The second legs of the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 will take place on Tuesday and Wednesday, as the quarterfinals are nearly set for the premier club football tournament in the world.
Bayer Leverkusen at Arsenal
(1-1)
Kai Havertz late goal left Arsenal on even terms leaving Germany, 1-1. While it wasn’t a dominant performance for the Premier League leaders, they were 2-0 winners over Everton on the weekend and still look like a world class team. Leverkusen have drawn five of their last six games. Jurrien Timber could be out for Arsenal, Martin Odegaard, Leandro Trossard and Mikel Merino also look to be out. Leverkusen misses Aleix Garcia and Martin Terrier, while Alejandro Grimaldo is set to start. Arsenal at home are a strong team, they may not dominate the run of play, but they should find a way to advance. Prediction: Arsenal 2 Bayer Leverkusen 1 (Arsenal advances 3-2 on aggregate)
Real Madrid at Manchester City
(3-0 Real Madrid)
Federico Valverde became a Real Madrid legend, as the Uruguayan superstar scored a first half hat trick to give Real Madrid a dominant 3-0 lead over Manchester City. Real Madrid had chances to widen that scoreline further in the first leg at home, but a 3-0 lead is still a lot for Pep Guardiola’s side to overcome, despite Real Madrid’s injury list. Man City only managed a 1-1 draw against West Ham on the weekend, leaving them further behind Arsenal in the Premier League race, while Real Madrid thumped Elche 4-1. With Real flying and players like Phil Foden struggling for Man City, a Man City comeback almost surely isn’t in the cards. Prediction: Manchester City 2-1 (Real Madrid advances 4-2 on aggregate)
PSG at Chelsea
(5-2 PSG)
Two late goals from substitute Khvicha Kvaratskhelia in the final eight minutes of play gave PSG a decisive lead over Chelsea. 3-2 was solid at home, but 5-2 has given Chelsea a mountain to climb at Stamford Bridge to get back into this tie. PSG’s 5 goals came from just 0.9 xG, as they only had 9 shots on goal in the match, equal to Chelsea. Both goalkeepers Filip Jorgensen (Chelsea), and Matvey Safonov (PSG) had bad nights. PSG’s transition game was on point, and it’s hard to see Chelsea scoring enough without conceding to recover this deficit.
Chelsea could bring in Robert Sanchez as goalkeeper, the club lost their game on the weekend against Newcastle. Pedro Neto may also be suspended. PSG will be rested and fresh, without a game this weekend. PSG will likely be able to take advantage of Chelsea leaving openings, as the blues must attack, and a Chelsea win is not clear cut. Prediction: PSG 3-2 (PSG advances 8-4 on aggregate)
Bodo/Glimt at Sporting Club Portugal
(3-0 Bodo/Glimt)
Bodo/Glimt dominated the first leg at home, building a 3-0 lead that Sporting CP will have to work tirelessly to undermine. This Norwegian slide plays well together with tremendous chemistry and are on the cusp of making football history for their nation, in the same year Norway has qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. While Sporting Club Portugal are a strong home side, and both teams are rested, Bodo/Glimt’s job is to defend. Pedro Goncalves and Maxi Arajuo will return for Sporting CP, Bodo has midfielder Patrik Berg on a yellow card. Expect Bodo to try to kill time in this matchup, though a pair of early goals from Sporting would put this game into play.
Prediction: Sporting CP 3-1 (Bodo/Glimt advances 4-3 on aggregate)
Main Photo Credit: IMAGO / Sportimage
