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We had a wonderful Champion League group stage this year with PSG setting the record of the most goals scored by a single team ever. Of course, the defense was not forgotten as well as Barcelona only conceded one goal in six matches, equalling the record! As always, we had some big disappointments such as Atletico Madrid, Dortmund, Benfica, and Monaco! But let's forget them for this year. So, without further ado, here are the 1/16 pairs we will be looking forward to seeing on the pitch early in 2018!
FC Juventus - Tottenham Hotspurs
This is without a doubt one of the most exciting pairs! Spurs fans must be devastated to be drawn against FC Juventus after such a magnificent performance in the group stage. Well, that's how Champions League works - sometimes finishing first in group stage guarantees nothing! From FC Juventus standpoint, they must have expected to face some power team and they will be ready! It will be interesting to see how Kane and Alli will be trying to break FC Juventus defensive wall with Buffon on the goalie! We can expect some drama for sure.
Prediction: Tottenham Hotspurs 60-40 FC Juventus
Basel vs Manchester City
Basel did great to qualify for the round of 16 already, but its journey will end right here against Manchester City. I cannot see any other possible scenario rather than 5-1 (or something similar) on aggregate and a huge smile on Guardiola's face. Of course, things do change in football, especially in a couple of months, but let's face it - Basel cannot possibly equal Manchester City's talent.
Prediction: Basel 5-95 Manchester City
Porto vs Liverpool
As Liverpool fan, I am super happy with this draw. I am not saying that Porto is a bad team but it is not Real Madrid or Bayern as well. Liverpool, if they manage to keep this wonderful attacking form, should prevail against Porto, which doesn't look convincing to me this year. However, those strong second-tier teams like Porto can win against anyone on a given day, so we should expect to see many goals and a lot of drama (knowing Liverpool's talent to screw up).
Prediction: Porto 35-65 Liverpool
Sevilla vs Manchester United
Sevilla is a great team and it showed how much of a character it has when it drew Liverpool two times in a group match. The team that can come back from 3-0 against Liverpool is definitely worth to reckon with but Manchester United is still a better team. I do expect to see Ibra and Pogba at their best forms after New Year, making MU even a stronger team. I would be super happy if I were MU's fan. After all, if Real Madrid managed to bank in 5 goals against Sevilla this weekend, I don't see why MU couldn't do the same. Also, Mourinho is too good of a coach to blow up a 3-0 lead like Liverpool did.
Prediction: Sevilla 25-75 Manchester United
Real Madrid vs Paris Saint-Germain
Many people expected this to be a final this year but I guess we will have to see that final take place in the round of 16. How sad must PSG fans be to face Real Madrid after such a dominant performance in the group stage? I bet PSG would have conceded some more goals against Bayern Munich if they knew that it would give them Besiktas instead of Real Madrid. But that is a history now. As for 2018, Neymar will have a chance to show that he is the best player in the world. After all, he wanted to do that so it is his chance. Either way, at the moment PSG is the favorites to win this draw, but anything could happen. Only one thing is for sure - it will be a disaster for any of those teams to leave the competition so early in the season.
Prediction: Real Madrid 45-55 PSG
Shakhtar Donetsk vs Roma
Shakhtar Donetsk vs Roma is definitely not even close to PSG vs Real Madrid, but it is still an exciting match-up. Roma has proved that it is capable of miracles after finishing first in a tough group against Atletico Madrid and Chelsea. Shakhtar Donest, on the other side, is the only team this year to beat Manchester City. Before the Champions League group stage started, no one expected those two teams to even qualify for the round of 16 and in 2018 one those teams will be among the top 8 in Europe.
Prediction: Shakhtar Donetsk 40-60 Roma
Chelsea vs Barcelona
Well, Chelsea should have taken an opportunity to finish first in the group and avoid top guns of Europe but it failed. What happens when you fail? You face Barcelona on the round of 16. Even though Barcelona doesn't look that impressive this season, it still manages to win most of the matches and lead in every competition. Also, we must recognize how wonderful Barca's defense was in Champion League group stage. To conced only 1 goal in 6 matches is something magical and we already saw how troublesome it is for Chelsea to battle against teams with good defenses. I am super excited to see this pair and I want to believe that we will see Chelsea put up a fight, but I am afraid that it will not be enough. Well, Hazard said he is not afraid of any team so he will have a chance to prove that in Barcelona.
Prediction: Chelsea 35-65 Barcelona
Bayern Munich vs Besiktas
Bayern Munich finished second in the group behind PSG, but it looks like football Gods were on Bayern Munich side today. With all due respect to Besiktas, the first Turkish team to ever finish first in the Champion Leagues group stage, it is just not good enough team to win against Bayern. Even though Tosun earned me some points in Champion League's manager, I'll have to take him out of my team as I expect Besiktas to fail this time. As for Bayern, it got lucky!
Prediction: Bayern Munich 85-15 Besiktas
Neymar vs Ronaldo is meant to be the main clash, but I won't be surprised if both end up not having a significant impact over the matches. It might just turn out to be Mbappe vs Isco
You gave Tottenham a 60% chance to beat Juventus. that is rather too generous I will say. Time will tell though.
I personally don't think Tottenham is on that level yet.
60/40 probably is, but Spurs are cohesive, and have the quality for the big stage.
"Real Madrid vs Paris Saint-Germain" - the battle of wallets
Well, most Champions League battles nowadays are battles of wallets, but this is indeed a very good tittle for this match-up :D
Thank you very much, you are very urgent to post a post with us, really happy to see the game, hope to see the future of the game
It's funny how PSG was the least lucky team in this draw with Munich who finished behind them being the luckiest.
I'm really looking forward to all of those games, but I think Real - PSG, Chelsea - Barca and Juve - Spurs are going to be the most interesting ones.
Man City could beat Basel not just 5-1 on aggregate, but 5-1 in a single game. I expect Liverpool, United, Roma and Bayern to be progressing too.
The Champions League looks really interesting this year and with so many good things bottling it in the group stage, I expect the Europa League to be surprisingly competitive at the later stages.
Very nice theme
very nice post 😍😍😍😍😍
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STOPNeymar is better than Ronaldo!