2023/24 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE PREDICTIONS: LAST 16 FIRST LEGS
The second wave of Champions League last 16 first leg ties get underway on Tuesday night, with some mouthwatering ties to look forward to.
The first quartet of games resulted in just eight goals being scored, but the lack of drama was compensated by Bayern Munich being the first European heavyweight to slip up. The Bavarians lost 1-0 at Lazio, piling more pressure on beleaguered boss Thomas Tuchel, and they will need to come up with something special in the return leg if recent performances are anything to go by.
Things were more plain sailing for Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid, all of whom will take leads into the second legs of their respective ties.
Now it’s the turn of Arsenal, Inter, Borussia Dortmund and Barcelona among others, and there may be a little more juice to squeeze in terms of goalmouth action.
Here’s how 90min predicts things to play out.
Tuesday 20 February
Inter are on course to reclaim Serie A / Marco Luzzani/GettyImages
No side in Italy has managed to keep up with Serie A leaders Inter, who have suffered just one league defeat all season. Lautaro Martinez is enjoying another fine campaign but the Nerazzurri must navigate one of the trickiest ties possible against Atletico Madrid in their bid to go one better than last season.
Diego Simeone’s antagonists aren’t in La Liga title contention but are due a good run in Europe, having failed to reach the semi-finals of the Champions League since 2017. Star forward Antoine Griezmann has also been in good form throughout 2023/24.
There’s a fair amount of upset potential for the encounter between Eredivisie leaders PSV Eindhoven and German giants Borussia Dortmund.
Peter Bosz’s PSV are unbeaten in Dutch league action this year but do remain worryingly reliant on the goals of veteran Luuk de Jong. That said, BVB wilted in the last 16 last year to Chelsea and may struggle for an authoritative showing in the first leg in Eindhoven.
Wednesday 21 February
Arsenal hit Burnley for five at the weekend / Harriet Lander/Copa/GettyImages
Porto remain the last Portuguese club to win the Champions League, triumphing in 2004 under Jose Mourinho, but they face a steep task in attempting to knock out Arsenal.
The English giants have enjoyed their return to top-tier European football this season and look as lethal as ever, scoring heavily in recent wins Liverpool, West Ham and Burnley to quieten talk of a soft touch up front.
Two clubs loved by the late Diego Maradona collide when Napoli host Barcelona. The Serie A champions’ title defence has been shocking and with key performers destined to leave in the summer, these games might be their last in the Champions League for some time.
Barca’s own reign in Spain is set to be cut short later this season due to some dismal performances, so this one has all the ingredients for a desperate and entertaining first leg.
