that tradition continues. Napoli have won only six of their last 12 home games in the Champions League with the last defeat coming in 2017 against Real Madrid. We believe both teams to score is a likely outcome in this first leg.
OLYMPIQUE LYON v JUVENTUS – WED. 26 FEB 2020, 21.00HRS
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Rudi Garcia’s Lyon face an uphill task against mighty Juventus and the big man – Cristiano Ronaldo. The 35 year-old Portuguese forward is on scoring run (11 successive Serie A matches) that has seen him level with Gabriel Batistuta. Lyon experimented with a 3-4-3 system in the league win at Metz on Friday and Rudi Garcia might be tempted to retain the system as Lyon attempt to deal with Juventus attack. On the other hand, Maurizio Sarri is yet to find stability in his midfield with several players showing inconsistent form. The return of Giorgio Chiellini from injury will boost the defence even if he will need more time to return to full fitness.
VERDICT – This Lyon team is not as strong as the side that fell to Barcelona at this stage last year and their home form has been indifferent though they are capable of raising their game on the day. Memphis Depay’s absence will hurt Les Gones, he is being likened to Lyon’s Cristiano Ronaldo. Juve’s attack is lethal with the form of Cristiano Ronaldo, they should have enough to control the tie from this first leg. The Old Lady will not lose at the Groupama Stadium.
REAL MADRID v MANCHESTER CITY – WED. 26 FEB 2020, 21.00HRS
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All eyes will be on Estadio Santiago Bernabeu when Real Madrid and Manchester City face each other in the Champions League last 16, first leg. Man City potential ban from the competition has taken some attention of this mouthwatering tie and put pressure on both teams for various reasons. City will be more motivated to go all out and win it this season while Real Madrid who suffered an embarrassing exit at this stage last season will be looking to upstage the English champions. Neither side is at its best but the City will arrive the Spanish capital in a better form than their host who have struggled win their last two home games in the league and cup.
VERDICT – Manchester City haven’t beaten Real Madrid in any of their four attempts in the Champions League and City have failed to win five of their last 11 Champions League away games. Real Madrid have only lost three Champions League home games in the last five years. The home team are in poor form by their standards but they are still a threat. Both teams to score is an ideal outcome in a game of this magnitude.
This wraps us our Champions League Round of 16 B 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.