Champions League Playoffs 1st Leg Previews
This coming week sees the first leg in the Champions League playoff round taking place. The 16 teams that finished 9th to 24th in the table will battle it out to join the eight seeded teams already through to the Round of 16.
The playoffs take place over two legs, the first leg played this week and the second leg played next week and we are going to bring you previews of both legs of these crucial ties.
Let’s begin with a look at the eight seeded teams who are already through to the Round of 16.
Champions League Round of 16 Seeds
- Arsenal
- Bayern Munich
- Liverpool
- Tottenham
- Barcelona
- Sporting Lisbon
- Manchester City
- Chelsea
These eight teams are seeded into the Round of 16 and will play the second leg of their tie in this round at home.
Champions League Playoff Round 1st Leg Previews
The first game on each night kicks off at 5.45pm UK Time, with the three remaining games on each night kicking off at 8pm UK Time.
Tuesday 17th February
- Galatasaray vs. Juventus
A trip to Istanbul to face Galatasaray is always a tough ask. The Turks have beaten Liverpool at home this season so won’t be fazed by Juventus, whose form of late has been pretty solid. Italian teams have not had the best of times in the Champions League this season and this could be a tricky night for the visitors. However, they’ll still be in with a real chance when it comes to the home leg.
Our Prediction – Galatasaray 0-0 Juventus
- AS Monaco vs. Paris St. Germain
AS Monaco have already beaten PSG in a home fixture in Ligue 1 this season and they will certainly be hoping for a similar result here. However, the knockout phase was where PSG came to life last season in this competition, ending with them winning the trophy for the first time, and I am backing them to take the win here.
Our Prediction – AS Monaco 0-2 Paris St. Germain.
- Borussia Dortmund vs. Atalanta
Two attack-minded teams meet in Dortmund for an intriguing first leg. Atalanta had seemed set for a seeded spot, but a poor run of results over the last few weeks scuppered their chances. Dortmund are a tricky team to beat, especially in the knockout phase and I am backing the Germans to take a narrow lead into the second leg next week in Bergamo.
Our Prediction – Borussia Dortmund 2-1 Atalanta
- Benfica vs. Real Madrid
These two teams met in the final round of league fixtures, with Benfica securing a dramatic 4-2 win to qualify for the playoffs and demote Real Madrid into them. Jose Mourinho will want his team to take a lead into the second leg in Madrid, but this could be a tough evening against a Madrid side that will want sime revenge for their shock defeat a few weeks ago.
Our Prediction – Benfica 1-1 Real Madrid
Wednesday 18th February
- Qarabag vs. Newcastle United
Qarabag were thrashed by Liverpool in the last round of league games in this competition, but they did earn a draw at home with Chelsea. Newcastle though do come into this game having earned a crucial away win at Spurs in midweek and I fancy Eddie Howe’s team to have enough pace and physicality to earn a win from this tricky away trip.
Our Prediction – Qarabag 1-3 Newcastle United
- Olympiacos vs. Bayer Leverkusen
The Greek side did well to make it into the playoffs this season but they are going to find the step up in class tough. Leverkusen’s form has been patchy in this competition, but any team capable of winning away at Manchester City should feel they have a chance to get a positive result here. It will be close and I can see the spoils being shared in this first leg.
Our Prediction – Olympiacos 1-1 Bayer Leverkusen
- Bodo/Glimt vs. Inter Milan
Can the impressive Norwegians continue their dream progress in the Champions League? A superb finish to their campaign which saw them beat City and Atletico Madrid means Inter will be dreading this trip North. The Italian side are vastly experienced and were finalists last year, but this promises to be a very tough evening for them.
Our Prediction – Bodo/Glimt 2-2 Inter Milan
- Club Brugge vs. Atletico Madrid
Club Brugge have enjoyed some big nights in Europe this season and they have been particularly impressive in front of goal. Atletico Madrid have had up and down form in Europe this season and come into this game in good form, with a 4-0 win over Barcelona particularly notable. This one has goals written all over it.
Our Prediction – Club Brugge 3-2 Atletico Madrid
